Abstract: A fluorescent detection apparatus relates to an analysis technique for qualitatively detecting or quantifying biomolecules by producing an evanescent field on a surface of a substrate, exciting fluorescently labelled biomolecules on the substrate surface in the evanescent field, and detecting the resultant fluorescent light emitted from the biomolecules. The fluorescent detection apparatus has a configuration in which a well is provided in a surface opposing to a sample substrate of a prism, the well is filled with a matching liquid, and the matching liquid is filled between the sample substrate and the prism, thereby improving operability and providing a stable evanescent field.

Abstract: A small object identifying device and its identifying method according to which a large number of small objects can be identified. In one embodiment, the device includes a dispersion region section which disperses a large quantity of several kinds of small objects which are labeled by a combination of the presence/absence or measure of label elements of several kinds. A measuring device distributes and associates kinds of said label elements to two or more measurement points and measures the presence/absence or the measure of said label elements of the kinds which have been associated with respective measurement points. An identifying section associates the measurement results measured at each measurement point to thereby identify said small objects.

Abstract: An imaging-type near-field optical microscope mainly comprises a light source and a photodetector array. The array functions as imaging array where each cell or photodetector has subwavelength dimensions. A sample under test is disposed in optical near field of the photodetectors, e.g., on surface of the array. As a result of subwavelength dimensions and near-field effect, resolution can break the diffraction limit and even reach nanoscale. The microscope has a fast speed, works with soft sample and sample in solution, and is capable of dynamic observations. In addition, the array surface doubles as a platform for molecule manipulation.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing contributions to signal noise associated with charge-coupled devices adapted for use in biological analysis. Dark current contribution, readout offset contribution, photo response non-uniformity, and spurious charge contribution can be determined by the methods of the present teachings and used for signal correction by systems of the present teachings.

Abstract: A system and method for optically monitoring contamination of machinery includes an optical illumination source, a photodetector and an analysis module. The system and method can monitor a fuser roll, a fuser belt, or other printer module component. The optical illumination source can emit at least one illuminating frequency. The at least one illuminating frequency is configured to cause a contaminant marker to fluoresce at least one fluorescing frequency and is also configured to at least partially illuminate the machine component. The machine component contains the contaminant marker when at least partially contaminated. The photodetector is responsive to the at least one fluorescing frequency and detects the at least one fluorescing frequency emitted from the contaminated machine component. The analysis module is in operative communication with the photodetector and is figured to receive a signal therefrom.

Abstract: A method of removing a target from a biological sample which involves placing a transfer surface in contact with the biological sample, and then focally altering the transfer surface to allow selective separation of the target from the biological sample. In disclosed embodiments, the target is a cell or cellular component of a tissue section and the transfer surface is a film that can be focally altered to adhere the target to the transfer surface. Subsequent separation of the film from the tissue section selectively removes the adhered target from the tissue section. The transfer surface is activated from within the target to adhere the target to the transfer surface, for example by heating the target to adhere it to a thermoplastic transfer surface. Such in situ activation can be achieved by exposing the biological sample to an immunoreagent that specifically binds to the target (or a component of the target).

Abstract: This invention relates to a confocal fluorescence correlation microscope with real-time alignment read out. With this instrument it is possible to do confocal imaging together with the particle size determination at a chosen location in the specimen. In particular, this invention relates to a detector module with a fixed aperture and detection electronics that can be conveniently connected to an existing confocal or multiphoton microscope, near the base of the objective lens of the microscope. This detector splits a part of the signal and uses it to generate a spot on the confocal image. This shows the spot where an FCS measurement can be carried out, and the same signal can then be used to perform a fluorescence correlation measurement after parking the excitation beam of the confocal to that spot. No alignment step is necessary for obtaining the measurement.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and method for chemical imaging of microarrays. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a system for simultaneous spectral imaging of a plurality of samples arranged on an array. The system includes an illumination source for providing illuminating photons to said plurality of samples, the illuminating photons interacting with each of the plurality of samples to emit interacted photons; an array for receiving said plurality of samples, the array having an external dimension such that the samples are within a simultaneous field of view of the optical device; an optical device for collecting the interacted photons and directing the photons to an imaging device, the imaging device simultaneously forming a plurality of images corresponding to each of the plurality of samples.

