Abstract: The disclosed invention provides methods and instruments for fluorescence detection making it possible to separate and detect analytes of a plurality of species in a migration (separation) channel with length of the order of millimeters. Analyte samples disperse across the whole detection region of a migration channel filled with a sieving matrix. Electrodes located in contact with a power supply and the sieving matrix cause the analytes to electophoretically migrate at predetermined velocity V. The detection region is irradiated by excitation light whose intensity changes in a cycle equaling pitch p in the direction that the analytes move. Fluorescence emission from the analytes exposed to the excitation light is detected by a detector. Fluctuation &dgr;i (t) of output current from the detector is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer and the obtained spectrum is displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to new systems, methods and products for analyzing polymers and in particular new systems, methods and products useful for obtaining sequence information from polymers. The invention has numerous advantages over prior art systems and methods used to obtain sequence-related information. Using the methods of the invention the entire human genome could be analyzed several orders of magnitude faster than could be accomplished using conventional technology. In addition to obtaining sequencing information for the entire genome, the systems, methods and products of the invention can be used to create comprehensive and multiple expression maps for developmental and disease processes. The ability to analyze an individual's genome and to generate multiple expression maps will greatly enhance the ability to determine the genetic basis of any phenotypic trait or disease process.

Abstract: An optical system for analyzing light from a plurality of samples is provided. The optical system includes a plurality of holders adapted to have samples located therein, a collection lens, a transmission grating, and a reimaging lens. The collection lens is configured to receive and substantially collimate light from the samples. The transmission grating is configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens. The reimaging lens is configured to receive the light from the light dispersing element and direct the light onto a light detection device. A method of optically analyzing at least one sample is also provided.

Abstract: A multiplexed, absorbance-based electrophoresis system for analyzing multiple samples simultaneously without use of a mask or slit comprising a light source, a planar array of capillary tubes and a detector positioned off-axis with the light source and positioned on-axis with and parallel to the planar array of capillary tubes. Other embodiments include vacuum use attached to the capillary tubes to increase the speed of detection.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for rapidly identifying a large number of proteins by placing a protein mixture in a sample chamber of an electrophoresis gel, and performing electrophoresis to separate the mixture by molecular weight, in a direction of separation, into a two-dimensional separation pattern in the gel. The separation pattern is transferred to a membrane, such as a sheet of nitrocellulose, and a plate with a set of separate, side-by-side slots is then applied to the membrane. A different antibody mixture is introduced into each of the slots by perfusing each antibody mixture under pressure through the slots. The antibody mixture that is perfused through each slot recognizes several different proteins of sufficiently different molecular weights that different protein bands can be resolved by the antibody mixture in each slot.

Abstract: A device for detection of one or several fluorescent species, said species being contained in a medium, said medium being contained in a conduit, said device comprising a means of exciting the fluorescent species by light, said medium and conduit making up a structure that is transparent to the exciting and the emitted fluorescent light, and said device comprising one or several such structures, may be improved by letting at least part of the emitted fluorescent light be guided away from the illumination zone by total internal reflection (TIR) in said structure and collected from one end of said structure.

Abstract: A laser apparatus which has a laser resonator 2 for emitting a laser beam 8, an optical fiber 23, on which the laser beam 8 transmitted from the laser resonator 2 through a beam transmission optical path is made incident, for transmitting the laser beam 8 to a workpiece, a measurement and adjustment jig 44 for measuring laser beam output of an annular pattern occurring in the periphery of a beam pattern of the laser beam 8 emitted from the optical fiber 23, and a fiber incidence section 22 for adjusting incidence of the laser beam 8 on the optical fiber 23 based on output from the measurement and adjustment jig 44.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis system comprises capillaries positioned in parallel to each other forming a plane. The capillaries are configured to allow samples to migrate. A light source is configured to illuminate the capillaries and the samples therein. This causes the samples to emit light. A lens is configured to receive the light emitted by the samples and positioned directly over a first group of the capillaries and obliquely over a second group of the capillaries. The light source is further configured to illuminate the second group of capillaries more than the first group of the capillaries such that amount of light received by the lens from the first group of capillaries is substantially identical to amount of light received from the second group of capillaries when an identical amount of the samples is migrating through the first and second group capillaries.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multiple capillary electrophoresis system including many juxtaposed capillaries, at least one source for transmitting a beam designed to excite the molecules present in its path and inside the capillaries, and detection of the fluorescence of the molecules excited by said beam. The invention is arranged so as to detect the light emerging at the output of said capillaries and propagated along a direction wherein the capillaries extend and the detection resolution is sufficient for distinguishing the light emerging at the output of the capillaries from that coming from the walls thereof and/or their surrounding medium.

