Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the measurement of honey plant origin characteristics via fluorescence.

Abstract: An approach for characterizing an optical near field transducer (NFT) involves providing excitation radiation to the NFT. The NFT emits photoluminescent radiation in response to the excitation radiation. The output radiation from the NFT is filtered so that a portion of the photoluminescent radiation emitted by the NFT passes through the filter and the excitation radiation is substantially blocked. A detector detects the portion of photoluminescent radiation and outputs an electrical signal in response to detection of the portion of photoluminescent radiation.

Abstract: A light source is gated ON and OFF in response to a pulsed signal. Photo emissions from the light source are coupled to a material under test. Resonant fluorescent emissions from the material are coupled to a photodiode. Current from the photodiode is coupled into an amplifier system comprising a first and second amplifier stages. The first amplifier stage is gated to a low gain when the light source is turned ON and the gain is increased when the light source goes from ON to OFF. The second amplifier stage has digitally programmable offset and gain settings in response to control signals. The output of the second amplifier stage is digitized by an analog to digital converter. A controller generates the pulse control signal and the control signals.

Abstract: A system and method for fluorescence spectral imaging of target material to detect the presence of a contaminant (such as aflatoxin in corn) is provided. An ultraviolet light source is coupled with a light-excluding compartment. The fluorescence from the UV excited target passes through a filter (liquid crystal tunable, acoustic-optic tunable, a filter wheel, or other wavelength splitting device) and a lens, to a spectral imaging camera. Fluorescence spectral image data from the camera are analyzed by a computer and presented in human-readable form. Aflatoxin detection in contaminated corn kernels is based on peak fluorescence and peak fluorescence shift in the spectral range from 451 nm to 500 nm. Aflatoxin contamination level within the target material is quantified based on peak fluorescence and peak fluorescence shift and computed corn kernel pixel statistics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for hunter's safety to allow them to find

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescent dye-incorporated silica material. A fluorescent dye is covalently bonded to a silica matrix. The invention also provides for a method for verifying the authenticity of a product, wherein the fluorescent silica material is present in or on a product, and the material is tested for fluorescence or structure.

Abstract: An optical instrument is provided for simultaneously illuminating two or more spaced-apart reaction regions with excitation beams generated by a light source. The light source can include an area light array of light emitting diodes, one or more solid state lasers, one or more micro-wire lasers, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments, a Fresnel lens can be disposed along a beam bath between the light source and the reaction regions. Methods of analysis using the optical instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing fluorescent detection of target molecules in a test sample are for use with an irradiating device. First fluorophores are provided for absorption of EMF radiation, and emission of a first signal. Second fluorophores are provided for partial absorption of the first signal, and emission of a second signal distinguishable from the first signal. The fluorophores are combined with the test sample, and secured to the target molecules and relative to one another. After the first fluorophores receive the EMF radiation from the irradiating device, the first signal is detected, together with the second spectral signal if the target molecules are present in the test sample.

Abstract: A nano-scale resolution fluorescence microscopy system and a method of obtaining an image using the nano-scale resolution microscopy system, and more particularly, a method and a microscopy system, capable of observing fluorescence probes in high resolution by radiating an irregular diffused light to have an incoherent speckle pattern that has low correlation in an adjacent space are disclosed. According to embodiments of the present invention, a diffraction limit of a fluorescence microscope may be overcome, and a super high resolution image on a nanometer scale may be obtained.

Abstract: In a STED fluorescence light microscope pulses of excitation light (3) are applied to a sample, which excite fluorescent entities contained in the sample for fluorescence, and which are focused on at least one focal area. Further, de-excitation light (12) is applied to the sample, which de-excites the excited fluorescent entities and which comprises an intensity zero point in the at least one focal area, as a continuous wave. Fluorescence light emitted by the excited fluorescent entities in the sample is registered after each pulse of the excitation light (3) and overlapping with applying the de-excitation light (13) with high temporal resolution between consecutive pulses of the excitation light (3).

