Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods may be performed in a high-throughput manner. An instrument system for detecting a biochemical interaction on a biosensor. The system includes an array of detection locations comprises a light source for generating collimated white light. A beam splitter directs the collimated white light towards a surface of a sensor corresponding to the detector locations. A detection system includes an imaging spectrometer receiving the reflected light and generating an image of the reflected light.

Abstract: An optical processor includes a light source (20), a grating device (23), a first lens (24), a reflector (25), a second lens (26), an array of mirror cells (28), a color wheel (29), and a third lens (30). The light source is for generating a number of light beams. The grating device is for reflecting and dispersing the generated light beams. The first lens is for imaging the reflected and dispersed light beams. The reflector is for reflecting the imaged light beams. The second lens is for correcting any aberration of the reflected light beams. The array of mirror cells is for reflecting the light beams received from the second lens. The color wheel is for coloring the reflected light beams. The third lens is for projecting the colored light beams onto a display.

Abstract: An optical biosensor has a first enclosure with a pathogen recognition surface, including a planar optical waveguide and grating located in the first enclosure. An aperture is in the first enclosure for insertion of sample to be investigated to a position in close proximity to the pathogen recognition surface. A laser in the first enclosure includes means for aligning and means for modulating the laser, the laser having its light output directed toward said grating. Detection means are located in the first enclosure and in optical communication with the pathogen recognition surface for detecting pathogens after interrogation by the laser light and outputting the detection. Electronic means is located in the first enclosure and receives the detection for processing the detection and outputting information on the detection, and an electrical power supply is located in the first enclosure for supplying power to the laser, the detection means and the electronic means.

Abstract: An apparatus and devices for measuring fluorescence lifetimes of fluorescence sensors for one or more analytes, the apparatus comprising (c) one or more reference systems (3,6,7), said reference systems each comprising one or more reference light sources (3) and being adapted to receive one or more excitation signals (1a), to produce reference optical signals (6b) in response thereto, and to produce one or more electrical reference output signals (7b) in response to one or more excitation signals (1a); and (d) or more phase detectors (10), said phase detections being adapted to detect one or more delays of said one or more electrical output signals of said one or more fluorescence sensor systems and said one or more reference systems, and to produce one or more phase output signals; and a method of measuring concentration of one or more analytes using such apparatus and/or devices.

Abstract: Optical interrogation systems and methods are described herein that are capable of measuring the angles (or changes in the angles) at which light reflects, transmits, scatters, or is emitted from an array of sensors or specimens that are distributed over a large area 2-dimensional array.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer comprises selection means for selecting one or more of the components of a light beam corresponding to different wavelengths, formed by optical micro-filters.

Abstract: A measurement device may illuminate lens 10 to be inspected with light at a plurality of different angles of incidence. The transmitted light that passes through lens 10 may be preferably detected by light detecting means 36. When light detecting means 36 detects the light, it outputs an electrical signal. Control unit 54 may (1) align light source 22 in the predetermined position and turns it on and (2) calculate the degree of refraction of the transmitted light that passes through lens 10, based upon the electrical signal output from light detecting means 36. Then, control unit 54 may further (3) conduct illumination at a plurality of different angles of incidence and obtain a plurality of “angle of incidence—degree of refraction” relationships from the degree of refraction calculated for each angle of incidence, and (4) calculate the fundamental data of lens 10 by using the plurality of “angle of incidence—degree of refraction” relationships.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed that can be used for fluorescence filtering for molecular imaging. In one preferred embodiment, a source subsystem is disclosed comprising a light source and a first set of filters designed to pass wavelengths of light in an absorption band of a fluorescent material. A detector subsystem is also disclosed comprising a light detector, imaging optics, a second set of filters designed to pass wavelengths of light in an emission band of the fluorescent material, and an aperture located at a front focal plane of the imaging optics. A telecentric space is created between the light detector and the imaging optics, such that axial rays from a plurality of field points emerge from the imaging optics parallel to each other and perpendicular to the second set of filters.

Abstract: An image acquisition system and method employing multi-axis integration (MAI) may incorporate both optical axis integration (OAI) and time-delay integration (TDI) techniques. Disclosed MAI systems and methods may integrate image data in the z direction as the data are acquired, projecting the image data prior to deconvolution. Lateral translation of the image plane during the scan in the z direction may allow large areas to be imaged in a single scan sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring the optical properties of solids, gels, and liquids are disclosed. The apparatuses may be constructed on miniature substrates using conventional semiconductor wafer and packaging processes. The substrates may be mass-produced on wafers, which are then diced to provide individual miniature substrates. High measurement precision, low-manufacturing costs, and other benefits are provided by the present inventions.

