Abstract: A sensor device includes a light source configured to emit a primary radiation, a detector having a plurality of detector units, and a sensor film including metallic nanoparticles geometrically between the reflecting optical element and the detector. The sensor film is configured to be exposed to a liquid or gas. The detector is configured to detect a spectral change in the primary radiation caused by the sensor film upon exposure to the liquid or gas. The reflecting optical element is a parabolic mirror. The reflecting optical element is the only reflective optics in a beam path between the light source and the detector. The detector is configured to detect secondary radiation scattered by the metallic nanoparticles. The primary radiation from the light source scattered at the metallic nanoparticles is measured in a transmission configuration.

Abstract: An optical module for Raman spectroscopy includes a laser source mounted on a substrate and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at a target. The optical module also includes a plurality of sensors mounted on the substrate and configured to detect electromagnetic radiation scattered from the target. The optical module further includes a first filter disposed over one or more of the plurality of sensors. The first filter is substantially transparent to a first wavelength band corresponding to a Raman scattering wavelength of a first molecule of the target and opaque to wavelengths outside the first wavelength band.

Abstract: An optical module for reading a test region of an assay includes a near-infrared light source for illuminating the test region of the assay with light in a near-infrared spectrum. The optical module also includes an optical detector. The optical detector includes an optical input for receiving light emitted from the test region of the assay and an electrical output. The optical module further includes an electrical signal processor electrically coupled to the electrical output. The optical module additionally includes one or more optical filter arranged in front of the optical input of the optical detector.

Abstract: An optical absorbance spectrometer includes a sample housing, a light source and a spectral sensor. The sample housing comprises at least two sample cells configured to hold a sample, respectively, and includes an optical waveguide which is configured to guide light from an input side, through the sample cells, to an output side. The light source is operable to emit broadband light and is connected to the input side to couple emitted light into the optical waveguide. The spectral sensor is connected to the output side and operable to receive light from the optical waveguide and to detect the intensity of the received light at multiple wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the presence or concentration of target molecules comprises: a radiation source; a surface; a waveguide; a detector; and a spectral filter. The radiation source is operable to produce electromagnetic radiation. The surface defines a two dimensional array of receptor sites. The waveguide is arranged to receive the electromagnetic radiation produced by the radiation source, divide the electromagnetic radiation and direct a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to each one of a two dimensional array of receptor sites. The detector comprises a two dimensional array of sensing elements, each sensing element arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation from a different one of the two dimensional array of receptor sites. The spectral filter is provided between the surface and the detector.

Abstract: An optical absorbance spectrometer including a sample housing configured to hold a sample, a light source configured to emit broadband light into the sample housing, one or more reflectors configured to reflect the light such that the light passes through a sample holding volume of the sample housing multiple times, and a sensor arranged to receive the light from the sample housing, after the reflections. The sensor comprises a plurality of detectors configured to detect the intensity of the received light at multiple different wavelengths.

Abstract: A particle detector. The particle detector comprises one or more light sources, an optical sensor, and a controller. The one or more light sources are collectively operable to simultaneously produce at least two wavelength ranges of emitted light. The optical sensor is configured to sense light of the at least two wavelength ranges emitted by the one or more light sources and to distinguish each range. The controller is configured to detect particles based on the light sensed by the optical sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading a test region (6, 7) of an assay, e.g. on a lateral flow test strip (5), the apparatus comprising: an optical detector (2, 4; FIG. 1c), comprising an optical input for receiving light emitted from the test region (6, 7) of the assay and an electrical output; an electrical signal processor, electrically coupled to the electrical output; and a plurality of spectral filters (FIG. 1b) substantially transparent to a plurality of different wavelengths.