Abstract: Among others, the present invention provides devices each including a micro-filter, a shutter, a cell counter, a selector, a micro-surgical kit, a timer, and a data processing circuitry, wherein the micro-filter is capable of detecting or filtering circulating tumor cells.

Abstract: The method enables a concentration of a species in a culture medium (12) to be estimated using an estimation system (10) comprising a light source (16), a transparent substrate (14) and a matrix photodetector (18), the substrate being located between the source and the photodetector, the medium comprising biological particles (32) and changing color when said concentration varies. Said method comprises the following steps:—placing the medium on the substrate,—illuminating the medium via the light source,—acquisition of an image of the medium via the photodetector, each image being formed by a ray transmitted by the illuminated medium and comprising at least one diffraction pattern, each diffraction pattern corresponding to the waves diffracted by a biological particle when the medium is illuminated,—and calculating an estimate of said concentration as a function of a pixel intensity of the acquired image.

Abstract: A method for constructing a three-dimensional image of a sample includes producing electromagnetic radiation and directing the produced electromagnetic radiation such that it is incident on the sample at an oblique angle. The incident electromagnetic radiation is scanned in discrete increments to a plurality of discrete locations along a first direction, and at each discrete location, scanned along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The sample reflects a first portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation and absorbs a second portion of the incident electromagnetic radiation, and emits electromagnetic radiation responsive to the absorption. A plurality of cross-sectional images is produced from the reflected electromagnetic radiation and the emitted electromagnetic radiation, and each cross-sectional image is modified to compensate for the oblique angle. The modified cross-sectional images are then combined to create a three-dimensional image of the sample.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a self-contained imaging device that takes digital photographs of portions of documents (such as photos or photo albums) instead of scanning those images. The imaging device uses a lens to zoom in on specific portions of the document that represent images that are to be digitized. Generally speaking, disclosed embodiments utilize a physical device having a housing, a location for retaining or holding an image to be imaged, such as a platen or image conveyance mechanism, a light source and the imaging system (which can be a digital camera). The disclosed device camera provides a low-cost mechanism that can at-once capture a high resolution image without the delays associated with most scanners.

Abstract: To analyze a generation source of a target component emitted in a form of a gas. To provide a generation source analyzing device comprising an acquiring section which acquires a concentration measurement value of a gas which includes a target component, and a concentration measurement value of a particle component which is generated in association with the gas, and an analyzing section which analyzes a distance from a measurement point to a generation source of the target component based on a concentration measurement value of the gas and a concentration measurement value of the particle component. The acquiring section may acquire a concentration measurement value of a precursor gas which becomes a raw material which generates the particle component, and a concentration measurement value of a secondary generated particle component which is generated from the precursor gas.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus, comprises a light irradiating unit configured to irradiate an object with light; a probe configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the object and convert into an electrical signal; a characteristic information acquiring unit configured to acquire characteristic information relating to the object based on the electrical signal; an area information acquiring unit configured to acquire information relating to a reachable area of the light; a location detecting unit configured to acquire an operator location; and a determining unit configured to determine whether the operator location is in a first state where the operator location overlaps with the reachable area of the light or a second state where the operator location does not overlap with the reachable area of the light.

Abstract: The effective spot size of a spectroscopic metrology device is reduced through deconvolution of a measurement spectra set acquired from a measurement target combined with a training spectra set obtained from a training target. The measurement spectra set may be obtained using sparse sampling of a grid scan of a measurement target. The training spectra set is obtained from a grid scan of a training target that is similar to the measurement target. The training spectra set and the measurement spectra set include spectra from different grid nodes. Deconvolution of the measurement spectra and the training spectra sets produces an estimated spectrum for the measurement target that is an estimate of a spectrum from the measurement target produced with incident light having an effective spot size that is smaller than the actual spot size. One or more characteristics of the measurement target may then be determined using the estimated spectrum.

