Abstract: A system 100 and method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holder 050 via an astigmatic optical element 120. Image data 172 of the sample is acquired by an image sensor 140 via magnification optics 150. A difference in sharpness of the two-dimensional pattern in the image data is measured along a first axis and a second axis. Based on the difference, a magnitude and direction of defocus of the camera subsystem is determined with respect to the sample holder. This enables the sample holder, and thereby the sample, to be brought into focus in a fast and reliable manner.

Abstract: A system 100 and method are provided for imaging a sample in a sample holder. For providing autofocus, a 2D pattern is projected onto the sample holder 050 via an astigmatic optical element 120. Image data 172 of the sample is acquired by an image sensor 140 via magnification optics 150. A difference in sharpness of the two-dimensional pattern in the image data is measured along a first axis and a second axis. Based on the difference, a magnitude and direction of defocus of the camera subsystem is determined with respect to the sample holder. This enables the sample holder, and thereby the sample, to be brought into focus in a fast and reliable manner.

Abstract: A spectrometer (1) comprises a light source (2), a monochromator (3) with at least one diffraction grating (4), a monochromator housing (5), an order sorting filter (7), a microplate receptacle (12) and a controller (6). The order sorting filter (7) of the spectrometer (1) comprises a substrate (23), a first optical thin film (24) and a second optical thin film (25), wherein, in a spatially partly overlapping and interference-free manner, the first optical thin film (24) is arranged on a first surface (26) and the second optical thin film (25) is arranged on a second surface (27) of the substrate (23). A spectrometer (1) equipped with a respective order sorting filter is used in a scanning method for detecting the absorption spectrum of samples examined in wells (14) of microplates (13).

Abstract: A spectrometer (1) comprises a light source (2), a monochromator (3) with at least one diffraction grating (4), a monochromator housing (5), an order sorting filter (7), a microplate receptacle (12) and a controller (6). The order sorting filter (7) of the spectrometer (1) comprises a substrate (23), a first optical thin film (24) and a second optical thin film (25), wherein, in a spatially partly overlapping and interference-free manner, the first optical thin film (24) is arranged on a first surface (26) and the second optical thin film (25) is arranged on a second surface (27) of the substrate (23). A spectrometer (1) equipped with a respective order sorting filter is used in a scanning method for detecting the absorption spectrum of samples examined in wells (14) of microplates (13).

Abstract: Laser scanner and method images or measures fluorescent samples on specimen slides treated with different fluorescent dyes. Motor-driveable sample table for the slides includes a laser and first optical system creating two laser beams of differing wavelength, a scanner with movable head and an optical deflection element for deflecting the beams toward the sample. Scanner has second optical system for forwarding emission beam bundles to two detectors for detecting emission beam bundles coming from the samples. A drive and counter oscillator connected to the drive by connecting rods drives the head for rapid back-and-forth movement and the counter oscillator has a mass at least equivalent to the head for compensation by opposite movement to the head. The optical deflection element causes spatial separation of two resulting focal points and a spatial separation of the two beam bundles in the direction of the detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanner apparatus (1) for imaging and/or measuring fluorescent samples which are located on specimen slides (8) and treated with two different fluorescent dyes and also to a corresponding method. This laser scanner apparatus (1) comprises a motor-driveable sample table (2) with a receptacle (34) for specimen slides (8) in a sample plane (49); at least one laser (51,52) and a first optical system (53) for providing two laser beams (54,55) of differing wavelength; a scanner means (72) comprising a scanner head (50) which can move in a direction of movement (75) and has an optical deflection element (56) for deflecting the laser beams (54,55) toward the sample; and a first objective (57) for focusing the laser beams (54,55) on the sample in the plane (49).

