Abstract: A light sheet imaging system, such as a light sheet microscope, comprises an illumination arrangement for generating a light sheet for three-photon excitation of a fluorescent sample, and a fluorescence collection arrangement for collecting fluorescence generated in the sample as a result of three-photon excitation by the light sheet. The light sheet may be a non-diffractive, propagation-invariant light sheet. The light sheet may be formed from and/or comprise a Bessel beam. A method of light sheet imaging comprises using a light sheet for three-photon excitation of a fluorescent sample, and collecting fluorescence generated in the sample as a result of three-photon excitation of the sample by the light sheet. Such a method may be used for light sheet microscopy.

Abstract: A Raman system for use in performing Raman spectroscopy on a sample, comprises an optical source, a spectrometer, and an optical system for coupling light from the optical source to a sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer and a further spectrometer. A Raman system for use in performing Raman spectroscopy on a sample, comprises an optical source, a spectrometer and an optical system for coupling light from the optical source and a further optical source to a sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer. The optical system may be configured for coupling light from the optical source and the further optical source to the sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer and the further spectrometer. The Raman system may be portable and/or may be configured to be transported and/or carried and/or may be handheld.

Abstract: A method for use in imaging an object through a scattering medium comprises illuminating the object sequentially point-by-point through the scattering medium with incident electromagnetic radiation propagating along an illumination direction so that the incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object to cause the object to generate and emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the incident electromagnetic radiation is formed by spectrally dispersing initial electromagnetic radiation in a direction transverse to the illumination direction so as to form spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation and by spatially focusing the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation through the scattering medium to the object.

Abstract: A method for use in light-sheet imaging of an object through a scattering medium comprises illuminating the object through the scattering medium with incident electromagnetic radiation propagating along an illumination axis so that the incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object to cause the object to generate and emit electromagnetic radiation. The incident electromagnetic radiation is formed by spectrally dispersing initial electromagnetic radiation in a direction transverse to the illumination axis so as to form spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation and by spatially focusing the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation through the scattering medium to the object. The method comprises forming an image of at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation propagating along a detection axis, wherein the detection axis and the illumination axis are non-collinear, and sensing the formed image.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for use in imaging a sample. The method comprises illuminating a sample through a scattering medium, or illuminating a sub-surface region of the sample through a scattering surface region of the sample, with a plurality of spatial patterns of incident electromagnetic radiation, wherein each spatial pattern of incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the sample, or the sub-surface region of the sample, to generate electromagnetic radiation in the sample or the sub-surface region of the sample.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system for imaging a sample is configured so as to illuminate a region of interest of the sample with incident light from an optical source. The optical coherence tomography system is further configured so as to interfere, on an optical detector, reference light from the optical source with offset returning light emerging from the sample along an offset collection path which is spatially offset from the region of interest of the sample, thereby creating interference on the optical detector.

Abstract: A light sheet imaging system, such as a light sheet microscope, comprises an illumination arrangement for generating a light sheet for three-photon excitation of a fluorescent sample, and a fluorescence collection arrangement for collecting fluorescence generated in the sample as a result of three-photon excitation by the light sheet. The light sheet may be a non-diffractive, propagation-invariant light sheet. The light sheet may be formed from and/or comprise a Bessel beam. A method of light sheet imaging comprises using a light sheet for three-photon excitation of a fluorescent sample, and collecting fluorescence generated in the sample as a result of three-photon excitation of the sample by the light sheet. Such a method may be used for light sheet microscopy.

Abstract: An optical system for generating an Airy beam light sheet comprising an optical arrangement for generating a Gaussian beam, and an optical element for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet, wherein a single optical element is provided for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for use in imaging a sample. The method comprises illuminating a sample through a scattering medium, or illuminating a sub-surface region of the sample through a scattering surface region of the sample, with a plurality of spatial patterns of incident electromagnetic radiation, wherein each spatial pattern of incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the sample, or the sub-surface region of the sample, to generate electromagnetic radiation in the sample or the sub-surface region of the sample.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic system comprising means for optically trapping a particle and a Raman excitation source for causing Raman scatter from the particle whilst it is in the optical trap.

Abstract: An optical system comprising trapping optics for forming an optical trap using counter propagating beams of light and light sheet imaging optics for light sheet imaging a particle, for example a cell, that is positioned in the optical trap, wherein the wavelength of the counter propagating beams of light and the wavelength of the light used for light sheet imaging are non-interfering.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising a disposable non-magnetic optical fibre probe for coupling light into a sample and receiving light from the sample for performing Raman spectroscopy, and a non-magnetic optical extension releasably connected to the disposable non-magnetic optical probe for transmitting light into the disposable non-magnetic optical probe and receiving light from the disposable non-magnetic optical probe.

Abstract: A light sheet imaging system comprises an acoustic trapping arrangement for forming an acoustic trap using one or more acoustic beams and an optical system for light sheet imaging a sample positioned in the acoustic trap. A light sheet imaging method comprises forming an acoustic trap using one or more acoustic beams and light sheet imaging a sample positioned in the acoustic trap. The system and/or the method may be used for light sheet microscopy using acoustic trapping for the contactless confinement of a sample to be imaged such as a particle, a colloid, a cell, a conglomerate of cells (e.g. a cell biopsy), an embryo, a larva or an organism such as a complex organism or a plurality of such samples.

Abstract: An optical system for generating an Airy beam light sheet comprising an optical arrangement for generating a Gaussian beam, and an optical element for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet, wherein a single optical element is provided for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system for imaging a sample is configured so as to illuminate a region of interest of the sample with incident light from an optical source. The optical coherence tomography system is further configured so as to interfere, on an optical detector, reference light from the optical source with offset returning light emerging from the sample along an offset collection path which is spatially offset from the region of interest of the sample, thereby creating interference on the optical detector.

Abstract: A light sheet optical system comprising means for forming a light sheet using a non-diffractive or quasi non-diffractive and/or propagation invariant beam that has an asymmetric intensity beam profile transverse to the direction of propagation, such as an Airy beam.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopic detection device comprising at least one microfluidic sample channel; at least one excitation waveguide for exciting a Raman signal and at least one collection waveguide for collecting a Raman signal. The output of the excitation waveguide and the input of the collection waveguide are positioned directly in the microfluidic sample channel.

Abstract: An optical system comprising a randomizer that has a plurality of randomly positioned scatterers for scattering and thereby randomizing light to generate a speckle pattern and a detector for detecting the speckle pattern to determine at least one property of the light and/or change in at least one property of the light.

Abstract: A Raman system for use in performing Raman spectroscopy on a sample, comprises an optical source, a spectrometer, and an optical system for coupling light from the optical source to a sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer and a further spectrometer. A Raman system for use in performing Raman spectroscopy on a sample, comprises an optical source, a spectrometer and an optical system for coupling light from the optical source and a further optical source to a sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer. The optical system may be configured for coupling light from the optical source and the further optical source to the sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer and the further spectrometer. The Raman system may be portable and/or may be configured to be transported and/or carried and/or may be handheld.

Abstract: An optical system for generating an Airy beam light sheet comprising an optical arrangement for generating a Gaussian beam, and an optical element for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet, wherein a single optical element is provided for converting the Gaussian beam into an Airy beam light sheet.