Abstract: A terahertz wave detector is for detecting a terahertz wave which is emitted from a terahertz wave generator and which is transmitted through a sample. The timing, at which a probe light is irradiated on an optical switching device in the terahertz wave detector, is vibratingly varied by driving a movable reflector in a variable optical delay device at a predetermined vibration frequency. The resultant detection signal generated thereby and changing periodically and vibratingly is subjected to frequency analysis by a spectrum analyzer in a spectroscopic processor. The detection signal has the same temporal waveform as that of the terahertz wave and subjected to scale conversion. Therefore, the frequency analysis of the detection signal enables frequency measurement of a terahertz wave in real time. As a result, real-time spectroscopy is possible, and the device configuration is simplified.

Abstract: Time-divisionally-multiplexed light receiving signals are sampled at a predetermined time interval as they are, and then converted into digital data. Then, address is determined based on an index signal as a standard of the time-divisional multiplexing, and the data are sequentially stored in a data memory. When the data are sequentially read out, change of quantity of the data is obtained to determine a period having the smallest change in quantity as an effective period. Then, the data included in the effective period are selected and separated to a sample side beam, reference side beam and cutoff period. Thus, the multiplexed light receiving signals are accurately separated by the digital data.

Abstract: The invention concerns improvements in spectrophotometry. Aspects of the invention may be used independently or together to increase the sensitivity of spectrophotometry. One aspect of the invention is a spectrophotometer detection circuit. In this aspect of the invention, currents attributable to reference and sample beams are cancelled in the current mode. The detection circuit produces a first voltage proportional to the difference in currents and a second voltage proportional to one of the reference or sample beams. Both voltages are available to allow simultaneous measurement and analysis. Another aspect of the invention concerns thermal stability. According to the invention, thermal conductivity is established among the housing and optical system components to promote equilibrium. Another preferred embodiment has a unitary solid metal housing with a hollowed portion defined to mount and place optical system components.

Abstract: An apparatus for flash photolysis has a light source and an optical fiber for directing light from the light source and through a sample. A laser or other such device is provided for initiating a chemical change within the sample. Additionally, a device is provided for determining the change in absorption of light by the sample during the chemical change.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting light emitted by assay samples is provided, in which light emitted by the sample is collected for transmission to a charge coupled device camera (74) by an optical fiber bundle. The cross-sectional area of the optical fiber bundle corresponds to the area of the sample, the end of which is located close to the sample for detecting any light emitted therefrom, and selected fibers (30) of those making up the bundle are separated from the remainder and extend to a source of excitation radiation (76) and serve to convey excitation radiation (if required) directly to a corresponding plurality of points distributed over the are of the end face of the bundle and therefore over the area of the sample.

Abstract: Predicting material color shifts due to weathering. A color formulation tool determines the concentration of colorants from a color standard. The color formulation tool obtains weathered optical parameters for the color standard from a color database and predicts the color of the color standard from the colorant concentrations and weathered optical parameters.

Abstract: A low-power, plasma source-based, portable molecular light emission generator/detector employing an atmospheric pressure pulsed-plasma for molecular fragmentation and excitation is described. The average power required for the operation of the plasma is between 0.02 W and 5 W. The features of the optical emission spectra obtained with the pulsed plasma source are significantly different from those obtained with direct current (dc) discharge higher power; for example, strong CH emission at 431.2 nm which is only weakly observed with dc plasma sources was observed, and the intense CN emission observed at 383-388 nm using dc plasma sources was weak in most cases. Strong CN emission was only observed using the present apparatus when compounds containing nitrogen, such as aniline were employed as samples. The present apparatus detects dimethylsulfoxide at 200 ppb using helium as the plasma gas by observing the emission band of the CH radical.

