Abstract:
An apparatus for screening for translocation of a first protein of interest in vivo in a plurality of cells comprises (a) a thin unitary total internal reflection member having a surface portion, (b) a plurality cell contacted to said surface portion by the plasma membrane of said cell, said cell containing said first protein of interest, the protein of interest having a fluorescent group conjugated thereto; (c) a light source operatively associated with the total internal reflection member and positioned for directing a source light into the member to produce an evanescent field adjacent the surface portion, with the evanescent field extending into a first portion of the cell adjacent the plasma membrane, the evanescent field being weaker in a second portion of the cell, the fluorescent group emitting light when in the first portion of the cell and emitting less light when in the second portion of the cell; (d) coupling means for coupling the light source to the thin unitary total internal reflection member and illuminate at least 10 square millimeters of the surface portion; and (e) a light detector operatively associated with the total internal reflection member and configured to detect emitted light from the cells, whereby the emission of more or less light from the cell indicates the translocation of the protein between the first and second portions of the cell.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a device for making a comparison between N nominal wavelength values (nullei) and the wavelength values of optical signals coupled respectively to input ports (GE1) of a phasar whose structure comprises a grating (R) of guides (Gj) According to the invention, the phasar comprises two monitoring output ports (A,B) respectively placed about focal points corresponding to two interference orders of the grating (R) designed to collect the combination of the said signals, and its structure is designed so that the transmission function approximates to a triangular shape in order to widen the monitoring span. The invention applies notably to the wavelength 15 monitoring of a tuneable optical source.
Abstract:
A light source produces a pump wave that is used to pump a parametric device. The parametric device is configured at or near its degeneracy point and produces a broadband output. The broadband output is directed to a remote location where chemical agents may be located. The broadband output may be transmitted through or scattered from the remote location and chemical agents located at the remote location may absorb portions of the broadband output. The broadband output may be collected and dispersed to produce channels or sub-bands that are detected by a detector array. The detector array may multiplex the intensities of the sub-bands and produce an absorption spectrum. The absorption spectrum may be compared to a library of known chemical agents and the presence of a chemical agent at the remote location can be determined in or near real time.
Abstract:
An optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) 10 sequentially or selectively samples (or filters) a spectral band(s) 11 of light from a broadband optical input signal 12 and measures predetermined optical parameters of the optical signal (e.g., spectral profile) of the input light 12. The OSA 10 is a free-space optical device that includes a collimator assembly 15, a diffraction grating 20 and a mirror 22. A launch pigtail emits into free space the input signal through the collimator assembly 15 and onto the diffraction grating 20, which separates or spreads spatially the collimated input light, and reflects the dispersed light onto the mirror 22. A null/4 plate 26 is disposed between the mirror 22 and the diffraction grating 20. The mirror reflects the separated light back through the null/4 plate 26 to the diffraction grating 20, which reflects the light back through the collimating lens 18. The lens 18 focuses spectral bands of light (null1-nullN) at different focal points in space. One of the spectral bands 11 is focused onto a receive pigtail 28, which then propagates to a photodetector 30. A pivoting mechanism 34 pivots the diffraction grating 20 or mirror 22 about a pivot point 36 to sequentially or selectively focus each spectral band 11 to the receive pigtail 28. A position sensor 42 detects the displacement of the diffraction grating 24 or mirror.
