Abstract:
There are provided methods and apparatuses for evaluating water pollution. The apparatus comprises at least one light source for exciting or causing activity of at least one type of microorganism or biological material; at least one photodetector for detecting a level of fluorescent light; and a chip disposed between the at least one light source and the detector, the chip comprising at least one microfluidic channel disposed for being exposed to light from the at least one light source and dimensioned for receiving a composition comprising the at least one type of microorganism or biological material and a water sample to be evaluated.
Abstract:
An optical assembly 140 for a portable device for detecting molecule(s) within reaction vessels 110 comprises a collimator 403, a beam splitter arrangement and a plurality of guide arrangements 143. The collimator 403 collimates an excitation beam from an excitation source 400. The beam splitter arrangement splits the excitation beam from the collimator into a plurality of split excitation beams. Each beam splitter splits an incoming beam into two beams. In the case where the beam splitter arrangement comprises more than one beam splitter, the beam splitters are arranged in tiers such that a first tier comprises one beam splitter for receiving the excitation beam from the collimator, and each of the other tiers comprises one or more beam splitters. Each beam splitter in at least one of the other tiers receives a split excitation beam from a previous tier. Each guide arrangement 140 guides a respective one of the plurality of split excitation beams along an excitation path A from the beam splitter arrangement into a reaction vessel 110 containing a sample to stimulate an emission of a reaction light from the sample. Each guide arrangement 140 further guides reaction light from the sample along a detection path B towards a detector arrangement 142.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting properties of suspended particles. Embodiments disclosed include an optical instrument (200) for detecting properties of a sample, comprising: a sample cell (103) for holding a sample of a particulate dispersion; a coherent light source (101) configured to illuminate the sample in the sample cell (103); a light intensity detector (104, 106) positioned to receive and measure an intensity of light from the coherent light source (101) elastically scattered by the sample in the sample cell (103); and a spectral light detector (212) positioned and configured to receive and measure a range of wavelengths of light from the coherent radiation source (101) inelastically scattered by the sample in the sample cell (103).
Abstract:
The present invention provides systems and methods for analyzing the excitation spectra of fluorescent particles in a flowing stream. The system uses a white light laser and color separation optics to provide a spatially-distributed, continuous color-spectrum excitation light system that is used to illuminate a region of a flowing stream. A particle that passes through the detection region traverses the full dispersed spectrum of excitation light, and the fluorescence emissions from the particle are continuously measured as it passes through the detection region. The measured fluorescence emissions at each wavelength of excitation light, which changes through full spectrum of the excitation light as the particle passes through the detection region, provides the excitation spectrum of the particle.
Abstract:
A spectroscopy system comprising at least two laser modules, each of the laser modules including a laser cavity, a quantum cascade gain chip for amplifying light within the laser cavity, and a tuning element for controlling a wavelength of light generated by the modules. Combining optics are used to combine the light generated by the at least two laser modules into a single beam and a sample detector detects the single beam returning from a sample.
Abstract:
A filter module (30) suitable for an optical instrument (A) for monitoring polymerase chain reaction replication of DNA in a reaction apparatus (B) that includes a thermal cycler block for holding a plurality of vials containing a suspension of ingredients for the reaction, the optical instrument including a housing suitable for receiving the filter module, the filter module comprising: a beam splitter (6) an excitation filter (7); an emission filter (8); and a support frame (34, 36, 40, 44); wherein: the beam splitter (6), the excitation filter (7) and the emission filter (8) are affixed to the support frame; the filter module (30) is suitable for being received in the housing of the optical instrument; the beam splitter (6), the excitation filter (7) and the emission filter (8), and thereby the filter module (30), are associated with a selected dye for the suspension; and the filter module (3) is removable from the housing of the optical instrument for replacement with another filter module associated with another selected dye.
Abstract:
A can body inspection apparatus which prevents a drop in resistance to noise while enabling high speed inspection is provided. It is comprised of a light source control means (21, 22) for turning on the light source unit a predetermined number of times of two times or more at predetermined timings at which light can be taken in by the light-detection unit through the open end face of the can body W which is moving along the path of conveyance W, a detection signal integrating means 23 for integrating signal values based on the detection signal which is output from the light-detection unit 15 due to on operations of the light source unit 10, and a condition judging means 24 for using an integrated value which is obtained by the detection signal integrating means 23 as the basis to judge the condition of the can body.
Abstract:
A method of illuminating an item is disclosed. The method includes applying adhesive to the item, interspersing a taggant in the adhesive, illuminating the item with an excitation signal, sensing luminescence emitted by the taggant in response to illumination by the excitation signal, and determining the authenticity of the item based on the sensed emitted luminescence. The item can include any item benefited by authentication, and can include a postage stamp. A method of customizing an item is disclosed. This can include the steps of preparing a substrate, applying a security feature to the substrate, printing non-customized information on the substrate, receiving image information, and printing the image information on the substrate.
Abstract:
An SERS unit includes a support 10 that includes a cavity 11 provided with an opening 12, an optical functional portion 20 that is disposed in the cavity 11 to face the opening 12 and causes surface enhanced Raman scattering, and a package 5 that accommodates the support 10 and is evacuated. The package 5 is in contact with at least an edge 12a of the opening 12, and is bent toward the optical functional portion 20 in a state in which the package 5 is spaced apart from the optical functional portion 20 in the opening 12.
Abstract:
Devices and methods are disclosed for characterizing point flaws (including pinholes and point defects) of an optical filter. A passband test is performed, including: illuminating the optical filter with passband illumination whose spectral range at least overlaps a passband of the optical filter; acquiring a passband map of the optical filter using a two-dimensional array of photodetectors while illuminating the optical filter with the passband illumination; and identifying point defects of the optical filter as low intensity locations of the passband map. A stopband test is performed, including: illuminating the optical filter with stopband illumination whose spectral range lies entirely outside of the passband of the optical filter; acquiring a stopband map of the optical filter using the two-dimensional array of photodetectors while illuminating the optical filter with the stopband illumination; and identifying pinholes of the optical filter as high intensity locations of the stopband map.