Abstract: A modular dual-beam source, sample compartment and beam-combining system are provided when used with a monochromator and detector to form a spectrophotometer consisting of: (a) a source module where two ellipsoidal mirrors each produce an image of the light source, and (b) a reflecting sample-compartment module, wherein each side has two plane-mirrors, of the four plane mirrors, three are reference and one is the sample, or (c) a transmission sample-compartment module, wherein each side has two plane-mirrors, and a sample is placed between one pair of plane-mirrors, and (d) a beam-combining module wherein the source images are imaged by a second pair of ellipsoidal mirrors on a reflective chopper that combines the images at a single location that is imaged, external to the module, by another mirror, each module being kinematically located with respect to each other so the system remains optically aligned as modules are interchanged.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer and spectrophotometry method, using a precision drive at a photodiode array which precisely moves the photodiode array by a distance equal to the physical interval between the photodiodes of the photodiode array so that the spectrophotometer and spectrophotometry method primarily measures light intensities of incident light by the photodiode array, and when precisely moves the photodiode array using the drive by the distance equal to the physical interval between photodiodes of the photodiode array, measures the light intensities of the incident light at desired positions corresponding to the intervals.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method for the determination of the charging state of filtrates of fiber masses used in the manufacturing of paper and cardboard. In the method, a sample is filtrated from fibers through a filter, and indicator color is added to the filtrate. The absorbance of the filtrate is measured and the charging state of the solution is read from an earlier made calibration curve that corresponds to the measured absorbance. In the first embodiment of the invention, the calibration curve is made by taking a sufficient amount of samples from the same anionic sample and such different known amounts of cationic agent are added to these samples, that at least a part of the samples are cationic and at least a part of the samples are anionic. The charging states of the filtrated samples are determined in a previously known way, e.g.

Abstract: In a detector for spectrometry attached to an integrating sphere, a plurality of detection elements having different spectral sensitivity characteristics is arranged side by side in the same plane on a base, and a side cover is provided such that the detection elements receive light. Thus, the measurement light is directly irradiated to the respective detection elements. Accordingly, the detector for spectrometry has a fast response speed and is excellent in the sensitivity characteristics in a wide wavelength region in the near-infrared area.

Abstract: A system and method for in vitro analysis of therapeutic agents comprising a reservoir adapted to hold a therapeutic agent, a first flow cell having a first cell chamber adapted to receive at least a first sample of the therapeutic agent, a second flow cell having a second cell chamber adapted to receive at least a second sample of the therapeutic agent, the first flow cell having a first path length (be′) and the second flow cell having a second path length (be″), the first path length being substantially equal to a sensitivity factor (f)×be″, a membrane chamber having a biological cell membrane therein adapted to receive at least a third sample of the therapeutic agent, the membrane chamber being further adapted to detect the membrane potential of the biological cell membrane; and spectroscopic detection means for detecting the spectral characteristics of the first and second therapeutic agent samples.

Abstract: The invention relates to embodiments of an optical system for luminescence determination, comprising two or more excitation light sources, a sensor platform and an optical component with several discrete facets for beam deflection towards the sensor platform. Further subjects of the invention are methods for luminescence determination with an optical system according to the invention and analytical systems, as well as the use of these methods for quantitative affinity sensing and for various other applications. The aim of the present invention is to provide optical and analytical measuring devices for highly sensitive detection of one or more analytes, using a multitude of measurement areas on a common carrier.

Abstract: In measuring a spectral irradiance distribution of light, light is irradiated to n (natural number) light-transit sections, which respectively have n kinds of given optical characteristic coefficients, and s (natural number) optical sensors, which respectively have s kinds of given spectral sensitivities, receive the light via the n light-transit sections and detects individual responses for the received light. Then a calculating section calculates m (natural number) spectral irradiances for m kinds of wavelengths as a spectral irradiance distribution based on linear formulae established between the optical characteristic coefficients, the spectral sensitivities, (n×s) responses for the light obtained by the s optical sensors, and the spectral irradiance distribution of the light.

Abstract: Described herein is a spectrophotometer having an inlet slit associated to which is at least one electrostatic-film shutter.

