Abstract: Provided herein is a resonator for force detection. The resonator comprises a stack of: a cavity containing a cavity medium having a first refractive index; a first diffraction grating having a grating period; and a first covering medium having a second refractive index. Once a resonating condition is satisfied, the cavity allows a plurality of propagating modes for the beam in the cavity and only one propagating mode for the beam outside the cavity. The plurality of propagating modes in the cavity resonates to generate different resonance peaks corresponding different sensitivity levels. By working in different regimes, the resonator is able to provide high sensitivity and large dynamic range for force detection.

Abstract: Provided herein is a resonator for force detection. The resonator comprises a stack of: a cavity containing a cavity medium having a first refractive index; a first diffraction grating having a grating period; and a first covering medium having a second refractive index. Once a resonating condition is satisfied, the cavity allows a plurality of propagating modes for the beam in the cavity and only one propagating mode for the beam outside the cavity. The plurality of propagating modes in the cavity resonates to generate different resonance peaks corresponding different sensitivity levels. By working in different regimes, the resonator is able to provide high sensitivity and large dynamic range for force detection.

Abstract: An image analysis apparatus comprises a microscope (102) arranged to capture an image of a sample (122), a processor unit (114) arranged to process the image and a drive mechanism (108). The drive mechanism (108) is arranged to effect relative motion between the sample (122) and the microscope (102) typically along an optical axis of the microscope (102). The microscope (102) is arranged to capture a plurality of images (402a-404c) of the sample (122) at a plurality of points, typically, along the optical axis. Relative motion of between the sample (122) and the microscope (102) typically, along the optical axis is effected by the drive mechanism (108) and the processor unit (114) is arranged to divide each of the plurality of captured images (402a-404c) into a plurality of sub-images and select one of each of the plurality of sub-images having the best focus characteristics.