Abstract: A microscopy method for producing a high-resolution image of a 2-dimensional sample. The method includes exciting statistically blinking fluorophores in a sample by irradiating the sample with illumination radiation, repeatedly imaging the sample onto a spatially resolving detector in an image field that covers only a part of the sample to thereby obtain a frame sequence, generating an image from the frame sequence, the image having a spatial resolution increased beyond the optical resolution limit using a cumulant function, moving the position of the image field on the sample at least once and repeating the imaging and generating steps to obtain one image for each position of the image field, and combining the resultantly obtained images to form a complete image of the sample.

Abstract: A method of measuring the concentration of a substance, using a sensor (2) comprising a luminescent material, an LED light source (14) which supplies a pulse of light to the sensor to cause luminescence of the material, a detector (26) for detecting the emitted light and a data processing module (28) for analysing the signals and indicating the concentration of the substance. In a measuring sequence there is a series of pulses of light spaced apart sufficiently to permit the luminescence to decay between pulses. The signals which are analysed are those generated after each pulse of light has terminated and the luminescence is decaying. The data processing module (28) comprises a plurality of accumulators (52A, 52B, 52C and 52D) which are controlled to be operable over a corresponding plurality of different periods of time during decay of the luminescence. Each accumulator accumulates values indicative of the intensity of the luminescence from the series of pulses in the measuring sequence.

Abstract: Chlorophyll fluorometry may be used for detecting toxins in a sample because of changes in micro algae. A portable lab on a chip (“LOAC”) based chlorophyll fluorometer may be used for toxin detection and environmental monitoring. In particular, the system may include a microfluidic pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) chlorophyll fluorometer. The LOAC PAM chlorophyll fluorometer may analyze microalgae and cyanobacteria that grow naturally in source drinking water.

Abstract: A material may include a medium and carbon nanotubes dispersed in the medium. Fluorescent moieties may be attached to functional groups on a first quantity of the carbon nanotubes. The fluorescent moieties may be in a concentration in the material sufficient to make the material fluoresce in the presence of radiation. The fluorescent moieties may have an emission wavelength that is in or below the visible spectrum. The carbon nanotubes may be dispersed in the medium in a concentration sufficient to make the material electrically conductive at or above the material's electrical percolation threshold. Any suitable product may include the material. Methods for verifying the authenticity of the product may include detecting emissive radiation, testing electrical conductivity, and determining the presence of a structural characteristic of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Composite probes for super resolution optical techniques using super resolution via transiently activated quenchers (STAQ) include a donor moiety and an acceptor moiety joined by a linker, wherein the acceptor moiety, when excited by incident radiation, is excited to a state which, for example, absorbs in the donor emission region, such that the acceptor moiety in its excited state quenches at least a portion of the donor moiety emission. Other transiently activated quenching mechanisms and moieties could accomplish the same task by reducing donor population. Also disclosed are methods for irradiating a selected region of a target material including the composite probe, wherein the composite probe enables improved resolution by point spread function modification and/or nanoscale chemical reactions.

Abstract: A method for identifying a photoluminescent material that, after excitation with excitation light, emits emission light having different wavelengths is disclosed. The method includes irradiating the photoluminescent material with the excitation light, detecting a temporal intensity curve of at least two emission light components having different wavelengths, which components are emitted from the photoluminescent material as a result of the excitation, calculating initial intensities of the emission light components at a common time, determining at least one intensity parameter by correlating the calculated initial intensities, determining at least one decay parameter value for each of the emission light components from a time progression of their intensity and identifying the photoluminescent material using the intensity parameter(s) and the decay parameter values.

