A nucleic acid sequencing system may include a substrate coupled to a rotating disk. The substrate may include a plurality of nucleic acid samples. A detection system, including for example an objective and a camera, may detect sequencing events on the substrate while the substrate is rotated relative to the detection system around a rotational axis of the substrate, perpendicular to a surface of the substrate, by the actuation system.

A defect inspection apparatus includes an illumination unit configured to irradiate a surface of a sample with a linear illumination spot; a condensing detection unit configured to condense reflected light of the illumination spot and to control a polarization state of the incident light to form an optical image; and a sensor unit configured to output the optical image and including an array-shaped light receiving portion and an antireflection film at a position conjugate with the illumination spot, in which the condensing detection unit includes a polarization control unit configured to increase light incident efficiency to the sensor unit. The normal line of the light receiving surface of the sensor unit is inclined from the optical axis of the condensing detection unit by 10 degrees or more and less than 80 degrees. The light condensing detection unit increases the optical magnification in the lateral direction of the illumination spot.

Devices and methods for recording dynamics of cellular and/or biochemical processes, including a device including one or more dispersive elements configured to receive a pulsed laser beam with a spectrum of different wavelengths and disperse the spectrum of the pulsed laser beam; and one or more first elements configured to receive the dispersed spectrum of the pulsed laser beam, and generate a multiphoton excitation area in a biological sample by re-overlapping in time and space the dispersed spectrum of the pulsed laser beam on an area in the biological sample, wherein the device is configured to record at high speed changes of cellular and biochemical processes of a population of cells of the biological sample based on generation of the multiphoton excitation area in the biological sample.

An efficient method of scanning is provided that may be used for treatment, analysis, inspection and testing physical objects and spaces. High precision, resolution and throughput of scanning are achieved by employing a dual motion of probing devices and scanned objects. A probing device spins with high speed about an axis of spinning directed towards a scanned object. Concurrently, the spinning axis is set in a relatively slow motion with respect to the scanned object. Both the spinning of the probing and the motion of the spin axis are implemented in a controlled and predetermined way to achieve objectives of scanning. Accordingly, arbitrary large and shaped objects may be efficiently scanned with high precision and throughput.

A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately. Light from a sample disposed over a reflective phase grating can be dispersed, measured, and gated.

The present disclosure provides Raman spectrum detection apparatus and method. The Raman spectrum detection apparatus includes: a laser configured for emitting excited light; an optics assembly configured to guide the excited light along a first light path to a sample to be detected and to collect a light signal from the sample along a second light path; and a spectrometer configured to process the light signal collected by the optics assembly so as to generate a Raman spectrum of the detected sample. The optics assembly includes a first optical element configured to move, during irradiation of the excited light onto the sample, so as to change a position of a light spot of the excited light on the sample.

A high throughput and high resolution method for characterizing objects is based on scanning their surfaces with a fast spinning probing beam of electromagnetic radiation concurrently with relatively slow object motion. A characterization apparatus comprises a guiding system that directs a primary beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the surface of a characterized object. An actuator repositions the object. An analytical system measures characteristic parameters of secondary electromagnetic radiation instigated by the primary beam of electromagnetic radiation from the object. A register system records the measured characteristic parameters synchronously with instantaneous coordinates of beam spots at which the secondary electromagnetic radiation is instigated. A compact system of probing beam spinning enables fabrication of inexpensive characterization tools with small dimensions. The tools may be conveniently integrated into production or processing equipment to provide an in-situ or in-process characterization.

A transmission Raman spectroscopy apparatus has a light source for generating a light profile on a sample, a photodetector having at least one photodetector element, collection optics arranged to collect Raman scattered light transmitted through the sample and direct the Raman light onto the at least one photodetector element and a support for supporting the sample. The support and light source are arranged such that the light profile can be moved relative to the sample in order that the at least one photodetector element receives Raman scattered light generated for different locations of the light profile on the sample.

A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately. Light from a sample disposed over a reflective phase grating can be dispersed, measured, and gated.

The present disclosure provides Raman spectrum detection apparatus and method. The Raman spectrum detection apparatus includes: a laser configured for emitting excited light; an optics assembly configured to guide the excited light along a first light path to a sample to be detected and to collect a light signal from the sample along a second light path; and a spectrometer configured to process the light signal collected by the optics assembly so as to generate a Raman spectrum of the detected sample. The optics assembly includes a first optical element configured to move, during irradiation of the excited light onto the sample, so as to change a position of a light spot of the excited light on the sample.