Abstract: A fluorescence sensor comprises a sensor section for collecting a fluorescent substance, which acts to represent presence of a substance to be detected in a sample, and an exciting light source, which produces exciting light for exciting the fluorescent substance to produce fluorescence. Besides the exciting light source, at least one different non-exciting light source is located for irradiating different non-exciting light, which varies in wavelength from the exciting light and which is substantially free from capability of exciting the fluorescent substance, to the sensor section.

Abstract: A micro-sized gas detecting device with two electrodes separated by a gap of width ranging from 1 to 500 microns, where the detection is based on emission spectroscopy of gases in an electric discharge across the gap (discharge region) as the gas flows through the region. The characteristic light emitted by molecules during the discharge can be detected directly with photodiodes or transferred through optical fiber and detected with remote optical sensing components. The device can have single or multiple discharge regions in an array so that light emitted can be monitored at different wavelengths simultaneously. The device can operate under gaseous pressure ranging from a few milli-Torr to a few atmospheres. The device consumes little power (50 mW-100 mW) and can be powered with an alternating current and has the potential to be battery powered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for imaging a sample using a microscope, in particular a scanning microscope, in which the sample is illuminated with excitation light via an illuminating beam path, and light emitted from the sample is recorded via a detection beam path, wherein at least one adjustable beam splitter having an adjustable threshold wavelength is arranged in the detection beam path or/and in the illuminating beam path, and wherein light emitted from the sample is detected in at least one detection channel. According to the inventive method, for at least one predetermined sample region, a signal intensity of light detected in the at least one detection channel is recorded for a plurality of threshold wavelengths set at the adjustable beam splitter to obtain a signal/threshold-dependency of the predetermined sample region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing the slightest quality differences or quality features of any objects and agents interacting therewith based on measuring the percentage scatter of “ultraweak” photon emissions (“biophotons” in biological systems) and the delayed luminescence in a scatter chamber (darkroom). These scatter percentages can vary to such an extent as to enable the sufficiently sensitive registration of slightest quality differences (quality features).

Abstract: Images of two-dimensional chromatograms or other sample arrays are formed on a scanning instrument that utilizes a line of illumination light that sweeps the length of the array either by moving across the array or by the array moving relative to the light, in either case scanning the entire two-dimensional array with a unidirectional pass of the moving component. The use of a CCD equipped with time delay integration allows the instrument to form an enhanced image.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for measuring the color of a sample are disclosed. The exemplary device may have one or more light emitting diodes for directing a beam of ultraviolet light onto the sample and may also have one or more light emitting diodes for directing a beam of visible light onto the sample. The exemplary device may have a component for controlling the timing and power of operation of each light emitting diode. The exemplary device may also have at least one light detector for receiving the beam of light reflected from or transmitted through the sample and measuring at least one wavelength band of the received light. The exemplary device may further have a measurement analyzer for determining the color of the sample based on the measured light. The color may be determined for a specified illuminator incorporating effects of fluorescence.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an area specifying unit that specifies a closed area emitting fluorescence in a fluorescence image as a cell area in a cell population including a number of dispersed cells. The fluorescence image is generated from fluorescence emitted by the cell population irradiated with a scanning laser beam. The apparatus also includes a nucleus data removing unit that removes data corresponding to a nucleus in the cell area; an overlapping cell specifying unit that specifies an overlapping cell area where cells overlap, based on a fluorescence intensity of a cytoplasm portion corresponding to an image where the data corresponding to the nucleus is removed; and an analyzed image generating unit that generates an analyzed image where data of the overlapping cell area is removed from the fluorescence image.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring the curing status of a dental resin through the inherent fluorescence of the dental resin under a curing light. The method requires no sample preparation and is fast enough for real time cure monitoring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro particle analyzing device illuminating light to fluid including micro particles, reading the lights emitted from the micro particles at a signal processing reading section and thus analyzing the micro particles. The device comprises a light source section emitting light which will be illuminated to the fluid; a lens regulating an amount and a focal distance of the light emitted from the light source; and a concave mirror condensing light emitted from the micro particle to reflect it to the reading section wherein the concave mirror is formed with a hole so that the light of the light source section having passed through the lens can pass through the concave mirror. When analyzing the micro particles using the analyzing device according to the invention, the amounts of lights emitted from the micro particles according to up-and-down positions of the micro particles are not different.

