Abstract: Systems and methods for fluorescent microscopy are disclosed where fluorophores can be excited over an excitation band to emit light in a wide emission band. Simultaneous acquisition of multiple planes in the sample can be achieved using a modified form of confocal microscopy. In one implementation, an objective employs a lens having optics exhibiting a large degree of axial chromatic aberration, such that emissions from different axially spaced focal planes are encoded by wavelength. Advantageously, simultaneous acquisition of multiple focal planes encoded by color can be processed to obtain efficient and rapid three-dimensional imaging of a sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for cellular imaging and identification through the use of a light sheet flow cytometer. In one implementation, a light sheet flow cytometer may include a light source configured to emit light having one or more wavelengths, at least one optical element configured to form a light sheet from the emitted light, a microfluidic channel configured to hold a sample, and an imaging device. The imaging device may be adapted to forming 3-D images of the sample such that identification tags attached to the sample are visible.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hyperspectral imaging are described. In one implementation, a hyperspectral imaging system includes a sample holder configured to hold a sample, an illumination system, and a detection system. The illumination system includes a light source configured to emit excitation light having one or more wavelengths and a diffractive element. The illumination system is configured to structure the excitation light into a predetermined two-dimensional pattern at a conjugate plane of a focal plane in the sample, spectrally disperse the structured excitation light in a first lateral direction, and illuminate the sample in an excitation pattern with the one or more wavelengths dispersed in the first lateral direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods capable of identifying, tracking, and sorting particles or droplets flowing in a channel, for example, a microfluidic channel having a fluid medium. The channel and the fluid medium can have a similar refractive index such that they appear translucent or transparent when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. The particles or droplets can have a refractive index substantially different from that of the channel and the medium, such that the particles or droplets interfere with the electromagnetic radiation. A sensor can be disposed adjacent to the channel to record the electromagnetic radiation. The sensor can be attached to a system for identifying, tracking, and sorting the droplets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for confocal imaging are described. In one implementation, a confocal imaging system may include a light source configured to emit excitation light having one or more wavelengths, a sample holder configured to hold a sample, a two-dimensional (2-D) imaging device, a first set of optical elements, and a second set of optical elements. The first set of optical elements may include a first spatial light modulator (SLM) and at least one lens. The first set of optical elements may together be configured to collimate the excitation light, apply a predetermined phase modulation pattern to the collimated excitation light, and illuminate the sample in an excitation pattern.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispersing an optical beam are disclosed. In one implementation, an optical system includes a first double Amici prism and a second double Amici prism. The first and second double Amici prisms are aligned along an optical axis of the system and configured to transmit the optical beam. At least one of the first and second double Amici prisms is rotatable relative to the other around the optical axis. Advantageously, the disclosed systems and methods allow for efficient and versatile adjustment of the magnitude and/or orientation of the dispersion of the optical beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hyperspectral imaging are described. In one implementation, a hyperspectral imaging system includes a sample holder configured to hold a sample, an illumination system, and a detection system. The illumination system includes a light source configured to emit excitation light having one or more wavelengths and a diffractive element. The illumination system is configured to structure the excitation light into a predetermined two-dimensional pattern at a conjugate plane of a focal plane in the sample, spectrally disperse the structured excitation light in a first lateral direction, and illuminate the sample in an excitation pattern with the one or more wavelengths dispersed in the first lateral direction.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to facilitate simultaneous high-resolution microscopic imaging of cells and detection of side-scattered light from such cells using an immersion objective. A container maintains a volume of an immersion oil or other immersion fluid in contact with the immersion objective and with a stage that contains a sample of the cells. The container also includes a window through which the cells can be illuminated off-axis to generate side-scattered light. The side-scattered light can then be detected through the immersion objective. The container maintains the immersion fluid in contact with an internal surface of the window to control the geometry of the optical interface between the off-axis illumination source and the immersion fluid. These systems permit high-throughput identification and imaging of cells for biological research, improvement of side-scatter cell classifiers, improved high-throughput cell sorting, and other applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hyperspectral imaging are described. In one implementation, a hyperspectral imaging system includes a sample holder configured to hold a sample, an illumination system, and a detection system. The illumination system includes a light source configured to emit excitation light having one or more wavelengths, and a first set of optical elements that include a first spatial light modulator (SLM), at least one lens, and at least one dispersive element. The illumination system is configured to structure the excitation light into a predetermined two-dimensional pattern at a conjugate plane of a focal plane in the sample, spectrally disperse the structured excitation light in a first lateral direction, and illuminate the sample in an excitation pattern with the one or more wavelengths dispersed in the first lateral direction.

