Abstract: Provided herein is an imaging system including a light source; a first focusing lens positioned to focus a beam from the light source to a beam waist at a predetermined location along an optical path of the beam in the imaging system; a beam splitter positioned relative to the first focusing lens to receive the beam from the first focusing lens and to create first and second beams; a second focusing lens positioned to receive the first and second beams output by the beam splitter, to focus the received first and second beams to a spot sized dimensioned to fall within a sample to be image, and further positioned to receive first and second beams reflected from the sample; an image sensor positioned to receive the light beams reflected from the sample; and a roof prism positioned in the optical path between the second focusing lens and the image sensor.

Abstract: An imaging system including a light source; a first focusing lens positioned to focus a beam from the light source to a beam waist at a predetermined location along an optical path of the beam in the imaging system; a beam splitter positioned relative to the first focusing lens to receive the beam from the first focusing lens and to create first and second beams; a second focusing lens positioned to receive the first and second beams output by the beam splitter, to focus the received first and second beams to a spot sized dimensioned to fall within a sample to be image, and further positioned to receive first and second beams reflected from the sample; an image sensor positioned to receive the light beams reflected from the sample; and a roof prism positioned in the optical path between the second focusing lens and the image sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include an imaging system that may include a laser diode source; an objective lens positioned to direct a focus tracking beam from the light source onto a location in a sample container and to receive the focus tracking beam reflected from the sample; and an image sensor that may include a plurality of pixel locations to receive focus tracking beam that is reflected off of the location in the sample container, where the reflected focus tracking beam may create a spot on the image sensor. Some examples may further include a laser diode light source that may be operated at a power level that is above a power level for operation at an Amplified Spontaneous Emission (“ASE”) mode, but below a power level for single mode operation.

Abstract: Provided herein is an imaging system including a light source; a first focusing lens positioned to focus a beam from the light source to a beam waist at a predetermined location along an optical path of the beam in the imaging system; a beam splitter positioned relative to the first focusing lens to receive the beam from the first focusing lens and to create first and second beams; a second focusing lens positioned to receive the first and second beams output by the beam splitter, to focus the received first and second beams to a spot sized dimensioned to fall within a sample to be image, and further positioned to receive first and second beams reflected from the sample; an image sensor positioned to receive the light beams reflected from the sample; and a roof prism positioned in the optical path between the second focusing lens and the image sensor.

Abstract: Tube lenses for imaging instruments are described herein. The tube lenses may be implemented with imaging instruments that include an objective lens that is not entirely infinitely corrected. A tube lens may include: a first optical element configured to receive diverging light from an objective lens along an optical path between the objective lens and the tube lens, and a second optical element. The first optical element converges the diverging light received from the objective lens onto the second optical element, and the first element is movable along its longitudinal axis relative to the second optical element.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include an optical blocking structure that may include a frame defining an aperture, first and second elongate structural members each comprising first and second ends such that the first and second elongate structural members may be connected at their first ends to opposite sides of the aperture, and further such that the first and second elongate structural members may extend from the frame parallel to and in the same direction as one another; and an optically opaque blocking member positioned to extend between the respective second ends of the first and second blocking members.

Abstract: Imaging systems including an objective lens and a line generation module are described herein. The objective lens may focus a first light beam emitted by the line generation module and a second light beam emitted by the line generation module at a focal point external to a sample so as to adjust line width. Line width may be increased to lower overall power density of a light beam on a surface of the sample such that the power density of the light beam on the surface of the sample is below a photosaturation threshold of a dye on the sample.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a sample stage comprising a surface to support a sample container, the sample container having a plurality of sample locations; an optical stage having an objective lens, the optical stage being positionable relative to the sample stage to image samples at the sample locations; an actuator physically coupled to at least one of the sample stage and the optical stage to move the sample stage relative to the optical stage to focus the optical stage onto a current sample location; and a drive circuit to determine a focus setting for a next sample location and to provide a drive signal to the actuator before the optical stage is positioned to image a sample at the next sample location, wherein at least one parameter of the drive signal is determined using a difference between a focus setting for the current sample location and the determined focus setting for the next sample location.

Abstract: A system for biological sample analysis includes a plurality of modular subassemblies and a precision mounting plate, wherein each modular subassembly includes an enclosure and a plurality of optical components pre-aligned to the enclosure, and the enclosure includes a plurality of precision mounting structures, and each modular subassembly is mechanically coupled to the precision mounting plate, such that each precision mounting structure from a modular subassembly attaches directly to a corresponding precision mounting structure located on the precision mounting plate or an adjacent modular subassembly to optimize optomechanical tolerance.

Abstract: Modified MZ (Mach-Zender) interferometers are utilized to analyze the transmitted, aspherical wavefront of an ophthalmic lens by mounting the lens in a cuvette having a rotatable carousel that can hold multiple lenses. Fresh, temperature controlled, saline solution is circulated about the lenses, and the cuvette is positioned in a vertical test arm of the interferometer configuration. Reverse raytracing is utilized to remove aberrations induced into the wavefront as it is imaged from immediately behind the lens to the detector of the interferometer.

Abstract: Modified MZ (Mach-Zender) interferometers are utilized to analyze the transmitted, aspherical wavefront of an ophthalmic lens by mounting the lens in a cuvette having a rotatable carousel that can hold multiple lenses. Fresh, temperature controlled, saline solution is circulated about the lenses, and the cuvette is positioned in a vertical test arm of the interferometer configuration. Reverse raytracing is utilized to remove aberrations induced into the wavefront as it is imaged from immediately behind the lens to the detector of the interferometer.

Abstract: A flashlight that utilizes an array of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source, and a light pipe as a light homogenizer to generate a light beam capable of forming a uniformized light distribution at a given distance from the flashlight is disclosed. The LEDs may be all the same color, or some or all may be different colors. A switch, coupled to switching electronics coupled to the LED array, is used to change the state of the LED array to create a variety of different types of light beams, each of which provides relatively uniform and bright illumination at a given distance from the flashlight, wherein the given distance is selectable by adjusting an adjustable imaging lens.

Abstract: A flashlight that utilizes an array of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source, and a light pipe as a light homogenizer to generate a light beam capable of forming a uniformized light distribution at a given distance from the flashlight is disclosed. The LEDs may be all the same color, or some or all may be different colors. A switch, coupled to switching electronics coupled to the LED array, is used to change the state of the LED array to create a variety of different types of light beams, each of which provides relatively uniform and bright illumination at a given distance from the flashlight, wherein the given distance is selectable by adjusting an adjustable imaging lens.