Abstract: A system and device that measures a specimen's surface profile by passing a bright white light source through a series of lenses which generate repeatable chromatic focal shift variations of wavelengths of white light for Z axis measurements. The movement of the sensor along an X-Y raster pattern is controlled by a X-directional and Y-directional scanner used in combination with X and Y actuators. The system and device translate the chromatic focal shifts into digital data which may then be used to both control the position of the lenses along the surface of the specimen and generate a 3D topographical images of the specimens being profiled.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for imaging particles and/or cells using flow cytometry. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a light beam at a fluidic channel carrying a fluid sample containing particles; optically encoding scattered or fluorescently-emitted light at a spatial optical filter, the spatial optical filter including a surface having a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern along a transverse direction opposite to particle flow and a longitudinal direction parallel to particle flow, such that different portions of a particle flowing over the pattern of the apertures pass different apertures at different times and scatter the light beam or emit fluorescent light at locations associated with the apertures; and producing image data associated with the particle flowing through the fluidic channel based on the encoded optical signal, in which the produced image data includes information of a physical characteristic of the particle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an illuminating device, a control method thereof and a control system thereof, which can precisely adjust the color of irradiating light according to the color of an object. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, a next detection light is obtained according to reflected light of a previous detection light. When the color difference of reflected light of the previous detection light and the next detection light is less than a preset color difference range, the illuminating device is controlled to project the next detection light to an illuminated object.

Abstract: An optical engine for use in a bench top flow cytometer, the optical engine comprising a set of lasers; a different set of beam shaping optics for each laser, wherein each set comprises two lenses to adjustably focus light horizontally along an x-axis to a same horizontal position and vertically along a y-axis to a different vertical position along a same plane; collection optics for collecting fluorescence from the flow cell; filtration optics that filter the collected fluorescence from the flow cell into different detection channels according to wavelength ranges; and a detector for each detection channel that converts the filtered fluorescence to electrical signals, wherein electrical signals are processed so that the fluorescence from each laser at the different vertical positions is distinguished at the same detector.

Abstract: A system for testing continuity of a cable assembly includes an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) device selectively coupled to an input connector of a cable and a design database storing cable data. The cable data indicates at least a length of the cable. The system includes a processor and memory in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to execute instructions stored on the memory which cause the processor to receive the cable data from the design database, receive OTDR data associated with the cable from the OTDR device, and calculate a distance-to-fault based on the OTDR data. In response to the distance-to-fault being less than the length of the cable, the processor determines that a connectivity failure has occurred with the cable and generates fault data indicating the connectivity failure.

Abstract: Holograms of colloidal dispersions encode comprehensive information about individual particles' three-dimensional positions, sizes and optical properties. Extracting that information typically is computation-ally intensive, and thus slow. Machine-learning techniques based on support vector machines (SVMs) can analyze holographic video microscopy data in real time on low-power computers. The resulting stream of precise particle-resolved tracking and characterization data provides unparalleled insights into the composition and dynamics of colloidal dispersions and enables applications ranging from basic research to process control and quality assurance.

Abstract: An optical calibration method for a spectrum measurement device including a light-input part includes: measuring a plurality of narrow-band rays by the light-input part to obtain a plurality of narrow-band spectrum impulse responses, respectively; establishing a stray light database according to the narrow-band spectrum impulse responses; generating a correction program according to the stray light database; measuring a spectral radiant standard light by the light-input part to obtain measurement spectrum data; and generating a calibration coefficient program based on the measurement spectrum data and spectral radiant standard spectrum data, wherein the calibration coefficient program matches the measurement spectrum data with the spectral radiant standard spectrum data, and the spectral radiant standard spectrum data is obtained by measuring the spectral radiant standard light by a standard spectrum measurement device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing the color of a color alloy and, more particularly, to a method for analyzing the color of a color alloy wherein, on the basis of the fact that a different color appears according to the composition of an alloy, the wavelength-wise reflectance related to a color, which is held according to each alloy composition, and that related to a color, which is held by a measurement object that is to be measured, are compared, thereby determining the color held by the measurement object.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein generally relate to object detection for nuclear medicine (NM) imaging. The systems and methods acquire triplets representing line of sights between a plurality of receive diodes and light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned along a circumference of a gantry with respect to one or more objects of a patient. The systems and methods identify a number of the one or more objects based on a number of triplets for one of the LEDs. When a single object is identified, the systems and methods determine a shape of the single object based on a reference point within the single object and line of sights adjacent to the single object. Alternatively, when a plurality of objects are identified, the systems and methods utilize the line of sights to identify shapes of the plurality of objects.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical sensor includes a plurality of sensing parts two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix to form a sensor surface, and a phototransmissive sample-supporting plate arranged to be opposed to the sensing parts.

Abstract: A system is described that combines spectropolarimetry with scatterometry. The system uses an annular mirror and liquid crystal devices to control the angle of the incident light cone, the polarization and wavelength, an imaging setup and one or more video cameras so that spectroseopic-polarimetric-scatterometric images can be grabbed rapidly. The system is also designed to incorporate additional imaging modes such as interference, phase contrast, fluorescence and Raman spectropolarimetric imaging.

