Abstract:
The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for a fiberscope. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a chemical imaging fiberscope for imaging and collecting optical spectra from a sample having at least one illumination fiber for transmitting light from a first an a second light source to a distal end of a fiberscope; a dichroic mirror disposed at said distal end of the fiberscope such that light from said first light source passes substantially straight through said mirror and light of a predetermined wavelength from said second light source is substantially reflected by said mirror toward said sample to thereby illuminate said sample; and at least one collection fiber for receiving light from said illuminated sample and transmitting the received light to an optical device.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods of dynamic chemical imaging, including methods of cellular imaging. The method comprises illuminating at least a portion of a cell with substantially monochromatic light and assessing Raman-shifted light scattered from the illuminated portion at a plurality of discrete times. The Raman-shifted light can be assessed at a plurality of Raman shift (RS) values at each of the discrete times, and the RS values can be selected to be characteristic of a pre-selected component at each of the discrete times. Multivariate analysis of Raman spectral features of the images thus obtained can yield the location and chemical identity of components in the field of view. This information can be combined or overlaid with other spectral data (e.g., a visible microscopic image) obtained from the field of view.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for protecting against counterfeit products and for methods and apparatus for providing counterfeiting protection for an object. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (a) accessing an object including an identifying mark having a first portion and a second portion wherein said second portion includes an encrypted feature; (b) reading the first portion to thereby obtain a first set of information; (c) transmitting the first set of information to a remote location; (d) receiving from the remote location a second set of information; and (e) reading the second portion using the second set of information to thereby determine the authenticity of the object.
Abstract:
A system and method for obtaining hyperspectral visible absorption images. The system includes a light source which illuminates a sample containing light absorbing material, a platform, an optical lens, a detector. The platform has a section for placement of the sample and a section devoid of sample. The transmitted photons produced by the sample and collected by the optical lens are separated into a plurality of wavelength bands using a filter or a fiber array spectral translator coupled to a spectrometer. The system includes a programmable code for operating in a sample mode or background mode and calculating an absorption image. In the background mode, the platform motion is controlled so the optical lens collects transmitted photons from the portion of the platform devoid of sample to generate a background transmission image. In the sample mode, the platform motion is controlled so the optical lens collects transmitted photons from the sample to generate a sample transmission image. The sample transmission image and the background transmission image are used to generate a photon absorption image of the sample.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods of assessing the polymorphic form of a substance by assessing Raman-shifted radiation scattered by a particle of the substance. The method is useful, for example, for assessing particle sizes and size distributions in mixtures containing both particles of the substance and other materials. The invention also relates to methods of selecting and controlling polymorph formation by illuminating a material with non-resonant (i.e., non-absorbed) laser radiation as it is thermally driven through a phase transition temperature.
Abstract:
The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for a fiberscope. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a chemical imaging fiberscope for imaging and collecting optical spectra from a sample having at least one illumination fiber (14) for transmitting light from a first an a second light source to a distal end of a fiberscope; a dichroic mirror (30) disposed at said distal end of the fiberscope such that the light from said first light source passes substantially straight through said mirror and light of a predetermined wavelength from said second light source is substantially reflected by said mirror toward said sample to thereby illuminate said sample; and at least one collection fiber (38) for receiving light from said illuminated sample and transmitting the received light to an optical device.
Abstract:
A system and method for collecting Raman data sets without the "contaminating" effect of luminescence emitted photons. Using a frame transfer CCD for time resolved data collection, Raman imaging may be performed without photobleaching the sample. The system may include a light source, a frame transfer CCD, an optical lens and at least one controller. The light source illuminates the sample with a plurality of photons to generate scattered photons from the sample. The frame transfer CCD has an image array and a storage array. The optical lens collects scattered photons and directs the scattered photons to the image array. The controller transfers a Raman data set representative of the scattered photons from the image array to the storage array. The frame transfer CCD may be configured so as the image array integrates the scattered photons during a Raman integration time and the controller transfers the Raman data set from the image array to storage array during a parallel transfer time. The sum of the Raman integration time and the parallel transfer time is less than the minimum time it takes to trigger luminescence from the sample.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods of dynamic chemical imaging, including methods of cellular imaging. The method comprises illuminating at least a portion of a cell with substantially monochromatic light and assessing Raman-shifted light scattered from the illuminated portion at a plurality of discrete times. The Raman-shifted light can be assessed at a plurality of Raman shift (RS) values at each of the discrete times, and the RS values can be selected to be characteristic of a pre-selected component at each of the discrete times. Multivariate analysis of Raman spectral features of the images thus obtained can yield the location and chemical identity of components in the field of view. This information can be combined or overlaid with other spectral data (e.g., a visible microscopic image) obtained from the field of view.
Abstract:
The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for a fiberscope. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a chemical imaging fiberscope for imaging and collecting optical spectra from a sample having at least one illumination fiber for transmitting light from a first an a second light source to a distal end of a fiberscope; a dichroic mirror disposed at said distal end of the fiberscope such that light from said first light source passes substantially straight through said mirror and light of a predetermined wavelength from said second light source is substantially reflected by said mirror toward said sample to thereby illuminate said sample; and at least one collection fiber for receiving light from said illuminated sample and transmitting the received light to an optical device.
Abstract:
A pulse photobleaching methodology wherein a monochromatic illumination (e.g., laser illumination) having a higher power intensity (photobleaching power) just below the photodamage threshold of a luminescent sample is initially used to significantly attenuate sample luminescence without photothermally destroying the sample material. Thereafter, the laser power density may be reduced to a significantly lower level (analytical power level) to carry out spectroscopic measurements (e.g., collection of Raman scattered photons) on the sample. In one embodiment, the laser illumination wavelength remains the same despite changes in laser power intensity. Some figures-of-merit may be computed from optical measurements made at the analytical power level to guide the photobleaching process. Sample-dependent combinations of laser power density and short exposure times may be obtained to significantly expedite photobleaching to assist in collection of sample spectral data in the field without a long wait. Portable spectroscopy systems employing pulse photobleaching may be devised for expeditious collection of spectral data from luminescent samples in the field.