A Raman spectroscopy method includes acquiring a first spectrum of a sample by performing exposure over a first time period in Raman spectroscopy of the sample, calculating a first Raman signal intensity of the first spectrum acquired, calculating a second time period from the first time period based on the ratio of the first Raman signal intensity calculated to a second Raman signal intensity that is a Raman signal intensity required for the Raman spectroscopy, the second time period being an exposure time period required for acquiring the second Raman signal intensity, and acquiring a second spectrum of the sample by performing exposure over the second time period calculated.

A Raman spectroscopy method includes acquiring a first spectrum of a sample by performing exposure over a first time period in Raman spectroscopy of the sample, calculating a first Raman signal intensity of the first spectrum acquired, calculating a second time period from the first time period based on the ratio of the first Raman signal intensity calculated to a second Raman signal intensity that is a Raman signal intensity required for the Raman spectroscopy, the second time period being an exposure time period required for acquiring the second Raman signal intensity, and acquiring a second spectrum of the sample by performing exposure over the second time period calculated.

An optical measurement probe for capturing a spectral response through an intervening material emitting unwanted background radiation includes: a first lens configured to receive light and collimate the light into a collimated excitation beam defining a first aperture; an objective element for focusing the collimated excitation beam to a point or region in a sample through the intervening material, wherein the objective element also receives light scattered by the sample and the intervening material and collimates the scattered light into a collimated collection beam defining a second aperture; and a blocking element within the collimated collection beam for removing the light scattered by the intervening material from the collimated collection beam received from the sample, wherein the second aperture defined by the collimated collection beam is at least two times greater than the first aperture defined by the collimated excitation beam.

An optical measurement probe for capturing a spectral response through an intervening material emitting unwanted background radiation includes: a first lens configured to receive light and collimate the light into a collimated excitation beam defining a first aperture; an objective element for focusing the collimated excitation beam to a point or region in a sample through the intervening material, wherein the objective element also receives light scattered by the sample and the intervening material and collimates the scattered light into a collimated collection beam defining a second aperture; and a blocking element within the collimated collection beam for removing the light scattered by the intervening material from the collimated collection beam received from the sample, wherein the second aperture defined by the collimated collection beam is at least two times greater than the first aperture defined by the collimated excitation beam.

Disclosed are dielectric cavity arrays with cavities formed by pairs of dielectric tips, wherein the cavities have low mode volume (e.g., 7*10.sup.−5λ.sup.3, where X is the resonance wavelength of the cavity array), and large quality factor Q (e.g., 10.sup.6 or more). Applications for such dielectric cavity arrays include, but are not limited to, Raman spectroscopy, second harmonic generation, optical signal detection, microwave-to-optical transduction, and as light emitting devices.

Disclosed are dielectric cavity arrays with cavities formed by pairs of dielectric tips, wherein the cavities have low mode volume (e.g., 7*10.sup.−5λ.sup.3, where X is the resonance wavelength of the cavity array), and large quality factor Q (e.g., 10.sup.6 or more). Applications for such dielectric cavity arrays include, but are not limited to, Raman spectroscopy, second harmonic generation, optical signal detection, microwave-to-optical transduction, and as light emitting devices.

Systems and methods are provided for measuring the mechanical properties of ocular tissue, such as the lens or corneal tissue, for diagnosis as well as treatment monitoring purposes. A laser locking feedback system is provided to achieve frequency accuracy and sensitivity that facilitates operations and diagnosis with great sensitivity and accuracy. Differential comparisons between eye tissue regions of a patient, either on the same eye or a fellow eye, can further facilitate early diagnosis and monitoring.

In order to quantitatively characterize biological objects, for example individual cells, a stimulus is applied to a biological object (8) in a contactless fashion. A measurement and a further measurement are performed on the biological object (8) in order to ascertain a response of the biological object (8) to the stimulus, wherein the measurement and the further measurement comprise detecting Raman scattering on and/or in the biological object (8) and/or capturing data using digital holographic microinterferometry (DHMI). The biological object (8) is characterized according to a result of the measurement and is sorted if needed. The stimulus can be applied by means of a laser beam that creates optical tweezers or an optical trap, by means of ultrasonic waves or an electric or magnetic radio frequency field.

In order to quantitatively characterize biological objects, for example individual cells, a stimulus is applied to a biological object (8) in a contactless fashion. A measurement and a further measurement are performed on the biological object (8) in order to ascertain a response of the biological object (8) to the stimulus, wherein the measurement and the further measurement comprise detecting Raman scattering on and/or in the biological object (8) and/or capturing data using digital holographic microinterferometry (DHMI). The biological object (8) is characterized according to a result of the measurement and is sorted if needed. The stimulus can be applied by means of a laser beam that creates optical tweezers or an optical trap, by means of ultrasonic waves or an electric or magnetic radio frequency field.

The present disclosure provides a scanning probe, a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the scanning probe. The scanning probe includes a base and a micro-tip disposed on an end of the base, wherein at least a section of the micro-tip comprises a lateral surface with a concavely curved generatrix. In the method, an end of a probe precursor is immersed in a corrosive solution by having a length direction of the probe precursor inclined with a liquid surface of the corrosive solution. The probe precursor is corroded by the corrosive solution while a corrosion current of the corroding is monitored. The probe precursor is moved away from the corrosive solution after a magnitude of the corrosion current has a plunge. The apparatus includes a container containing the corrosive solution, and a driving device configured to move the probe precursor in the container through a fastener.