A PCR amplification and product detection system is disclosed. The system utilizes a uniform and direct photonic heating subsystem to mediate reaction-by-reaction, high-throughput PCR amplification detectable by a fluorescence detection subsystem. Reaction-by-reaction temperature monitoring for dynamic feedback heat regulation is also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for using the same.

A multi-depth confocal imaging system includes at least one light source configured to provide excitation beams and an objective lens. The excitation beams are focused into a sample at a first plurality of focus depths along an excitation direction through the objective lens. An image sensor receives emissions from the sample via the objective lens, wherein the emissions define foci relative to the image sensor at a second plurality of focus depths.

The present disclosure relates to an optochemical sensor element, comprising: a substrate layer having a first substrate side facing toward a measuring medium and a second substrate side opposite the first substrate side; a functional layer arranged on the first substrate side and is subdivided into functional segments separate from one another, wherein a first functional segment has a second reference dye and a second functional segment has an indicator dye, wherein the second reference dye comprises an organic material and is insensitive to oxygen, and is suitable to emit a second luminescence signal upon stimulation with a first stimulation signal, wherein the indicator dye comprises an organic material and is sensitive to oxygen, and is suitable to emit a third luminescence signal upon stimulation with the first stimulation signal, wherein the substrate layer is transparent to the stimulation signal and to the second and third luminescence signals.

Various embodiments may provide an optical fiber for sensing an analyte. The optical fiber may include a dielectric core wall defining a hollow space. The optical fiber may also include a cladding layer surrounding the dielectric core wall and spaced apart from the dielectric core wall. The optical fiber may further include a plurality of supports extending from the cladding layer to the dielectric core wall. A thickness of the dielectric core wall may be greater than a thickness of each of the plurality of supports. The dielectric core wall may be configured to carry an optical light for sensing the analyte.

A detection system for detecting an optical signal from a luminescent material applied to or incorporated within an object (S) comprises: at least one light source (11) which generates light, as excitation light, for illuminating at least a region (IS) of the object (S); at least one detector (21) which detects light, as collection light, from the object (S) when illuminated by the excitation light and provides an output signal having a signal intensity in response to an intensity of the collection light; and a controller (31) which is adapted to control the output signal to have a signal intensity within a predetermined range or at substantially a constant value, or post-process the output signal to extract the output signal at a signal intensity within a predetermined range or at substantially a constant value.

A measuring apparatus includes a holding table that holds a measurement-target object and a measuring unit that measures a height or a thickness of the measurement-target object held by the holding table. The measuring unit includes a light source unit, an optical fiber that guides light emitted by the light source unit, and a light collector that focuses the light guided by the optical fiber on the measurement-target object held by the holding table. The light source unit includes an excitation light source, a fluorescent body that emits fluorescence when receiving excitation light emitted by the excitation light source, and a collecting lens that focuses the excitation light emitted by the excitation light source on the fluorescent body.

A single-wavelength light source is configured to generate an excitation light source. A sample holder that defines an inner cavity is capable of holding a sample and includes a surface transparent to the excitation light source. One or more mounts are attached to at least one of the light source or the sample holder. The mounts are configured to change an incident angle of the excitation light source on the surface. One or more optical components are positioned in a path of a fluorescence emission emitted from the surface and guide the fluorescence emission to a detector. A detector detects an intensity of the fluorescence emission.

An apparatus for spectral analysis comprises a first lens holder comprising a first lens, a second lens holder comprising a second lens, a first optical fiber, and a spectrometer. The first lens and the second lens are for receiving a scattered light beam and focusing it to a point. The first optical fiber is arranged between the first lens holder and the second lens holder. The first optical fiber receives a first light beam focused by the first lens, transmits the first light beam through, and then projects the first light beam on the second lens. The spectrometer is positioned on a side of the second lens holder opposite the first optical fiber. The second lens focuses the first light beam received from the first optical fiber and projects the first light beam onto the spectrometer so that the spectrometer can analyze the first light beam.

A single-wavelength light source is configured to generate an excitation light source. A sample holder that defines an inner cavity is capable of holding a sample and includes a surface transparent to the excitation light source. One or more mounts are attached to at least one of the light source or the sample holder. The mounts are configured to change an incident angle of the excitation light source on the surface. One or more optical components are positioned in a path of a fluorescence emission emitted from the surface and guide the fluorescence emission to a detector. A detector detects an intensity of the fluorescence emission.

Improvements in spectroscopy are disclosed herein that rely on the interaction of both an infrared beam and a probe beam with a sample. These beams are used in a pump-probe arrangement, with a fiber optic probe collecting the beams of infrared and probe radiation from the infrared source and delivering it to the sample. At least a portion of the beam of infrared radiation and the beam of probe radiation overlap one another on the sample. The fiber also collects probe radiation that has interacted with the sample. A detector can use this collected signal to indicate an intensity of the collected probe radiation, and an analyzer can generate a signal indicative of infrared absorption of the sample adjacent the fiber.