Abstract: There is provided an optical system for measurement of optical constant capable of measuring the absolute reflectance and the absolute transmittance for determining the optical constant of a substance with excellent accuracy without replacing the optical system during the measurement by using a different system for measuring the absolute reflectance and the absolute transmittance of the sample, comprising an incoming side beam switching mirror for selectively switching the direction of the light from a light source to a first or second converged light reflecting means side, first and second converged light reflecting means for projecting the light from the beam switching mirror so as to be converged in an intersecting manner at the position of a sample holder, the sample bolder capable of selectively positioning a sample fitting hole or a through hole at the converging position by the converged light reflecting means by advancing/retracting the sample fitting hole or the through hole, first and second receive

Abstract: A spectrophotometric instrument including light signal sources, a detector, a processor/controller, a probe and a calibration device. The light signal sources include a source of measurement light signals having measurement light wavelengths and a source of a calibration light signal at a calibration detection wavelength which is different than the measurement light wavelengths. The probe has one or more send fibers coupled to the measurement and calibration light signal sources for transmitting the measurement light signals and the calibration light signal into tissue, and one or more receive fibers for receiving light including the measurement light signals and the calibration light signal. The calibration device is adapted to receive the probe and has an optical filter for transmitting the measurement light signals but not the calibration light signal. The detector is coupled to the receive fibers to generate electrical signals representative of the light received at the receive fibers.

Abstract: A sample measurement and analysis system comprises a fiber-optic channel selecting apparatus, a plurality of optical source lines, a plurality of optical return lines, a plurality of sample test sites, and an optical receiving device. The selecting apparatus comprises an optical input selection device, an optical output selection device, and a controller element. The optical input selection device defines a first optical path running between a first input end and a first output end. The first output end is rotatable to a plurality of first index positions defined along a first circular path. The optical output selection device defines a second optical path running between a second input end and a second output end. The second input end is rotatable to a plurality of second index positions defined along a second circular path.

Abstract: Method, system and computer product for formulating a bi-directional color match. In this disclosure, a computing unit obtains spectral measurements of a target bi-directional color. The computing unit uses a bi-directional color formulation tool determine a combination of pigments, dyes and platelet-shaped pigments that generates spectral measurements that match the spectral measurements of the target bi-directional color.

Abstract: A color spectrophotometer incorporating a low cost commercial imaging chip, which normally forms part of a document imaging bar used for imaging documents in scanners, etc., having multiple photo-sites with three different rows of color filters. Each chip is mounted on the optical axis of an imaging lens system, in the image plane of that lens system, to image the reflected illumination from an illuminated color test target area on the chip. The optical axis of the imaging lens system is oriented at 45° to the illuminated color test patches, and the photodetector chip is physically mounted perpendicular to the plane of the illuminated color test patches. Respective photo-sensor chips and associated 1:1 optics may be mounted on opposing sides of the spectrophotometer physically oriented at 90° to the test target area plane receiving the reflected light from the test target optically oriented at 45° to the illuminated test target.

Abstract: The invention concerns improvements in spectrophotometry. Aspects of the invention may be used independently or together to increase the sensitivity of spectrophotometry. One aspect of the invention is a spectrophotometer detection circuit. In this aspect of the invention, currents attributable to reference and sample beams are cancelled in the current mode. The detection circuit produces a first voltage proportional to the difference in currents and a second voltage proportional to one of the reference or sample beams. Both voltages are available to allow simultaneous measurement and analysis. Another aspect of the invention concerns thermal stability. According to the invention, thermal conductivity is established among the housing and optical system components to promote equilibrium. Another preferred embodiment has a unitary solid metal housing with a hollowed portion defined to mount and place optical system components.

Abstract: In a color analysis method in which sheets with multiple different color printed test patches are moved relative to a color analyzing spectrophotometer, and in which fiducial marks are printed adjacent to respective test patches and optically detected by a fiducial mark detector to provide a triggering system for the respective test patch analysis, there is provided automatic diagnostic testing of the spectrophotometer and the fiducial mark triggering system, including automatically generating special test sheets, some of which may include test areas of varying density black.

Abstract: A water monitoring system for a nuclear reactor is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the water monitoring system includes a fiber optic cable having a first end and a second end, with the first end configured to optically couple to the reactor cooling water distribution system, and at least one laser light source optically coupled to the second end of the fiber optic cable. The water monitoring system also includes a spectrophotometer optically coupled to the second end of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A magnetic focusing immunosensor for the detection of pathogens comprising a laser, an exciting fiber and a collecting fiber, a fiber optic magnetic probe in communication with the collecting and exciting fibers and means for detecting, collecting and measuring fluorescent signals in communication with the collecting fiber. The probe and the collecting and exciting fibers are configured to focus paramagnetic microspheres attached to antigen/antibody/optically labeled complexes in a predetermined pattern in the field of view of the collecting fiber while blocking background interference.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.