Abstract: High-throughput hyperspectral imaging systems are provided. According to an aspect of the invention, a system includes an excitation light source; an objective that is configured to image excitation light onto the sample, such that the excitation light causes the sample to emit fluorescence light; a channel separator that is configured to separate the fluorescence light into a plurality of spatially dispersed spectral channels; and a sensor. The excitation light source includes a light source and a plurality of lenslet arrays. Each of the lenslet arrays is configured to receive light from the light source and to generate a pattern of light, and the patterns of light generated by the lenslet arrays are combined to form the excitation light. The objective is configured to simultaneously image each of the patterns of light to form a plurality of parallel lines or an array of circular spots at different depths of the sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems for fluorescence-based imaging. An example optical system includes an image sensor. The image sensor is sensitive to at least a first wavelength of light and a second wavelength of light. The optical system also includes a light guiding layer optically coupled to the image sensor and a light source positioned to emit light into a side surface of the light guiding layer. The emitted light includes light at the first wavelength and the emitted light is transmitted in an in-plane direction in the light guiding layer. The optical system further includes a thin film filter and an output coupler optically coupled to the light guiding layer. At least a portion of the emitted light transmitted in an in-plane direction in the light guiding layer is coupled out of the light guiding layer in an out-of-plane direction via the output coupler.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering an optical beam are described. In one implementation, a system for filtering an input optical beam includes a first beamsplitter, a first spectral slicing module, a second spectral slicing module, and a second beamsplitter. The first beamsplitter is configured to split the input optical beam into a first optical beam and a second optical beam. The first spectral slicing module has a first passband and is configured to filter the first optical beam. The second spectral slicing module has a second passband and is configured to filter the second optical beam. The second beamsplitter is configured to combine the first optical beam and the second optical beam into an output optical beam. The first and second spectral slicing modules may each comprise a longpass filter and a shortpass filter aligned along its optical axis, and the longpass filter and/or the shortpass filter are rotatable relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a nanophotonic optical system. The nanophotonic optical system may be configured to transmit light in a range of wavelengths. The nanophotonic optical system includes at least one nanophotonic element, which includes a two-dimensional arrangement of sub-wavelength regions of a first material interspersed within a second material, the first and second materials having different indices of refraction. The at least one nanophotonic element includes a surface having a curvature and an optical phase transfer function dependent on the curvature of the surface. The nanophotonic optical system includes an actuator configured to modify the curvature of the surface and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a threshold optical phase transfer function and cause the actuator to modify the curvature of the surface to provide the threshold optical phase transfer function.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering an optical beam are described. In one implementation, a system for filtering an input optical beam includes a first beamsplitter, a first spectral slicing module, a second spectral slicing module, and a second beamsplitter. The first beamsplitter is configured to split the input optical beam into a first optical beam and a second optical beam. The first spectral slicing module has a first passband and is configured to filter the first optical beam. The second spectral slicing module has a second passband and is configured to filter the second optical beam. The second beamsplitter is configured to combine the first optical beam and the second optical beam into an output optical beam. The first and second spectral slicing modules may each comprise a longpass filter and a shortpass filter aligned along its optical axis, and the longpass filter and/or the shortpass filter are rotatable relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: A system for fluorescence activated cell sorting includes at least two excitation lasers and an objective that directs light from the at least two excitation lasers to a common point in an interrogation region of a fluidic channel. The fluidic channel directs a flow of a plurality of fluorescently labeled particles through the interrogation region. At least one modulator temporally multiplexes light from the at least two excitation lasers such that pulses of light from different lasers intersect the common point at different times. The system further includes at least one detector and at least one optical element that directs light emitted from the particles and transmitted through the objective to the at least one detector. The system may further include optics for generating and detecting side and forward scattered light. Methods for operating example systems to collect fluorescent, side scattered and forward scattered light are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting particles are described. In one implementation, a system for sorting particles include a microfluidic device, a detection system, and an optical switching system. The microfluidic device includes a sample channel for passing through the particles in a fluid medium, a plurality of output channels fluidly connected to the sample channel at a plurality of junctions, and an actuation channel. The detection system detects a particle passing through the sample channel. The optical switching system deflects the particle to a target output channel based on results detected by the detection system. The optical switching system includes a modulation device configured to direct a laser pulse to an actuation region in the actuation channel corresponding to the target output channel. Advantageously, the systems and methods allow for accurate and dynamic sorting of a mixture of cells into a plurality of subpopulations using a simple microfluidic device.

Abstract: An electronic device including an optical sensor for optically sensing an image of an input object such as a user's fingerprint is provided. The electronic device includes a display layer, a detector, a pinhole layer, a cover layer and an illuminator. The display layer is configured to generate light within a visible light spectrum. The detector is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of light. The pinhole layer is located above both the display layer and the detector. The cover layer is located above the pinhole layer, and the illuminator is configured to illuminate a sensing region of the cover layer with the wavelength of light. Further, the pinhole layer has an array of pinhole apertures formed in a material substantially transparent to the light generated by the display layer and substantially opaque to the wavelength of light from the illuminator.

Abstract: A system for fluorescence activated cell sorting includes at least two excitation lasers and an objective that directs light from the at least two excitation lasers to a common point in an interrogation region of a fluidic channel. The fluidic channel directs a flow of a plurality of fluorescently labeled particles through the interrogation region. At least one modulator temporally multiplexes light from the at least two excitation lasers such that pulses of light from different lasers intersect the common point at different times. The system further includes at least one detector and at least one optical element that directs light emitted from the particles and transmitted through the objective to the at least one detector. The system may further include optics for generating and detecting side and forward scattered light. Methods for operating example systems to collect fluorescent, side scattered and forward scattered light are also described herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for epi-fluorescence collection. An example system includes an optical element, one or more light sources, and an image sensor. The optical element includes at least one high reflectivity (HR) coating portion and at least one anti-reflection (AR) coating portion. The light source(s) is/are optically-coupled to the optical element along a first optical axis. The one or more light sources emit excitation light, which interacts, via the optical element, with a sample. The sample includes a fluorophore that emits emission light in response to the excitation light. The image sensor is optically-coupled to the optical element along a second optical axis. The image sensor detects the emission light via the optical element.

Abstract: Various systems for imaging are provided. An electronic device includes a biometric sensor and a processing system. The biometric sensor includes an illuminator, a mirror, a biometric sensor array and a beam splitter. The beam splitter splits a beam received from the illuminator into a first beam incident on a biometric sensing area and a second beam incident on the mirror. The beam splitter combines the reflected beams from the biometric sensing area and the mirror. Thereafter, the processing system receives data from the sensor array and reconstructs the biometric image.