Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an optical device (150) in which a light beam (L) is coupled into a transparent component, for example into a foil (110). The incoupling is achieved by astigmatically focusing a light beam (L) onto an oblong entrance window (W) of the foil (110), wherein a focal line (Fx) of the light beam (L) is oriented along the axis (x) of extension of the entrance window (W). Preferably, a second focal line (Fy) of the light beam (L) is disposed inside the transparent component (110) below a region of interest (112).

Abstract: The invention relates to means for the examination of a sample, wherein a first input light beam (L1) is totally internally reflected at a detection surface of a sample chamber (111), while a second input light beam (L1?) is transmitted through the sample chamber (111). The resulting first and second output light beams (L2, L2?) are detected and can be evaluated with respect to frustrated total internal reflection and optical absorbance, respectively. Preferably, both output light beams (L2, L2?) are detected by a single image sensor (155).

Abstract: The invention relates to a double telecentric optical system (100) and its use in a sensor device (1000), wherein said optical system (100) comprises a single focusing element, for example a lens (101). A mirror element (102) is arranged at the focal point (F) of this focusing element (101) to reflect incoming light rays back to the focusing element (101). Incoming and reflected light rays preferably pass through different parts (101a, 101b) of the focusing element (101), allowing a spatially separated arrangement of an object (3) and its image (I).

Abstract: A carrier and an apparatus for optical detection of a sample in a sample chamber includes en optical structure for refracting an input light beam into the adjacent sample chamber and for collecting an output light beam from light that originates in the sample chamber from the input light beam. The optical structure includes grooves in the surface of the carrier in which the Input light beam is transmitted Over a short distance through a sample. The optical structure can also be used for a wetting detection.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for filtering a fluid includes a filter element for filtering the fluid and an adhesive capillary structure for generating capillary forces. The adhesive capillary structure is attached to the filter element by using an adhesive property of the adhesive capillary structure. The adhesive capillary structure is preferentially made of a double-sided tape, which is adhesive on two sides. The filtering apparatus further includes a filtering location where the filter element is located, and a detection location where a property of the fluid is detectable. The capillary structure is formed such that the filtered fluid is guided from the filtering location to the detection location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor device (100) in which the spatial distribution of an input light (L1) emission from a light emitting area (121, 122) of a light source (120) can selectively be changed. The input light is propagated through an optical system (110) to produce some output light (L2). Changes of the input light are taken into account when the detected output light (L2) is evaluated. Thus it is for example possible to detect and/or eliminate optical disturbances occurring in the optical path outside an object region (3). The light source (120) may particularly comprise a plurality of a light emitting segments (121, 122) that can selectively be switched on or off.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier (211) and an apparatus for optical manipulations of a sample in a sample chamber (2), wherein the carrier (211) comprises a contact surface (12) with a plurality of holes (52), particularly grooves (52). In a preferred embodiment, the holes (52) have two oppositely slanted opposing facets (53, 54) that include an angle (2a) of less than about (¾/¾)·140°, with ¾ and n2 being the refractive indices of the carrier and the sample, respectively. Moreover, a light source may be arranged such that it generates an input light beam (LI) which traverses at least two holes (52) before leaving the carrier (211) as an output light beam (L2). Due to the steepness of the facets (53, 54) and/or the multiple passages of the input light beam (LI) through holes (52) it is possible to interact with a sample in the holes in an efficient way and to minimize losses of light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid filtering device comprising a filter (2) for filtering a fluid and a substrate (3) comprising a collecting structure (4) for collecting the filtered fluid from the filter (2). An adhesive (5) holds the filter (2) in place with respect to the collecting structure (4). The filter (2), the substrate (3) with the collecting structure (4) and the adhesive (5) are arranged such that the collecting structure (4) contacts the filter (2) and the filter (2) is attached to the substrate (3) by the adhesive (5). The collecting structure is very close to the filter and the adhesive ensures that the collecting structure remains very close to the filter. The filtered fluid can therefore be collected very efficiently and very fast. The fluid filtering device is preferentially used for filtering blood in a biosensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosensor comprising a cartridge for accommodating a fluid sample, the cartridge comprising at least two chambers, wherein each chamber comprises a sensor surface with one or more binding sites. The biosensor further comprises means for generating a magnetic field at the binding sites of the sensor surfaces of the at least two chambers. The biosensor also comprises means for detecting particles accumulated at/and or proximate the binding sites of the sensor surfaces of the at least two chambers. Therein, the magnetic field at the binding sites has a sufficiently large gradient to actuate magnetic label particles towards the binding sites.

Abstract: A non-leaching adhesive system and its use in a liquid immersion objective for immersion-writing of masters for optical discs are disclosed. The adhesive system comprises at least one monomer, selected from among the group of acrylate and methacrylate monomers, allylic monomers, norbornene monomers, hybrid monomers thereof, containing chemically different polymerizable groups, and multifunctional thiol monomers, provided that said thiol is used in combination with at least one of said non-thiol monomers; and a polymerization initiator. At least one of said monomers, not being a thiol, is provided with at least two functional polymerizable groups to obtain a crosslinked polymer network. The polymerization initiator is preferably an initiator that can be activated both thermally and with UV radiation. The adhesive system may further contain a reactive diluent. Further the use of the present adhesive system in mounting a liquid immersion objective is disclosed.