Abstract: A spectroscopic apparatus comprises a housing, a light source supported by the housing, a sample optical detector supported by the housing, an optical input selection device supported by the housing, a plurality of optical source lines, and a plurality of optical return lines. The optical input selection device is rotatable about a first axis and comprises a first internal optical fiber having a first input end and a first output end. The first input end is disposed collinearly with the first axis, and the first output end disposed at a radially offset distance from the first axis. The optical source lines have respective source line input ends. Each source line input end is selectively optically alignable with the first output end. The optical return lines have respective return line output ends. Each return line output end is supported by the housing and selectively communicates with the sample optical detector.

Abstract: A sample measurement and analysis system comprises a fiber-optic channel selecting apparatus, a plurality of optical source lines, a plurality of optical return lines, a plurality of sample test sites, and an optical receiving device. The selecting apparatus comprises an optical input selection device, an optical output selection device, and a controller element. The optical input selection device defines a first optical path running between a first input end and a first output end. The first output end is rotatable to a plurality of first index positions defined along a first circular path. The optical output selection device defines a second optical path running between a second input end and a second output end. The second input end is rotatable to a plurality of second index positions defined along a second circular path.

Abstract: The method for determining radiation stability of a crystal to radiation of a working wavelength to be employed in a subsequent application includes taking a first absorption spectrum (A) of a cleaved piece of the crystal with a given thickness (D) over a predetermined wavelength range from a first wavelength (&lgr;1) to a second wavelength (&lgr;2) by means of a spectrophotometer. Then the cleaved piece of the crystal is irradiated with an energetic radiation source so as to form all theoretically possible color centers (saturation). After the irradiating a second absorption spectrum (B) of the cleaved piece of crystal is taken over the same predetermined wavelength range. Then a surface integral of a difference spectrum of the first absorption spectrum and the second absorption spectrum over the predetermined wavelength range is formed and divided by the thickness (D) to obtain a scaled surface integral value.

Abstract: A skin color measuring device is provided for use with a kit and method to measure skin shades at point-of-sale. The device includes a hand holdable housing encompassing a spectrophotometer/colorimeter, a logic program for calculating L, a, b values measured by the spectrophotometer/colorimeter and for converting these values into corresponding shades of facial foundation cosmetic products suitable for the measured customer, and a display window formed in the wall of the housing allowing visualization of the logic selected facial foundation products. Kits in the form of a display case are provided which include the skin measuring device and an inventory of different facial foundation products as well as a reader card set for correlating the selected facial foundation products with complementary color cosmetics such as lipsticks, eye shadows, eye liners, blush and lip liners.

Abstract: In a spectrophotometer, a photodiode detects light transmitted through a sample in a cell. A pre-amplifier and a feedback resistance are connected to the photodiode to convert a small electric current from the photodiode and amplify a voltage thereof. The voltage is read at a CPU after converted to a digital signal at an A/D converter. A sample component is determined from information based on the signal in the CPU. The spectrophotometer includes a circuit for changing the feedback resistance so that the feedback resistance can be adjusted according to the input voltage to the A/D converter.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for preparing from a plurality of materials, preferably powders, in particular components of a pharmaceutical composition, a mixture having a required homogeneity, comprising a non-rotating mixing vessel (7); at least one feeding mechanism for feeding said materials into said vessel (7); a stirring means (31) inside said vessel (7) for preparing said mixture; and at least one measuring device (23) for monitoring in-line at one or more locations in said vessel (7) the homogeneity of the mixture being prepared therein, wherein said at least one measuring device (23) comprises a unit for directing input radiation into said vessel (7), and at least one detector unit (45) for detecting output radiation formed by interaction of said input radiation with said materials in said vessel (7).