Abstract: A laser scanner apparatus images and/or measures a fluorescent sample on a moveable table. At least one laser and an optical system provide two laser beams at differing wavelengths parallel to the fluorescent sample. A moveable wedge-shaped dichroic mirror deflects the laser beams through an objective toward the sample causing spatial separation of the focal points and two non-parallel emission beams. The emission beams are guided through an optical system to two detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser scanner apparatus (1) for imaging and/or measuring fluorescent samples which are located on specimen slides (8) and treated with two different fluorescent dyes and also to a corresponding method. This laser scanner apparatus (1) comprises a motor-drivable sample table (2) with a receptacle (34) for specimen slides (8) in a sample plane (49); at least one laser (51,52) and a first optical system (53) for providing two laser beams (54,55) of differing wavelength oriented parallel to each other and extending parallel to this plane (49); a scanner means (72) comprising a scanner head (50) which can move back and forth parallel to this plane (49) and in a direction of movement (75) and has an optical deflection element (56) for deflecting the laser beams (54,55) toward the sample; and a first objective (57) for focusing the laser beams (54,55) on the sample in the plane (49).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for observing reactions in samples (2), to which a reagent (3) is added, and/or a method which is based on the use of this device. The device includes at least one first optical device (4) for observing samples (2) in the direction of a first optical axis (5) and in a first observation region (6) penetrated by the first optical axis; a first device (7) for receiving receptacles (8) containing samples (2) and for aligning samples in these receptacles in relation to the first optical axis (5); and an injection device (10) for adding liquids (3) to samples (2) and an illumination device (17) for irradiating the samples (2) with excitation light of a first wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) and a method for determining parameters of fluid-containing samples (2) in a system (3) for individually irradiating the samples (2) with light (4) of a light source (5) in an essentially vertical irradiation direction (6). In this case, this system (3) includes a detector (7) for measuring the light (8) coming from a single sample, and this detector (7) has a detection direction (9?), which lies on an optical axis (9) that is essentially parallel to the optical axis (6) of the light source (5). This device (1) includes at least one reflective surface (10), using which the light (4) coming essentially vertically out of the light source (5) may be at least partially deflected in an essentially horizontal irradiation direction (11).

Abstract: An apparatus with a flash lamp can trigger a flash of light by application of an ignition pulse. The apparatus encompasses a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switching element and a control circuit. The first capacitor, second capacitor and switching element are arranged in a network in such a way that the switching element is located on the low side of a power circuit. The apparatus can be operated in a first mode and a second mode by actuating the control circuit. In the first mode the first capacitor is discharged by the flash lamp, triggering a flash of light of high energy. In the second mode the second capacitor is discharged by the flash lamp and a flash of light of low energy is triggered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) and a method for determining parameters of fluid-containing samples (2) in a system (3) for individually irradiating the samples (2) with light (4) of a light source (5) in an essentially vertical irradiation direction (6). In this case, this system (3) includes a detector (7) for measuring the light (8) coming from a single sample, and this detector (7) has a detection direction (9?), which lies on an optical axis (9) that is essentially parallel to the optical axis (6) of the light source (5). This device (1) includes at least one reflective surface (10), using which the light (4) coming essentially vertically out of the light source (5) may be at least partially deflected in an essentially horizontal irradiation direction (11).

Abstract: Apparatus (30) with a flash lamp (31) which can trigger a flash of light by applying an ignition pulse. The apparatus (30) encompasses a first capacitor (C1), a second capacitor (C2), a switching element (S6) and a control circuit (32). The first capacitor (C1), the second capacitor (C2) and the switching element (S6) are arranged in a network in such a way that the switching element (S6) is located on the low side of the power circuit. The apparatus (30) can be operated in a first mode and a second mode by actuating the control circuit (32). In the first mode the first capacitor (C1) is discharged by the flash lamp (31), triggering a flash of light of high energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for observing reactions in samples (2), to which a reagent (3) is added, and/or a method which is based on the use of this device. The device includes at least one first optical device (4) for observing samples (2) in the direction of a first optical axis (5) and in a first observation region (6) penetrated by the first optical axis; a first device (7) for receiving receptacles (8) containing samples (2) and for aligning samples in these receptacles in relation to the first optical axis (5); and an injection device (10) for adding liquids (3) to samples (2) and an illumination device (17) for irradiating the samples (2) with excitation light of a first wavelength.

Abstract: A temperature control device controls the temperature of the contents of a pan-shaped specimen container, in particular for the temperature control of specimen strips by hybridization assays. The specimen container can be set sealingly into a movably supported housing for a water bath.