Abstract: A contrast-amplifying support for the observation of a sample, comprises a transparent substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer whose complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and thickness are chosen in such a way that the layer behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when it is illuminated under normal incidence at an illumination wavelength ? through the substrate, the face of the layer opposite to the d substrate being in contact with a transparent so-called ambient medium whose refractive index n3 is less than that of the refractive index n0 of the substrate. Methods for producing a contrast-amplifying support and for observing a sample, or for detecting or assaying at least one chemical or biological species, using such a contrast-amplifying support are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a contrast-amplifying support comprising an absorbing substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer comprises a design step for the support and the following steps: i) choosing an illumination wavelength ?; ii) choosing a material constituting the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N0=n0?jk0 with k0?0.01; iii) choosing an ambient medium in contact with the layer on the side opposite to the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N3=n3?jk3 with k3?0; iv) determining a nominal complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and a nominal thickness e1 of the layer wherein it behaves in the guize of antireflection layer when illuminated under normal incidence at illumination wavelength ?; and v) choosing a material constituting the layer and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index whose real and imaginary parts coincide with the nominal complex refractive index.

Abstract: An electrochemical device comprises a fluidic cell having an internal volume able to be filled with a fluid and at least one first and one second electrode making contact with the internal volume, wherein at least the first electrode comprises a thin layer made of a conductive material that is optically absorbent at at least one wavelength ? in the visible, near-infrared or near-ultraviolet spectrum, the thin layer being arranged on or in an internal surface of a wall of the fluidic cell which is at least partially transparent to said wavelength ?. An electrochemical apparatus comprises such an electrochemical device and an optical microscope arranged to illuminate the first electrode through the wall at at least said wavelength ? and also to observe it through the wall.

Abstract: An electrochemical device comprises a fluidic cell having an internal volume able to be filled with a fluid and at least one first and one second electrode making contact with the internal volume, wherein at least the first electrode comprises a thin layer made of a conductive material that is optically absorbent at at least one wavelength ? in the visible, near-infrared or near-ultraviolet spectrum, the thin layer being arranged on or in an internal surface of a wall of the fluidic cell which is at least partially transparent to said wavelength ?. An electrochemical apparatus comprises such an electrochemical device and an optical microscope arranged to illuminate the first electrode through the wall at at least said wavelength ? and also to observe it through the wall.

Abstract: A contrast-amplifying support for the observation of a sample, comprises a transparent substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer whose complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and thickness are chosen in such a way that the layer behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when it is illuminated under normal incidence at an illumination wavelength ? through the substrate, the face of the layer opposite to the d substrate being in contact with a transparent so-called ambient medium whose refractive index n3 is less than that of the refractive index n0 of the substrate. Methods for producing a contrast-amplifying support and for observing a sample, or for detecting or assaying at least one chemical or biological species, using such a contrast-amplifying support are provided.

Abstract: A method for producing a contrast-amplifying support comprising an absorbing substrate carrying at least one absorbing layer comprises a design step for the support and the following steps: i) choosing an illumination wavelength ?; ii) choosing a material constituting the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N0=n0?jk0 with k0?0.01; iii) choosing an ambient medium in contact with the layer on the side opposite to the substrate and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index N3=n3?jk3 with k3?0; iv) determining a nominal complex refractive index N1=n1?jk1 and a nominal thickness e1 of the layer wherein it behaves in the guise of antireflection layer when illuminated under normal incidence at illumination wavelength ?; and v) choosing a material constituting the layer and exhibiting, at illumination wavelength ?, a complex refractive index whose real and imaginary parts coincide with the nominal complex refractive index.