Abstract: A fluorescence imaging system having an enclosure having an optical excitation and detection system and features designed to suppress or reduce background fluorescence. In certain aspects, all or a portion of the interior walls has a material finish and texture that provides a surface that absorbs at least a portion of any impinging excitation light and which has low auto-fluorescing properties. In certain aspects, a baffle structure is provided on the interior of the structure and is configured to mask portions of the interior and reduce the opening through which light impinges on the detector.

Abstract: A fluorescence imaging system having an enclosure having an optical excitation and detection system and features designed to suppress or reduce background fluorescence. In certain aspects, all or a portion of the interior walls has a material finish and texture that provides a surface that absorbs at least a portion of any impinging excitation light and which has low auto-fluorescing properties. In certain aspects, a baffle structure is provided on the interior of the structure and is configured to mask portions of the interior and reduce the opening through which light impinges on the detector.

Abstract: A gas flux chamber assembly is provided that includes a lift-and-rotate mechanism and a chamber. The chamber is moved between first and second positions, wherein the chamber is positioned over a sample in the first position and is positioned outside of an area above the sample in the second position. In operation, the chamber is first lifted off of the collar and is then rotated, about a rotational axis outside of the area above the collar. These acts are reversed to move the chamber from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A gas flux chamber assembly with a soil collar and a chamber is provided. The chamber is moved between first and second positions, wherein the chamber is positioned on the soil collar in the first position and is positioned outside of an area above the soil collar in the second position. In operation, the chamber is first lifted off of the soil collar and is then rotated, about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the soil collar axis, outside of the area above the soil collar. These acts are reversed to move the chamber from the second position to the first position.

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.