Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam, a base made of transparent material and bearing thereon an image carrier which carries a fluorescence image formed by a fluorescent substance which can be excited and release fluorescent light in response to irradiation by the laser beam, a laser beam scaner for upwardly scanning a bottom surface of the image carrier borne on the base with the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source through the base, light detector provided below the base for photoelectrically detecting fluorescent light released from the image carrier and an image carrier receiving portion provided on the base and containing substance having a refractive index larger than that of air and closer to that of the image carrier than that of air, the substance filing gaps between the image carrier and the base.

Abstract: A surface plasmon sensor contains a dielectric material forming a prism or the like, and a metal film formed on a face of the dielectric material. A sample to be analyzed is dropped on the metal film and the face of the dielectric material. A light beam is incident on the metal film at a plurality of incident angles. Light detectors detect reflected light corresponding to the plurality of incident angles to measure a total reflection break angle and a critical angle or a Brewster's angle (polarizing angle). An accurate value of the total reflection break angle is obtained based on a difference between the measured total reflection break angle and the measured critical angle or Brewster's angle.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam, a stage on which an image carrier can be placed, a light detector for photoelectrically detecting light released from the image carrier, and an optical head for condensing the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source onto the image carrier placed on the stage and condensing light released from the image carrier to lead it to the light detector, the optical head being constituted to be two-dimensionally movable in a plane parallel to the stage and provided with a perforated mirror fixed in a path of the laser beam and formed with a hole at a center portion thereof, the perforated mirror being disposed so that the laser beam emitted from the laser stimulating ray source can pass through the hole and light released from the image carrier and condensed by the optical head can be reflected in such a manner that a path of the light is branched off from the path of the laser beam emitted from the laser stimu

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises at least one laser stimulating ray source for emitting a laser beam and a light detector for photoelectrically detecting fluorescent light released from an image carrier upon an excitation by the laser beam. The light detector can detect light having wavelength shorter than 700 nm with high sensitivity. The apparatus further comprises a filter provided in front of the light detector that is made of a material to able cut light having wavelength of the laser stimulating ray and emits a fluorescent light having a peak wavelength equal to or longer than 700 nm upon excitation by the laser stimulating ray. According to the thus-constituted image reading apparatus, it is possible to read fluorescent images with high sensitivity.

Abstract: A test piece for use in biological analyses includes a plurality of different known specific binding substances disposed in predetermined positions on a substrate. The specific binding substances are disposed on a plurality of surfaces provided by the substrate and arranged in the direction of thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical scanning image reader and an optical scanning image recorder are disclosed. The image reader is provided with a light source for emitting an optical beam that scans a recording material on which an image is recorded, a photodetector for reading an image by photoelectrically detecting light that has a wavelength differing from that of the optical beam and is emitted from the recording material as a result of the scanning of the recording material, and a photochromic material which increases transmissivity upon exposure to the optical beam but decreasing the transmissivity upon exposure to the emitted light. The photochromic material is positioned in proximity to, or in close contact with, the recording material, and the photodetector is positioned so as to receive the emitted light through the photochromic material.

Abstract: A scanning microscope comprises a sample supporting member on which a sample is supported, a light source which produces a light beam, a light projecting optical device with which an image of the light beam is formed as a small beam spot on the sample, and a light receiving optical device with which the light radiated out of the sample is condensed and an image of the condensed light is formed as a point image. A photodetector detects the point image. A movable member supports at least part of the light projecting optical device and at least part of the light receiving optical device together. The movable member is reciprocally moved such that the beam spot may scan the sample in a one-dimensional scanning direction. The light source is located on the side outward from the movable member.

Abstract: A confocal scanning type of phase contrast microscope comprises a sample supporting member, which supports a sample, and a light source, which produces a light beam. A light projecting optical device forms a light spot of the light beam on the sample. A light receiving optical device forms a point image of the light beam radiated out of the sample. A photodetector detects the point image. A phase difference optical device has a a stop located on the side of the light projecting optical device and a phase plate which is located on the side of the light receiving optical device. The phase difference optical device imparts a phase lag to only either one of a light component, which has been diffracted by the sample, and an undiffracted light component, which has passed through the sample or has been reflected thereby, and causes the light components to interfere with each other.

Abstract: A scanning microscope comprises a sample supporting member for supporting a sample, and a light source for producing a light beam including a light component, which has been polarized linearly in a first direction, and a light component, which has been polarized linearly in a second direction that intersects perpendicularly to the first direction. A first polarizer transmits only the light component, which has been polarized linearly in the first direction. A second polarizer transmits only the light component, which has been polarized linearly in the second direction. A light projecting device forms a small spot of the light beam composed of the light components, which have respectively passed through the first and second polarizers. The sample is scanned with the light spot.

Abstract: A confocal scanning microscope comprises a light projecting device with which a small light spot of a light beam is formed on a sample, and a scanning mechanism which causes the light spot to scan the sample in main scanning and sub-scanning directions. A light receiving device condenses the light beam, which has passed through the sample, and an image of the condensed light beam is formed as a point image. A shutter array provided with a plurality of small light shutters, which are arrayed two-dimensionally, is located at a plane on which the point image is formed. An operating circuit sets a light shutter corresponding to the position, at which the point image is formed at any given instant, to an open state in synchronization with the main scanning and the sub-scanning with the light spot. A photodetector having a light receiving surface, which faces the whole surface of the shutter array, detects the point image through the light shutter, which has been set to the open state.