Abstract: A computer based system for testing an optical monitoring system includes a program having program instruction and optical monitoring system parameters, for implementing a plurality of tests of an optical monitoring system. A computer includes at least one processor for executing the program instructions, storage components for storing program instructions and test data, including the optical system parameters, a user input for inputting commands, and a display for displaying a menu of available test commands, test results and other data. An interface is provided for interfacing the optical monitoring system to tile computer for exchange of control and data signals. A fixture is provided for mounting the optical monitoring system during testing.

Abstract: A method for electronically scanning a photodiode array that is sequentially illuminated by individual light beams by way of a shutter mechanism that has opening and closing transition times during which each light beam is only partially projected onto the array. An integrating light projected on the respective photodiodes of the photodiode array by each light beam over a predetermined period of time beginning after the opening transition time when the shutter mechanism is fully open and ending prior to initiation of the closing transition time while the shutter mechanism is still fully open and producing electrical signals corresponding to the light integrated by the respective photodiodes over the predetermined period of time and storing the electrical signals for subsequent use.

Abstract: A device and method for optical calibration of an optical instrument that measures optical characteristics along an optical path. A controllable shutter having electrically alterable optical characteristics is placed across the optical path of the instrument. An electrical control is connected to the shutter for selectively providing a variable voltage to the shutter to electrically alter optical characteristics of the shutter in a controlled manner so that the optical characteristics of the shutter correspond to selected optical characteristics.

Abstract: A multichannel optical monitoring system for monitoring the spectral transmission of a plurality of samples. A plurality of light beams are generated and a plurality of optical monitoring stations are arranged along a pathway, each station having an optical path formed by one of the light beams transverse to the pathway and along which optical characteristics are monitored. A drive mechanism moves a plurality of reaction wells, each containing a reaction volume, along the pathway from station to station so that respective reaction volumes dwell periodically in each optical path for transmitting a respective one of the light beams. A diffraction grating is arranged for diffracting the beams transmitted by respective ones of the reaction volumes. The diffracted beams are focussed and at least one array of photodetectors is positioned for receiving the diffracted and focussed beams for producing electrical signals representing the spectral content of the diffracted beams.