Abstract: A method for identifying one or a small number of molecules, especially in a dilution of ≦1 &mgr;M, using laser excited FCS with measuring times ≦500 ms and short diffusion paths of the molecules to be analyzed, wherein the measurement is performed in small volume units of preferably ≦10−14 l, by determining material-specific parameters which are determined by luminescence measurements of molecules to be examined.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for determining the distribution, environment, or activity of fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in cells for the purpose of screening large numbers of compounds for specific biological activity. The invention involves providing cells containing fluorescent reporter molecules in an array of locations and scanning numerous cells in each location with a fluorescent microscope, converting the optical information into digital data, and utilizing the digital data to determine the distribution, environment or activity of the fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in the cells. The array of locations may be an industry standard 96 well or 384 well microtiter plate or a microplate which is a microplate having a cells in a micropaterned array of locations. The invention includes apparatus and computerized method for processing, displaying and storing the data.

Abstract: A low cost yet higher speed color spectrophotometer, especially suitable for on-line color printer color control systems, wherein multiple test patches of different colors may be simultaneously illuminated and substantially simultaneously discretely color analyzed. Reduced numbers of test print sheets, with multiple sets of multiple small adjacent different color test patches, may be used. Reflected images of the multiple different color test patches may be simultaneously focused on different areas of a photodetector chip to expose differently color responsive sets of multiple photo-sites to provide plural discrete color signals for each different color test patch image.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for determining characteristics of a sample. The system and method provide for detecting a monitor beam reflected off a mirror, where the monitor beam corresponds to the intensity of light incident upon the sample. The system and method also provide for detecting a measurement beam, where the measurement beam has been reflected off the sample being characterized. Both the monitor beam and the measurement beam are transmitted through the same transmission path, and detected by the same detector. Thus, potential sources of variations between the monitor beam and the measurement beam which are not due to the characteristics of the sample are minimized. Reflectivity information for the sample can be determined by comparing data corresponding to the measurement beam relative to data corresponding the monitor beam.

Abstract: A wide-dynamic range, high-resistivity and high-speed method of stably obtaining fluorescent images of two or more samples which may includes a fluorescent material, comprising the steps of: disposing each of said samples onto each of two or more compartments which an area on a substrate is split into; sequentially irradiating said compartments with an exciting light wherein each of said compartments is irradiated with said exciting light with the intensity changed; detecting one or more fluorescent lights as generated from each of said samples corresponding to said changed intensity of said exciting light every each of said samples; determining the true value of fluorescence as generated from each of said samples by using information on said one or more fluorescent lights as detected every each of said samples; and obtaining a fluorescent image of each of said samples by using said true value of fluorescence from each of said samples, and an apparatus for carrying out the same are provided.

Abstract: An ultraviolet/visible/infrared spectrophotometer, with a pulsed light source (10), has a monochromator with variable slit width to provide variable spectral resolution. The dynamic range at the detectors (24, 28) is reduced by varying the pulse energy emitted by the light source (10) in accordance with the wavelength and slit width settings (34, 36), and/or by varying the slit height in accordance with the slit width. The ligth source (10) may be a xenon flash lamp.

Abstract: A homodyne interference system splits first and second light beams from a common light source and causes the first and second light beams to impinge upon an irradiating point of an organism at different directions. An optical heterodyne system splits a third beam from the common light source and imparts a frequency shift to the third beam. The outputs of the homodyne and heterodyne systems combine to permit extraction of a beat component of the homodyne system at a high SNR level. The output of the homodyne and heterodyne system are output as an image, which may be timed to a phase timing mechanism to provide an improved output.

Abstract: Method of measuring extent of cure of a coating comprising operating a metal-containing substrate coating operation to provide a coated metal-containing substrate; positioning an investigative apparatus near the coated metal-containing substrate; and operating the investigative apparatus to obtain an extent of cure reading, the reading corresponding to an area on the coated metal-containing substrate

Abstract: In a color analysis system in which sheets with multiple different color printed test patches are moved relative to a color analyzing spectrophotometer, and in which fiducial marks are printed adjacent to respective test patches and optically detected by a fiducial mark detector to provide a triggering system for the respective test patch analysis, there is provided automatic diagnostic testing of the spectrophotometer and the fiducial mark triggering system, including automatically generating special test sheets, some of which may include test areas of varying density black.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus according to the method. A sample is illuminated by a band of optical radiation the illumination state of which is variable as a function of time. Reference measurements of the spectrum of the optical band illuminating the sample are made at least at three separate instants of time. A spectrum of a band of the optical radiation that has interacted with the sample is measured at the corresponding separate instants of time as the reference measurement, and the radiance transfer factor matrix of the sample is estimated from the set of reference measurements and the set of sample measurements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods may be performed in a high-throughput manner. An instrument system for detecting a biochemical interaction on a biosensor. The system includes an array of detection locations comprises a light source for generating collimated white light. A beam splitter directs the collimated white light towards a surface of a sensor corresponding to the detector locations. A detection system includes an imaging spectrometer receiving the reflected light and generating an image of the reflected light.

