Abstract: A pulsed radiation beam is directed toward a body structure having a configuration or physical characteristic that changes over time, the radiation being pulsed at a pulse modulation frequency. A detector detects acoustic oscillations set up in the body resultant from the incident pulsed radiation and produces an output signal representative of one or more parameters of the acoustic oscillations. A control system controls operation of the radiation delivery and a processor to process the detector output signal. The pulse modulation frequency of the pulsed radiation is changed over a predetermined range of modulation frequencies and the processor determines the structure resonant frequency from the detector output.

Abstract: A method and sensor for the detection of luminescence radiation generated by at least one luminophore is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that particularly allows an improved detection of signal light propagating from a light source (1) through a flat glass substrate (11). SC-modes of this signal light that would normally be totally internally reflected at the backside (10) of the substrate (11) are coupled out by a first diffractive optical element DOE (21). To map all signal light leaving the substrate (11) onto a single target location (51), a focusing lens (31) and a second DOE (41) are disposed in the optical path behind the substrate (11). The DOEs (21, 41) may for example be a ID sinusoidal grating or a 2D blaze grating. The optical system may particularly be applied in an investigation apparatus for detecting multiple spots of a fluorescent sample material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction attachment, a handgrip assembly (16) and a vacuum cleaner. The suction attachment comprises a tube assembly (2), a first handgrip (18), and a second handgrip (20), respectively, both of which extend from the tube assembly (2). This provides two handgrip portions separate from the tube assembly (2), which improves its ergonomic handling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that particularly allows an improved detection of signal light propagating from a light source (1) through a flat glass substrate (11). SC-modes of this signal light that would normally be totally internally reflected at the backside (10) of the substrate (11) are coupled out by a first diffractive optical element DOE (21). To map all signal light leaving the substrate (11) onto a single target location (51), a focusing lens (31) and a second DOE (41) are disposed in the optical path behind the substrate (11). The DOEs (21, 41) may for example be a ID sinusoidal grating or a 2D blaze grating. The optical system may particularly be applied in an investigation apparatus for detecting multiple spots of a fluorescent sample material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the investigation of a sample material that is stored in the sample chamber (303) of a storage unit (300). A multi-spot generator MSG (100) and a transmission section (200) generate an array of sample light spots (501) within the sample chamber. Input light (504) that leaves the storage unit (300) in forward direction is mapped onto a CCD array (401) and measured as reference. Moreover, fluorescence light (500) that is stimulated in the sample chamber (303) is measured by a second CCD array which is disposed perpendicular to the optical path of the input light (504).

Abstract: A pulsed radiation beam is directed toward a body structure having a configuration or physical characteristic that changes over time, the radiation being pulsed at a pulse modulation frequency. A detector detects acoustic oscillations set up in the body resultant from the incident pulsed radiation and produces an output signal representative of one or more parameters of the acoustic oscillations. A control system controls operation of the radiation delivery and a processor to process the detector output signal. The pulse modulation frequency of the pulsed radiation is changed over a predetermined range of modulation frequencies and the processor determines the structure resonant frequency from the detector output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the investigation of a sample material by multiple sample light spots (501) generated by evanescent waves. An array of source light spots (510) is generated by a multi-spot generator, e.g. a multi-mode interferometer (106), and mapped onto sample light spots (501) in a sample layer (302) by (micro-)lenses (202, 203) or by the Talbot effect. The input light (504) of the source light spots (510) is shaped such that all of it is totally internally reflected at the interface between a transparent carrier plate (301) and the sample layer (302). Thus the sample light spots (501) consist of evanescent waves only and are restricted to a limited volume. In a preferred application, fluorescence stimulated in the sample light spots (501) is detected with spatial resolution by a CCD array (401).

Abstract: A method and sensor for the detection of luminescence radiation generated by at least one luminophore is disclosed.