Abstract: In order to distinguish a duplicated record carrier from an original record carrier, a pattern is included in a ROM type record carrier. The pattern is oriented perpendicular to the reading direction of the record carrier. During illegal duplication the spatial relationship is disturb which can be easily detected. The patterns can be read out simultaneously by the same single read-out spot by including both patterns within the diameter of the optical spot, thus guaranteeing that the read-out patterns are actually still spatially close together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier (11) and an apparatus (100) for optical detection in a sample (1) in a sample chamber (2). The carrier (11) comprises an optical structure (50) for refracting an input light beam (L1) into the adjacent sample chamber (2) and for collecting an output light beam (L2) from light that originates in the sample chamber (2) from the input light beam. Preferably, the optical structure (50) comprises grooves in the surface (12) of the carrier (11) in which the input light beam is transmitted over a short distance through a sample. The optical structure (50) can also be used for a wetting detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtering apparatus (1) for filtering a fluid (3) comprising the filtering apparatus. The filtering apparatus comprises a filter element (2) for filtering the fluid (3) and an adhesive capillary structure (5) for generating capillary forces, wherein the adhesive capillary structure (5) is attached to the filter element (2) by using an adhesive property of the adhesive capillary structure (5). The adhesive capillary structure is preferentially made of a double-sided tape, which is adhesive on two sides. The filtering apparatus comprises further preferentially a filtering location (6), at which the filter element (2) is located, and a detection location (7), at which a property of the fluid (3) is detectable, wherein the capillary structure (5) is formed such that the filtered fluid is guided from the filtering location (6) to the detection location (7).

Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge comprising a sample input portion and a sensor portion, wherein said sensor portion comprises a sensor surface and a first microstructure adapted to provide a capillary force for transporting sample fluid from the sample input portion to the sensor portion, wherein said microstructure does not interfere with the sensor surface.

Abstract: A non-leaching adhesive system and its use in a liquid immersion objective for immersion-writing of masters for optical discs are disclosed. The adhesive system comprises at least one monomer, selected from among the group of acrylate and methacrylate monomers, allylic monomers, norbornene monomers, hybrid monomers thereof, containing chemically different polymerizable groups, and multifunctional thiol monomers, provided that said thiol is used in combination with at least one of said non-thiol monomers; and a polymerization initiator. At least one of said monomers, not being a thiol, is provided with at least two functional polymerizable groups to obtain a crosslinked polymer network. The polymerization initiator is preferably an initiator that can be activated both thermally and with UV radiation. The adhesive system may further contain a reactive diluent. Further the use of the present adhesive system in mounting a liquid immersion objective is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-leaching adhesive system and its use in a liquid immersion objective for immersion-writing of masters for optical discs are disclosed. The adhesive system comprises at least one monomer, selected from among the group of acrylate and methacrylate monomers, allylic monomers, norbornene monomers, hybrid monomers thereof, containing chemically different polymeriazble groups, and multifunctional thiol monomers, provided that said thiol is used in combination with at least one of said non-thiol monomers; and a polymerization initiator. At least one of said monomers, not being a thiol, is provided with at least two functional polymerizable groups to obtain a crosslinked polymer network. The polymerization initiator is preferably an initiator that can be activated both thermally and with UV radiation. The adhesive system may further contain a reactive diluent. Further the use of the present adhesive system in mounting a liquid immersion objective is disclosed.

Abstract: A device for directing radiation to a layer (1) is described. The device includes a first optical element (L1) for focusing a first radiation beam (B1) originating from a first radiation source (S1) onto said layer, a second optical element (L2) for focusing a second radiation beam (B2) originating from a second radiation source (S2) onto said layer. The wavelengths of the radiation from said first and said second radiation source are different from each other. The first and second optical element are jointly movable with respect to said radiation sources, wherein the focal points of the two radiation beams at least substantially coincide with various movements of the first optical element and the second optical element with respect to the radiation sources. The second optical element (L2) has an aperture (A2) which allows optically undisturbed passage of the first radiation beam (B1). In this way a compact and light configuration of L1 and L2 is achieved as well as an improved radiation beam quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data medium to be read out by a focused reading beam having a predetermined wavelength. The data medium implements a new concept of generating a reference beam, by comprising a reference beam interface, which, in the propagation direction of the impinging reading beam, is arranged either in front of a data layer with a pit-and-land structure, and is partially reflective while the pit and land interface sections are fully reflective for the reading beam. Or the reference layer is arranged behind the first and second reflective interface sections, and is fully reflective while the pit and land interlace sections are partially reflective for the reading beam. The data medium of the invention has a number of between 5 and 20 channel-bit cells contained in a reference area A-ef defined by the square of the ratio between the reading beam wavelength WL and the numerical aperture NA of an optical system focusing the reading beam.

Abstract: For irradiating a layer a radiation beam is directed and focussed to a spot on the layer, relative movement of the layer relative to the lens is caused so that, successively, different portions of the layer are irradiated and an interspace between a surface of the lens nearest to the layer is maintained. Furthermore, at least a portion of the interspace through which the radiation irradiates the spot on the layer is maintained filled with a liquid, the liquid being supplied via a supply conduit. At least a portion of the liquid fills up a recess through which the radiation irradiates the spot.

Abstract: In order to distinguish a duplicated record carrier from an original record carrier a pattern is included in a ROM type record carrier that is oriented perpendicular to the reading direction. During illegal duplication the spatial relationship is disturb which can be easily detected. The patterns can be read out simultaneously by the same single read-out spot by including both patterns within the diameter of the optical spot thus guaranteeing that the read-out patterns are actually still spatially close together. Special patterns can be used that allow an easy detection of disturbances caused by the illegal duplication.