A method and apparatus for obtaining reference samples during the generation of a mid-infrared (MW) image without requiring that the sample being imaged be removed is disclosed. A tunable MIR laser generates a light beam that is focused onto a specimen on a specimen stage that moves the specimen in a first direction. An optical assembly includes a scanning assembly having a focusing lens and a mirror that moves in a second direction, different from the first direction, relative to the stage such that the focusing lens maintains a fixed distance between the focusing lens and the specimen stage. A light detector measures an intensity of light leaving the point on the specimen. A controller forms an image from the measured intensity. A reference stage is positioned such that the mirror moves over the reference stage in response to a command so that the controller can also make a reference measurement.

The nitrate-nitrogen concentration in soil is estimated based on the nitrate-nitrogen 200 nm absorption peak. In one embodiment, a device measures the attenuation spectrum of a soil-extractant mixture over a wavelength range that includes wavelengths in the vicinity of the 200 nm absorption peak (the spectral operating range) and then determines the nitrate-nitrogen concentration based on the attenuation spectrum.

An optical sensor comprises a light transmitter; a light receiver; an evaluation unit; at least one mirror unit that comprises a plurality of micromirror elements having an at least regionally reflective surface and comprising an electrode arrangement connected to the micromirror elements; and a control device that is configured to adjust the mirror unit between at least two different functional states by controlling the electrode arrangement. The mirror unit comprises an at least substantially transparent substrate at which the micromirror elements are arranged. The control device is configured to temporarily set the mirror unit into a transmission state in which the micromirror elements are in an open position and light radiation incident onto the mirror unit moves past the micromirror elements through the transparent substrate.

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for performing a light-absorption measurement on a test sample and a compliance measurement on a reference sample. A method includes moving a reference sample receptacle carrier of an apparatus to position a first reference sample receptacle received in the carrier at a second position in a light path, directing light from an illumination system to a detection system along the light path to perform a light-absorption measurement on a first reference sample at the second position, moving the carrier to position the first receptacle out of the light path, placing a test sample receptacle in a test sample receptacle holder of the apparatus in the light path at a first position different from the second position, and directing light along the light path to perform a light-absorption measurement on a test sample in the test sample receptacle holder at the first position.

A system for measuring optical signal detector performance includes an optical signal detector comprising a first detection channel having a first light source and a first sensor. The first detection channel is configured to emit and focus light generated by the first light source at a first detection zone, and to receive and focus light on the first sensor. The system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the optical signal detector and configured to determine an operational performance status of the optical signal detector based on at least one of (i) a first measured characteristic of light focused on the sensor while a first non-fluorescent surface portion is in the first detection zone and (ii) a second measured characteristic of light focused on the sensor while a void is in the first detection zone. The optical signal detector can be a fluorometer.

In order to reduce a variation in the light amount of light detected in every reference measurement cycle in an absorption spectrometer 1, it is adapted to tilt at least one surface selected from among incident surfaces and emitting surfaces of all translucent members constituting a reference cell with respect to the light axis of light traveling along a light path.

The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector for mating a first group of one or more optical fibers (102) with one or more corresponding optical fibers in a second group of one or more optical fibers (103). The optical fiber connector in dudes a shutter (105), which prevents the ingress of debris into the connector, and provides an optical reference surface with which to calibrate optical fibers that are inserted into the connector. The optical fiber connector finds application in the general optical fiber field, and more particularly finds application in the medical field in which it may be used to connect optical fibers in a photonic needle application.

An apparatus (100) for optically characterizing a textile sample (106) comprises a presentation subsystem (102) comprising a viewing window (108). A radiation subsystem (114) comprises a radiation source (120) for directing a first, ultraviolet radiation (122) and a second, visible radiation (123) toward the sample (106), and causing the sample (106) to produce a fluorescent radiation (124) and a reflected radiation (125). A sensing subsystem (126) comprises an imager (130) for capturing the fluorescent radiation (124) and the reflected radiation (125) in an array of pixels (408). A control subsystem (132) comprises a processor (136) for controlling the presentation subsystem (102), the radiation subsystem (114), and the sensing subsystem (126), and for creating a fluorescent and reflected radiation image (400) containing both spectral information and spatial information in regard to the fluorescent radiation (124) and the reflected radiation (125).

Apparatuses and methods are disclosed for performing a light-absorption measurement on a test sample and a compliance measurement on a reference sample. A method includes moving a reference sample receptacle carrier of an apparatus to position a first reference sample receptacle received in the carrier at a second position in a light path, directing light from an illumination system to a detection system along the light path to perform a light-absorption measurement on a first reference sample at the second position, moving the carrier to position the first receptacle out of the light path, placing a test sample receptacle in a test sample receptacle holder of the apparatus in the light path at a first position different from the second position, and directing light along the light path to perform a light-absorption measurement on a test sample in the test sample receptacle holder at the first position.

A spectroscopic analysis device (1) according to the present disclosure includes an irradiator (10) configured to irradiate irradiation light on an object to be measured, a light receiver (40) configured to receive reflected light based on the irradiation light from the object to be measured, and a controller (80) configured to analyze, based on the reflected light, an optical property of the object to be measured. The controller (80) is configured to acquire environment information on a measurement environment, including an observation window (W) that guides the irradiation light to the object to be measured, and to correct a parameter indicating the optical property according to the environment information.