Apparatus include divergence optics removably coupled to receive a probe beam in a first imaging mode to cause the probe beam to diverge before impinging on a first area of a target surface, and to not receive the probe beam in a second imaging mode to cause the probe beam to impinge on a second area of the target surface smaller than the first area, collection optics configured to receive, in response to the probe beam, luminescence light emitted from the first area and spectral light emitted from the second area, and an optical detector coupled to the collection optics, wherein the optical detector includes a luminescence imaging detector portion and a spectral imaging detector portion adjacent to the luminescence imaging detector portion, wherein the luminescence imaging detector portion is configured to receive the luminescence light emitted from the first area and the spectral imaging detector portion is configured to receive the spectral light from the second area.

An intracavity laser absorption infrared spectroscopy system for detecting trace analytes in vapor samples. The system uses a spectrometer in communications with control electronics, wherein the control electronics contain an analyte database that contains absorption profiles for each analyte the system is used to detect. The system can not only detect the presence of specific analytes, but identify them as well. The spectrometer uses a hollow cavity waveguide that creates a continuous loop inside of the device, thus creating a large path length and eliminating the need to mechanically adjust the path length to achieve a high Q-factor. In a preferred embodiment, the laser source may serve as the detector, thus eliminating the need for a separate detector.

A device for multi-photon fluorescence microscopy for obtaining information from biological tissue has a laser unit for generating an excitation radiation, an optical unit implemented for focusing the excitation radiation for generating an optical signal at various locations in or on an object to be investigated, and a detector module for capturing the optical signal from the region of the object. The optical unit is thereby displaceable at least in one direction relative to the object for generating the optical signal at various locations in or on the object. The invention further relates to a method for multi-photon fluorescence microscopy. In said manner, a device and a method for multi-photon fluorescence microscopy are provided for obtaining information from biological tissue, allowing recording of section images in an object with a large field of view, and thereby are simply constructed and reliable in operation.

A defect detection apparatus is provided that can inspect a measurement region of a target object at one time and without inconsistencies arising within the measurement region. A defect detection apparatus 10 includes: a generation unit (signal generator 11 and vibrator 12) for generating an elastic wave in a target object S; an illumination unit (pulsed laser light source 13 and illumination light lens 14) for performing stroboscopic illumination onto a measurement region of a surface of the target object S; and a displacement measurement unit (speckle shearing interferometer 15) for collectively measuring displacements in a normal direction at each point of the measurement region with respect to at least three mutually-different phases of the elastic wave by controlling a phase of the elastic wave and a timing of the stroboscopic illumination. Defects in the measurement region are detected based on the displacements in the normal direction at each point of the measurement region with respect to at least three phases that are obtained by the displacement measurement unit.

Provided herein, in some embodiments, are methods of loading an integrated device and/or chip for detection (e.g., sequencing) and methods of sequencing a target molecule.

Systems and methods for sensing vibrational absorption induced photothermal effect via a visible light source. A Mid-infrared photothermal probe (MI-PTP, or MIP) approach achieves 10 mM detection sensitivity and sub-micron lateral spatial resolution. Such performance exceeds the diffraction limit of infrared microscopy and allows label-free three-dimensional chemical imaging of live cells and organisms. Distributions of endogenous lipid and exogenous drug inside single cells can be visualized. MIP imaging technology may enable applications from monitoring metabolic activities to high-resolution mapping of drug molecules in living systems, which are beyond the reach of current infrared microscopy.

A spheroidal mirror reflectivity measuring apparatus for extreme ultraviolet light may include an extreme ultraviolet light source, an optical system, and a first photosensor. The extreme ultraviolet light source may be configured to output extreme ultraviolet light to a spheroidal mirror that includes a spheroidal reflection surface. The optical system may be configured to allow the extreme ultraviolet light to travel to the spheroidal reflection surface via a first focal position of the spheroidal mirror. The first photosensor may be provided at a second focal position of the spheroidal mirror, and may be configured to detect the extreme ultraviolet light that has passed through the first focal position and then has been reflected by the spheroidal reflection surface.

A photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC) device for the in vivo detection of cells circulating in blood or lymphatic vessels is described. Ultrasound transducers attached to the skin of an organism detect the photoacoustic ultrasound waves emitted by target objects in response to their illumination by at least one pulse of laser energy delivered using at least one wavelength. The wavelengths of the laser light pulse may be varied to optimize the absorption of the laser energy by the target object. Target objects detected by the device may be unlabelled biological cells or cell products, contrast agents, or biological cells labeled with one or more contrast agents.

Systems and methods for sensing vibrational absorption induced photothermal effect via a visible light source. A Mid-infrared photothermal probe (MI-PTP, or MIP) approach achieves 10 mM detection sensitivity and sub-micron lateral spatial resolution. Such performance exceeds the diffraction limit of infrared microscopy and allows label-free three-dimensional chemical imaging of live cells and organisms. Distributions of endogenous lipid and exogenous drug inside single cells can be visualized. MIP imaging technology may enable applications from monitoring metabolic activities to high-resolution mapping of drug molecules in living systems, which are beyond the reach of current infrared microscopy.

A system and method for optical tomography including illuminating an object with pulsing stimulus light and pulsing the stimulus light at a repetition frequency having a pulse period that is greater than a dead-time of a detector. Coordinating the pulse with the dead-time of the detector allows for higher powered light source and improves early photon detection.