Abstract: The invention relates to a device for optical excitation, in particular luminescent excitation of biomolecules (40) in a fluid sample, comprising a multiple wavelength generator which generates at least one array of spots (60) with different wavelengths at least one defined area of the device.

Abstract: A radiation detection system (100) is described comprising a measurement region (104) in a measurement chamber adapted for receiving at least one sample (108) to be examined and adapted for receiving excitation radiation for impingement on the at least one sample (108) and for generating sample radiation. The radiation detection system (100) furthermore comprises at least one detector element (106) for detection of the generated sample radiation. The radiation detection system thereby is a front irradiation system, i.e. the excitation radiation is incident on a first side of the measurement region (104) in a measurement chamber and the at least one detector element (106) is positioned at a second side of the measurement region (104) in a measurement chamber, the second side being opposite to the first side with respect to the measurement region (104) in a measurement chamber, such that detection occurs at the side facing the first side.

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: An integrated biosensing device detects emissions from a sample when illuminated. A photo detector (20) is adjacent a site for retaining the sample (40) or receiving excitation radiation for impingement on the sample (40). A reflector (10) deflects the illumination onto the sample site and substantially guides the excitation radiation away from the photo detector. By providing a reflector, a ratio of desired detection of emissions to unwanted detection of the illumination light can be improved. This can be achieved by a reduction in an amount of the illumination reaching the photo detector, and/or by an increase in the amount of illumination of the sample and thus in the amount of emissions reaching the detector. This can be achieved more cost effectively than by using a filter. The illumination can be from above or below if the substrate is transparent.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhanced transmission of radiation, comprising at least one radiation source (12), a metal plate (18) with a first (20) and a second (22) surface and at least one aperture (24) provided in the metal plate (18) and extending from the first (20) to the second (22) surface, the metal plate (18) having a periodic surface topography (26) provided on at least one of the first (20) and the second (22) surfaces, and radiation (13) coming from the radiation source (12) and being incident on one of the surfaces (20,22) of the metal plate (18) interacts with a surface plasmon mode on at least one of the surfaces of the metal plate (18), thereby enhancing transmission of radiation through the at least one aperture (24) of the metal plate (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for optical excitation, in particular luminescent excitation of biomolecules (40) in a fluid sample, comprising a multiple wavelength generator which generates at least one array of spots (60) with different wavelengths at least one defined area of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor and a method for detecting an optically variable molecule (9) in a sample (3). The sensor comprises an excitation radiation source (1) for irradiating the sample (4) and exciting the optically variable molecule (9), thus generating a luminescence signal (7). The sensor furthermore comprises a modulation means (4) for modulating the excitation radiation beam (2) in a direction different from, preferably substantially perpendicular to, a scanning direction of the excitation radiation beam (2) over the sample (3). The method and sensor according to the invention lead to an improved signal-to-noise ratio by reducing and even minimising the background signal in the luminescence signal (7) and to an improved accuracy by minimising signals coming from false-positives.

Abstract: The invention provides a bio chip device comprising at least one sample compartment and at least one light sensitive element, the at least one sample compartment being provided on a first side of the at least one light sensitive element, wherein incident light is provided incident from a second side opposite of the first side of the at least one light sensitive element. Further, the invention provides a method for the detection of fluorescent particles within at least one sample compartment of a bio chip device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical recording and reproducing device. This device comprises means for receiving a recording medium (204), a radiation source (200) for producing a radiation beam, means (206) for detecting light corresponding to a holographic signal recorded in the recording medium, means (202) for directing the radiation beam towards the receiving means, and a reflective spatial light modulator (205) placed on the other side of the receiving means with respect to the detecting means.

Abstract: An optical data storage system for recording and/or reading, using a radiation beam, having a wavelength ?, focused onto a data storage layer of an optical data storage medium is described. The system comprises the medium having a cover layer that is transparent to the focused radiation beam, an optical head, including an objective having a numerical aperture NA, said objective including a solid immersion lens that is adapted for being present at a free working distance of smaller than ?/10 from an outermost surface of said medium. The optical head comprises a first adjustable optical element corresponding to the solid immersion lens, means for axially moving the first optical element and dynamically keeping constant the distance between cover layer and solid immersion tens, a second adjustable optical element, means for dynamically adjusting the second optical element for changing the focal position of the focal point of the focused radiation beam relative to an exit surface of the solid immersion lens.

Abstract: A system and method for non-invasive measurement of glucose concentration in a live subject including a thermal emission spectroscopy (TES) device 10, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device 20 or near infrared diffuse reflectance (NIDR) device. The TES 10 generates a signal indicative of the absorbtion of glucose, from which the blood glucose concentration is determined and the OCT device 20 generates a signal indicative of the scattering coefficient of a portion of the live subject, from which the blood glucose concentration is determined. The signals generated by the TES and OCT devices along with signals generated by sensors for measuring the body heat and surface temperature of the subject are used in the metabolic heat conformation (MHC) method of determining blood glucose concentration. The system may include a photoacoustic sensor for generating a signal indicative of thermo-elastic skin properties from which the blood glucose concentration is also determined.

Abstract: A variable refractive index unit (140) includes an optical axis and a first layer (144a, 146a, 146a? of controllably variable refractive index extending in a first predetermined configuration in a first plane transverse the optical axis. A second, different layer (144b, 146b, 146b? of controllably variable refractive index extends in a second predetermined configuration in a second, different plane transverse the optical axis. The second layer (144b, 146b, 146b?) overlaps the first layer (144a, 146a, 146a?).

Abstract: A system for the non-invasive measurement of glucose concentration in a live subject is disclosed. The system exploits the metabolic heat conformation method, and comprises temperature sensing means for measuring the body heat in respect of the subject and means for measuring the concentration of haemoglobin and oxygenated haemoglobin in the blood of the subject. The system further comprises irradiating means for irradiating a portion of the live subject, a detector for collecting the measuring beam reflected by the live subject, means for determining from the reflected measuring beam, the blood flow velocity in respect of the live subject, and means for determining glucose concentration in the live subject as a function of the body heat, the haemoglobin and oxygenated haemoglobin concentrations and the blood flow velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording data in a holographic recording medium (14) in a holographic data storage system. This method comprises the steps of: —recording a first hologram (H1, H1?) through a first side (141) of said holographic recording medium, —rotating said holographic recording medium (14), —recording a second hologram (H2, H2?) through a second side (142) of same holographic recording medium.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a light source (301) for generating a radiation beam, a reflective diffractive structure (304) for reflecting and diffracting said radiation beam along an optical path (PP), imaging means (305) for imaging the radiation beam after it has been reflected and diffracted by said reflective diffractive structure, and a holographic beam splitter (303) between said reflective diffractive structure and said imaging means along said optical path. Such an optical device can be used for recording data into a holographic medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanning apparatus for scanning information in an information carrier (16) comprising a plurality of layers for storing data on a material capable of generating an excited radiation when interacting with an exciting beam (13) produced by an exciting source (11). The scanning apparatus comprises an objective lens (15) for projecting the exciting beam in a layer of the carrier and collecting the excited radiation. The scanning apparatus also comprises a detector unit (19) for detecting the excited radiation collected on the objective lens. According to the invention, the exciting beam has a numerical aperture lower than the lens numerical aperture.