Abstract: A toner characterization cell used to determine characteristics of insoluble particles in a liquid medium. First and second electrode are spaced apart and an electric field is applied between the electrodes and a displacement current is measured. Optical density measuring devices measure the change in optical density in the cell adjacent each electrode. The characteristics are determined from the displacement current and the change in optical density. The characterizing feature may be particle mobility. The invention also relates to a method of determining the characteristics.

Abstract: A measuring device 1 comprises an irradiation optical system 20 and a detection optical system 30. The irradiation optical system 20 comprises a light-emitting element 21 and a mixing rod 22. The detection optical system 30 comprises a convex lens 33 and a CCD image sensor 36. Light from the light-emitting element 21 is diffused by a diffusing plate 23 and enters into a mixing rod 22, where it is mixed. The light mixed inside the mixing rod 22 is then diffused by a diffusing plate 24 and irradiated onto an immunochromatography test piece 10 as measurement light. The light transmitted by the immunochromatography test piece 10 is formed as an image on the light receiving face 37 of a CCD image sensor 36, by means of the convex lens 33. The CCD image sensor 36 captures the image formed by the convex lens 33 at the light receiving face 37.

Abstract: Light from an object such as a cell moving through an imaging system is collected, and imaged onto a time delay integration (TDI) detector, producing a pixelated output signal in response to the image of the object. The light can be emitted from a luminous object, from a source and scattered by the object, or can be a fluorescent emission by one or more object probes. Light absorbed or reflected by the object can also produce images for determining specific characteristics of the object. In one set of embodiments, the movement of the object is synchronized with that of the pixelated output signal, which is controlled by the readout rate of the TDI detector. Alternatively, the readout rate of the pixelated output signal is not synchronized with the movement of the object, thereby permitting multiple signals to be produced for each of a plurality of objects over time.

Abstract: A capillary electrophoresis device having a substrate layer and a cover layer, with a plurality of electrophoresis channels formed in the substrate layer, includes an optical waveguide system that transmits excitation radiation from a source port into each one of the electrophoresis channels. The optical waveguide system is defined by regions, within either the cover or substrate, that have an index of refraction higher than that of the surrounding material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system for fast, accurate and low cost electrophoretic analysis of materials in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields. Light from periodically spaced regions along a channel in the microfluidic system are received by a photodetector. The intensity of light received by the photodetector is modulated by the movement of species bands through the channel under electrophoretic forces. By Fourier analysis, the velocity of each species band is determined and the identification of the species is made by its electrophoretic mobility in the channel.

Abstract: An electrophoresis apparatus includes an optical cell having an outlet for fluid and filled with a buffer solution, and a plurality of electrophoresis lanes, each including a separation medium, which separate samples labeled with fluorophores, one end of each of the electrophoresis lanes being disposed in the optical cell to enable the separated samples labeled with the fluorophores to migrate from the electrophoresis lanes into the buffer solution in the optical cell. There is also provided a vessel containing a buffer solution, the vessel being disposed so that a level of the buffer solution in the vessel is higher than the ends of the electrophoresis lanes disposed in the optical cell, a passage connecting the vessel with the optical cell, a light source which emits light which excites the fluorophores to emit fluorescence, and a photodetector which detects the fluorescence emitted by the fluorophores.

Abstract: A method for separating and assaying lipoprotain to determine a degree of modification of a predetermined component in a specimen of lipoprotein, comprising the step of: determining a distance “a” from an application point of the standard sample to a fraction corresponding to the predetermined lipoprotein using an electrophoretic pattern obtained by electrophoresis of a standard sample; determining a distance “b” from the application point of the specimen to a fraction corresponding to the predetermined lipoprotein using electrophoretic pattern obtained by electrophoresis of a specimen; comparing the distance “a” and the distance “b” to determine a relative mobility “z(=b/a)” of the specimen to the standard sample, wherein the degree of modification of the predetermined component in the specimen being judged on the basis of the relative mobility “z”.

