The present disclosure provides a temporally-resolved and spatially-resolved pump-probe control system and a method. The system includes an ultrafast femtosecond laser device, an optical parametric oscillator, a displacement delay module, a micro-drive rotation module, an objective lens, a sample stage, a coupled photoelectric amplifier and a computer terminal. The control system of the present disclosure integrates a temporally-resolved pump-probe function and a temporally-resolved and spatially-resolved pump-probe function. The present disclosure can realize pump-probe temporally-resolved scanning, one-dimensional temporally-resolved and spatially-resolved scanning, and two-dimensional temporally-resolved and spatially-resolved scanning under full-automatic control, and real-time data is visualized and synchronously written into batch files. The present disclosure aims to reduce complexity of temporally-resolved and spatially-resolved scanning, shorten a test period, improve probe efficiency, and ensure stability and reliability of data results.

Disclosed is a hand-held optical apparatus and method for using the apparatus to activate and detect optical emissive materials as part of a safety interlock system. Typically, the hand-held optical apparatus will include one or more light sources capable of emitting at least one wavelength of light towards an optical emissive material, a light detector capable of detecting a response from the optical emissive material, and control circuitry configured to cause at least one of the one or more light sources to emit the at least one wavelength at a power density less than a predetermined threshold, receive a signal from the light detector representing a detected response, and repeat until the microprocessor determines the detected response matches an expected response.

An improved DNA sequencing system comprising a DNA sample holder residing on a stacked BSI global shutter image sensor illuminated by a pulsed laser for fluorescent illumination detection. The pulsed laser has on and off periods wherein during the laser on period a Fluorophore tag attached to a DNA sample is excited to produce fluorescence emission while the imaging system captures no illumination and during the off period the global shutter imaging system captures persistent fluorescent emission from the DNA sample and reads out an imaging signal.

An example microscope includes a pump laser for providing a first illumination to a sample. A laser array provides a second illumination to the sample. The laser array may include a plurality of laser elements, each providing oblique illuminations to the sample. An illumination collecting source collects the first illumination and the second illumination from the sample. The illumination collecting source may capture transient 3D refractive index (RI) variations in the sample due to the first illumination and second illumination.

Methods are disclosed for improving one or more of jitter/timing, signal-to-noise ratio, signal integrity, stability, and repeatability of generation and measurement of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) signals generated by a sample upon illumination by a light beam. The method may use precision hardware to control the generation of SHG signal and synchronize it with the optical detection process to improve the reliability and accuracy of measured SHG signals. A precise measurement of the initial SHG signal (I.sub.o) involves accurate temporal alignment between optical excitation and detection of the resulting SHG signal. Various disclosed systems and methods use high-speed Pockels Cell (PC) for controlling incident light, and precision electronics for synchronization.

An example microscope includes a pump laser for providing a first illumination to a sample. A laser array provides a second illumination to the sample. The laser array may include a plurality of laser elements, each providing oblique illuminations to the sample. An illumination collecting source collects the first illumination and the second illumination from the sample. The illumination collecting source may capture transient 3D refractive index (RI) variations in the sample due to the first illumination and second illumination.

An improved DNA sequencing system comprising a DNA sample holder residing on a stacked BSI global shutter image sensor illuminated by a pulsed laser for fluorescent illumination detection. The pulsed laser has on and off periods wherein during the laser on period a Fluorophore tag attached to a DNA sample is excited to produce fluorescence emission while the imaging system captures no illumination and during the off period the global shutter imaging system captures persistent fluorescent emission from the DNA sample and reads out an imaging signal.

An apparatus for quantitatively detecting isotopologue of carbon dioxide using dual-photon absorption, comprising a laser source, a laser frequency stabilizer, a sample chamber, a signal detector, and a signal analyzer. The sample chamber comprises an optical resonator and a piezoelectric ceramic. The laser source is configured to output a laser beam. The laser frequency stabilizer is configured to lock the laser beam to a mode frequency of the optical resonator. The piezoelectric ceramic is configured to adjust a length of the optical resonator to alter the mode frequency of the optical resonator to match energy levels of a target molecular isotopologue. The signal detector is configured to detect a transmission intensity of the light beam passing the optical resonator to obtain a dual-photon absorption signal. The signal analyzer is configured to analyze and process the dual-photon absorption signal to obtain a concentration of the target molecular isotopologue.

Disclosed is a hand-held optical apparatus and method for using the apparatus to activate and detect optical emissive materials as part of a safety interlock system. Typically, the hand-held optical apparatus will include one or more light sources capable of emitting at least one wavelength of light towards an optical emissive material, a light detector capable of detecting a response from the optical emissive material, and control circuitry configured to cause at least one of the one or more light sources to emit the at least one wavelength at a power density less than a predetermined threshold, receive a signal from the light detector representing a detected response, and repeat until the microprocessor determines the detected response matches an expected response.

Exemplary methods and systems for incorporating bio-sensors in drones to wirelessly detect biological molecules and hazards without exposing an operator to harmful contaminants or conditions. Bio-sensors can incorporate simultaneous dual-detection methods to ensure accuracy of measurements. Methods of operation include registering blank and safe air profiles for comparison against unknown air profiles to accurately determine the presence of bio-contaminants in unknown air.