Abstract: A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a deflection unit in a TIRF microscope, by means of which an angle of incidence of excitation light onto a specimen is adjusted, wherein a setting of said deflection unit is adjusted such that the pertaining angle of incidence is definitely greater or definitely smaller than an anticipated critical angle for total reflection of the excitation light on a surface of a used specimen, the angle of incidence is scanned by varying the setting of said deflection unit in the direction of an anticipated critical angle, an intensity of an optical response of the used specimen elicited by the excitation light being measured for each setting of the deflection unit, the intensity of the optical response of the specimen used is measured at least for a number of settings of the deflection unit until the intensity of the optical response of the specimen used traverses a flank, and the setting of the deflection unit pertaining to the flank is stored as the setting for the crit

Abstract: The inventive optical analysis technique uses an optical system capable of detecting light from a micro region in a solution, such as an optical system of a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope, to detect the light from the light-emitting particle to be observed while moving the position of the micro region in the sample solution (while scanning the inside of the sample solution with the micro region); generates time series light intensity data, computes a characteristic value of the light intensity indicating the presence or absence of the light from a single light-emitting particle in every time section of a predetermined width in the light intensity data; and detects the light-emitting particle crossing the inside of the micro region individually using the characteristic value, thereby enabling the counting of the light-emitting particle(s) or the acquisition of the information on the concentration or number density of the light-emitting particle.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method of processing spectral luminescence mapping data obtained from a substrate, the substrate having an epitaxial layer stack that includes a multiple quantum well. A spectral luminescence and an epi thickness at a location on the substrate are obtained. A spectral modulation for the location may be computed given the epi thickness and material indices of refraction. The underlying luminescence spectrum may then be generated by dividing the measured spectral luminescence by the spectral modulation. Subsequently, a peak wavelength and other parameters may be obtained from the underlying luminescence spectrum. In another embodiment, the underlying luminescence spectrum may be determined, without the epi thickness measurement, using a self-consistent technique. Another embodiment relates to an apparatus for spectral luminescence mapping and epitaxial thickness measurement. Other embodiments, aspects and features are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a super-resolution microscope for observing a specimen containing a substance having two or more excited quantum state, which includes: a light source section that outputs a first illumination light for exciting the substance from a stable state to a first quantum state, and a second illumination light for further transitioning the substance to other quantum state; an optical system including a microscope objective lens and condensing the first illumination light and the second illumination light, each outputted from the light source section, onto the specimen in a manner that these lights are partially overlapped with each other; a detection section that detects an optical response signal emitted from the specimen in response to condensing of the first illumination light and the second illumination light; and, a polarization controlling element provided with a polarizing member that converts a polarization state of the first illumination light or the second illumination light, and a phase modulat

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining the presence of an alumina layer on a surface of a component. The method includes illuminating a surface of a component with radiation; detecting radiation emitted at a particular wavelength; analyzing the detected radiation; to determine the thickness of the alumina at at least one point on the surface of the component; and comparing the determined thickness of the alumina at the at least one point on the surface of the component with a predetermined thickness of alumina at that point to decide if the thickness of alumina at the at least one point on the surface of the component is satisfactory.

Abstract: Scale inhibitor compositions and methods of inhibiting scale formation generally include a tagged scale inhibiting (co)polymer including at least one scale inhibiting moiety and an imidazole moiety. The imidazole moiety fluoresces at a wavelength of about 424 nm and can be used to detect the amount of scale inhibitor present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring data in order to determine organ function, in particular the liver or kidney function, comprising one or more polymethine fluorescent dyes having a fluorescence emission maximum, measured in ethanol, of less than or equal to 820 nm, and to the use of dyes as markers for acquiring data in order to determine the organ function. The invention further relates to a kit for determining an organ function with a marker dye, and to a device for acquiring data in the method.

