Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a light source configured to emit local-oscillator (LO) light and pulses of light, the emitted pulses of light including a first emitted pulse of light, where an optical frequency of the first emitted pulse of light is offset from an optical frequency of the LO light by a first frequency offset. The lidar system further includes a receiver configured to detect the LO light and a first received pulse of light, the first received pulse of light including light from the first emitted pulse of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system. The receiver includes a detector, where: the LO light and the first received pulse of light are coherently mixed together at the detector, and the detector is configured to produce a photocurrent signal corresponding to the coherent mixing.

Abstract: An insert mounted in a mixing cup and used by an automated chemical analyzer for removing a targeted component of a liquid sample includes a porous matrix formed of or carrying in an immobilized state functionalized particles having properties such that the targeted component of the liquid sample adheres to the functionalized particles. When the liquid sample is expelled from a disposable tip fitted on the end of a pipette forming part of the automated chemical analyzer into the mixing cup, the liquid sample is drawn into the matrix of the insert by capillary action, whereupon the targeted component of the liquid sample adheres to the immobilized functionalized particles of the matrix.

Abstract: A method using a chemical analyzer for removing a component of a liquid sample which may interfere with a test performed on a test assay includes the steps of adding the liquid sample to a sample cup, transferring a volume of the liquid sample to a mixing cup containing an IMAC (Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography) resin containing porous beads to form a sample/resin solution in the mixing cup, using a pipette of the chemical analyzer to repeatedly aspirate the sample/resin solution into a disposable pipette tip of the pipette and expelling the sample/resin solution from the pipette tip into the mixing cup to achieve a mixed sample/resin solution in the mixing cup, and allowing the mixed sample/resin solution in the mixing cup to rest undisturbed so that the interfering component of the liquid sample adheres to the porous beads and the beads settle to a bottom portion of the mixing cup, resulting in a refined liquid sample devoid of the interfering component and occupying an upper portion of the mixing

Abstract: A method of normalizing an analyzer response value of a fluorescence analyzer is provided. The method includes measuring an excitation spectrum of the analyzer and measuring an emission sensitivity spectrum of the analyzer. Next, a normalization factor based at least in part upon the excitation spectrum of the analyzer and the emission sensitivity spectrum of the analyzer is determined. The sample is then analyzed to obtain an uncorrected analyzer response value. A normalized analyzer response value is calculated based at least in part upon the uncorrected analyzer response value and the normalization factor.

Abstract: A method of normalizing an analyzer response value of a fluorescence analyzer is provided. The method includes measuring an excitation spectrum of the analyzer and measuring an emission sensitivity spectrum of the analyzer. Next, a normalization factor based at least in part upon the excitation spectrum of the analyzer and the emission sensitivity spectrum of the analyzer is determined. The sample is then analyzed to obtain an uncorrected analyzer response value. A normalized analyzer response value is calculated based at least in part upon the uncorrected analyzer response value and the normalization factor.