Abstract: A system (and method) for real-time measurement of trace metal concentration in a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurry, includes an electromagnetic radiation flow cell carrying a CMP slurry, a slurry pickup head coupled to the flow cell, and an analyzer for measuring properties of the slurry flowing through the flow cell.

Abstract: A time-resolved, fluorescence spectrometer makes use of a RadiaLight® optical switch and no dispersive optical elements (DOE) like gratings. The structure is unique in its compactness and simplicity of operation. In one embodiment, the spectrometer makes use of only one photo-detector and an efficient linear regression algorithm. The structure offers a time resolution, for multiple species measurements, of less than 1 s. The structure can also be used to perform fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy.

Abstract: A particle presentation apparatus for presenting particles being conducted within a gaseous stream for instream spectroscopic elemental analysis includes a particle blending section for homogenizing the distribution particles of significantly different sizes received within a gaseous stream of randomly distributed particles; and a particle sampling section including a window that is adapted for passing a particle excitation beam, such as a laser beam, and photon emissions, and a conduit for conducting the homogenized stream of particles past the window so that a particle excitation beam passing through the window can pass into the stream of homogenized particles. The apparatus may be used in combination with a drilling machine, wherein the particle blending section is coupled to an outlet pipe of the drilling machine for receiving a said gaseous stream of randomly distributed particles that are expelled from a drill hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing an assay process, featuring providing microbeads in a solution, each microbead having a particle substrate with a grating with a superposition of different predetermined regular periodic variations of the index of refraction disposed in the particle along a grating axis and indicative of a code; placing the microbeads on an alignment substrate; reading codes of the microbeads and the position thereof on the alignment substrate; reading the fluorescence on each microbead and the position order thereof on the alignment substrate; and determining an assay result based on bead position order and bead code of the earlier reading steps.

Abstract: A multi-modal data acquisition system for detecting target material on a biological reaction surface, the system comprising a radiation source for generating an incoming beam that impinges on the biological reaction surface at an oblique incidence angle and produces a reflected beam, an interferometric detector for detecting an interferometric signal from the illuminated surface, the reflected beam being directed to the interferometric detector, a fluorescence detector for detecting a fluorescence signal from the illuminated surface; the fluorescence detector being positioned to substantially minimize the incidence of the reflected beam; and a processing system for receiving the interferometric and fluorescence signals and determining the presence or absence of target material on the biological reaction surface. A reaction surface conditioned for the simultaneous collection of fluorescence, interferometric and other signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lateral flow quantitative assay method which can measure one or more analyte species at the same time, with high sensitivity. Also, the present invention relates to a strip which can measure one or more analyte species at the same time, with high sensitivity and a package in which the strip is integrated with a laser-induced surface fluorescence detector. The present invention can quantify multiple analytes with a minimum detection limit of pg/ml. Therefore, the present invention provides an advantage capable of quantifying a plurality of analytes at the same time using a simple lateral flow assay strip.

Abstract: In order to be able to take an image of a specimen emitting low light in a short exposure time by a cooled CCD at about 0° C., a low-light specimen image pickup unit has an imaging optical system forming a specimen image of a specimen having a point light source emitting a low light, and the low-light specimen image pickup unit further has an image pickup unit having a plurality of pixels receiving incident light, for taking an image corresponding to the specimen image. In the low-light specimen image pickup unit, the imaging optical system is telecentric to a side of the specimen image of the imaging optical system, and condenses the low light emitted from the point light source to form an Airy disk of a size which is substantially the same as a pixel of the pixels, or which is smaller than the pixel. Here, the pixel receives the low light emitted from the point light source.

