Abstract: In step S101, a specimen containing blood plasma and a coagulation activating agent are introduced into a flow channel, with the coagulation activating agent being positioned ahead, in a state in which portions arrayed in series in the extending direction of the flow channel flow in contact with each other. In step S102, in the process in which the coagulation activating agent, the contact region between the coagulation activating agent and the specimen, and the specimen pass through a measurement portion provided midway along the flow channel in the order named, the refractive indices of the coagulation activating agent and the contact region are measured in a time-series manner. In step S103, the blood coagulation ability of the specimen is measured by comparing the first refractive index value which is the refractive index of the coagulation activating agent with the second refractive index value which is the minimum refractive index of the contact region.

Abstract: A flow cell (2) includes a plate-shaped body 21 that is almost rectangular in a plan view, an introduction portion (22) that is made of a concave portion formed in the upper surface of the body (21), a channel (23) that is formed inside the body (21) and has one end connected to the lower end of the introduction portion (22), and a delivery portion (24) that is made of a concave portion formed in the body (21) and has the lower end connected to the other end of the channel (23). The introduction portion (22) is formed to cause the meniscus of a liquid introduced from an opening to apply, to the liquid, a positive pressure or a negative pressure whose absolute value is smaller than that of a negative pressure applied to the liquid introduced into the channel (23) by the meniscus of the liquid. The channel (23) is formed to cause the meniscus of the liquid introduced into the channel (23) to apply a negative pressure to the liquid.

Abstract: A flow cell (2) includes a plate-shaped body 21 that is almost rectangular in a plan view, an introduction portion (22) that is made of a concave portion formed in the upper surface of the body (21), a channel (23) that is formed inside the body (21) and has one end connected to the lower end of the introduction portion (22), and a delivery portion (24) that is made of a concave portion formed in the body (21) and has the lower end connected to the other end of the channel (23). The introduction portion (22) is formed to cause the meniscus of a liquid introduced from an opening to apply, to the liquid, a positive pressure or a negative pressure whose absolute value is smaller than that of a negative pressure applied to the liquid introduced into the channel (23) by the meniscus of the liquid. The channel (23) is formed to cause the meniscus of the liquid introduced into the channel (23) to apply a negative pressure to the liquid.

Abstract: In step S101, a specimen containing blood plasma and a coagulation activating agent are introduced into a flow channel, with the coagulation activating agent being positioned ahead, in a state in which portions arrayed in series in the extending direction of the flow channel flow in contact with each other. In step S102, in the process in which the coagulation activating agent, the contact region between the coagulation activating agent and the specimen, and the specimen pass through a measurement portion provided midway along the flow channel in the order named, the refractive indices of the coagulation activating agent and the contact region are measured in a time-series manner. In step S103, the blood coagulation ability of the specimen is measured by comparing the first refractive index value which is the refractive index of the coagulation activating agent with the second refractive index value which is the minimum refractive index of the contact region.

Abstract: An optical module includes an under cladding, a first core, a second core, and an over cladding. The under cladding has a flat shape as a whole. The first core has a quadrangular cross section and is placed on the under cladding. The second core is placed on a terminal end portion of the first core. The over cladding is placed in a region including the terminal end portion of the first core and the second core placed on the terminal end portion of the first core. The under cladding and the first core placed thereon constitute a first optical waveguide. The under cladding, the terminal end portion of the first core placed on the under cladding, the second core placed thereon, and the over cladding placed on and around the second core constitute a mode field size conversion portion. The under cladding, the second core placed on the under cladding, and the over cladding placed on and around the second core constitute a second optical waveguide. The first core is made of silicon.

Abstract: An optical module includes an under cladding, a first core, a second core, and an over cladding. The under cladding has a flat shape as a whole. The first core has a quadrangular cross section and is placed on the under cladding. The second core is placed on a terminal end portion of the first core. The over cladding is placed in a region including the terminal end portion of the first core and the second core placed on the terminal end portion of the first core. The under cladding and the first core placed thereon constitute a first optical waveguide. The under cladding, the terminal end portion of the first core placed on the under cladding, the second core placed thereon, and the over cladding placed on and around the second core constitute a mode field size conversion portion. The under cladding, the second core placed on the under cladding, and the over cladding placed on and around the second core constitute a second optical waveguide. The first core is made of silicon.

Abstract: According to this invention, illumination light for illuminating a mask on which a micropattern is drawn is inclined at an angle corresponding to a numerical aperture of an optical projection lens located below the mask with respect to an optical axis. The illumination light is obliquely incident on the mask to expose the micropattern on an object located below the optical projection lens.