Abstract: A reflective substrate is used to amplify the photon signal captured from overlying analyte domains containing photon emitters. The reflective substrate provides substantial desired signal amplification of the photon emissions from each domain via interference effects induced in the incident excitation and/or emission energies. A dielectric is interposed between the domains and the reflective surface, which has a thickness such that substantial destructive interference occurs with respect to emission photons or excitation photons or both at the attachment surface. When analyte domains have a three-dimensional structure such that a significant fraction of their volume extends at least ¼ wavelength above the attachment surface provided by the dielectric, substantial constructive signal amplification can take place of signals generated within the analyte domains.

Abstract: An x-ray imaging system capable of local focussing to any depth is disclosed. According to an aspect, the invention comprises a method of generating a volume of data comprising image information for a plurality of depths with an object under investigation, and selecting data from the volume of data to generate a display image.

Abstract: An image reconstruction system that can generate an accurate image representation of structure and regions within an object is disclosed. An aspect of the invention comprises a processor that is configured to receive x-ray transmissive information for an object to generate image pixel information for a plurality of depths within the object. The display image comprises selected image pixel information corresponding to image pixels at a plurality of depths within the object.

Abstract: A method to quantify the distortions caused by near filed variations in the propagation medium of pulse echo imaging systems. By estimating the phase lags induced by the aberrator at each point on the aperture, appropriate electronic delays might be applied to the signals associated with each array element in order to restore the system to focus. The method is capable of estimating the set of aberrating delays in an imaging phased array by using appropriate data from a single two or three dimensional pulse echo scan.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for imaging fingerprints directly from a finger in contact with a transparent surface of a lens is described. The conical nature of the contact surface affords the opportunity for a single such surface to accommodate a wide range of finger sizes. The front surface of the lens is conical, and a light source is provided for illuminating the finger, with ridges of the fingerprint being imaged and light illuminating the papillary valleys being refracted away from the imaging means.