Abstract: The invention relates to detection the presence of a target molecule in a sample, wherein the sample is contacted with a substrate, the substrate subsequently being washed in a wash step. In particular, the invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of a target molecule in a sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample (37) with a substrate having immobilized thereon probe molecules that specifically binds to the target molecule; (b) washing the substrate (38) in a wash step by a wash fluid in order to remove or dilute unbound target molecules; (c) detect the presence of resultant binding complexes (39) on the substrate to determine whether the target molecule is present in the sample. The wash fluid being substantially refractive index matched to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for creating in a display space an ambience lighting effect, wherein the display space comprises a screen configured to display moving images and a display space light source configured to provide the ambience lighting effect, wherein the moving images are representative of a stage performance in a performance space, the method comprising (a) deriving ambience lighting effect input data from one or more of (i) a light related cue provided by a cue manager, (ii) lighting effects accompanying the stage performance, and (iii) an analysis of a video shot by a video camera configured to monitor at least a part of an audience present in the performance space; and (b) displaying the moving images on the screen in the display space, while creating with the display space light source said ambience lighting effect at least based on the ambience lighting effect input data.

Abstract: A photo acoustic trace gas detector for detecting a concentration of a trace gas in a gas mixture. The detector includes a light source for producing a light beam and a light modulator for modulating the light beam into a series of light pulses for generating sound waves in the gas mixture. The light modulator is arranged for modulating the light beam between a non-zero lower intensity level and a higher intensity level. An amplitude of the sound waves being a measure of the concentration. An optical cavity contains the gas mixture and amplifies a light intensity of the light pulses. A transducer converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A feedback loop with a photo detector for measuring the light intensity of the light pulses regulates the amplification of the light intensity in the optical cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light guide (10) for illuminating a light output window (120) of an illumination system (100), the illumination system, a backlighting system (100) and a display device (200). The light guide comprises a first light guide part (10A) comprising a first light guide extension (70A) extending from a first edge wall (40A) of the first light guide part (10A), and comprises a second light guide part (10B) comprising a second light guide extension (70B) extending from a second edge wall (40B) of the second light guide part (10B), the first light guide extension (70A) being configured for positioning a first light input window (80A) at a side of the second light guide part (10?) facing a rear wall (30B) of the second light guide part (10B), the second light guide extension (70B) being configured for positioning a second light input window (80B) at a side of the first light guide part (10A) facing the rear wall (30A) of the first light guide part.

Abstract: A photo acoustic trace gas detector (100) is provided for detecting a concentration of a trace gas in a gas mixture. The detector (100) comprises a light source (101) for producing a light beam and a light modulator (103) for modulating the light beam into a series of light pulses at a chopping frequency for generating sound waves in the gas mixture. The amplitude of the sound waves is a measure of the concentration of the trace gas. The detector (100) further comprises an optical cavity (104a, 104b) with the gas mixture. The optical cavity (104a, 104b) amplifies the light intensity of the light pulses. A transducer (109) converts the sound waves into electrical signals. A feed back loop (110, 111, 113, 114) regulates a ratio of a length of the optical cavity (104a, 104b) and a wavelength of the light beam for amplifying the light intensity of the light pulses in the optical cavity (104a, 104b).

Abstract: A non-invasive system and method for measuring skin hydration of a subject includes a thermistor used in transient mode to obtain a measurement of the thermal conductivity of the skin of the subject and a processor for determining a skin hydration value from the thermal conductivity measurement. The system for measuring skin hydration further includes a non-invasive system for detecting blood analyte concentration, such as glucose, with a spectroscopic device having e.g., an infrared source which generates infrared beam and detector for detecting transmitted radiation through portion (e.g., finger) of a subject. The system may also include skin hydrator which moisturizes the skin and is connected in a control loop to the system for measuring skin hydration. The system for detecting blood analyte concentration may include a photoacoustic device or a metabolic heat conformation device.

Abstract: A luminescence sensor, such as a luminescence biosensor or a luminescence chemical sensor, includes a substrate having at least one aperture filled with a medium. The aperture has a first lateral dimension larger than the diffraction limit of excitation radiation in the medium, and a second lateral dimension smaller than the diffraction limit of the excitation radiation in the medium. A method is also provided for the detection of luminescence radiation, e.g. fluorescence radiation, generated by at least one optically variable molecule, e.g. fluorophore, in the at least one aperture. Beneficially, the excitation radiation is polarized to suppress the excitation radiation in the apertures. The luminescence sensor and the method are able to detect relatively low concentrations of optically variable molecules, e.g. fluorophores.