Abstract: A refractometer assembly comprises a waveguide plate, a diagnostic light source, a photodetector, and a light absorption plate. The diagnostic light source and the photodetector are optically coupled to the waveguide plate such that at least a portion of light emitted from the diagnostic light source is subject to internal reflection at a diagnostic surface of the waveguide plate prior to reaching the photodetector when an analyte film of unknown refractive index n0 forms an optical interface with the diagnostic surface of the waveguide plate. The light absorption plate is configured to absorb light reaching the light absorption plate without undergoing internal reflection at the diagnostic surface when the analyte film forms an optical interface with the diagnostic surface of the waveguide plate. The refractometer assembly defines an optical system where variations in the unknown refractive index n0 are related to variations in a detection signal generated by the photodetector.

Abstract: A medium texture detection device includes: a radiation optical system that radiates non-coherent light to a sheet-shaped medium which is being transported; and a light reception optical system that receives diffused/reflected light of the non-coherent light from the medium. A surface of the medium has a basic structure for making a change in an intensity of the diffused/reflected light according to a position of the medium in a transport direction of the medium. A visual field of the light reception optical system is set to be equal to or greater than 1/10 times and equal to or less than 4 times of a size of the basic structure.

Abstract: An object detection device includes a light source, an irradiation optical system that converts emitted light from the light source to measurement light having a predetermined pattern and emits the measurement light to a reference surface, and a light reception element that images the reference surface, and includes an imaging member that reads an image captured by the light reception element for each of a plurality of lines extending in a horizontal direction and arranged at predetermined intervals, and a detection unit that detects an object to be measured entering between a pattern forming unit and the reference surface based on image data from the imaging element, in which the pattern includes a plurality of division patterns arranged in the horizontal direction to correspond to the lines in the reference surface.

Abstract: Provided are a method of evaluating an internal stress of a silicon carbide (SiC) single crystal wafer and a method of predicting warpage of the SiC single crystal wafer after completion of polishing by evaluating the internal stress of the wafer. Wavenumber shift amounts of Raman-scattered light are measured at two points within a surface of the SiC single crystal wafer, and the internal stress is evaluated through use of a difference between the wavenumber shift amounts. Also provided is a method of predicting warpage of a silicon carbide single crystal wafer in advance, the silicon carbide single crystal wafer being produced by sublimation-recrystallization method, the method including predicting warpage of a SiC single crystal wafer through use of the evaluation indicator.

Abstract: [Technical Problem] It is an object to provide a microchip solution sending system that is provided with the high reaction efficiency and the high detection accuracy. [Solution of Problem] A microchip solution sending system comprises a fine flow passage that is provided with a reaction field to which an antibody that reacts with a specific antigen is fixed and a solution sending pump that is configured to send a specimen material solution that includes the specific antigen, wherein a specimen material solution passes through a reaction field of a fine flow passage in a repetitive manner in the case in which the solution sending pump sends the specimen material solution, and a flow rate of a specimen material solution that is sent by the solution sending pump is in the range of 1,000 ?l/min to 50,000 ?l/min.

Abstract: The effective spot size of a spectroscopic metrology device is reduced through deconvolution of a measurement spectra set acquired from a measurement target combined with a training spectra set obtained from a training target. The measurement spectra set may be obtained using sparse sampling of a grid scan of a measurement target. The training spectra set is obtained from a grid scan of a training target that is similar to the measurement target. The training spectra set and the measurement spectra set include spectra from different grid nodes. Deconvolution of the measurement spectra and the training spectra sets produces an estimated spectrum for the measurement target that is an estimate of a spectrum from the measurement target produced with incident light having an effective spot size that is smaller than the actual spot size. One or more characteristics of the measurement target may then be determined using the estimated spectrum.

Abstract: A flow cell unit to be docked against a flat lid surface to form a closed flow cell arrangement, the flow cell unit comprising a top surface with protruding walls of elastic material defining three or more adjacent elongated flow channels, each flow channel comprises a first fluid port and a second fluid port, wherein the walls separating adjacent flow channels comprises a valve section of reduced height, thereby allowing selective opening and closing of a flow path transverse to the elongated flow channels by controlling the docking force between flow cell and the lid surface to an open docking state and a closed docking state respectively.

