An illumination module (101) for an optical apparatus comprises a light source unit (102), which is configured to selectively emit light along a multiplicity of beam paths (112) in each case. The illumination module (101) also comprises a multiplicity of optical elements (201-203) arranged with lateral offset from one another, wherein each optical element (201-203) of the multiplicity of optical elements (201-203) is configured to transform at least one corresponding beam path (112) of the multiplicity of beam paths.

Disclosed herein are systems for imaging of samples using an array of micro optical elements and methods of their use. In some embodiments, an optical chip comprising an array of micro optical elements moves relative to an imaging window and a detector in order to scan over a sample to produce an image. A focal plane can reside within a sample or on its surface during imaging. Detecting optics are used to detect back-emitted light collected by an array of micro optical elements that is generated by an illumination beam impinging on a sample. In some embodiments, an imaging system has a large field of view and a large optical chip such that an entire surface of a sample can be imaged quickly. In some embodiments, a sample is accessible by a user during imaging due to the sample being exposed while disposed on or over an imaging window.

Disclosed herein are methods of tomographic imaging, the methods comprising emitting a beam of light from a light source to a sample and modulating the beam of light through a spatial light modulator configured to convert the beam of light to an Airy beam. The spatial light modulator can be rotatable and positioned at a first angle relative to the sample. The method can further obtain a first perspective view of the sample, rotate the spatial light modulator to a second angle relative to the sample, and obtain a second perspective view of the sample. Each of the perspective views can be generated by the Airy beam interacting with the sample on a focal plane. The method can then reconstruct a volumetric three-dimensional view of the sample using the first perspective view and the second perspective view.

Control processes for a slide-scanning system comprising a carousel with a plurality of rack slots configured to receive slide racks via an exposed portion of the scanning system. In an embodiment, initializing the scanning system comprises automatically homing back-end and front-end components, wherein the front-end components comprise the carousel. An inventory of all slide racks in the carousel is automatically generated. If any slide rack was being processed by any back-end components, the slide rack is automatically unloaded into a corresponding rack slot. In addition, the carousel is automatically positioned to expose a starting subset of the rack slots within the exposed portion. This starting subset may comprise a maximum segment of adjacent empty rack slots.

A microscope system has an illumination optical system comprising a multi-mode optical fibre having an egress for emitting a laser beam. The egress is located in a plane that is conjugate to the microscope sample plane. The illumination optical system is configured such that the laser beam is incident at the objective lens laterally displaced from the principal optical axis of the objective lens in order that the objective lens delivers the laser beam to the sample plane at an angle that is oblique to the principal optical axis. Utilization of a multi-mode optical fibre for laser delivery in oblique illumination microscopy, such as TIRF microscopy, solves problems associated with using single-mode optical fibres such as alignment and uniformity of illumination.

A process is provided for imaging a surface of a specimen with an imaging system that employs a BD objective having a darkfield channel and a bright field channel, the BD objective having a circumference. The specimen is obliquely illuminated through the darkfield channel with a first arced illuminating light that obliquely illuminates the specimen through a first arc of the circumference. The first arced illuminating light reflecting off of the surface of the specimen is recorded as a first image of the specimen from the first arced illuminating light reflecting off the surface of the specimen, and a processor generates a 3D topography of the specimen by processing the first image through a topographical imaging technique. Imaging apparatus is also provided as are further process steps for other embodiments.

Provided are processes, methods, kits, devices and software for testing and detecting proteins such as antigens, cytokines or antibodies, particles or cells in specimens of or samples from human or animals; and in alternative embodiments the protein are induced by or derived from viruses, bacteria, an immune system, a cancer cell or any cell which can cause a disease, infection or condition such as a COVID-19 infection. Provided are portable imaging systems comprising flat static surfaces or slides, wherein the flat static surfaces or slides can be fabricated as printed microarrays, or biochips that can support protein or bioparticle precipitates. Provided are portable imaging systems comprising imaging systems with light sheet illumination to image two dimensional (2D) planes in liquids to detect proteins, bioparticles, cells, and organisms. Portable imaging systems provided herein can be used for point-of-care diagnosis, immunity analysis, epidemiological surveillance, and therapeutics and vaccine development.

A microscope system includes: a light source unit that emits linear illumination parallel to a first direction; an objective lens that condenses the linear illumination onto a measurement target region; an acquisition unit that acquires a first optical signal indicating a light intensity value of light emitted from the measurement target region by the linear illumination; and a focus control unit that controls at least one of a relative position or a relative posture of the light source unit and an imaging unit that generates the first optical signal on a basis of a light intensity distribution of the first optical signal.

A microscope system includes: a light source unit that emits linear illumination parallel to a first direction; an objective lens that condenses the linear illumination onto a measurement target region; an acquisition unit that acquires a first optical signal indicating a light intensity value of light emitted from the measurement target region by the linear illumination; and a focus control unit that controls at least one of a relative position or a relative posture of the light source unit and an imaging unit that generates the first optical signal on a basis of a light intensity distribution of the first optical signal.

A microscopic optical imaging system for a living cell, relating to the technical field of living cell culture, observation and detection equipment. The microscopic optical imaging system for a living cell includes a sample stage device, a microscopic optical imaging device, a first linear motion device, a second linear motion device, a third linear motion device, and a worktable device. The microscopic optical imaging device is driven by the first linear motion device to move, the sample stage device is driven by the third linear motion device to move, and the microscopic optical imaging device is driven by the second linear motion device to adjust the resolution for imaging, so that the imaging of living cell samples in regions is realized in a non-contact manner and the resolution for imaging is adjusted; meanwhile, the volume of the microscopic optical imaging system for a living cell is reduced.