Abstract: A measuring device 1 comprises an irradiation optical system 20 and a detection optical system 30. The irradiation optical system 20 comprises a light-emitting element 21 and a mixing rod 22. The detection optical system 30 comprises a cylindrical lens 33 and a CCD image sensor 36. Light from the light-emitting element 21 is diffused by a diffusing plate 23 and enters into a mixing rod 22, where it is mixed. The light mixed inside the mixing rod 22 is then diffused by a diffusing plate 24 and irradiated onto an immunochromatography test piece 10 as measurement light. The light transmitted by the immunochromatography test piece 10 is formed as an image on the light receiving face 37 of a CCD image sensor 36, by means of the cylindrical lens 33. The CCD image sensor 36 captures the image formed by the cylindrical lens 33 at the light receiving face 37.

Abstract: A method of properly correcting a base line. A concept of flexibility of a base line is introduced as an input index and a gravitation is presumed between the base line and signal data which is measured, thereby constructing a method of correcting the base line which changes gentler than a change in signal with respect to time in a peak area and which is sensitive to an area where a value of the signal data is small. A base line like a natural and smooth curve which isn't easily influenced by a local change in signal such as noise or the like can be set by an input of the flexibility.

Abstract: An improved rotary confocal fluorescence scanner capable of detecting analytes separated on over a 1,000 capillaries simultaneously. This system uses a confocal microscope objective and mirror assembly that rotates inside a vertical ring of capillaries to provide rapid and efficient excitation and detection of fluorescently labeled fragments separated within a cylindrical capillary array. Use of automated procedures to load and run all capillaries permits one to read more than 350,000 base pairs of raw sequence data per hour.

Abstract: Marker compounds suitable for gel electrophoresis are disclosed. The compounds are natural, non-natural compounds or a mixture thereof, but not a protein. The compounds comprise at least one monomer unit, at least one functional group unit and optionally at least one core unit. Also contemplated is a method for positioning the marker compounds or a set of the compounds according to the invention and a method for the detection and/or quantification of s sample molecule in a two-dimensional gel.

Abstract: A glass capillary array for fluorescence analysis is provided which is capable of preventing reduction of the transmittance of a laser beam through the glass capillaries during electrophoretic DNA fluorescence analysis, and a method of manufacturing the glass capillary array. The glass capillary array for fluorescence analysis is comprised of a plurality of glass capillaries each having a rectangular cross section and having an internal hole formed therein, and arranged in a row along a direction of irradiation of a laser beam for fluorescence analysis. The glass capillary array has a fluorescence analysis section comprising a portion of each of the glass capillaries positioned in a region including an optical axis of the laser beam and a vicinity thereof, and the glass capillaries are joined together substantially into a single body using a transparent material in at least the fluorescence analysis section.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention disclose a system in which multiple injections may be made into a capillary array. The injections are spaced in time with each injection followed by an interval of electrophoresis. Once all samples are loaded into the capillaries, continuous electrophoresis and detection is used to separate and detect target compounds within the sample. The interval between injections is matched to the target compound migration rate to be sufficient to allow the target compounds to be detectably separated when the compounds reach the detector.

Abstract: A parallel capillary electrophoresis system for separating and analyzing the components of multiple chemical samples. The system comprises a bundle of capillary tubes arrayed to have at least portions of the tubes extending generally parallel to one another, a light source for emitting light to pass through the capillary tubes, and a photodetector comprising a linear array of photodetector elements for receiving light passing through the capillary tubes. The improvement involves mounting the photodetector for rotation whereby the angular position of the linear array of photodetector elements can be adjusted to an optimal position for analyzing the light passing through the capillary tubes.

