Abstract: Example methods and systems for performing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are provided. One example system may include a first lighting subsystem and a second lighting subsystem. The first lighting subsystem includes a first light source configured to illuminate a qPCR testing solution including a sample, a fluorescence dye and a nanoparticle in a tube with a first light to increase a temperature of the qPCR testing solution. The second lighting subsystem includes a light detector configured to detect an amount of fluorescence emitted by the fluorescence dye in a first thermal cycle of the qPCR. The first lighting subsystem is configured to turn off the first light source for a period of time in any thermal cycle of the qPCR after the first thermal cycle based on one or more heat transmission parameters which are determined based on the amount of fluorescence.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for super-resolution imaging of extended objects utilize a scanned illumination source with a small spot size. Sub-images composed of highly-overlapping point spread functions are captured and each sub-image is iteratively compared to a series of brightness combinations of template point spread functions in a dictionary. The dictionary is composed of highly-overlapping point spread functions. Each sub-image is associated with a best-match template combination solution, and the best-match reconstructions created by best-match solutions are combined into a super-resolution image of the object.

Abstract: A novel method and system for conducting wide-field multi-photon microscopy through plane-projection are provided. It has been discovered that the limitations of conventional temporal-focusing techniques, such as single excitation wavelength and low acquisition rates can be resolved utilizing a novel optical set-up in which an optical diffuser is used as the scatterer. The use of such an optical arrangement enables temporal focusing regardless of the central wavelength of laser pulses. In addition, the optical sectioning possible using the disclosed microscopy is comparable to confocal microscopy, and can be robustly achieved by both moderate and high NA objectives at 100-fs pulse width. Moreover, the multi-photon excitation efficiency of the disclosed system can be enhanced by lowering the repetition rate of the ultrafast laser light source at constant pulse width and average power.

Abstract: A novel method and system for conducting wide-field multi-photon microscopy through plane-projection are provided. It has been discovered that the limitations of conventional temporal-focusing techniques, such as single excitation wavelength and low acquisition rates can be resolved utilizing a novel optical set-up in which an optical diffuser is used as the scatterer. The use of such an optical arrangement enables temporal focusing regardless of the central wavelength of laser pukes. In addition, the optical sectioning possible using the disclosed microscopy is comparable to confocal microscopy, and can be robustly achieved by both moderate and high NA objectives at 100-fs puke width. Moreover, the multi-photon excitation efficiency of the disclosed system can be enhanced by lowering the repetition rate of the ultrafast laser light source at constant pulse width and average power.

Abstract: The present invention is a scanning system having spherical mirrors to operate a two-dimensional scanning. Aberration owing to oblique incident light is compensated to reach diffraction limit.

Abstract: The present invention is a scanning system having spherical mirrors to operate a two-dimensional scanning. Aberration owing to oblique incident light is compensated to reach diffraction limit.