Abstract: Methods and systems for real-time monitoring of optical signals from arrays of signal sources, and particularly optical signal sources that have spectrally different signal components. Systems include signal source arrays in optical communication with optical trains that direct excitation radiation to and emitted signals from such arrays and image the signals onto detector arrays, from which such signals may be subjected to additional processing.

Abstract: Spatially-structured activation radiation having relatively high- and low-intensity regions is provided to a sample that includes phototransformable optical labels (“PTOLs”). A subset of the PTOLs located predominately at relatively high intensity regions of the spatially-structured activation radiation is activated. Spatially-structured excitation radiation is provided to the activated PTOLs, and the excitation radiation is structured so that one or more relatively high intensity regions of the excitation radiation at least partially overlap one or more relatively high intensity regions of the activating radiation to excite PTOLs located at the relatively high intensity excitation radiation regions. Radiation emitted from the activated and excited PTOLs is detected with imaging optics.

Abstract: Multivariate optical analysis systems employ multivariate optical elements and utilize multivariate optical computing methods to determine information about a product carried by light reflected from or transmitted through the product.

Abstract: A monitoring device is described for multiple chemical reactions in multiple test containers. Each container contains chemical reagents and at least one fluorescence dye indicator capable of changing its fluorescent characteristics due to the chemical reaction. A single cylindrical ultraviolet (UV) cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL) tube is utilized. Multiple test containers (e.g., 8) are placed along the tube of the CCFL. The UV light emerging from the CCFL interacts with the dye indicator in each of the containers to yield interactive light beams that can be detected by signal photo sensors. In order to compensate for the light variations occurring along the tube, a reference photo sensor is placed for each container location along the tube to directly detect the signal from the CCFL.

Abstract: An integrated biosensing device detects emissions from a sample when illuminated. A photo detector (20) is adjacent a site for retaining the sample (40) or receiving excitation radiation for impingement on the sample (40). A reflector (10) deflects the illumination onto the sample site and substantially guides the excitation radiation away from the photo detector. By providing a reflector, a ratio of desired detection of emissions to unwanted detection of the illumination light can be improved. This can be achieved by a reduction in an amount of the illumination reaching the photo detector, and/or by an increase in the amount of illumination of the sample and thus in the amount of emissions reaching the detector. This can be achieved more cost effectively than by using a filter. The illumination can be from above or below if the substrate is transparent.

Abstract: In a process for the quantitative optical analysis of fluorescently labelled biological cells 5, a cell layer on a transparent support at the bottom 2 of a reaction vessel 1 is in contact with a solution 3 containing the fluorescent dye 4. The sensitivity of analytical detection can be considerably improved if to the fluorescent dye 4 already present in addition a masking dye 9, which absorbs the excitation light 6 for the fluorescent dye 4 and/or its emission light 7, is added to the solution 3 and/or if a separating layer 10 permeable to the solution and absorbing and/or reflecting the excitation light 6 or the emission light 7 is applied to the cell layer at the bottom 2. This process can also be used for improving the sensitivity in the quantitative optical analysis of a luminescent biological cell layer. The separating layer 10 must in this case be composed such that it has a high power of reflection for the luminescent light 11.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasmonics platform comprising a substrate; a plurality of periodically spaced nanoholes and/or nanoparticles disposed upon the substrate; wherein the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles is about 5 to about 1,000 nm; and a microelectromechanical and/or a nanoelectromechanical system in operative communication with the substrate so as to vary the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of identifying a unidentified substance, comprising directing light from a light emitting source directly upon a stationary unidentified substance; collecting fluorescence from the unidentified substance in a detector; wherein the detector comprises a lock-in detection system; analyzing the fluorescence; and identifying the unidentified substance. Disclosed herein is a detection system comprising a light emitting source; a circuit board; wherein the trigger is operative to trigger a pulse of electrons from the circuit board to the light emitting source; a detector; and a central processing unit, wherein fluorescence generated from an unknown unidentified substance that is illuminated by light from the light emitting source is collected in the detector and analyzed in the central processing unit.