Abstract: A correction method of a fluorescence sensor includes a first detection signal acquiring step for acquiring, at a first temperature, a first detection signal using a fluorescence sensor having a temperature detecting function and a temperature adjusting function, a second detection signal acquiring step for acquiring, at a second temperature, a second detection signal when an analyte amount is the same as an analyte amount in the first detection signal acquiring step, a correction coefficient calculating step for calculating, on the basis of the first detection signal and the second detection signal, a correction coefficient for correcting the fluorescent light detection signal, and a correcting step for correcting subsequent detection signals using the correction coefficient and a temperature detection signal.

Abstract: A method of illuminating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a corresponding method for reading out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor layer (1) comprising a light source (2) for generating a stimulation light beam (3) which can stimulate the storage phosphor layer (1) to emit emission light, and a deflection element (4) for deflecting the stimulation light beam (3) in such a way that the deflected stimulation light beam (3?) is moved over the storage phosphor layer (1). In order to achieve the highest possible quality of the X-ray image obtained in the simplest and most cost-effective way possible, a drive device (5) is provided for driving the deflection element (4) by delivering drive energy to the deflection element (4) dependently upon a location of the deflected stimulation light beam (3?) and/or dependently upon a position, in particular an angular position, of the deflection element (4).

Abstract: A sensor comprising a substrate (100) having a first surface (105) and a second surface (110) is described. The first surface has at least one sensor site (115) provided thereon. The substrate is configured such that on excitation of a sample provided at the sensor site, luminescence originating from the sensor site propagates into the substrate, the second surface of the substrate being configured to selectively transmit the luminescence propagating within the substrates at angles greater than the critical angle out of the substrate where it may be detected by a detector (160) provided below the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for controlled illumination in a bioanalysis or other system where excitation of fluorescent molecules is desirable. In an embodiment, an illumination system is described which can provide excitation light at a controlled intensity to provide quantitative results. In an embodiment, a solid state light engine is described which includes a plurality of color channels each providing light output suitable for exciting a fluorescent molecule, a light to frequency converter which receives a portion of the light output, a counter which maintains a count of a signal from the light to frequency converter, and a light intensity circuit, responsive to the counter, which adjusts the color channels to control the intensity of the light output.

Abstract: In systems and methods for analyzing traces of airborne compounds, the air to be analyzed is circulated for a given length of time through a small-diameter analysis tube while lowering the temperature of the air at the entrance to the analysis tube. Condensation and deposits of compounds are formed on the inner walls of the analysis tube. A scraping liquid is circulated through the analysis tube to scrape off the deposits. The compounds in the deposits are concentrated at the front of this liquid. The front of the liquid is then analyzed to identify the compounds.

Abstract: Systems and methods for document and product authentication using a variety of absorption and emission signatures are disclosed. Emission signatures in the form of florescent or phosphorescent coatings, inks and substrates are used for authentication and protection of items such as documents, currency, and secondary packaging for tobacco, luxury goods and pharmaceuticals. Spectrally overlapping absorption and emission materials are combined to provide a unique spectral fingerprint detectable by a scanner.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for labeling carbon fiber with a detectable tag are disclosed. A composition includes at least one tag affixed to carbon fiber. The tag includes a plurality of detectable labels selected from quantum dots and organic fluorophores arranged in a detectable pattern. In addition, methods for the facile detection of the source, type, and/or physical condition of carbon fiber labeled with a detectable tag are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical is provided with reduced sensitivity to radiation, more particularly gamma radiation. The optical sensor is suitable for determining at least one parameter in a medium and includes a matrix containing a fluorescent dye. The matrix is supported by a transparent support. On the side facing the medium, the matrix has a layer soluble in the medium, which layer provides protection against radiation or damaging radiation products. The optical sensor is suitable for implementation in containers and laboratory products, such as disposable bioreactors for example, which are sterilized using gamma radiation.