Abstract: The electrophoresis apparatus includes plural capillaries for separating fluorephore-labeled samples by electrophoresis, fluorescence detecting parts provided in a part of these capillaries arranged in the same place for detecting a fluorescence emitted by fluorephore labels when a part of the plural capillaries is scanned and irradiated by a laser beam, and a fluorescence detection system for detecting this fluorescence. The fluorescence detecting parts are scanned and repeatedly irradiated by the laser bean where a scanning period of the fluorescence detecting parts by the laser bean is t1, and the fluorescence is detected by the fluorescence detecting system where an acquisition time of fluorescence signal is t2 (t1≦t2). The laser bean from a laser source is narrowly converged by a light collecting lens, and a galvanomirror is rotated in a rotation directional of the galvanomirror around the rotation axis of the galvanomirror so as to repeatedly scan the fluorescence detecting parts.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides methods and instruments for fluorescence detection making it possible to separate and detect analytes of a plurality of species in a migration (separation) channel with length of the order of millimeters. Analyte samples disperse across the whole detection region of a migration channel filled with a sieving matrix. Electrodes located in contact with a power supply and the sieving matrix cause the analytes to electophoretically migrate at predetermined velocity V. The detection region is irradiated by excitation light whose intensity changes in a cycle equaling pitch p in the direction that the analytes move. Fluorescence emission from the analytes exposed to the excitation light is detected by a detector. Fluctuation &dgr;i (t) of output current from the detector is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer and the obtained spectrum is displayed.

Abstract: In a bio-separation system, the detection zone for optical detection of sample analytes is located at a widened zone along the separation channel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the widened detection zone is a micro-bore collar having a micro-channel that coaxially surrounds the exit of a capillary column that defines a capillary channel. A separation support medium including a running buffer fills the capillary column and the collar. In another aspect of the present invention, incident radiation for detection of separated analytes is directed at the detection zone and/or emitted radiation is collected axially along the separation medium, instead of through the boundary walls of the detection zone. In a further aspect of the present invention, the optical detection configuration may be scaled up and implemented in a mult-channel CE system that comprises multiple capillary separation channels.

Abstract: The optical imaging of two-dimensional solute zone arrays in electrophoresis gels is corrected for nonuniformities in the optical system such as those arising from the light source or from light dispersion underneath the gel. The correction is achieved by the use of a reference plate that responds to a light source uniformly along its length and width by being either uniformly light absorptive or uniformly light transmissive, or by emitting light upon excitation. Thus, any nonuniformities or deviations in the image of the reference plate arise only from nonuniformities or deviations within the optical system. Analogous corrections are made in other two-dimensional assay images, such as microarrays and microtiter plates.

Abstract: The invention relates to capillary electrophoretic methods for detecting ligands or hit compounds that can bind to a selected target at or above a selected binding strength. The method allows one to rank various ligands based on their relative affinity, i.e., the relative stability of the target/ligand complex during capillary electrophoresis under selected conditions. The method also enables selective detection of strong-to-moderate binding hit compounds, even in the presence of high concentrations of weaker, competitive hit compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting analytes in a sample is provided. The apparatus includes: one or more channels having a detection zone; one or more irradiation sources disposed for irradiating the detection zone with non-coherent radiation; a detector array disposed for collecting light signals emitted from markers in the detection zone excited by the radiation, the detector array having an output; and a system coupled to the detector array for effecting time delay integration of the charges on the detector array corresponding to the light signals by accumulating the charges before reading the charges at the output of the detector array. Other apparatus and methods for detecting analytes in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A method to collect a plurality of target zones from a plurality of channels. The method includes introducing a plurality of compound mixtures into a plurality of microchannels on a microfabricated chip or a capillary tube. Optical signal measured at a detector window provides a signal of the position of a target zone. When a target zone has migrated to the location of a detector window, the detector senses an optical signal from the target zone and signals the system to disconnect a driving force from that channel. Once a plurality of zones in a plurality of channels are aligned, the driving force is reconnected and the zones are coeluted into a collection container.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a polypeptide, comprising providing a first capillary channel having a separation buffer disposed within, wherein the separation buffer comprises a non-crosslinked polymer solution, a buffering agent, a detergent, and a lipophilic dye. The separation buffer is provided such that, at the time of detection, the detergent concentration in the buffer is not above the critical micelle concentration. The polypeptide is introduced into one end of the capillary channel. An electric field is applied across a length of the capillary channel, which transports polypeptides of different sizes through the polymer solution at different rates. The polypeptide is then detected as it passes a point along the length of the capillary channel.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices and systems having enhanced detection sensitivity, particularly for use in non-fluorogenic detection methods, e.g., absorbance. The systems typically employ planar microfluidic devices that include one or more channel networks that are parallel to the major plane of the device, e.g., the predominant plane of the planar structure, and a detection channel segment that is substantially orthogonal to that plane. The detection system is directed along the length of the detection channel segment using a detection orientation that is consistent with conventional microfluidic systems.

