Abstract: An apparatus is described in which an optical fiber is mounted within a fiber optic holder which includes the non-rotating shaft of a linear actuator. The fiber holder may be held captive in order to restrain the fiber holder and, consequently, the fiber mounted therein, from rotating during operation of the linear actuator, thereby resulting in linear travel with minimal rotational effects and minimal change in optical alignment of the fiber during travel. In addition, an optical path length sensor in conjunction with an optimized absorbance method of operation is utilized herein to provide micron precision of the displacement between respective receiving and transmission fibers so as to enable precise absorbance measurements from about 0.005 up to about 2.0 Absorbance Units for any given path length.

Abstract: A dual-mode method and apparatus of selectively measuring samples in either a vessel or as a surface tension retained sample held between two opposing pedestals is introduced. In either configuration, such modes further contain optical paths from a source system through a small-volume or large-volume sample to a spectrometer based system. Such a system enables a user to measure samples with absorbances ranging from about 0.005 up to about 2.0 Absorbance Units for any given wavelength.

Abstract: A dual-mode method and apparatus of selectively measuring samples in either a vessel or as a surface tension retained sample held between two opposing pedestals is introduced. In either configuration, such modes further contain optical paths from a source system through a small-volume or large-volume sample to a spectrometer based system. Such a system enables a user to measure samples with absorbances ranging from about 0.005 up to about 2.0 Absorbance Units for any given wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus is described in which an optical fiber is mounted within a fiber optic holder which includes the non-rotating shaft of a linear actuator. The fiber holder may be held captive in order to restrain the fiber holder and, consequently, the fiber mounted therein, from rotating during operation of the linear actuator, thereby resulting in linear travel with minimal rotational effects and minimal change in optical alignment of the fiber during travel. In addition, an optical path length sensor in conjunction with an optimized absorbance method of operation is utilized herein to provide micron precision of the displacement between respective receiving and transmission fibers so as to enable precise absorbance measurements from about 0.005 up to about 2.0 Absorbance Units for any given path length.

Abstract: A photometer is provided with modular lighting units wherein each lighting unit includes one or more light emitters. A user may select a desired lighting unit and install it within a photometer base unit, and thereafter activate one or more of the emitters (which may emit light of different wavelengths) to illuminate a specimen. The light provided by the specimen in response can then be captured at a detector, and analyzed to provide an indication of the specimen's characteristics. Different lighting units may optionally include one or more input light adapters (filters or polarizers which modify the light provided by the emitter(s) to the specimen), and/or one or more output light adapters (filters or polarizers which modify the light provided by the specimen to the detector). Users may therefore select lighting units with emitters and light adapters which are particularly suited for detection/analysis of particular specimens and/or components therein.

Abstract: A photometer is provided with modular lighting units wherein each lighting unit includes one or more light emitters. A user may select a desired lighting unit and install it within a photometer base unit, and thereafter activate one or more of the emitters (which may emit light of different wavelengths) to illuminate a specimen. The light provided by the specimen in response can then be captured at a detector, and analyzed to provide an indication of the specimen's characteristics. Different lighting units may optionally include one or more input light adapters (filters or polarizers which modify the light provided by the emitter(s) to the specimen), and/or one or more output light adapters (filters or polarizers which modify the light provided by the specimen to the detector). Users may therefore select lighting units with emitters and light adapters which are particularly suited for detection/analysis of particular specimens and/or components therein.

Abstract: A DNA sequencing system and method are described to detect the presence of radiant energy emitted from different excited reporter dye-labeled species (DNA fragments) following separation in time and/or space, and the identity of the species which emit radiant energy closely spaced in wavelength. Functions of the emitted energy are obtained which vary over the wavelengths of the closely spaced spectra in different senses and the functions ratioed, whereby the ratio is indicative of the identity of the DNA fragments. The emitting portion of the reporter-labeled DNA fragment is preferably one of a family of fluorescent dyes based on 9-carboxyethyl-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-3H-xanthene. These xanthene dyes are covalently attached to the DNA fragments through the carboxylic acid functionality, preferably via an amide linkage. The dyes may be protected by including an alkoxy group at the 9-position. A spacer may be inserted between the dye and the amine.

Abstract: A DNA sequencing system and method are described to detect the presence of radiant energy emitted from different excited reporter dye-labeled species (DNA fragments) following separation in time and/or space, and the identity of the species which emit radiant energy closely spaced in wavelength. Functions of the emitted energy are obtained which vary over the wavelengths of the closely spaced spectra in different senses and the functions ratioed, whereby the ratio is indicative of the identity of the DNA fragments.The emitting portion of the reporter-labeled DNA fragment is preferably one of a family of fluorescent dyes based on 9-carboxyethyl-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-3H-xanthene. These xanthene dyes are covalently attached to the DNA fragments through the carboxylic acid functionality, preferably via an amide linkage. The dyes may be protected by including an alkoxy group at the 9-position. A spacer may be inserted between the dye and the amine.

Abstract: A DNA sequencing system and method are described to detect the presence of radiant energy emitted from different excited reporter dye-labeled species (DNA fragments) following separation in time and/or space, and the identity of the species which emit radiant energy closely spaced in wavelength. Functions of the emitted energy are obtained which vary over the wavelengths of the closely spaced spectra in different senses and the functions ratioed, whereby the ratio is indicative of the identity of the DNA fragments.The emitting portion of the reporter-labeled DNA fragment is preferably one of a family of fluorescent dyes based on 9-carboxyethyl-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-3 H-xanthene. These xanthene dyes are covalently attached to the DNA fragments through the carboxylic acid functionality, preferably via an amide linkage. The dyes may be protected by including an alkoxy group at the 9-position. A spacer may be inserted between the dye and the amine.

Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus using a polychromatic source to generate a channeled spectrum for measuring the variations in the thickness of a thin transparent web as the web moves on-line with respect to an optical inspection station.

Abstract: A system for detecting the radiant energy emitted from different closely spaced species includes two detectors each having a large entrance angle for receiving the radiant energy, and wavelength selective filters between the detector and species, the transmission vs. wavelength characteristics being complementary, and means for ratioing functions of the detector outputs, the ratio being indicative of the identity of the species.

Abstract: An absorbance, turbidimetric, fluorescence, and nephelometric photometer is constructed by providing a sample cell having a rectangular absorbance/turbidimetric cross-section for radiation. The cells exit aperture is positioned to be the entrance aperture for a grating which separates the light according to wavelength and impingement on an array detector.

Abstract: A particle counting apparatus includes a cuvette having a cylindrical bore therethrough and an exterior cylindrical surface the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the bore. The apparatus is adapted to detect light scattered from a particle that is small as compared to the wavelength of incident radiation and has an index of refraction close to that of the medium in which it is entrained.