Abstract: There is provided an optical analysis technique which observes a polarization characteristic of a light-emitting particle using the scanning molecule counting method using an optical measurement with a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope. In the inventive optical analysis technique, the light detection region is irradiated with excitation light consisting of predetermined polarized light component(s) and the intensity of at least one polarized light component of the light from the light detection region is detected with moving the position of the light detection region of the optical system in a sample solution; a signal of each light-emitting particle is detected individually in the intensity of at least one polarized light component; and based on the intensity of at least one polarized light component of the signal of the detected light-emitting particle, the polarization characteristic value of the light-emitting particle is computed.

Abstract: There is provided a scanning molecule counting method using an optical measurement with a confocal microscope or a multiphoton microscope, enabling characterization of a light-emitting particle or identification of a light-emitting particle with emitted light intensity of a single light-emitting particle measured individually. In the inventive optical analysis technique, with reference to the ratio of the intensities of simultaneously generated signals of the lights of at least two light-emitting sites having mutually different emission wavelengths, possessed by a light-emitting particle contained in a sample solution, the intensities being measured with moving the position of the light detection region of an optical system by changing the optical path of the optical system, a single light-emitting particle corresponding to the signals is identified, and the kind, the size, etc. of the light-emitting particle is identified.

Abstract: A method for wavelength-resolving and high spatial resolution fluorescence microscopy in which fluorescence labels in a sample are repeatedly excited to emit fluorescence radiation and frames including images of isolated labels are produced with a microscope. The positions of the images of the isolated fluorescing labels are localized with a localization precision exceeding the optical resolution of the imaging beam path of the microscope. The imaging beam path of the microscope has a diffractive element which, during the imaging, diffracts the image of the sample comprising the isolated fluorescing labels into a first diffraction order so that each frame contains the first diffraction order images of the isolated fluorescing labels. A parameter of the first diffraction order images of the isolated fluorescing labels is evaluated and an indication of the wavelength of the isolated fluorescing labels is derived from this evaluated parameter.

Abstract: A dangerous level of gas safety monitor for indicating a level of a target gas in an atmosphere comprising: a sol-gel layer comprising a first phosphorescent material, exposed to the atmosphere; a light source enabled to stimulate the phosphorescent material; a detector enabled to detect light emitted by the phosphorescent material; a pressure sensor to determine the pressure of the atmosphere; a processor enabled to determine relative phase shift or time delay between the detected light emitted by the phosphorescent material and the emitted light of the light source, wherein the monitor is configured to provide an output indicative of a dangerous level of the target gas in the atmosphere, the output based on the determined pressure and relative phase shift or time delay.

Abstract: A wafer is provided into an entrance load lock chamber. A vacuum is created in the entrance load lock chamber. The wafer is transported to a processing tool. The wafer is processed in a process chamber to provide a processed wafer, wherein the processing forms halogen residue. A degas step is provided in the process chamber after processing the wafer. The processed wafer is transferred into a degas chamber. The processed wafer is treated in the degas chamber with UV light and a flow of gas comprising at least one of ozone, oxygen, or H2O. The flow of gas is stopped. The UV light is stopped. The processed wafer is removed from the degas chamber.

Abstract: Compositions providing metal-independent phosphorescence due to a directed heavy atom effect are provided. Methods of providing a phosphorescent composition are also provided where a directed heavy atom effect is maintained to cause the composition to be phosphorescent. Manufacture of phosphorescent compositions using intermolecular and intramolecular directed heavy atom effects are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring degree of biological contamination in a sea water desalination facility, and is characterized by comprising the following steps of: a) collecting any one selected from a group consisting of raw sea water flowing into the sea water desalination facility, pre-treated water prepared by pre-treating the raw sea water, product water (permeate) produced after the pre-treated water goes through a desalination process and brine; and b) measuring wavelength and strength of a natural phosphor, which is contained in the raw sea water, pre-treated water, product water (permeate) or brine, using a fluorescence spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A method for wavelength-selective and high spatial resolving fluorescence microscopy. In a specimen fluorescence emitters are repeatedly excited and specimen frames are produced with a microscope. The fluorescence emitters are excited to emit fluorescence radiation such that at least a sub-set is isolated in each frame and the positions of the isolated fluorescence emitters are localized with a localization precision exceeding the optical resolution and a high-resolution complete image is produced.

