Abstract: There is provided a detection system capable of simultaneously detecting a plurality of fluorescences or phosphorescences having different dominant wavelengths generated from a minute region and a probe therefor. A fluorescence detection system includes a probe having a lens and optical fibers and arranged on one end thereof. The probe receives excitation light with a dominant wavelength and excitation light with a dominant wavelength at one end of the lens and converges the excitation lights at the solution containing Cy3 and Cy5 in a channel inside a microchemical chip and the probe receives fluorescence with a dominant wavelength and fluorescence with a dominant wavelength at the other end of the lens and converges the fluorescences at the tips of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fluorescence measurement probe capable of stably receiving a maximum received light amount of a fluorescent light generated from a specimen onto which an excitation light is radiated. The fluorescence measurement probe is applied to a fluorescence measurement system provided with an optical system. A light source emits an excitation light. A detector receives the fluorescent light. A solid light guide path serves as an optical path of the excitation light as well as the fluorescent light. A lens is disposed between an edge surface of the solid light guide path and the specimen. When a radiation angle of the excitation light is set to 2? at a position where the excitation light is collected by the lens which collects the fluorescent light. A excitation light beam NA expressed by sin ? is set to 0.14 or more and 0.31 or less.

Abstract: There are provided a chip for micro chemical systems which can obviate the need of alignment at every measurement and can improve the measurement sensitivity and reduce the variation of measurement, and a micro chemical system using the chip. A thermal lens spectrometry system 10 comprises: a micro chemical chip 2 having a groove 1 into which a sample solution is injected; a rod lens 3 disposed on the micro chemical chip 2 at a predetermined spacing above the groove 1; a lens holder 9 disposed above the micro chemical chip 2; a securing section 4; an optical fiber 5; a ferrule 6 secured by the securing section 4 above the rod lens 3; a light source unit 7 connected to the optical fiber 5, and a detection device 8 disposed below the micro chemical chip 2. The securing section 4 comprises a seating 32 laid on the micro chemical chip 2, and a metal split sleeve 33 for fitting the ferrule 6 and the lens holder 9 at the outside thereof.

Abstract: A detection method that can measure a plurality of measured substances in a fluid test sample at the same time, easily perform qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis, and reduce measurement errors between excitation energies of the measured substances, and a microchemical system using the detection method. A probe light with a wavelength of 780 nm CW-oscillated from a probe light source 16 is irradiated on measured substances in a minute channel 1, excitation lights with wavelengths of 658 nm and 532 nm, respectively, are modulated into plurality of flashing excitation lights with frequencies 1 kHz and 1.2 kHz and a duty factor of 50% and irradiated on the measured substances in the minute channel 1, the probe light refracted by a thermal lens formed by the irradiated flashing excitation lights is detected with respect to individual frequency components at the same time, and a signal of the detected probe light is guided from a PD 21 to a PC 24 as a signal processing apparatus via an IV amplifier 22.

Abstract: A fluorescence analysis optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, a fluorescence analysis optical module, a fluorescence analyzer, a fluorescence/photothermal conversion spectroscopic analyzer, and a fluorescence analysis chip, according to which LIF analysis can be carried out easily and with high sensitivity, and moreover photothermal conversion spectroscopic analysis can be carried out easily and simultaneously with the LIF analysis. A microchemical system 100 as the fluorescence analyzer is comprised of a fluorescence analysis optical module 100a, a probe 50 that condenses exciting light onto a sample solution in a channel 204 inside a fluorescence analysis chip 20, and a sample stage 21 on which the fluorescence analysis chip 20 is mounted.

Abstract: A filter module is provided for an optical communications system. The filter module includes a lens, three optical fibers, an optical filter, and a mirror. The three optical fibers are arranged on a single side of the lens. The lens includes a first face coated with the optical filter and that faces the mirror. The optical fibers are arranged on a second face of the lens. A cascade of the filter modules are configured to connect and form a multiplexing/demultiplexing unit.

Abstract: A filter module includes a first optical fiber collimator, a second optical fiber collimator, and a filter located between the first and second optical fiber collimators. The first optical fiber collimator includes a first optical fiber, a first optical fiber chip for holding the first optical fiber, and a first lens. The second optical fiber collimator includes second optical fibers, a second optical fiber chip for holding the second optical fiber, and a second lens. The filter is located between and coaxial with the first and second lenses. The filter, the first lens, and the second lens form a center piece of the filter module.

Abstract: A microchemical system is disclosed that is capable of controlling the flow of a sample solution flowing through a channel in a microchip. In the microchemical system 1, a microchip 7 has therein a T-shaped channel 4 comprised of a main channel 2, a sub-channel 3, and a merging portion 4 where the main channel 2 and the sub-channel 3 merge together. Panel heaters 8 and 9 are installed in a position such as to be able to heat the interior of the sub-channel 3. The sub-channel 3 and the merging portion are subjected to hydrophobic modification treatment. Water is supplied into the main channel 2, and air is supplied into the sub-channel 3.

Abstract: A fluorescence analysis optical multiplexer/demultiplexer, a fluorescence analysis optical module, a fluorescence analyzer, a fluorescence/photothermal conversion spectroscopic analyzer, and a fluorescence analysis chip, according to which LIF analysis can be carried out easily and with high sensitivity, and moreover photothermal conversion spectroscopic analysis can be carried out easily and simultaneously with the LIF analysis. A microchemical system 100 as the fluorescence analyzer is comprised of a fluorescence analysis optical module 100a, a probe 50 that condenses exciting light onto a sample solution in a channel 204 inside a fluorescence analysis chip 20, and a sample stage 21 on which the fluorescence analysis chip 20 is mounted.