Abstract: A high-throughput method of distinguishing at least one molecule individually in a sample comprising multiple molecules, which method comprises: subjecting a sample comprising multiple molecules, at least one molecule of which is detectably labeled, to electrophoresis; imaging the electrophoretic mobility of each detectably labeled molecule over time by detecting the position of the detectable label of each detectably labeled molecule over time, and, optionally, at the same time, dispersing the imaging by a transmission grating for spectroscopic analysis, and determining the electrophoretic mobility of each detectably labeled molecule and, optionally, determining the molecular spectrum of each detectably labeled molecule, thereby distinguishing at least one molecule individually in a sample comprising multiple molecules, and a system for use in such a method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for localizing objects in turbid media. The device can be used for optical mammography. In optical mammography the interior of the part of the breast to be examined is imaged. The device includes a holder for receiving the part of the breast of a female. This holder is provided with light sources and photodetectors. The holder also contains a matching liquid in order to provide an optical coupling between the light sources and the part of the breast and as well as an optical coupling between the part of the breast and the photodetectors. In order to obtain such images, the part of the breast of a female to be examined is positioned in the holder and a resilient sealing ring is placed around the part of the breast and the upper side of the holder. The resilient sealing ring improves the filling of the holder with matching liquid, thus reducing imaging artefacts in the reconstructed images.

Abstract: The energy beam guide comprises a first region having a first refractive index, the first region having an energy beam receiving end and an inclined first boundary opposing the energy beam receiving end. The energy beam guide also includes a second region having a second refractive index that is less than the first refractive index. The second region shares the first boundary with the first region, and has a declined second boundary opposing the first boundary. A predetermined distance separates the first and second boundaries. Finally, the energy beam guide comprises a third region having a third refractive index. The third region shares the second boundary with the second region. Also provided are a method for making and using the energy beam guide.

Abstract: A multichannel electrophoretic cassette structure is disclosed comprising distinct regions for loading and detection with different spacing between channels. A method and an apparatus are further disclosed enabling multicolor fluorescent detection from a non-coplanar bundle of multiple channels. A method for fabricating monolithic multichannel cassettes for electrophoresis and fluorescent detection is also described.

Abstract: A multiplexed capillary electrophoresis system and process including a bundle of capillary tubes, a power source, a light source, a processor and an array of photodetector elements. Each element of the array generates a pixel signal corresponding to the light passing through the bundle of capillary tubes during the multiplexed capillary electrophoresis process. An A/D converter converts each of the pixel elements signals into a digital value corresponding to the light received by one of the photodetector elements. For each peak digital value, the processor selects five digital values corresponding to the light received by five contiguous photodetector elements and generates output signals. Each output signal corresponds to the light passing through the bundle of capillary tubes and is a function of the selected digital values. As a result, noise and drifts of the pixel signals are minimized.

Abstract: A multi-focus capillary array that can reduce crosstalk and a capillary array photodetector are provided. On a substrate 20 on which a plurality of capillaries are aligned, a perforation 72 is formed in at least a part of an area in the rear of the capillaries when the capillary array is viewed from the photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detection cell that comprises a body having a first end that defines a first opening, a second end that defines a second opening, and an internal surface that defines an interior cavity that fluidly connects the first opening and the second opening; wherein the interior cavity is capable of holding a support matrix for receiving a chemical species through the first opening, passing the chemical species through the interior cavity, and discharging the chemical species through the second opening; and wherein at least two portions of the body are capable of providing a first and a second guiding region each having an index of refraction less than that of the support matrix. A system utilizing the detection cell of the present invention is also provided. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for guiding light through a support matrix through which a chemical species is passing.

Abstract: An instrument for sequencing oligonucleotides is loaded with the products of four sequencing reaction mixtures. These products are a combination of A, C, G and T reaction products for several sequencing reactions. The products of the different sequencing reactions are labeled with fluorescent tags which are distinguishable one from the other on the basis of their excitation or emission spectra. After separation of the oligonucleotides by electrophoresis, the order of the detected peaks is used to call the base sequence.