Abstract: A reading machine includes an image input device including a lens and a polarizer disposed over the lens, a flash and a second polarizer disposed over the flash. The image input device also includes a computing device coupled to the image input device for capturing images, the computing device, including a processor to execute instructions and a computer program product residing on a computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising instructions for causing the processor to process the captured images to recognize features in the captured images.

Abstract: The present application in some embodiments relates to methods for reducing noise and/or clutter when measuring a spectrum, particularly but not only for OCT imaging. In some embodiments a light source is synchronized with a detector. For example a narrow band light source is synchronized with a narrow band detector. For example, the light source may scan over multiple frequency bands and/or the detector may be tuned to a frequency band synergetic to the band of the light source. For example the light source and detector may be tuned to overlapping narrow bands. Optionally the detector has a sensor set for each frequency band. Optionally some sensor sets are individually resettable. For example each set may have a reset circuit. For example, a sensor set for a band not currently being measured is deactivated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing simultaneous spectroscopic measurements of semiconductor structures at ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths are presented herein. In another aspect, wavelength errors are reduced by orienting the direction of wavelength dispersion on the detector surface perpendicular to the projection of the plane of incidence onto the detector surface. In another aspect, a broad range of infrared wavelengths are detected by a detector that includes multiple photosensitive areas having different sensitivity characteristics. Collected light is linearly dispersed across the surface of the detector according to wavelength. Each different photosensitive area is arranged on the detector to sense a different range of incident wavelengths. In this manner, a broad range of infrared wavelengths are detected with high signal to noise ratio by a single detector. These features enable high throughput measurements of high aspect ratio structures with high throughput, precision, and accuracy.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing simultaneous spectroscopic measurements of semiconductor structures over a broad range of angles of incidence (AOI), azimuth angles, or both, are presented herein. Spectra including two or more sub-ranges of angles of incidence, azimuth angles, or both, are simultaneously measured over different sensor areas at high throughput. Collected light is linearly dispersed across different photosensitive areas of one or more detectors according to wavelength for each subrange of AOIs, azimuth angles, or both. Each different photosensitive area is arranged on the one or more detectors to perform a separate spectroscopic measurement for each different range of AOIs, azimuth angles, or both. In this manner, a broad range of AOIs, azimuth angles, or both, are detected with high signal to noise ratio, simultaneously. This approach enables high throughput measurements of high aspect ratio structures with high throughput, precision, and accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a test apparatus that photographs a home mark of a microfluidic apparatus by using a camera and determining a position of a home of the microfluidic apparatus by using the camera, and a control method thereof. The method of controlling a test apparatus includes photographing a microfluidic apparatus at a predetermined frame rate by using a camera of the test apparatus while the microfluidic apparatus is rotating at a predetermined speed, acquiring a capture image which includes a home mark of the microfluidic apparatus among a plurality of images acquired by the camera, and acquiring information which relates to an encoder of the test apparatus and which corresponds to the home mark of the capture image and determining a position of a home of the microfluidic apparatus based on the acquired information.

Abstract: A phase of a specific frequency is found by carrying out a two-dimensional Fourier transformation on an image of a two-dimensional grid image on the surface of an object taken by a camera, and the displacement of the surface of the object is measured from the phase. As a result, measurement that is strong against noise can be carried out without projecting a grid having a brightness distribution of precise cosine waves. In addition, the process is simple and the number of pixels used for the measurement is smaller than that in the sampling moire method. The displacement can be found at a high speed.

Abstract: Microfluidic systems and methods including those that provide control of fluid flow are provided. Such systems and methods can be used, for example, to control pressure-driven flow based on the influence of channel geometry and the viscosity of one or more fluids inside the system.

Abstract: A method for characterizing material in which a surface is formed, by analysis of speckles generated on the surface by a coherent light beam by performing the computation of an autocorrelation function of the light intensity on the image and computation of the value of at least one criterion set up from said function, setting up an autocorrelation matrix of the light intensity of the image, computation of the discrete cosine transform of said matrix, and computation of the value of a characterization criterion such as the average on the image of the matrix trace obtained by the discrete cosine transform of the autocorrelation matrix, and computation of the value of at least one representative criterion of a phase shift distribution of the light beams diffused by the surface, said computation comprising computation of a wavelet transform of the image, and computation of the value of at least one criterion from the following group: average of the phases of the wavelet coefficients on the image, or standard devi

