A smoke detector comprising an enclosure communicating with an external environment, within the enclosure a light source illuminating a detection volume in a first wavelength band and a light-sensor responding to light from the sensing volume in a second wavelength band. The detector is configured to sense photo-luminescent fire products, particularly polyaromatic compounds, and actuate an alarm when signal levels indicate a dangerous/fire condition is present. The photo-luminescence detector may be combined with optical scatter or other fire detectors to improve discrimination between fires and false alarm sources.

Techniques are disclosed relating to fluorescence-based flow cytometry. A flow cytometer may include a partially-reflective surface configured to reflect a first portion of fluorescent emissions from a sample to a first optical sensor and direct a second, greater portion of fluorescent emissions from the sample to a second optical sensor and a controller configured to determine a value representing the intensity of the fluorescent emissions based on a first measurement taken by the first optical sensor, a second measurement taken by the second optical sensor, or both. A flow cytometer may include a baseplate with a first side and a second, opposing side with a flow cell, a laser, and a reflective surface disposed above the first side and an optical sensor and isolating material disposed below the second side. The reflective surface receives fluorescent emissions and reflects at least a portion through the baseplate to the optical sensor. A flow cytometer may include a flow cell, a laser, a first optical sensor positioned to measure scattered laser light, a second optical sensor positioned to measure fluorescent emissions, and a controller configured to adjust the measurements taken by the second optical sensor based on a comparison of measurements taken by the first optical sensor with expected measurements based on a known beam profile of the laser beam.

A modular analytic system includes a base, at least one fluid sample processing module configured to be removably attached to the base, at least one fluid sample analysis module configured to be removably attached to the base, a fluid actuation module positioned on the base, a fluidic network comprising multiple fluidic channels, in which the fluid actuation module is arranged to control transport of a fluid sample between the at least one sample processing module and the at least one sample analysis module through the fluidic network, and an electronic processor, in which the electronic processor is configured to control operation of the fluid actuation module and receive measurement data from the at least one fluid sample analysis module.

A particle counting system includes a particle counting means and pre-stage irradiation means. The particle counting means counts particles existing in a fluid by irradiating the fluid containing target particles with light at a predetermined wavelength, separating selectively autofluorescence or phosphorescence emitted from the target particles by the radiated light, receiving the separated autofluorescence or phosphorescence, and determining that the target particles are the particles according to the received autofluorescence or phosphorescence. The pre-stage irradiation means irradiates the fluid with ultraviolet light in advance before the particle counting means irradiates the fluid with the light at the predetermined wavelength. The particle counting means includes a band-pass filter that allows light having a wavelength of 450 nm to 600 nm to pass therethrough.

By way of overview and introduction, various embodiments of the apparatus, systems and methods described herein are directed improved approaches to aligning and standardizing different total spectral radiance factor shapes measured with different instruments. Furthermore, in one or more configurations and approaches, the disclosure presented herein is directed to obtaining a whiteness calibration value for use in sample measurements without the need of UV filter adjustments.

A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.

A computer-implemented method includes controlling an instrument to measure a fluorescence emission spectrum of a sample including a first peak emission wavelength and at least a second peak emission wavelength, emitted in response to an excitation wavelength and controlling the instrument to measure an absorbance obtained at the excitation wavelength of the sample. The method may include determining, using the computer, a ratio of the measurements at either the second peak emission wavelength, or a sum of measurements at a plurality of peak emission wavelengths including at least the first peak emission wavelength and the second peak emission wavelength, to the first peak emission wavelength, and calculating, using the computer, a value for a quality parameter based on a combination of at least the ratio and the absorbance measurement. The method may include controlling an associated process based on the quality parameter.

A data creation method includes: an autofluorescence data generation step of placing a focus of light having a predetermined wavelength at one set of coordinates on a predetermined focal plane, irradiating a sample positioned at the set of coordinates with excitation light containing the light to obtain autofluorescence emitted from the sample, and generating autofluorescence data including intensity data and/or spectrum data of the autofluorescence; a reflected light data generation step of irradiating the set of coordinates on the predetermined focal plane with illumination light to obtain reflected light scattered by the sample, and generating intensity data of the reflected light; and a correspondence data creation step of creating correspondence data associating the autofluorescence data and the reflected light data on the set of coordinates on the predetermined focal plane.

A modular analytic system includes a base, at least one fluid sample processing module configured to be removably attached to the base, at least one fluid sample analysis module configured to be removably attached to the base, a fluid actuation module positioned on the base, a fluidic network comprising multiple fluidic channels, in which the fluid actuation module is arranged to control transport of a fluid sample between the at least one sample processing module and the at least one sample analysis module through the fluidic network, and an electronic processor, in which the electronic processor is configured to control operation of the fluid actuation module and receive measurement data from the at least one fluid sample analysis module.

Techniques are disclosed relating to fluorescence-based flow cytometry. A flow cytometer may include a partially-reflective surface configured to reflect a first portion of fluorescent emissions from a sample to a first optical sensor and direct a second, greater portion of fluorescent emissions from the sample to a second optical sensor and a controller configured to determine a value representing the intensity of the fluorescent emissions based on a first measurement taken by the first optical sensor, a second measurement taken by the second optical sensor, or both. A flow cytometer may include a baseplate with a first side and a second, opposing side with a flow cell, a laser, and a reflective surface disposed above the first side and an optical sensor and isolating material disposed below the second side. The reflective surface receives fluorescent emissions and reflects at least a portion through the baseplate to the optical sensor. A flow cytometer may include a flow cell, a laser, a first optical sensor positioned to measure scattered laser light, a second optical sensor positioned to measure fluorescent emissions, and a controller configured to adjust the measurements taken by the second optical sensor based on a comparison of measurements taken by the first optical sensor with expected measurements based on a known beam profile of the laser beam.