Described herein are methods and apparatus for spectroscopic analysis of samples. In many embodiments, an apparatus for providing spectroscopic analysis of a sample comprises a sample holder. For example, the sample holder may comprise a consumable single use sample holder that can be readily coupled to and removed from a measurement apparatus such as a spectrometer. The sample holder may comprise a measurement surface configured to receive the sample during measurement, wherein the measurement surface may comprise a porous mesh. The porous mesh can receive the sample to optimally configure the sample for spectroscopic measurement, as described in further detail herein.

An apparatus for analyzing optical properties of a sample includes a housing to receive a light source and a detector; a sample locus defined relative to the housing and positioned such that when a light source and a detector are in predetermined positions, the sample locus is subject to illumination by the light source and the detector is positioned to receive and detect light from the sample; a cover on the housing, the cover being movable in a hinged manner between an open position and a closed position; and a sample-receiving surface for receiving a free-standing sample in liquid or semi-solid form. When the cover is moved to the closed position it encloses the sample locus, with the sample-receiving surface being tilted away from the horizontal during the closing movement and the sample being retained thereon by surface tension or adhesion and brought to the sample locus in an enclosed environment.

An image analysis system includes a video camera that collects YUV color images of a liquid sample disposed between a capital and a pedestal, the color images being collected while a light source shines light through an optical beam path between the capital and the pedestal, and a processor adapted to i) obtain from the YUV color images a grayscale component image and a light scatter component image, and ii) obtain at least one binary image of the grayscale component image and at least one binary image of the light scatter component image.

Cell counters and methods of their use are disclosed herein. The cell counters include a sample mounting system that includes a base, which includes a mounted lower sample surface and a cover having a mounted upper sample surface; a bright-field light source incorporated in the cover; an objective lens mounted below the sample mounting system; optionally, a fluorescence excitation source in optical communication with the sample mounting system; and an imaging system in optical communication with the bright-field light source and the objective lens. The mounted sample surfaces are configured for repeated use, such that disposable sample cartridges are not needed.

A spectrometer and a fabrication method thereof. The spectrometer includes: a first base substrate; a second base substrate opposite to the first base substrate; a detection channel between the first base substrate and the second base substrate; a quantum dot light emitting layer on a side of the first base substrate that is close to the second base substrate, and including a plurality of quantum dot light emitting units; a black matrix on the side of the first base substrate that is close to the second base substrate, and configured to separate the plurality of quantum dot light emitting units; and a sensor layer, including a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors being in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of quantum dot light emitting units.

A detector (100) for surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy comprises resonators which are distributed over a surface (S) of a support (1), said surface being intended to receive a sample (101) to be tested. The resonators are able to provoke a spectral reflectance of at least 40% for electromagnetic radiation that is incident on the surface of the support, in the absence of a sample, and when the radiation is at the resonance wavelength value of the resonators. The detector has high sensitivity to small amounts of a target molecule.

The present invention relates to a device for a light-spectroscopic analysis of a sample, wherein said sample is, for example, a liquid sample. Said sample can be detected and/or analyzed photometrically, spectrophotometrically, fluorometrically, spectrofluorometrically and/or with the aid of phosphorescence or luminescence by means of such a device.

The present invention relates to a method for analyzing and selecting a specific droplet among a plurality of droplets (4), comprising the following steps: providing a plurality of droplets (4), for a droplet (4) among the plurality of droplets, measuring at least two optical signals, each optical signal being representative of a light intensity spatial distribution in the droplet for an associated wavelength channel, calculating a plurality of parameters from the optical signals, determining a sorting class for a droplet according to calculated parameters, sorting said droplet according to its sorting class, wherein the plurality of parameters comprises the coordinates of a maximum for each optical signal and a co-localization parameter and the at least two calculated parameters used for the determining step comprises the co-localization parameter.

The invention relates to a guide system (1) for a detection device (3) for monitoring a substance (23) coming out of a nozzle orifice (5) of a metering device (2), wherein a nozzle orifice region (6) for arrangement at the nozzle orifice (5) is associated with the guide system (1), and the guide system (1) comprises at least one material body (15, 16) in which at least two guide ducts (7) are formed, which are designed to guide signal conductors (8) to the nozzle orifice region (6), wherein the end regions (14) of two guide ducts (7) facing the nozzle orifice region (6) are arranged, with regard to their central axes (9), substantially on a common straight line (G) relative to one another and are arranged, with regard to the nozzle orifice region (6), opposite one another. The invention further relates to a detection device (3) and to a metering device (2) having such a guide system (1) and to a method for configuring a detection device (3) having such a guide system (1).

An embodiment of a path length calibration system is described that comprises a swing arm coupled to a first surface; a base coupled to a second surface configured to receive the sample; a position sensor system comprising a first component coupled to the swing arm and a second component coupled to the base, wherein the position sensor system is configured to provide an output voltage when the swing arm is in a down position; and a processor configured to calibrate a zero path length using the output voltage.