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging flow cytometer can acquire high-resolution hyperspectral images of particles, such as biological cells, flowing through a microfluidic system. The hyperspectral imaging flow cytometer can provide detailed spatial maps of multiple emitting species, cell morphology information, and state of health. An optimized system can image about 20 cells per second. The hyperspectral imaging flow cytometer enables many thousands of cells to be characterized in a single session.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus sensing a user input and an operating method of the image sensing apparatus are disclosed, in which the image sensing apparatus may include an optical source operating based on a burst mode including a turn-on cycle and a turn-off cycle, and an image sensor configured to receive a reflected light using a pixel array and output sensing data of a position of an object in a target area in the reflected light.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to color matching with shade detection. A method of color matching can include: receiving a camera image of a target, the camera image being collected in the presence of flash illumination; receiving a color sensor spectral measurement of the target, the color sensor spectral measurement being collected in the presence of flash illumination; determining specular and diffuse fractions of a flash intensity profile of the camera image of the target; determining parallax based upon a detected location of a flash centroid within the camera image of the target; converting the parallax to a range measurement for the target; calculating an expected white level for the target based upon the specular and diffuse fractions and the range measurement for the target; and calculating a shade of a detected color based upon the color sensor spectral measurement and the expected white level for the target.

Abstract: A method of adjusting and controlling the color of trivalent chromium deposits is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) measuring the color of a trivalent chromium deposit standard; (b) adding one or more color enhancing additives to a trivalent chromium electrolyte; (c) contacting the substrate with the trivalent chromium electrolyte containing the one or more color enhancing additives to deposit trivalent chromium on the substrate; (d) measuring the color of the color-enhanced trivalent chromium deposit; (e) comparing the color of the color-enhanced chromium deposit to that of the standard; and (f) if necessary, adjusting the amount of the one or more color enhancing additives added to the trivalent chromium electrolyte if the color of the color-enhanced chromium deposit is outside of a desired optical variation from that of the standard color-enhanced chromium deposit. The color of the trivalent chromium deposit may be measured using a spectrophotometer.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an examined-portion information acquisition apparatus including two examined-portion holding members each configured to hold one of two examined portions, a receiver configured to receive an acoustic wave, and a moving system configured to move the receiver from a position at which the receiver receives an acoustic wave from one examined portion held by one examined-portion holding member among the two examined-portion holding members to a position at which the receiver receives an acoustic wave from another examined portion held by the other examined-portion holding member, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of transducers configured to receive an acoustic wave, and a supporting member on which the plurality of transducers are arranged, and the plurality of transducers are arranged on the supporting member such that directivity axes of some transducers among the plurality of transducers converge.

Abstract: To control well drilling, information relating to a trajectory of a well is received, and fluid flow in the well is simulated according to the received information. Simulating the fluid production comprises simulating production flow assurance that seeks to reduce occurrence of mixtures of different types of fluids that reduce production of a target fluid. In response to results of the simulating, a further trajectory for further drilling of the well is identified.

Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising an optically-based birefringence measuring arrangement operative to measure a first effect influenced by a birefringence characteristic of said film from a first angle comprising a non-normal angle to a plane of said film, and at least one of: a second angle; and a third angle; and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect as measured from said first angle with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film for said first angle; compare a value, or range of values, representative of said first effect as measured from said at least one of said second and third angles with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristi

Abstract: A detector circuit for a multi-channel interferometer, typically as may be used in an optical coherence tomography device, comprising: a plurality of measurement channels (43) each comprising a measurement detector (31); and a balance channel (44) comprising a balance detector (30), each of the measurement detectors (31) and the balance detector (30) having a light sensitive area and an electrical output configured to output a signal indicative of the intensity of light incident on the light sensitive area, in which each measurement channel (43) is provided with a feedback circuit (40) comprising: a variable gain circuit (35) having an input for the signal from the measurement detector (31) and an output, the variable gain circuit (35) being configured to output at its output the signal received at its input with a variable level of gain; a difference circuit (38) having a first input for the output of the variable gain circuit (35), a second input for the signal from the balance detector (30) and an output,

Abstract: A specimen analysis system, a specimen analyzer, and a specimen analysis method are provided by which reexamination of a specimen can be executed more quickly than in conventional technology. A specimen analyzer measures a specimen and obtains an analysis result. The specimen analyzer determines the necessity of remeasurement of the specimen, based on a specimen analysis result. Also, the specimen analyzer determines, based on the specimen analysis result, whether or not determination of the necessity of remeasurement of the specimen based on examination information by the examination information management device is necessary. If it is determined that determination of the necessity of remeasurement of the specimen based on the examination information is necessary, the specimen analyzer makes a request to determine the necessity of remeasurement of the specimen based on the examination information, to the examination information management device.