Abstract: A PCR-based method for the identification of species of the genus Eimeria, (commonly known as coccidia), is described. The method is genus-specific and utilizes either, or both, of two novel primer sets; designated WW1 (SEQ ID NO:31) and WW3r (SEQ ID NO:32), and, WW2 (SEQ ID NO:33) and WW4r (SEQ ID NO:34).

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system for fast, accurate and low cost electrophoretic analysis of materials in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields. Light from periodically spaced regions along a channel in the microfluidic system are received by a photodetector. The intensity of light received by the photodetector is modulated by the movement of species bands through the channel under electrophoretic forces. By Fourier analysis, the velocity of each species band is determined and the identification of the species is made by its electrophoretic mobility in the channel.

Abstract: A system for aligning the optical components of a chemical analysis system in which capillaries or optical fibers are supported by a substrate. The system provides for alignment of elements of an electrophoresis system in an efficient high sampling rate capability. The system provides multiple sources, such as lasers or LEDs that are optically coupled to each capillary or channel. Multi-analyte capability, a variety of analysis modes and DNA sequencing operations are applications of systems using a plurality of lasers per channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for on-column analysis in flash chromatography. The detection scheme utilizes refractive index changes as analytes move through an illuminated region of a chromatography column. The column packing material is a diffuse scattering medium when the refractive index of the solvent is significantly different than that of the packing material. The magnitude of the signal depends on the degree to which the refractive index mismatch is changed as an analyte passes through the illuminated region. This detection scheme provides a simple, inexpensive means for monitoring the end of a flash chromatography column to determine the exit time of the species of interest, thus greatly reducing the post-column analysis time. Additionally, the detector is movable along the length of the column, offering the potential to monitor separations as they occur.

Abstract: The present invention is a multiple channel electrophoresis system which includes a multiple laser diode illumination source. The multiple laser diode illumination source has a plurality of individual laser diodes, each of which is situated so as to provide independent fluorescence inducing illumination to one of the electrophoresis channels in the multiple channel electrophoresis system. The channels in the multiple channel electrophoresis system can be of many embodiments. And use of the present invention system in a multiple angle light scattering mode is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a sample are disclosed. The system may include a light source operable to transmit light onto the sample, a detector operable to detect intensity of the light emitted from the sample, and a power modulator. The power modulator modulates the light source power such that light is emitted from the light source in more than one mode to reduce changes in the emitted light due to temperature changes in the light source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microfluidic system for fast, accurate and low cost electrophoretic analysis or materials in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology and numerous other fields. Light from periodically spaced regions along a channel in the microfluidic system are received by a photodetector. The intensity of light received by the photodetector is modulated by the movement of species bands through the channel under electrophoretic forces. By Fourier analysis, the velocity of each species band is determined and the identification of the species is made by its electrophoretic mobility in the channel.

Abstract: Analytical systems and methods that use a modular interface structure for providing an interface between a sample substrate and an analytical unit, where the analytical unit typically has a particular interface arrangement for implementing various analytical and control functions. Using a number of variants for each module of the modular interface structure advantageously provides cost effective and efficient ways to perform numerous tests using a particular substrate or class of substrates with a particular analytical and control systems interface arrangement. Improved optical illumination and detection system for simultaneously analyzing reactions or conditions in multiple parallel microchannels are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a sieving apparatus for a bio-chip, which has a light source, a HOE unit, a splitter, an objective lens, a filter, and an optical signal sensor. The HOE unit is coupled with a light source, so as to diffract the light into a zeroth order beam and a first order beam. The zeroth order beam has no deflection but the first order beam has a deflection from the zeroth order beam. The splitter is coupled to the HOE unit, so as to lead the two beams to the objective lens, which further leads the two beams to the bio-chip, in which the first order beam is incident onto the bio-chip from an incident angle, causing a florescent light from the sample. The bio-chip also reflects the zeroth order beam. Both the reflected zeroth order beam and the fluorescent light travel through the objective lens and the splitter. The filter is coupled to the splitter, so that an undesired portion of the light beams incident on the splitter is filtered.

Abstract: When irradiating laser beam from the side face of the capillary array, an optical axis of the laser beam is inclined in vertical direction with respect to a plane face formed by the capillary array, thus, reflection light by the capillary array and returning light is prevented from entering into a laser beam source, thereby, instability of laser oscillation is eliminated.