Abstract: To provide a method for color-matching a paint having brilliant feeling whose reference blend is already known and which contains a brilliant material, comprising (1) a step of obtaining the liquid color measurement data for an enamel paint not containing a brilliant material in accordance with a paint blend excluding the brilliant material and if necessary, a paint additive from a reference paint blend of a paint having brilliant feeling whose reference paint blend is already known, (2) a step of obtaining a toned enamel paint adjusted to the liquid color measurement data for the enamel paint by blending and toning a paint material such as an elementary color paint excluding a brilliant material and if necessary, a paint additive on the basis of the liquid color measurement data for the enamel paint, and (3) a step of color-matching a paint having brilliant feeling by adding a brilliant material and if necessary, a paint additive to the toned enamel paint.

Abstract: A sensor system comprised of a diffuse light source and a sensor mounted on a transparent layer of material that is adjacent to a fluid. The refractive index of the transparent layer is greater than the refractive index of the fluid, causing a portion of the diffuse light source to be reflected from the interface of the transparent layer and the adjacent fluid. A sensor is placed at a location to intercept the reflected light. The diffuse light source and the sensor are optically coupled to the transparent layer with a transparent material wit a refractive index greater than that of the fluid. A light absorbing coating is placed ante surface of the transparent layer in order to absorb extraneous light from internal scattering of light from the fluid and light external to the sensor system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for imaging spectral lines are disclosed. Spectral lines are imaged using an imager that includes photosensitive cells. The photosensitive cells are arranged to form channels including banks of photosensitive cells. Horizontal blooming barriers and drains are coupled to one or more of the banks to limit accumulated charge in the banks such that the amount of charge accumulated and retained in at least one subsequent bank is incrementally increased. Charge is accumulated for spectral lines that are received by the channels to image those spectral lines.

Abstract: A Fourier Transform (FT) spectrometer apparatus uses multi-element MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) or D-MEMS (Diffractive Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) devices. A polychromatic light source is first diffracted or refracted by a dispersive component such as a grating or prism. The dispersed beam is intersected by a multi-element MEMS apparatus. The MEMS apparatus encodes each spectral component thereof with different time varying modulation through corresponding MEMS element. The light radiation is then spectrally recombined as a single beam. The beam is further split into to a reference beam and a probe beam. The probe light is directed to a sample and then the transmitted or reflected light is collected. Both the reference beam and probe beam are detected by a photo-detector. The detected time varying signal is analyzed by Fourier transformation to resolve the spectral components of the sample under measurement.

Abstract: A miniaturized diffractive imaging spectrometer (DIS) has a footprint less than 2×1 mm2, is about 2.5 mm tall (excluding an image detector, which in some embodiments may be a CCD matrix), and covers the entire visible spectral range from 400 nm to 700 nm with resolution of approximately from 2 nm to 4 nm across the field. The DIS is able to function with multiple input waveguide channels, and is flexible in its various possible configurations, as it can be designed to achieve better resolution or higher number of channels or wider spectral range or smaller size.

Abstract: The invention concerns measurements in which light interacts with matter to generate light intensity changes, and spectrophotometer devices of the invention provide ultrasensitive measurements. Light source noise in these measurements can be reduced in accordance with the invention. Exemplary embodiments of the invention use sealed housings lacking an internal light source. In some embodiments a substantially solid thermally conductive housing is used. Other embodiments include particular reflection based sample and reference cells. One embodiment includes a prism including an interaction surface, a detector, a lens that focuses a prism beam output onto the detector, and a closed interaction volume for delivering gas or liquid to the interaction surface. Another embodiment replaces a prism with a reflective surface. Another embodiment replaces a prism with a scattering matte surface.

Abstract: A color measurement instrument includes a housing and illuminators, a two-dimensional photodetector array, and an optics system within the housing. A UV filter wheel closes the housing to prevent contaminants from entering the housing. The filter wheel supports UV filters and non-UV glass that can be selectively aligned with the illuminators. The photodetectors can be read in parallel, and each photodetector includes a unique spectral filter. The optics system delivers light from the sample target area equally to each of the photodetectors.

Abstract: An LED spectrophtometer device for determining an aspect of the color of an object may include: a visible spectrophotometer comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit light in the visible spectrum onto the object; at least one detector for detecting said light after being directed onto the object and for generating an output; and a UV light emitting diode assembly that emits light in the near ultraviolet spectrum and communicates with at least one detector for generating an output. The device may further include a processor that combines the outputs of the at least one detector of the visible spectrophotometer and the at least one detector in communication with the UV light emitting diode assembly.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement, in particular for spectroscopic measurements on particulate samples, is described, having a measuring cuvette (10) for sampling which has at least one window (11) through which the sample (3) can be irradiated and including a rotating mount (20) with which the measuring cuvette (10) can be rotated about a predetermined axis of rotation (1), whereby the alignment of the axis of rotation (1) deviates from a vertical reference direction.

Abstract: A photoacoustic system with ellipsometer, where the ellipsometer includes a laser light source for generating an incident beam, an element for focusing the incident beam on a sample, a unit for measuring the change in amplitude of the incident beam on reflection and a unit for measuring the phase difference of the incident beam on reflection. The system further includes an element to convert an input narrow spectrum beam generated by the laser light source to a broadband sample measurement beam that is focused onto the sample.