Luminescence Reference Standards

Abstract

The present teachings provide for systems, and components thereof, for detecting and/or analyzing light. These systems can include, among others, optical reference standards utilizing luminophores, such as nanocrystals, for calibrating, validating, and/or monitoring light-detection systems, before, during, and/or after sample analysis.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A system for biological reactions, comprising:
 a frame configured to support a sample support configured to support one or more biological samples;   a reference standard disposed to provide optical access to the one or more biological samples, the reference standard includes a plurality of layers, comprising:
 a light-producing element layer; and 
 a second layer comprising at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensify filter layer, a subtractive element layer, or a protective coating layer positioned adjacent the light-producing element; 
   a light source configured to illuminate (1) the one or more biological samples and (2) the light-producing element through the second layer;   a detector configured to receive light from the one or more biological samples and to receive light that is emitted, reflected, or scattered from the light-producing element;   an optical system configured to direct light from the biological samples and the light-producing element to the detector.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a support layer configured to provide structural support for the reference standard. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the light-producing element comprises a layer positioned on the support layer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a mask disposed above the light-producing element layer, wherein the light-producing element layer and the mask are separated by the second layer. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a light-blocking element defining a calibration mark on the light-producing element layer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the light-blocking element forms a mask. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a thermal cycler and an insulator configured to thermally insulate the reference standard from the thermal cycler. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the insulator is coupled to the light-blocking element. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising the sample support. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sample support comprises a microtiter plate or a cell culture plate. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the sample support comprises a cell culture plate. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the light-producing element layer comprises at least one nanocrystalline material. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the light-producing element layer comprises at least one of Ultem, photoluminescent-nanocrystal-containing material, quantum dots, or luminescent-glass-containing material. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the light-producing element layer is configured to produce light by one or more of emission, reflection, transmission, refraction, diffraction, or scattering. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the light-producing element layer is configured to produce light by one or more of luminescence, photoluminescence, fluorescence, phosphorescence, or chemiluminescence. 
     
     
         21 . A method for biological reactions, comprising:
 providing a sample support configured to support one or more biological samples;   providing a reference disposed to provide optical access to the one or more biological samples, comprising:
 a light-producing element; and 
 a second layer comprising at least one of a spectral filter layer, an intensify filter layer, a subtractive element, or a protective coating layer; 
   illuminating the one or more biological samples with a light source;   illuminating the light-producing element with the light source through the second layer;   receiving at a detector at least one of (1) light from the one or more biological samples or (2) light that is emitted, reflected, or scattered from the light-producing element;   using an optical system, directing light from at least one of the one or more biological samples or the light-producing element to the detector.