Systems and methods for hyperspectral imaging are described. In one implementation, a hyperspectral imaging system includes a sample holder configured to hold a sample, an illumination system, and a detection system. The illumination system includes a light source configured to emit excitation light having one or more wavelengths, and a first set of optical elements that include a first spatial light modulator (SLM), at least one lens, and at least one dispersive element. The illumination system is configured to structure the excitation light into a predetermined two-dimensional pattern at a conjugate plane of a focal plane in the sample, spectrally disperse the structured excitation light in a first lateral direction, and illuminate the sample in an excitation pattern with the one or more wavelengths dispersed in the first lateral direction.

Systems and methods for confocal imaging are described. In one implementation, a confocal imaging system may include a light source configured to emit excitation light having one or more wavelengths, a sample holder configured to hold a sample, a two-dimensional (2-D) imaging device, a first set of optical elements, and a second set of optical elements. The first set of optical elements may include a first spatial light modulator (SLM) and at least one lens. The first set of optical elements may together be configured to collimate the excitation light, apply a predetermined phase modulation pattern to the collimated excitation light, and illuminate the sample in an excitation pattern.

A system for processing Raman scattering light from a sample is provided. The system includes a source, a digital mirror device (DMD), a detector, and an analyzer. The DMD is configured to reflect Raman scattering light and includes micromirrors selectively controllable between ON and OFF states. The detector is configured to detect Raman scattering light and to produce signals representative of the Raman scattering light. The analyzer is in communication with the light source, the DMD, the detector, and a memory storing instructions, which instructions when executed cause the processor to: a) control the light source to produce a beam of light for interrogating the sample; b) control the DMD to place in an ON or OFF state based on one or more known spectral shapes stored in the memory; and c) process the Raman scattering light reflected by the micromirrors in the ON state.

Method for determining the characteristics of a system for generating at least one pattern of light, the method comprising: a) providing a desired pattern of light, b) expressing the amplitude and the phase of the output pulse of the system as a function of the input laser pulse and in function of the characteristics of the system to obtain a calculated output pulse, the input laser pulse having a duration below or equal to 1 nanosecond, c) determining at least one characteristic of the system by minimizing a distance between the calculated output pulse and the desired output laser pulse.

An optical detector comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a photodiode operable to detect light incident on that pixel and to generate a signal indicative of an intensity of that light. The plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of pixel pairs, and for each pixel pair, in a configuration mode, the detector is arranged to compare the signal generated by a first pixel of the pair with the signal generated by a second pixel of the pair. A method of optical detection is also described, as is a system incorporating the described optical detector.

To avoid unstable light radiation during switching of a phase modulation amount and stimulate desired stimulation points simultaneously, provided is a photo-stimulator which includes an AOM switching on/off of radiation of stimulation light to a specimen S; an LCOS-SLM being capable of modulating a phase of stimulation light once radiation to the specimen S has been turned on by the AOM; and a controller controlling the LCOS-SLM to switch a phase modulation amount of stimulation light and controlling the AOM to switch on/off of radiation of stimulation light, wherein the controller causes the AOM to turn off radiation of stimulation light before the LCOS-SLM starts switching a phase modulation amount, and causes the AOM to turn on radiation of stimulation light after the LCOS-SLM completes switching a phase modulation amount.

The present disclosure relates to spatially modulating the light source used in microscopy. In some cases, a light source projects a sequence of two-dimensional spatial patterns onto a sample using a spatial light modulator. In some cases, the spatial patterns are based on Hadamard matrices. In some cases, an imaging device captures frames of image data in response to light emitted by the sample and orthogonal components of the image data are analyzed by cross-correlating the image data with the spatial pattern associated with each frame. A microscope may be calibrated by illuminating a sample with the sequence of spatial patterns, capturing image data, and storing calibration that maps each pixel of the spatial light modulator to at least one pixel of the imaging device.

Some embodiments are directed to a range of method for investigating a sample such as obtaining images and/or spectral information are described. The method includes a method for deriving structural information about a sample as a continuous function of the depth below the surface of the sample, a method for evaluating a part of the structure of a sample located between two interfaces within the sample, and a contrast enhancing method and apparatus which has a quick image acquisition time.

Methods, systems and kits are described herein for detecting the results of an assay. In particular, the methods, systems and devices of the present disclosure rely on a difference between the diffusion rates of a reporter molecule and an analyte of interest in order to quantify an amount of analyte in a microfluidic device. The analyte may be a secreted product of a biological micro-object.

A pulsed beam of NIR excitation light is projected into a sample at an oblique angle and scanned by a scanning element through a volume in the sample. 2-photon excitation excites fluorescence within the sample. The fluorescence is imaged onto an intermediate image plane that remains stationary regardless of the orientation of the scanning element. The image is captured by a linear array of light detecting elements or a linear portion of a rectangular array. At any given position of the scanning element, the linear array (or portion) images all depths simultaneously. A plurality of images are captured for each of a plurality of different orientations of the scanning element. The orientation of the scanning element is controlled to move in a two dimensional pattern, which causes the beam of excitation light to sweep out a three dimensional volume within the sample.