Abstract: A total amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a breath sample (101) is detected by oxidizing/burning (120) the VOCs to form CO2 and H2O, and the amounts of one or both of these compounds are measured (130). CO2 and H2O molecules in the breath sample (101) are removed (110) before the VOCs are converted (120) to CO2 and H2O. Because one VOC molecule contains multiple carbon and hydrogen atoms, the number of formed CO2 and H2O molecules will be substantially larger than the original number of VOC molecules, thereby improving the sensitivity of the detection.

Abstract: A photo acoustic detection cell (6) is located within the optical cavity (3) of a cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy apparatus (3,4,5). When a sample in the cell (6) absorbs radiation from a pulsed radiation beam coupled into the cavity (3) pressure waves are generated that are detected by a microphone (9). A detected signal (10) output by the microphone (9) may be processed to determine a value for the concentration of an absorber in the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to detection the presence of a target molecule in a sample, wherein the sample is contacted with a substrate, the substrate subsequently being washed in a wash step. In particular, the invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of a target molecule in a sample, the method comprising: (a) contacting the sample (37) with a substrate having immobilized thereon probe molecules that specifically binds to the target molecule; (b) washing the substrate (38) in a wash step by a wash fluid in order to remove or dilute unbound target molecules; (c) detect the presence of resultant binding complexes (39) on the substrate to determine whether the target molecule is present in the sample. The wash fluid being substantially refractive index matched to the substrate.

Abstract: A biosensor device (10) for detecting molecules (16) in an analyte (14) comprises a binding element (12) which can be brought into contact with the analyte (14) for binding the molecules (16) thereto. The binding element (12) is an optical waveguide (34) comprising a strip (36) on a first layer (38). Light (17) can be applied to the strip (36). The biosensor device (10) further comprises an optical detection system (22) for detecting luminescent light (20) emitted by the excited molecules (16).

Abstract: The present invention provide a qualitative or quantitative luminescence sensor, for example a bio sensor or chemical sensor, using sub-wavelength aperture or slit structures, i.e. using apertures or slit structures having a smallest dimension smaller than the wavelength of the excitation radiation in the medium that fills the aperture or slit structure. The invention furthermore provides a method for the detection of luminescence radiation generated by one or more luminophores present in aperture or slit structure in such a luminescence sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to imaging of a turbid medium, for example in connection with optical mammography. A device for imaging a turbid medium (20) is disclosed, the device comprising: a holder (20) arranged for receiving the turbid medium and a matching fluid (21); one or more radiation sources (24) and one or more photodetectors (25). The matching fluid is a vapor with one or more optical properties of the matching fluid substantially matching the corresponding one or more optical properties of the turbid medium. In an embodiment, the matching fluid (21) is a composite vapor comprising at least two components.

Abstract: A detection system (100, 150, 180, 200, 220, 250) for detecting luminescence from at least one sample (108) when excited by incident excitation radiation. Detecting luminescence may allow to detect, for example, biological, chemical or bio-chemical particles. The detection system (100, 150, 180, 200, 220, 250) comprising at least one optical component (102) with at least a first surface (104). The first surface (104) of the at least one optical component (102) is located to internally reflect incident excitation radiation to create an evanescent field outside the at least one optical component (102) for exciting the at least one sample (108). The detection system also comprises at least one detector element (110) that is in direct contact with the at least one optical component (102) to detect the luminescence from at least one excited sample (108) through the at least one optical component (102).

Abstract: The present invention proposes a sub-wavelength luminescence sensor, such as e.g. a luminescence biosensor or a luminescence chemical sensor, comprising at least two wire grids (1, 2) positioned perpendicular with respect to each other. The luminescence sensor, in which the excitation radiation is efficiently used and the luminescence radiation is efficiently detected, has an improved signal-to-noise ratio and a separated excitation and luminescence radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a luminescence sensor (2), such as e.g. a luminescence biosensor, comprising a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure comprises at least a first layer (2a) formed of a first material and a second layer (2b) formed of a second material. The first material has a first binding capacity towards luminophores and the second material has a second binding capacity towards luminophores, the first binding capacity being different from the second binding capacity. The luminescence sensor (2) according to the present invention shows a high sensitivity because it provides preferred binding sites for luminophores at locations where the combined excitation and detection efficiency is the highest.