Abstract: A light fluctuation measuring apparatus, comprising a parameter setting unit 2 which sets parameters of a microscopic image obtaining unit and/or parameters of a light emission measuring unit used for observing light emission in a desired area of a sample in time series, a parameter storage 4 which stores parameters, a mode selector 3 which selects one of a microscopic image obtaining mode for obtaining a microscopic image by a microscopic image obtaining unit, and a light emission measuring mode for observing light emission in a desired area by a light emission measuring unit, and a control unit 1 which reads parameters stored in the storage 4 based on a selected mode, inputs the parameter to a microscopic image obtaining unit or a light emission measuring unit, and controls these units.

Abstract: A method of imaging fluorescence, in which an inverted fluorescence imaging apparatus provided with an immersion objective is used to image an observation phosphor for a constant term, includes an imaging position locating step of locating a vessel incorporating the observation phosphor at an imaging position of the fluorescence imaging apparatus; a liquid pouring step of pouring a preset amount of liquid between a top portion of the immersion objective in the fluorescence imaging apparatus and the vessel to bring about a charged state; an imaging step of imaging the observation phosphor in the vessel in a state where a space between the top portion of the immersion objective and the vessel is charged with the liquid; and a repeated control step of repeating a series of operations including the liquid pouring step of a single operation and the imaging step of a preset number of times of operations performed after the liquid pouring step of the single operation, at preset time intervals.

Abstract: Provided is a calibration source IR assembly for an IR detector including an IR focal plane. The calibration assembly includes a rotatable spectral filter wheel optically coupled to an IR focal plane of the detector, the filter wheel having a plurality of areas each of at least a minimum size. At least one area being a calibration area, the calibration area including: a substrate having a first side facing the IR focal plane and a second side opposite from the first side; a light transmitting edge section disposed between the first side and the second side; and at least one light redirector disposed at least partially within the substrate, the light redirector structured and arranged to receive light from the edge and to redirect the light out the first side. A light source optically coupled to the edge section. An IR detector including the improvement of such a calibration source IR assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A microscope examination apparatus is provided that includes a light source for emitting excitation light or illumination light to a specimen placed on a stage; an objective lens opposing the stage and capable of focusing fluorescence or reflected light from the specimen; an image-forming lens for forming an image of the specimen obtained by the objective lens; and an image-capturing unit for capturing the image of the specimen forming by the image-forming lens, wherein a plurality of the objective lenses having different magnifying powers is provided, and an objective-lens switching mechanism for switching among the objective lenses is provided, and wherein a plurality of the image-forming lenses having different magnifying powers is provided, and an image-forming-lens switching mechanism for switching among the image-forming lenses is provided.

Abstract: Methods for normalizing output from an instrument employing a reference standard or non-fluorescing substance disposed within at least one of a plurality of reaction chambers. The method comprises collecting and analyzing a signal associated with the reference standard or non-fluorescing substance to determine a normalizing bias. The normalizing bias is then applied to the data signal collected from a remainder of the plurality of reaction chambers.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a fluorescence analysis system includes a light emitting diode to excite a fluorophor sample for analysis. The system includes an LED driver that pulses the LEDs in the array with currents in excess of maximum rated current at low duty cycles. One embodiment receives a first drive current at a light emitting diode (LED), emits excitation light having a first color and/or first wavelength band in response to the first drive current, receives a second drive current at the LED, and emits excitation light having a second color and/or second wavelength band in response to the second drive current, wherein at least one of the drive currents is greater than a nominal drive current for the LED.

Abstract: Microplate reader (21) with a computer for controlling the components of said microplate reader (21), comprising a light source (15) for emitting light for irradiating samples (22) or transmitting light through samples (22), and a filter slide (1) situated in the excitation or detection beam path. The microplate reader (21) in accordance with the invention is characterized in that said filter slide (1) comprises an electronic memory (4) for recording and/or retrieving filter-specific data, with said filter-specific data comprising the number and intensity of the light flashes impinging upon a certain filter (2) of said filter slide (1) and/or the intensity and duration of all exposures performed, and that said filter slide (1) comprises a contact point (5,7) jointly with the microplate reader (21) for transmitting such filter-specific data from the computer to the electronic memory (4) of the filter slide (1) and for retrieving such filter-specific data with the computer.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for collecting optical data pertaining to one or more characteristics of a sample. A light beam of a first frequency is scanned onto a sample surface using one or more illumination optical elements. Light of a second frequency is collected from a scan line on the sample surface using one or more collection optical elements. None of the one or more collection optical elements are included among the one or more illumination optical elements. The collected light is transmitted to a detector.

