1. An element analysis unit comprising: sensor means including radiation means for irradiating a material to be analyzed, detector means for detecting radiation returned by said irradiated material and providing signals representative of said returned radiation, and means for providing an indication as to the type of said radiation means and said detector means included in said sensor means; means for interconnecting said sensor means to a processing means; and processing means for processing said signals representative of said returned radiation and responsive to said indication for adapting said processing in accordance with the type of said radiation means and said detector means included in said sensor means interconnected with said processing means, whereby sensor means having different said radiation means and/or different said detector means may be interconnected with said processing means and said processing means will be automatically adapted for operation therewith.