Abstract: An optical module includes at least one optical fiber, a gradient index rod lens, and an optical element. The rod lens is placed at a position separated from an end surface of the optical fiber by a space. The optical element is separated from the rod lens. Outgoing light from the single optical fiber is inputted to the optical element via the rod lens, and light reflected by the optical element is coupled to the optical fiber via the rod lens. When a distance between the rod lens and the optical element is longer than a predetermined value, and a lens length optimized for the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined pitch, the rod lens has end surfaces perpendicular to an optical axis.

Abstract: A photothermal conversion spectroscopic analysis method which is capable of performing analysis, measurement and detection with high sensitivity. A sample flows in a channel. A exciting light and a detecting light are exited. A gradient refractive index rod lens converges the exited light and forms a focal point at a position in or close to the channel. Intensity of the exited light and passing through the channel are detected. A depth of the channel is not less than two time as large as a difference in distance between focal positions of the exciting light and the detecting light.

Abstract: An aligning tool having a plurality of grooves formed side by side is provided; gradient index rod lenses are placed in alignment within the grooves at an average spacing of 1 ?m-5 ?m; the gradient index rod lenses are fixed to form an integral unit as they maintain the aligned state; thereafter the end faces of each rod lens are polished.

Abstract: A chain for driving and engagement of at least one sprocket including plurality of interlaced link plates and a plurality of guide plates. The link plates are pivotably connected by connecting pins. The plurality of guide plates are disposed along the link plates and guide the chain on the sprocket in a width direction. At least one of the guide plates has a flat portion and a crotch portion and is in line with a marked position on the sprocket.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator using a gradient index rod lens for securing a required long opposing distance and easy handling. The collimator includes a single mode fiber and a gradient index rod lens for receiving an incident light from the single mode fiber and converting the incident light into a collimated light, or condensing an incident light and coupling the condensed incident light to the single mode fiber. A meandering period (pitch) of a ray determined by a refractive index distribution of the rod lens is decided. The gradient index rod lens has a lens length larger by 0.5 meandering periods than a minimum lens length required to obtain a predetermined opposing distance between a pair of the rod lenses.

Abstract: A method of aligning a fiber collimator in a short time. Light emitted from a collimator is reflected by a mirror. Reflected light passes through the collimator, and is measured by a light intensity measuring device. Rotating bodies rotatably support the mirror about an X-axis and a Y-axis orthogonal to the optical axis. An aligner simultaneously drives the rotating bodies to scan an optimal angle for the mirror. With the mirror fixed at the optimal angle, the distance between a collimation lens of the collimator and the optical fiber is changed. Subsequently, the optimal angle of the mirror is again scanned.

Abstract: An aligning tool having a plurality of grooves formed side by side is provided; gradient index rod lenses are placed in alignment within the grooves at an average spacing of 1 &mgr;m-5 &mgr;m; the gradient index rod lenses are fixed to form an integral unit as they maintain the aligned state; thereafter the end faces of each rod lens are polished.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator which facilitates optical adjustment. The optical fiber collimator includes a gradient index rod lens, and an optical fiber optically connected to the rod lens. An anti-reflection film is formed on one end face of the rod lens. The anti-reflection film has a refractive index which continuously changes from a value substantially equal to that of a center refractive index of the rod lens to a value substantially equal to that of the refractive index of the optical fiber along a film thickness direction of the anti-reflection film. A refractive index matching medium having a refractive index substantially equal to that of the optical fiber bonds the anti-reflection film to the end face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber collimator having a lens (10), and an optical fiber chip (14) disposed at a distance from the lens, the optical fiber chip holding an end portion of an optical fiber (12) and having an end surface treated to be inclined. The optical axis of the optical fiber is made eccentric with respect to the center of the lens to set the eccentric quantity of the optical fiber so that the center of the lens substantially coincides with the center of a light beam incident on the lens. The kind of the lens is optional. The lens may be an inexpensive spherical lens or may be a gradient index rod lens. When a gradient index rod lens is used, a lens in which a surface facing to the optical fiber chip is treated to be inclined is used as the gradient index rod lens.

Abstract: An optical module which satisfies a required insertion loss and can be easily assembled with high productivity. The optical module includes first optical fiber, a first lens, an optical device, a second lens, and second optical fiber. The first lens receives an incident light from the first optical fiber and converts the incident light into a parallel light. The optical device receives the parallel light and performs predetermined optical processing on the parallel light. The second lens receives a transmitted parallel light from the optical device and converge the transmitted parallel light to produce an outgoing light. The second optical fiber receives the outgoing light. An optical axis of the first lens and an optical axis of the second lens are substantially coincident with each other. An optical axis of the first optical fiber and an optical axis of the second optical fiber are substantially parallel with each other and substantially parallel to the optical axes of the first and the second lenses.

Abstract: An optical module includes at least one optical fiber, a gradient index rod lens, and an optical element. The rod lens is placed at a position separated from an end surface of the optical fiber by a space. The optical element is separated from the rod lens. Outgoing light from the single optical fiber is inputted to the optical element via the rod lens, and light reflected by the optical element is coupled to the optical fiber via the rod lens. When a distance between the rod lens and the optical element is longer than a predetermined value, and a lens length optimized for the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined pitch, the rod lens has end surfaces perpendicular to an optical axis.