Abstract: Simultaneous illumination along each of multiple axis for panoramic viewing of a macroscopically-sized specimen along a single viewing axis is realized by dichroic mirrors. Selective control of illumination intensity and/or color(s) of, permissively, each of multiple illuminating lights along multiple illumination axis of the specimen as are induced to fluoresce at corresponding different colors and intensities will all appear clearly visible, and well balanced, in a composite image nonetheless to intrinsically being of greatly differing brightness. Color and intensity calibration of the well-balanced composite image in all its colors and regions may optionally be realized by one or more fluorescent image calibration step wedges. A rule, or grid, scale may be imposed upon the image.

Abstract: In apparatus for the production and detection of fluorescence at a sample surface, the height of the apparatus above the sample surface is reduced, and loss of the emitted fluorescence due to reflection loss and light scattering is minimized. The apparatus comprises a three-dimensionally curved light reflecting surface (40) that directs light from a light source (32) transversely to its original path and focuses the light on to an illumination zone (30) at or below the sample surface. The reflecting surface (40) also collects, directs and at least partially collimates emitted fluorescence transversely to its original path and towards a detector (46).

Abstract: An integrated system including one or more light sources, at least one processor, an optical lens, a two-dimensional tunable filter, one or more two-dimensional array of detection elements and instructions and a method using the integrated system. The system includes a plurality of modes: a Raman mode, an absorption mode, a luminescence mode, a crossed polarization mode, a crossed polarization absorption mode, bright field transmission or reflectance modes and a birefringence mode. The system includes instructions, executable by Sequential outputs from the two-dimensional array of detection elements is combined to generate a chemical image of the sample, wherein each of the sequential outputs from the first two-dimensional array of detection elements corresponds to spatially accurate wavelength-resolved images. The system is also used to detect dynamic changes in a sample over time by monitoring the sample using one or more of the modes.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.

Abstract: Laser Scanning Microscope with an illumination beam path for illumination of a sample and a detection beam path for wavelength-dependent recording of the light from the sample, whereby filters for selection of the detection wavelengths are provided, characterized in that at least one graduated filter spatially variable in regard to the threshold wavelength between the transmission and reflection is provided in several partial beam paths for the selection of the wavelengths.

Abstract: A system and method permits for the separation of auto-fluorescence from a signal by applying a single probe to a sample, exciting the sample with a single wavelength light source, thereby emitting a light a distance from the light source. The emitted light is split, and the split light is collected into two or more distinct channels. A first channel of the distinct channels is positioned closer to the light source than a second distinct channel of the distinct channels, and the second channel is closer to the emission frequency of the single probe than is the first channel. The light collected in the first channel and the light collected in the second channel are investigated, and an output signal is generated based upon the investigation.

Abstract: A biochip for implementing analysis on the basis of the distribution of a quantity of light of fluorescent light generated at sites disposed thereon, the biochip having, markers formed thereon and defined previously in a positional relationship relative to the sites; and a processor for recognizing positions of the sites on the biochip on the basis of the positions of the markers, wherein the markers are formed of at least one of dyes, pigment, metal colloid bonded to biopolymer, dyes bonded to biopolymer, and pigment bonded to biopolymer.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols.

Abstract: Screen plate (10) of an imaging measuring instrument, intended for use in absorption measurement of samples relating to the fields of biochemistry and medicine. The screen plate comprises a plate (11) made of light-absorbing material, such as darkened or colored glass, preferably gray glass. One surface of the screen plate is provided with a scattering and/or fluorescent surface layer (12) and the opposite side is provided with an anti-reflection film (13). Instead of a scattering and/or fluorescent surface layer, the absorbing plate may also have both scattering and/or fluorescent properties.