A device for exciting objects with an excitation radiation and for detecting a photoluminescence radiation emitted by the objects after the absorption of the excitation radiation. The device includes a wall in contact with the objects, an organic light-emitting diode for emitting the excitation radiation and transparent to the photoluminescence radiation, an optical resonator tuned to the wavelength of the photoluminescence radiation and located on the side of the organic light-emitting diode opposite to the wall, and at least one sensor of the photoluminescence radiation arranged on the side of the optical resonator opposite to the organic light-emitting diode.

A microspectroscopic device includes: a wavelength-tunable first light source configured to emit pump-light in a mid-infrared wavelength range; a second light source configured to emit probe-light in a visible range; a light source controller configured to change a wavelength of the infrared light source; a first optical system configured to combine the pump-light and the probe-light to acquired combined light and concentrate the combined light on a minute part of a sample; a second optical system configured to block at least the probe-light from transmitted light or reflected light of the sample; a detector configured to detect light incident thereon from the second optical system; a first spectrum acquisition means configured to acquire a spectrum of the incident light during the probe-light emission to the sample as a Raman spectrum or a fluorescence spectrum of the sample; and a second spectrum acquisition means configured to acquire an infrared absorption spectrum of the sample, based on a change in the spectrum of the incident light with respect to a change in a wavelength by the light source controller during the probe-light and pump-light emission to the sample.

Hardware and control software for use in the field of digital imaging and spectroscopy. More particularly, a hardware and software system that simultaneously measures electromagnetic energy as quantities of photons in distinct wavelength regions across the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectrum. The system records the measurements as digital data and employs a processor (preferably a programmable processor) that executes processing steps to enhance the spatial and spectral fidelity of the recorded signals. More specifically, the electro-optical sensor hardware is engineered to maximize the light collection efficiency, especially for low light intensities, by using multiple detectors, each of which is optimized individually to maximize its sensitivity to specific wavelength regions of interest. The detector system also employs a variable amplification process that is dependent on the signal intensity so that low signals can be increased for better detection while high signals are amplified less to stay within the dynamic range of the optical sensor that is used to convert the analog signal to a digital value. Solutions to existing problems of low light detection are provided as are new capabilities for data collection and analysis in previously undetectable low signal regimes. The systems and methods are applicable to a broad array of imaging applications in diverse fields from biomedical imaging to astronomy and remote sensing.

A portable ring-type fluorescence optical system for observing microfluidic channel and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The portable ring-type fluorescence optical system includes a photographic chip, a first polarizer, an objective lens, a ring-type fluorescent light source, a biological sample on a microfluidic chip, a second polarizer and a bottom illumination light source arranged in order from top to bottom. The ring-type fluorescent light source is used to generate a ring-type fluorescent light to the biological sample on the microfluidic chip. The objective lens is used to magnify a fluorescent image of the biological sample on the microfluidic chip to focus on the photographic chip. The first polarizer disposed under the photographic chip and the second polarizer disposed under the biological sample form a non-zero angle to each other to block reflected lights that the biological sample reflects the lights emitted by the bottom illumination light source.

A discrimination system that forms a fluid column and interrogates objects within the fluid column with an excitation source. An optical arrangement collects output electromagnetic radiation emanating from the excited objects disposed within the fluid column and directs the output electromagnetic radiation to a detector. An analyzer reduces the positional dependency of the detected intensity by normalizing the value based on the position of each object.

Arrays of integrated analytical devices are provided. The arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. In particular, the arrays provide increased efficiency of optical collection and decreased background signal as the lateral dimensions of the unit cell of devices within the array are decreased, for example as they are decreased to 2 μm, or even less.

A recycling optical cavity is defined at least by first and second optical films and is configured to receive a test material therein. The test material is configured to emit at least a second light having a second wavelength when irradiated with a first light having a first wavelength. For at least one of s- and p-polarized incident lights incident in an incident plane, and at the first and second wavelengths: at a first incident angle, the first optical film has respective optical transmittances T11(θ1) and T12(θ1), and the second optical film has respective optical transmittances T21(θ1) and T22(θ1), wherein T11(θ1)>T12(θ1), T21(θ1), T22(θ1); and at a second incident angle, the first optical film has respective optical transmittances T11(θ2) and T12(θ2), and the second optical film has respective optical transmittances T21(θ2) and T22(θ2), wherein T21(θ2)>T11(θ2), T12(θ2), T22(θ2).

The disclosed technology brings histopathology into the operating theatre, to enable real-time intra-operative digital pathology. The disclosed technology utilizes confocal imaging devices image, in the operating theatre, “optical slices” of fresh tissue—without the need to physically slice and otherwise process the resected tissue as required by frozen section analysis (FSA). The disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, includes a simple, operating-table-side digital histology scanner, with the capability of rapidly scanning all outer margins of a tissue sample (e.g., resection lump, removed tissue mass). Using point-scanning microscopy technology, the disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, precisely scans a thin “optical section” of the resected tissue, and sends the digital image to a pathologist rather than the real tissue, thereby providing the pathologist with the opportunity to analyze the tissue intra-operatively. Thus, the disclosed technology provides digital images with similar information content as FSA, but faster and without destroying the tissue sample itself.

An apparatus for characterizing luminescent entities by excitation comprising: • a substrate (6) being in contact with a solution comprising luminescent entities; • a source of electromagnetic radiation (4) providing at least a primary beam of radiation (8); an objective (5); a first optical element (1) capable of transforming the intensity profile of the primary beam (8) into an arbitrary secondary intensity profile (distribution) (9); a second optical element (2) capable of separating (discriminating) radiation by wavelength; and a detector (7), where the arbitrary secondary intensity profile has at least an off-center circular continuous intensity distribution (33) focused on the back focal plane (12) of the objective forming a collimated beam (10) capable of creating an evanescent field on the side of the substrate where the solution comprising luminescent entities are located, where the evanescent field excites the luminescent entities thereby creating emission radiation separated by the second optical element (2) and captioned by the detector (7). The invention also relates to an apparatus comprising two optical elements providing a final third intensity profile (distribution) which is the convolution of two mathematical transformations corresponding to each of optical element one and four, respectively.

A portable ring-type fluorescence optical system for observing microfluidic channel and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The portable ring-type fluorescence optical system includes a photographic chip, a first polarizer, an objective lens, a ring-type fluorescent light source, a biological sample on a microfluidic chip, a second polarizer and a bottom illumination light source arranged in order from top to bottom. The ring-type fluorescent light source is used to generate a ring-type fluorescent light to the biological sample on the microfluidic chip. The objective lens is used to magnify a fluorescent image of the biological sample on the microfluidic chip to focus on the photographic chip. The first polarizer disposed under the photographic chip and the second polarizer disposed under the biological sample form a non-zero angle to each other to block reflected lights that the biological sample reflects the lights emitted by the bottom illumination light source.