Abstract: A microscope includes: a first light dividing part that divides a light flux of light from a light source into a first pump light flux and a second pump light flux; a Stokes light source that receives the second pump light flux as an input and outputs a Stokes light flux; a multiplexing part that multiplexes the first pump light flux and the Stokes light flux to generate a multiplexed light flux; a first light-collecting part that collects the multiplexed light flux in a sample; a first detector that detects CARS light generated from the sample, the CARS light having a wavelength different from the multiplexed light flux; a second light dividing part that lets at least one of the second pump light flux and the Stokes light flux branch partially as a reference light flux; a second multiplexing part that multiplexes a light flux from the sample and the reference light flux to generate interfering light; and a second detector that detects the interfering light.

Abstract: Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus having: a light source; a probe that converts an acoustic wave generated from an object, onto which light is irradiated from the light source, into a detection signal; and a signal processor that obtains characteristic information inside the object based on the detection signal, wherein the signal processor obtains the characteristic information using information regarding a characteristic structure of a measurement target inside the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring arrangement for optically evaluating a chemical reaction quantitatively, comprising a sample carrier having a carrier layer and a sample layer having an analysis side and a light outlet side opposite the analysis side, and comprising a photosensitive sensor having a plurality of photodetectors on a carrying body and having a transparent surface layer arranged over the photodetectors. A plurality of test sections are arranged on the analysis side at a distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the sample layer. The analysis side is arranged on the carrier layer in such a way that the test sections face a volume of a microfluidic system. The sample carrier is detachably arranged in an accommodating device, so that the light outlet side faces the photosensitive sensor and the test sections are arranged over the photodetectors. Furthermore, the distance between the test sections and the photodetectors is less than 700 ?m.

Abstract: An ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV/Vis) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) photometer includes a nano flow cell in which a light source feeds a reference light channel and a sample light channel, a reference photodiode for evaluating the reference light channel, and a sample photodiode for evaluating the sample light channel, which extends through the nano flow cell. To create a photometer whose signal evaluation is improved, respective effective exposure times of the sample photodiode and the reference photodiode are settable separately from one another.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for a monolithic photonic integrated circuit (PIC) to provide spectrometry functionality. In an embodiment, the PIC comprises a photonic device, a first waveguide and a second waveguide, wherein one of the first waveguide and the second waveguide includes a released portion which is free to move relative to a substrate of the PIC. During a metering cycle to evaluate a material under test, control logic operates an actuator to successively configure a plurality of positions of the released portion relative to the photonic device. In another embodiment, light from the first waveguide is variously diffracted by a grating of the photonic device during the metering cycle, where portions of the light are directed into the second waveguide. Different wavelengths of light diffracted into the second waveguide may be successively detected, for different positions of the released portion, to determine spectrometric measurements over a range of wavelength.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems for the automated imaging and evaluation of human embryos, oocytes, or pluripotent cells are described. An apparatus and method for automated dish detection and well occupancy determination are described. In addition, a multi-well culture dish and an illumination assembly for bimodal imaging are described. These inventions find use at least in identifying or in facilitating identification of embryos and oocytes in vitro that are most useful in treating infertility in humans.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing transmittance includes a sample unit to position a material under test. The material under test is disposed between respective flat surfaces of a first mount and a second mount, which are positioned in the sample unit for a test round. The sample unit defines a first volume and a second volume, wherein arc shapes, variously formed by respective surfaces of the first and second volume, conform to an imaginary circle. During the test round, a rotation unit successively changes an angular position of the MUT relative to a light source. A light detector receives light from the light source which has been transmitted through the first volume, the MUT and the second volume. Based on the received light, a transmittance signature of the MUT is determined for a range of incidence angles.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assessing connectivity between sections in a hydrocarbon reservoir. Samples of hydrocarbons are collected over different depths in at least one wellbore. Fluorescence intensity determines the actual heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons for the corresponding different depths. Estimated heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons for corresponding different depths are determined and the actual heavy end concentrations of hydrocarbons are compared with the estimated heavy end concentrations to assess connectivity between sections of the hydrocarbon reservoir.