A microplate reader having a receiving apparatus for receiving a microplate having predefined dimensions and a multiplicity of wells, and an optical detector for detecting an optical radiation at respective individual ones of the wells of a microplate that in the receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus is arranged to be movable in at least one spatial direction by a positioning mechanism to position the received microplate relative to the optical detector for successive measurements at different wells. The movable receiving apparatus has an interface device configured to provide an energy and/or data connection and/or a media supply connection and/or media disposal from the microplate reader to an accessory apparatus for additional functions. The interface device enables additional hardware provided as an accessory apparatus, which can be inserted into the receiving apparatus jointly with or instead of a microplate or some other sample container, to be supplied with energy and communication.

A reaction vessel holder (120) receives a reaction vessel (110). The reaction vessel (110) has a portion that is substantially optically transparent to light of a first range of wavelengths. The reaction vessel holder (120) comprises a body having a high thermal conductivity that is thermally coupled to and supports the reaction vessel (120). The body is further thermally coupled to a thermal device (130) for heating or cooling the reaction vessel holder (120) and thereby the reaction vessel (110). The body comprises a transparent portion that is substantially optically transparent to the light of the first range of wavelengths. The optically transparent portion of the reaction vessel (110) faces the transparent portion of the body such that light of the first range of wavelengths to and/or from the sample in the reaction vessel (120) can pass through the transparent portion.

A microplate reader having a receiving apparatus for receiving a microplate having predefined dimensions and a multiplicity of wells, and an optical detector for detecting an optical radiation at respective individual ones of the wells of a microplate that in the receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus is arranged to be movable in at least one spatial direction by a positioning mechanism to position the received microplate relative to the optical detector for successive measurements at different wells. The movable receiving apparatus has an interface device configured to provide an energy and/or data connection and/or a media supply connection and/or media disposal from the microplate reader to an accessory apparatus for additional functions. The interface device enables additional hardware provided as an accessory apparatus, which can be inserted into the receiving apparatus jointly with or instead of a microplate or some other sample container, to be supplied with energy and communication.