Abstract: A device for detecting whether a sample well (352) contains a sample is presented. The sample well contains one or more fluorescent substances needed for an optical analysis of the sample. The device includes a controller (312) configured to compute, on the basis of a luminescence, e.g. fluorescence, emission signal measured from the sample well, an indicator value indicative of a decay time of the measured fluorescence emission signal. The controller is configured to compare the indicator value to a reference value and to set, in accordance with the comparison, a detection result to express that the sample well contains the sample or that the sample well does not contain the sample.

Abstract: A method for cross-talk correction of intensities measured on mutually separate detection wavelength bands is presented. Each detection wavelength band relates to one of analyte-specific probe-populations contained by a sample to be analyzed. Each probe-population is capable of emitting a first signal component and a second signal component whose spectra have maxima at different wavelengths and at least the first signal component is dependent on presence of analyte detectable with that probe-population. Cross-talk corrected intensities are computed on the basis of a) the intensities measured on the detection wavelength bands, b) a value indicative of intensity occurring on an auxiliary wavelength band outside the detection wavelength bands and at least partially caused by the second signal components, and c) pre-determined cross-talk parameters.

Abstract: A device for detecting whether a sample well (352) contains a sample is presented. The sample well contains one or more fluorescent substances needed for an optical analysis of the sample. The device includes a controller (312) configured to compute, on the basis of a luminescence, e.g. fluorescence, emission signal measured from the sample well, an indicator value indicative of a decay time of the measured fluorescence emission signal. The controller is configured to compare the indicator value to a reference value and to set, in accordance with the comparison, a detection result to express that the sample well contains the sample or that the sample well does not contain the sample.

Abstract: A method for cross-talk correction of intensities measured on mutually separate detection wavelength bands is presented. Each detection wavelength band relates to one of analyte-specific probe-populations contained by a sample to be analyzed. Each probe-population is capable of emitting a first signal component and a second signal component whose spectra have maxima at different wavelengths and at least the first signal component is dependent on presence of analyte detectable with that probe-population. Cross-talk corrected intensities are computed on the basis of a) the intensities measured on the detection wavelength bands, b) a value indicative of intensity occurring on an auxiliary wavelength band outside the detection wavelength bands and at least partially caused by the second signal components, and c) pre-determined cross-talk parameters.