Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for simultaneously amplifying a plurality of sample wells for a predetermined amount of amplification, detecting whether amplification has occurred in a first set of the wells, amplifying for an additional amount of amplification and detecting whether amplification has occurred in a second set of the wells. Methods are also provided for analyzing a target nucleic acid sequence using melt curves that were generated in a plurality of amplification cycles.

Abstract: A curable composition is provided comprising a urethane (meth)acrylate oligomer, a urethane (urea) phosphonate ad-hesion promoter, optionally reactive diluents, and an initiator. The use of the urethane (urea) phosphonate adhesion promotor provides better ageing stability and adhesion, as measured by T-peel adhesion test, than the use of other conventional adhesion promotors.

Abstract: An optical amplifier for signal light. The amplifier amplifies signals at a certain signal wavelength and consists of an active optical waveguide (4) of simple wave type geometry at the signal wavelength, a pump laser (2) for obtaining inverted population between the energy levels involved and coupling devices for coupling pump light and signal light in the active optical waveguide (4). The active optical waveguide is doped with ions of transition metals or metals from the groups of Lanthanides or Actinides. This doping is in a cylinder shell-shaped area (13) around the axis of symmetry of the waveguide (4) so that the reduction in the optical power originating from amplified spontaneous emission is greater than the reduction in the optical power originating from amplified signal light.