Abstract: A polarization-based colposcopy apparatus includes a polarization exchanging beam splitter pair oriented so that s- and p-polarizations are exchanged. An optical flux from a specimen is directed through the pair, and orthogonal components thereof are alternately or selectively coupled to an array detector. The detected images are processed based on image correlations to reveal specimen structures.

Abstract: A polarization-based colposcopy apparatus includes a polarization exchanging beam splitter pair oriented so that s- and p-polarizations are exchanged. An optical flux from a specimen is directed through the pair, and orthogonal components thereof are alternately or selectively coupled to an array detector. The detected images are processed based on image correlations to reveal specimen structures.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method for spectroscopic detection and identification of bacteria in culture is disclosed. The method incorporates construction of at least one data set, which may be a spectrum, interference pattern, or scattering pattern, from a cultured sample suspected of containing said bacteria. The data set is corrected for the presence of water in the sample, spectral features are extracted using a principal components analysis, and the features are classified using a learning algorithm. In some embodiments of the invention, for example, to differentiate MRSA from MSSA, a multimodal analysis is performed in which identification of the bacteria is made based on a spectrum of the sample, an interference pattern used to determine cell wall thickness, and a scattering pattern used to determine cell wall roughness. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed, one embodiment of which incorporates a multiple sample analyzer.