Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an interlacing boot and methods of using the same to automatically interleave optical fibers in a two-row array, such from a two rows ferrule. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the optical fibers are inserted into a first end of an interlacing boot in a first direction. The interlacing boot can include a guiding structure having one or more channels. Each channel can be adapted to receive a single optical fiber. Each channel can include a first end and a second end, and the second end can be offset with respect to the first end in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The interlacing boot can be pushed towards the ferrule to feed the optical fibers through the guiding structure. The first row of fibers can be physically offset from and interlaced with the second row of fibers by the guiding structure.

An apparatus for detecting an emission signal from each of a plurality of emission signal sources includes one or more excitation sources configured to generate an excitation light of an excitation wavelength and one or more associated emission detectors configured to detect light of an emission wavelength. A transmission fiber is associated with each of the emission signal sources. A carrier is configured to move the one or more excitation sources and the one or more emission detectors relative to the transmission fibers to sequentially place each emission detector and associated excitation source in an operative position with respect to each transmission fiber. Each transmission fiber transmits both the excitation light from the excitation source and the corresponding emission light to the associated emission detector.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an interlacing boot and methods of using the same to automatically interleave optical fibers in a two-row array, such from a two rows ferrule. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the optical fibers are inserted into a first end of an interlacing boot in a first direction. The interlacing boot can include a guiding structure having one or more channels. Each channel can be adapted to receive a single optical fiber. Each channel can include a first end and a second end, and the second end can be offset with respect to the first end in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The interlacing boot can be pushed towards the ferrule to feed the optical fibers through the guiding structure. The first row of fibers can be physically offset from and interlaced with the second row of fibers by the guiding structure.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an interlacing boot and methods of using the same to automatically interleave optical fibers in a two-row array, such from a two rows ferrule. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the optical fibers are inserted into a first end of an interlacing boot in a first direction. The interlacing boot can include a guiding structure having one or more channels. Each channel can be adapted to receive a single optical fiber. Each channel can include a first end and a second end, and the second end can be offset with respect to the first end in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The interlacing boot can be pushed towards the ferrule to feed the optical fibers through the guiding structure. The first row of fibers can be physically offset from and interlaced with the second row of fibers by the guiding structure.

A method of measuring a time-varying signal emission, the method including subjecting the contents of a receptacle to a thermal cycling process. During the thermal cycling process, measuring a signal emission from the contents of the receptacle at regular time intervals and recording the measured signal emission and a time stamp at each time interval. Also during the thermal cycling process, determining a temperature of the thermal cycling process at regular time intervals and recording the determined temperature and a time stamp at each time interval. The measured signal emissions are synchronized with a specific temperature of the thermal cycling process by comparing the time stamps of the measured emission signals with the time stamps of the determined temperatures.

An optical fiber cable is disclosed. The optical fiber cable comprises an optical cable including optical fibers and a sheath where the optical fibers are arranged in a first array, and a holder. The optical fibers have first extending parts that extend outside from the sheath, and second extending parts that extends from the first extending parts to the tips of the optical fibers. The holder comprises a first portion that houses therein transition portions where the first extending parts transitions from the first array to a second array, and a second portion that holds parts of the first extending parts in the second array. The second portion is configured to hold the first extending parts in a manner such that a mutual positional relationship among the second extending parts keeps the same state as a mutual positional relationship among the first extending parts at the second portion.

The lighting device comprises a light guide comprising two or more layers; and a light source that illuminates the light guide. The two or more layers define at least one surface between two adjacent layers. Geometric motives are formed in the at least one surface. The method for manufacturing the lighting device includes the step of providing one layer. Geometric motives are then formed in the one layer. After this formation, another layer is injected directly to the geometric motives, thus defining a surface between the layers that provides a better homogenous illuminance and a better photometric performance.

A first time/temperature data set includes temperatures and time stamps recorded at time intervals during a first thermal cycling process and a time stamp for each time interval, and a second time/temperature data set includes temperatures and time stamps recorded at time intervals during a second thermal cycling process. Signal emissions at different signal detecting positions are sequentially measured at different time intervals to generate first and second time/signal emission data sets for receptacles subject to the first and second thermal cycling processes, respectively. Signal emissions of receptacles subject to the first thermal cycling process are synchronized with specific temperatures of the first thermal cycling process by comparing time stamps of the first time/signal emission data set for each receptacle with the time stamps of the first time/temperature data set that correspond with the specific temperature. Signal emissions of receptacles subject to the second thermal cycling process are synchronized with specific temperatures of the second thermal cycling process by comparing time stamps of the second time/signal emission data set for each receptacle with the time stamps of the second time/temperature data set that correspond with the specific temperature.

An apparatus for incubating the contents of a plurality of receptacles and for detecting a signal emitted by the contents of each of the receptacle includes a plurality of receptacle holders configured to incubate the contents of each a plurality of receptacles held by each of the receptacle holders. A controller is coupled to each of the receptacle holders and is configured to independently control an incubation temperature of each of the receptacle holders to independently control a temperature at which the receptacles held by each of the receptacle holders is incubated. At least one signal detector is configured to detect a signal emitted by the contents of each of the receptacles held in each of the receptacle holders, and a signal detector indexer is configured to successively optically couple each signal detector with each of the receptacles held in each of the receptacle holders to detect optical emissions from each successively coupled receptacle.

A two-dimensional (2D) optical fiber array component takes the form of a (relatively inexpensive) fiber guide block that is mated with a precision output element. The guide block and output element are both formed to include a 2D array of through-holes that exhibit a predetermined pitch. The holes formed in the guide block are relatively larger than those in precision output element. A loading tool is used to hold a 1N array of fibers in a fixed position that exhibits the desired pitch. The loaded tool (holding the pre-aligned 1N array of fibers) is then inserted through the aligned combination of the guide block and output element, and the fiber array is bonded to the guide block. The tool is then removed, re-loaded, and the process continued until all of the 1N fiber arrays are in place. By virtue of using a precision tool to load the fibers, the guide block does not have to be formed to exhibit precise through-hole dimensions, allowing for a relatively inexpensive guide block to be used.