Abstract: In this invention, the detection result indicating physical characteristics obtained from sensor sections and associated with a to-be-detected object for which it is determined that determination of detection thereof by a high-speed detecting process is difficult to make is stored in a data storage unit. Then, in a precise examination processing section, the detecting process is effected on the non-real time basis for a to-be-detected object for which it is determined that the precise examination is necessary by the high-speed detecting process by use of data stored in the data storage unit and the to-be-detected object is distributed into a storage box corresponding to a category of the to-be-detected object as the detection result from the precise examination processing section.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring a spectral property such as a total spectral radiant factor of a fluorescent sample, a weight factor is previously calculated by using a standard fluorescent sample in which an index of a spectral property such as a total spectral radiant factor is known. When a spectral intensity distribution of a fluorescent sample to be measured is measured, the measured spectral intensity distribution is corrected similar to a value when the fluorescent sample is illuminated as if the same illumination light when the weight factor is set. As a result, the error component in the measurement result due to the variation of the illumination light in a time period from the setting of the weight factor to the measurement of the fluorescent sample can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which illumination light and collected emitted light share a pathway and subsequently are physically separated. The optical configuration is designed such that at the point of separation, the illumination light is at has a smaller cross sectional area than the collected light. Collected light is directed away from the pathway of the illumination light and to detection optics. This configuration is adaptable to illumination and light collection across a broad wavelength spectrum. This configuration is adaptable to scanning in a limited depth of field to allow high throughput optical analysis of samples.

Abstract: A first measuring light beam of wavelength &lgr;1 equal to a wavelength at the isosbestic point between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin and a second measuring light beam of wavelength &lgr;2 differing from the first measuring light beam are incident on the same part of a subject such as a human finger and scan the subject by using an X-Y stage movable in X and Y directions. The first measuring light beam branches into two light beams. One of the two light beams is subjected to a frequency shift by a frequency shifter, while the other is transmitted through the subject. Thereafter, the two light beams are synthesized and a beat component of the synthesized first measuring light beam is detected by a first signal detection section. The first signal detection section outputs a first beat-component detection signal. For the second measuring light beam, a second beat-component detection signal is output in the same manner as the first measuring light beam.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.

Abstract: A two-step method and apparatus for controlling cracking severity in the effluent from a cracking furnace such as an ethylene cracker. The method includes two steps. The first step consists of determining the near infrared spectrum of effluent in-line. The second step consists of changing the temperature and/or residence time of the furnace according to the determination of the first step. The apparatus includes a light source mounted on a conduit for the effluent, a light detector mounted on the opposite side of the conduit from the light source to receive light emitted from the light source, means for sheltering the light source from the effluent, means for sheltering the lights detector from the effluent, means for flowing a fluid past the light source at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent; and means for flowing a fluid past the light detector at a higher pressure than the pressure of the effluent.

Abstract: Solid phase methods for the identification of an analyte in a biological medium, such as a body fluid, using bioluminescence are provided. A chip designed for performing the method and detecting the bioluminescence is also provided. Methods employing biomineralization for depositing silicon on a matrix support are also provided. A synthetic synapse is also provided.

Abstract: A spectral characteristic measuring apparatus is provided with a memory and a CPU. The memory stores a spectral profile output from a sample light sensor array when light from a lamp is received, and a plurality of spectral profiles to be output from the sensor array at each displaced position in the case where a light separator is displaced relative to a grating member of the sensor array at a certain pitch stepwise in a wavelength diffusing direction. The CPU controls the lamp to emit light in a state that a white plate for calibration is disposed as a sample, compares a spectral profile output from the sensor array for correction with each spectral profile stored in the memory, and sets a displacement amount corresponding to the spectral profile that is most approximate to the corrective spectral profile as a wavelength shift correction amount.