Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for rapid and sensitive quantitative analysis of a sample's fluorescence decay properties. A repetitively pulsed excitation light source generates pulsed fluorescence in the sample. A fluorescence wavelength selector receives a portion of the pulsed fluorescence emanating from the sample and outputs fluorescence photons whose wavelengths lie within a specified wavelength range. A photodetector receives the fluorescence photons within the specified wavelength range as an input from the fluorescence wavelength selector and outputs a time-dependent electrical signal. An array of memory elements stores a representation of the time-dependent electrical signal as a time-series of analog voltages or charges. Successive elements in the array correspond to a time increment of no greater than 4 ns. An analog-to-digital converter transforms the time-series of analog voltages or charges into a corresponding digitized fluorescence waveform.

Abstract: The device and methods relate to a sampling device for obtaining samples of analytes in a difficult-to-reach sampling location, such as below ground or underwater, and transporting the sample to an accessible delivery or collection site. The sampling device comprises a semipermeable membrane-based sampling chamber, which can be positioned under the ground or water surface where analytes of interest can permeate into the chamber through the semipermeable membrane. Transfer channels, which communicate with the sampling chamber, is used to transport the sample to the surface for analysis without removing the chamber from the sampling location.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and digitizing a signal derived from an event has a memory for storing a sequence of analog samples from the signal derived from the event in a sampling operation occurring at about a 0.5 gigahertz or higher sampling rate. Circuitry communicating with the memory selectively initiates the read out of the analog samples in the memories. An array of analog to digital converters receives a sequence of analog samples read out from the memory and produces from the analog samples a corresponding vector of digitized sample values. A waveform accumulator integrated with the array of analog to digital converters receives a vector of digitized sample values from a new waveform and combines these with a vector of digitized sample values from at least one prior waveform. An output stage outputs the vector of digitized sample values developed in the waveform accumulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to monitor hybridization of a probe polynucleotide for detection and analysis of a target polynucleotide in a test sample. A single-stranded probe polynucleotide is attached to an identifiable region on a substrate and allowed to hybridize to a complementary target polynucleotide that may be present in a test sample. A fluorophore noncovalently interacts with the double-stranded polynucleotides that may be formed. The fluorescence decay or lifetime of the fluorophore associated with the double-stranded polynucleotide is different from the fluorescence decay or lifetime of the fluorophore when it is associated with a single-stranded polynucleotide. The detection of double-stranded polynucleotides at a particular region is an indication that the target polynucleotide is present in the test sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and digitizing at least one analog signal derived from an event with a signal duration that is short compared to the interval between consecutive analog signals has two or more memories each capable of storing a sequence of analog samples of one of two or more analog signals derived from the event. There is a trigger for triggering the sampling and storage in the two or more memories of a sequence of analog samples to occur at about a 0.5 gigahertz or higher rate and circuitry communicating with the memories for selectively initiating the read out of the analog samples in the memories. An analog to digital converter receives each analog sample read out from each of memories and produces from the analog samples corresponding digitized sample values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to provide rapid and sensitive quantitative analysis of mixtures by obtaining combined fluorescence wavelength and fluorescence lifetime information, the apparatus having a pulsed light source that induces fluorescence in the sample, the pulses being of a repetitive nature, of short duration, and with very high stability in the pulse energy; a fluorescence wavelength-selector to control the wavelengths of fluorescence photons presented to a photodetector; a digitizer to process the time-dependent electrical signal from the photodetector; and, a memory device that can accept and store a large number of complete fluorescence decay curves from the digitizer each second.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system that processes spatially dispersed electromagnetic emissions at a number of wavelengths from a test material. The spectroscopic system includes a converter that generates an electrical signal that is proportional to the intensity of electromagnetic radiation received by the converter. An optical delay circuit is coupled to an input of the converter. The optical delay circuit selectively delays application to the converter of electromagnetic emissions from the test material for at least one wavelength of electromagnetic emissions. A data processing circuit is coupled to an output of the converter. The data processing circuit records the value of the electrical signal from the converter over time so as to measure, contemporaneously, the intensity of electromagnetic emissions at each wavelength as a function of time.