Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating a first light wave by an emitter of the sensor system and detecting a second light wave by a detector of the sensor system. The second light wave is detected in response to the first light wave being reflected from a target object. The sensor system includes a first converter that obtains a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor of the sensor system at least when the first light wave is generated or when the second light wave is detected. A temperature controller computes temperature coefficients to regulate a temperature of the sensor system. Each of the temperature coefficients are computed based on a difference between the first temperature and a reference temperature. The temperature controller generates a control signal to regulate the temperature of the sensor system based on the computed temperature coefficients.

There is disclosed an apparatus for visually inspecting gemstones. The apparatus contains a first light source, a sample stage adapted to receive a gemstone thereon, and a rotating stage located below the sample stage. The rotating stage is adapted to rotate relative to the sample stage. Embodiments of the invention therefore provide a portable and automatic gemstone inspecting apparatus that provides multiple inspection methods centrally without the need to use other external devices.

An object carrier, a system and a method is disclosed for the back light inspection of transparent or semitransparent objects. The carrier has a carrier base layer with photo luminescent properties which carries the transparent or semitransparent object on top of the layer. The transparent or semitransparent object could be a wafer and the object carrier could be a wafer chuck. At least one light source being arranged above the object carrier such that excitation light emitted from the at least one light source is directed through the transparent or semitransparent object to the layer with photo luminescent properties. The light returned from the layer with photo luminescent properties is collected by an objective and registered by a sensor.

A microstructured chip (3; 33; 43; 53; 63) for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis, taking the form of a solid formed by: a base (5; 77); an upper surface (4; 44), at least part of which is covered with a metal layer (2; 22; 42; 52; 62); and at least one side surface (55; 66). The chip is characterized in that the aforementioned upper surface is provided with micrometric zones intended to receive species to be analyzed and selected from among n protrusions and m cavities, and in that when n+m≧2 the zones are separated from one another by planar surfaces, with n varying between 1 and j, m varying between 0 and i, and j and i being integers.

Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.

An inspection system includes a base, an array of fixtures, and a plurality of sensors or light sources. Each fixture has a first portion rotatably secured to the base and configured to rotate about a yaw axis and a second portion rotatably secured to the first portion and configured to rotate about a pitch axis. Each sensor or light source is secured to one of the fixtures and is configured to direct light at yaw and pitch angles relative to the base.

An improved optical flow cell adapted for use in a flow cytometer for differentiating formed bodies (e.g., blood cells) in liquid suspensions. Preferably manufactured by assembling, aligning, and optically joining at least two elements made from transparent material, the improved flow cell has a seamless internal flow channel of preferably non-circular cross-section in a cylindrical first element through which prepared samples can be metered and an independent second element having an external envelope suited to acquisition of optical parameters from formed bodies in such suspensions, the second element being conforming and alignable to the first element so that non-axisymmetric refractive effects on optical characterizing parameters of formed bodies passing through the flow channel in the first element may be minimized before the two elements are optically joined and fixed in working spatial relationship.

A second stage is disposed on the first stage. The second stage provides six degrees of freedom. A chuck that holds a workpiece is disposed on the second stage. Actuators that enable movement in three directions are disposed on the second stage. The first stage and the second stage move independent of each other during inspection of the workpiece on the chuck.

To provide a means that is less likely to misidentify a crack as a foreign matter during an image inspection in which a vibration is applied to a powder contained in a bag-like container. A foreign matter inspection system includes a vibration device configured to apply a vibration to a container, a photography device configured to optically photograph the inside of the container through a transparent area, and a determination device configured to determine whether a foreign matter is present inside the container based on an image of the container photographed by the photography device. The vibration device alternately applies weak vibrations W and strong vibrations S to the container, and the determination device determines whether the foreign matter is present inside the container based on the image of the container photographed by the photography device when the vibration device applies the weak vibrations W.

A device for performing biological sample reactions may include a plurality of flow cells configured to be mounted to a common microscope translation stage, wherein each flow cell is configured to receive at least one sample holder containing biological sample. Each flow cell also may be configured to be selectively placed in an open position for positioning the at least one sample holder into the flow cell and a closed position for reacting biological sample contained in the at least one sample holder. The plurality of flow cells may be configured to be selectively placed in the open position and the closed position independently of each other.