Abstract translation:光谱分析仪(OSA)10顺序地或选择性地从宽带光输入信号12采样(或滤波)光谱带11,并且测量输入的光信号的光学参数(例如,光谱分布) OSA 10是自由空间光学装置,其包括准直器组件15,衍射光栅20和反射镜22.发射尾纤通过准直器组件15将信号发射到自由空间中,并将其输入到衍射光栅20上 ,其在空间上分离或扩展准直的输入光,并将分散的光反射到反射镜22上.λ/ 4板26设置在反射镜22和衍射光栅20之间。反射镜将分离的光反射回λ/ 4板26连接到衍射光栅20,其通过准直透镜18反射光。透镜18将光(λ1-λN)的光谱带聚焦在空间中的不同焦点处。 光谱带11中的一个聚焦在接收引线28上,接收引线28然后传播到光电检测器30.枢转机构34围绕枢转点36枢转衍射光栅20或反射镜22,以顺序地或选择性地将每个光谱带11聚焦到 接收尾纤28.位置传感器42检测衍射光栅24或反射镜的位移。
Abstract:
An adaptive digitally tuned light source is disclosed, in the form of a de-dispersive imaging spectrograph in both the visible and near infrared spectral regions. The devices are capable of illuminating a sample with appropriate energy-weighted spectral bands or spatio-spectral bands that relate only to the constituents of interest. The energy from each of the spectral resolution elements can be digitally modulated to provide a tuned weighted spectral output. A tuned light source device based on the present disclosure can be adapted for use in a conventional imaging microscope system to enable direct measure of spatio-spectral features of interest.
Abstract:
A series of optical spectral sensors is based on a combination of solid-state sources (illumination) and detectors housed within an integrated package that includes the interfacing optics and acquisition and processing electronics. The focus is on low cost and the fabrication of the sensor is based on techniques that favor mass production. Materials and components are selected to support low-cost, high volume manufacturing of the sensors. Spectral selectivity is provided by the solid-state source(s) thereby eliminating the need for expensive spectral selection components. The spectral response covers the range from the visible (400 nm) to the mid-infrared (25,000 nm/25.0 nullm), as defined by the avalability of suitable low-cost solid-state source devices. A refractive optical system is employed, primarily in an internal reflection mode, allowing a selection of sample handling tools, including, but not restricted to internal reflectance and transmittance. A secondary channel allowing for light scattering or fluorescence methods is an option. The targeted applications of the sensing devices are for lubricants and functional fluids in the heavy equipment, automotive and transportation industries. A source reference channel is included to provide measurement stability and temperature compensation.
Abstract:
A spectrographic analysis method which is photometric and non-contact for determining the presence of a chosen constituent in water is provided based on the fact that the inverse of reflectance is a measure of absorption. A full spectrum measurement of the reflectance of the water is made and an absorption spectrum calculated which is then fitted to a clear spectrum in a wavelength range where the water absorption dominates so as to have scaling and offset. Then the clear water spectrum is subtracted and a matching is repeated for the spectrum of the desired constituent and thus a measure of the concentration of the constituent in the water is obtained.
Abstract:
A shield is disclosed that is particularly useful for protecting exposed optical elements at the end of optical probes used in the analysis of hazardous emissions in and around an industrial environment from the contaminating effects of those emissions. The instant invention provides a hood or cowl in the shape of a right circular cylinder that can be fitted over the end of such optical probes. The hood provides a clear apertures through which the probe can perform unobstructed analysis. The probe optical elements are protected form the external environment by passing a dry gas through the interior of the hood and out through the hood aperture in sufficient quantity and velocity to prevent any significant mixing between the internal and external environments. Additionally, the hood is provided with a cooling jacket to lessen the potential for damaging the probe due to temperature excursions.
Abstract:
In a spectroscopic process a sample for producing a test spectral line or spectrum of at least one component contained in the sample is stimulated and the transmitted and/or emitted electromagnetic rays are used to create the test spectral line or spectrum. In order to improve such a spectroscopic process to such an extent that variations of certain parameters, which alter the shape and/or occurrence of a spectral line, are compensated, a comparison spectral line or spectrum of a known comparison material is produced under substantially the same parameters as the sample. The comparison spectral line or spectrum is compared with an ideal comparison spectral line or spectrum in order to calculate a transfer function, and the transfer function is applied to the test spectral line or spectrum in order to calculate a corrected test spectral line or spectrum.
Abstract:
A method is described that includes measuring, at each of a set of W wavelength bins, a spectral response of at least one region of a sample stained with multiple stains, and determining the concentration of at least one of the stains in the region of the sample based in part on the spectral responses, the wavelength bins being chosen so that a matrix of elements that represent the responses of the stains at the wavelength bin has an inverse for which a mathematical stability is maximum relative to the inverses of other matrices of elements that represent the responses of the stains for other possible sets of wavelength bins.