Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a sensor chip package that comprises a cap that engages the sensor chip and serving as a helmet that covers some or all of a top surface of the sensor chip. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a cap design that has an optical component to deflect an excitation light signal towards the top surface of sensor chip to excite samples within the sample wells. In some embodiments, the optical component may be a mirror or prism that provides a right angle coupling of excitation light signal to the sensor chip. Some embodiments are directed to a cap design in which a mirror is supported by multiple support surfaces of the cap body such that a mirror of a different length will provide a different tilt angle when supported by the same support surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for electrokinetic loading of samples of interest into sub-micron-scale reaction chambers are described. Embodiments include an integrated device and related apparatus for analyzing samples in parallel. The integrated device may include at least one reaction chamber formed through a surface of the integrated device and configured to receive a sample of interest, such as a molecule of nucleic acid. The integrated device may further include electrodes patterned adjacent to the reaction chamber that produce one or more electric fields that assist loading the sample into the reaction chamber. The apparatus may further include a sample reservoir having a fluid seal with the surface of the integrated device and configured to hold a suspension containing the samples.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Heat transfer systems and methods are generally described. A bioanalytical instrument may employ a variety of heat-generating optoelectronic chips to perform biochemical assays. In some embodiments, the instrument may include a heat transfer system configured to cool the chips by thermally coupling them to a heat sink. The heat transfer system may include an elastically deformable flexible plate to conform to the differently-sized chips, withstand numerous cycles of chip insertion/removal, and respond to pressures exerted by supporting structures of the instrument. The heat transfer system may include a thermally conductive material indirectly but thermally coupled to the chip via the flexible plate, which may be positioned between the heat sink and the flexible plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are methods of loading an integrated device and/or chip for detection (e.g., sequencing) and methods of sequencing a target molecule.

Abstract: Compact optical sources and methods for producing short and ultrashort optical pulses are described. A semiconductor laser or LED may be driven with a bipolar waveform to generate optical pulses with FWHM durations as short as approximately 85 ps having suppressed tail emission. The pulsed optical sources may be used for fluorescent lifetime analysis of biological samples and time-of-flight imaging, among other applications.

Abstract: Compact optical sources and methods for producing short and ultrashort optical pulses are described. A semiconductor laser or LED may be driven with a bipolar waveform to generate optical pulses with FWHM durations as short as approximately 85 ps having suppressed tail emission. The pulsed optical sources may be used for fluorescent lifetime analysis of biological samples and time-of-flight imaging, among other applications.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to systems, devices, and methods for the transfer of fluid to fluidic receptacles. In some embodiments, the fluid contains one or more molecules (e.g., one or more peptides, proteins, and/or nucleic acids) of interest, and the fluidic receptacle includes an integrated device. In certain embodiments, the one or more molecules can be immobilized on the integrated device for subsequent analysis (e.g., sequencing). Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards systems and methods that can, in some instances, enhance the immobilization of the one or more molecules on the integrated device, e.g., by improving a rate of sample interaction with the integrated device. Through the use of systems, devices, and methods of the instant disclosure, target molecules may be more readily sequenced or prepared for sequencing.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to systems, devices, and methods for the transfer of fluid to fluidic receptacles. In some embodiments, the fluid contains one or more molecules (e.g., one or more peptides, proteins, and/or nucleic acids) of interest, and the fluidic receptacle includes an integrated device. In certain embodiments, the one or more molecules can be immobilized on the integrated device for subsequent analysis (e.g., sequencing). Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards systems and methods that can, in some instances, enhance the immobilization of the one or more molecules on the integrated device, e.g., by improving a rate of sample interaction with the integrated device. Through the use of systems, devices, and methods of the instant disclosure, target molecules may be more readily sequenced or prepared for sequencing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure related to methods, articles, kits, and/or systems for the preparation and/or study of one or more target molecules in a sample. In some embodiments, a target molecule is a peptide, a protein, or a fragment or derivative thereof. Through the use of methods, articles, kits, and/or systems of the instant disclosure, target molecules may, in some embodiment, be more readily sequenced or prepared for sequencing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling an optical beam from an optical source to a hi-tech system are described. A compact, low-cost beam-shaping and steering assembly may be located between the optical source and hi-tech system and provide automated adjustments to beam parameters such as beam position, beam rotation, and beam incident angles. The beam-shaping and steering assembly may be used to couple an elongated beam to a plurality of optical waveguides.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for coupling an optical beam from an optical source to a hi-tech system are described. A compact, low-cost beam-shaping and steering assembly may be located between the optical source and hi-tech system and provide automated adjustments to beam parameters such as beam position, beam rotation, and beam incident angles. The beam-shaping and steering assembly may be used to couple an elongated beam to a plurality of optical waveguides.

Abstract: Methods and devices for preparing target molecules (e.g., target nucleic acids or target proteins) from a biological sample are provided herein. In some embodiments, methods and devices involve sample lysis, sample fragmentation, enrichment of target molecule(s), and/or functionalization of target molecule(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing an optical element. The optical element is part of a laser and is mounted on a translation stage to scan the optical element transverse to an intracavity laser beam. A performance characteristic of the laser is recorded as a function of position of the optical element.