Abstract: Provided is a method of shielding ultraviolet light and increasing visible light, enabling shielding or removal of ultraviolet light, transmission of visible light, effective utilization of ultraviolet energy to obtain visible light, and not requiring use of rare metal thus being low in cost. The method has: a first excitation step of exciting a fluorescent material by external light of 200 nm to 330 nm: an internal light emission step in which the fluorescent material excited in the first excitation step emits internal light of 330 nm to 400 nm; a second excitation step of exciting the same or a different fluorescent material by external light of 330 nm to 400 nm and by the internal light of 330 nm to 400 nm; and a visible light emission step in which the fluorescent material excited in the second excitation step emits visible light of 400 nm or more.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an image associated with a biological sample is provided. The biological sample is focused on the biological sample based on fluorescence of a first fluorescent material and the image is captured based on fluorescence of the second fluorescent material. A computer readable memory device storing instructions to cause a data processing unit is also provided.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of characterizing the thickness profile of laminated glass structures are disclosed, wherein the laminated glass structure has at least one gradual transition region between adjacent glass layers. The method includes sequentially focusing laser light at different focuses along a line within the laminated glass structure. The sequentially formed focuses define corresponding micro-volumes from which fluorescent light emanates due to a multiphoton process. The variation in the intensity of the detected fluorescent light from each micro-volume as a function of distance into the laminated glass structure is used to determine the relative locations of the multiple layers and the at least one gradual transition region.

Abstract: Depth-sensitive fluorescent spectroscopy can be executed by directing UV radiation through a face of a laminated glass sheet to induce distinct fluorescence in respective target layers of the laminated glass sheet. The respective target layers define glass compositions and relative indices of refraction that permit formation of an externally-viewable fluorescent intensity profile across the target layers of the laminated glass sheet. In an alternative embodiment, non-UV laser radiation is directed from a non-UV laser radiation source through a face of the laminated glass sheet to define a series of multi-photon focal points in the laminated glass sheet and induce fluorescence in respective ones of the plurality of target layers of the laminated glass sheet at a UV excitation frequency that exceeds the frequency of the radiation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting a primary electromagnetic radiation to a longer output wavelength that includes providing an energy conversion layer having a first photoluminescent material and a second photoluminescent material, exposing the energy conversion layer to the primary electromagnetic radiation, and transferring at least a portion of absorbed energy from the first photoluminescent material to the second photoluminescent material by dipolar coupling, such that the second photoluminescent material subsequently emits the longer output wavelength.

Abstract: A method of inspecting an article includes: applying an organic liquid substance over at least a portion of the article to be inspected so as to form a surface layer thereon, wherein said surface layer is luminescent; irradiating the article with the surface layer thereon; and scanning the article to determine its shape.

Abstract: An affordable flow cytometry system with a significantly increased analytical rate, volumetric sample delivery and usable particle size including a light beam that interrogates multiple flow streams so as to provide excitation across all of the streams, and an optical objective configured to collect light from the sample streams and image the light onto an array detector.

Abstract: A method includes calibrating color bleed factors of optical detector channels of a sample processing apparatus through processing a color bleed calibration substance which includes a plurality of different size fragments replicated from different groups of DNA loci, wherein fragments in a same group are labeled with a same fluorescent dye, and fragments in different groups are labeled with different fluorescent dyes having different emission spectra, wherein the different size fragments are processed during different acquisition times.

Abstract: A method of determining cleanliness of a manufacturing area is disclosed. The method of determining cleanliness of a manufacturing area comprising swabbing at least one target area within the manufacturing area, placing the swab in a testing apparatus, analyzing for the presence of the at least one substance with the testing apparatus and determining in real time the cleanliness of the manufacturing area.