Abstract: The spectrofluorimeter according to the present invention advantageously uses a triggered xenon flash tube powered with a capacitor store and controlled by program instructions from a microcontroller. Also included is an optical cell having a configuration in which the xenon flash tube is placed in spaced relation to a pair of signal detectors and a reference detector. The spaced relation of these components substantially helps allow the use of solid detectors in the spectrofluorimeter. Electrical isolation of the detector amplifiers during all periods except for the actual detection portion of the flash cycle is obtained to enhance the noise immunity of the spectrofluorimeter detection system.

Abstract: The spectrofluorimeter according to the present invention advantageously uses a triggered xenon flash tube powered with a capacitor store and controlled by program instructions from a microcontroller. Also included is an optical cell having a configuration in which the xenon flash tube is placed in spaced relation to a pair of signal detectors and a reference detector. The spaced relation of these components substantially helps allow the use of solid state detectors in the spectrofluorimeter. Electrical isolation of the detector amplifiers during all periods except for the actual detection portion of the flash cycle is obtained to enhance the noise immunity of the spectrofluorimeter detection system.

Abstract: A thermal reactor, and a method of operating the thermal reactor, in which the thermal reactor includes: a chamber which is thermally isolated by refrigerated air circulating in the walls of the chamber, and which holds a tray of sample vials; means for supplying air to the chamber and for exhausting air from the chamber; heaters for heating the air supplied to the chamber; sensors for sensing the temperature of the air supplied to the chamber and of the sample vials, and a computer which pulses the heaters according to the measured temperatures of the vials and the air in the chamber to maintain the temperature of the vials at a desired level.

Abstract: An electrophoresis system for separating organic molecules comprising a base, an electrophoresis tank mounted on the base, and electrical outlets mounted on the base connected to the tank and an external electrical power source. The electrophoresis tank includes a back plate mounted perpendicular to the base, the back plate having an upper reservoir adapted to receive a buffer fluid, a lower reservoir mounted on the base adjacent the back plate adapted to receive the fluid, a pair of sample plates having a layer of gel therebetween releasably mounted to the back plate, a plate clamping bar adjustably mounted on and parallel to the back plate adapted to retain and maintain the sample plates adjacent and parallel to the back plate, the layer of gel being adapted to permit the migration of the organic molecules contained in the gel layer upon application of an electric field from the power source.