Abstract: A microhollow cathode discharge (MHCD) cavity and microfluidic channel are combined for interrogation of samples. The apparatus includes a dielectric body and layers of conductive material defining a MHCD cavity containing an environment for carrying a gas discharge within the MHCD cavity. The gas discharge generates gas based electromagnetic waves. Electrical connections apply a cathode discharge potential to the layers of conductive material. A microfluidic channel is integrated on the substrate, and a path extends from the MHCD cavity laterally through a portion of the microfluidic channel. A detector, which may be integrated on the common substrate, is positioned to receive electromagnetic waves from the path and electronic circuitry is coupled to the detector for acquiring and processing data.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for monitoring, preferably in real time, the physical or chemical conversion of a grain material. The method employs multivariate analysis of a collected sample. In a preferred embodiment a steeping conversion is monitored by multicomponent chemical analysis of the steepwater.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring, analyzing, and/or discriminating molecular species, preferably a biomolecule, within a medium using a multisensor array (MSA) and multivariate processing. Biological compounds such as nucleotides and polynucleotides can be detected and analyzed. A reaction process such as an accumulation cycle of nucleic acids can be monitored, analyzed, and controlled using a multisensor array (MSA) and multivariate processing. Monitoring a biomolecule includes interrogating the medium, and preferably its gas phase, by coupling a sensor responsive to any changes of the medium and or biomolecule and its secondary products when, for example, an amplification reaction is proceeded. It is also a scope of the present invention to use direct detection and monitoring of biomolecular reactions in real-time without radioactive or fluorescent labeling. A preferred application is real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection.

Abstract: A method for microscopical observation of an amorphous specimen. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate having at least one outer surface that defines an optically flat and predetermined geometric configuration, including at least one discontinuity; disposing an amorphous specimen in contact with the discontinuity of the substrate; and, selecting a virtual focus point which can act as a referent point on a defocus position axis, thereby maximizing the phase-contrast of the specimen.

Abstract: A method for detecting and/or imaging a workpiece. In a detection aspect, the method comprises the steps of sampling an electromagnetic wave packet representative of workpiece properties and comprising encoded wave information derivable from a multi-pole interactive coupling between a probe tip and the workpiece; decoding said electromagnetic wave packet by interrogating at least one of its phase and amplitude information; and, using the decoding information as a means for detecting the presence of the workpiece. In an imaging aspect, the method includes incorporating the previous steps in a scanning operation for developing an image representative of the workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for identifying a code sequence of a biomolecule. The assembly includes means comprising a near-field probe for generating a super-resolution chemical analysis of the portion of a biomolecule; and means for correlating the super-resolution chemical analysis of the portion of the biomolecule with a broad spectral content of a referent biomolecule, for generating a code sequencing of the portion of the biomolecule.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for providing near-field measurements of a workpiece. The apparatus comprises a source of electromagnetic radiation for generating an incident wave; means for directing at least a portion of the incident wave to the workpiece; a probe tip acting as an antenna and capable of re-radiating a signal wave, said signal wave developing as an interactive coupling between said workpiece and said probe tip; means for creating an interference signal based on the signal wave and a reference wave; and a detector for interrogating at least one of the phase and amplitude of the interference signal.

Abstract: A method for deriving physical properties of a workpiece. The method comprises the steps of sampling an electromagnetic wave packet representative of workpiece properties and comprising encoded scattered wave information derivable from a multi-pole interactive coupling between a probe tip and the workpiece; decoding said electromagnetic wave packet by interrogating at least one of its phase and amplitude information; and, correlating this information to referent physical-chemical properties of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and method for decoding high density data encoded in a digital recording media as a series of tags comprising an information bit pattern including a tracking bit pattern. To this end, the invention preferably accesses the data by way of an interferometric near field microscope.

Abstract: A method suitable for identifying a code sequence of a biomolecule. The method comprises the steps of using a near-field probe technique for generating a super-resolution chemical analysis of at least a portion of the biomolecule; and, correlating the chemical analysis with a broad spectral content of a referent biomolecule for generating code sequencing.