Light energy fluorescence excitation

Abstract

There is set forth herein a light energy exciter that can include one or more light sources. A light energy exciter can emit excitation light directed toward a detector surface that can support biological or chemical samples.

1 . A system comprising:
 a light source to emit excitation light rays;   a light pipe receiving the excitation light rays from the light source, the light pipe homogenizing the excitation light rays from light source, the light pipe comprising a light entrance surface and a light exit surface having a rectilinear shape, the light pipe directing the excitation light rays from the light source;   a second light source to emit excitation light rays;   a second light pipe receiving the excitation light rays from the second light source, the second light pipe homogenizing the excitation light rays from the second light source, the second light pipe comprising a light entrance surface and a light exit surface having a rectilinear shape, the second light pipe directing the excitation light rays from the second light source;   wherein the light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter, in a direction from the light entry surface of the light pipe to the light exit surface of the light pipe, throughout a length of the light pipe, the light pipe reflecting the excitation light rays from the light source so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the light pipe;   wherein the second light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter, in a direction from the light entry surface of the second light pipe to the light exit surface of the second light pipe, throughout a length of the second light pipe, the second light pipe reflecting the excitation light rays from the second light source so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the second light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the second light pipe;   a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern;   wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern;   wherein the system is configured to support biological or chemical samples at a sample plane;   a detector having a rectilinear shaped detector surface;   a second detector having a second rectilinear shaped detector surface, the rectilinear shaped detector surface and the second rectilinear shaped detector surface defined at the sample plane;   wherein the lens for projection of the illumination pattern and the second illumination pattern images an object plane defined at a light exit surface of the light pipe and a light exit surface of the second light pipe onto an image plane defined at the sample plane, the lens imaging the object plane so that the rectilinear shape of the light exit surface of the light pipe is imaged by the lens onto the rectilinear shaped detector surface and further so that the rectilinear shape of the light exit surface of the second light pipe is imaged by the lens onto the second rectilinear shaped detector surface, the lens imaging the rectilinear shape of the light pipe so that the rectilinear shape of the light exit surface of the light pipe matches the rectilinear shape of the rectilinear shaped detector surface and a size of the rectilinear shaped detector surface, the lens imaging the rectilinear shape of the second light pipe so that the rectilinear shape of the light exit surface of the second light pipe matches the rectilinear shape of the second rectilinear shaped detector surface and a size of the second rectilinear shaped detector surface,   wherein the system comprises a fluid holding volumetric area defined intermediate the lens and the sample plane, wherein the system is configured to cause fluid flow into and out of the fluid holding volumetric area; and   wherein the detector surface receives light rays of the excitation light exiting the lens, and wherein the second detector surface receives light rays of the second excitation light exiting the lens;   wherein the detector includes a two dimensional planar sensor array of light sensors spaced apart from the sample plane, the detector substantially blocking light rays of the excitation light from reaching the light sensors of the sensor array, and substantially permitting emissions signal light resulting from excitation by the excitation light rays to propagate toward light sensors of the sensor array, the system being configured to transmit, with circuitry of the system, data signals in dependence on photons sensed by the light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array, wherein the detector includes an array of reaction recesses defined by the rectilinear shaped detector surface, and wherein for respective ones of light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array of light sensors there is provided one or more reaction recess of the array of reaction recesses.   
     
     
         2 . A system comprising:
 a light source to emit excitation light rays;   a light pipe receiving the excitation light rays from the light source, the light pipe homogenizing the excitation light rays from the light source, the light pipe comprising a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, the light pipe directing the excitation light rays from the light source;   a second light source to emit excitation light rays; and   a second light pipe receiving the excitation light rays from the second light source, the second light pipe homogenizing the excitation light rays from the second light source, the second light pipe comprising a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, the second light pipe directing the excitation light rays from the second light source;   wherein the system shapes the excitation light rays propagating, respectively, through the light pipe and the second light pipe to project light onto a sample plane, wherein the system is configured to support biological or chemical samples at the sample plane.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at the sample plane there is a detector surface of a detector, and a second detector surface of a second detector, wherein the system shapes the excitation light rays propagating, respectively, through the light pipe and the second light pipe to project excitation light onto the sample plane so that there is projected on the detector surface an illumination pattern, and further so that there is projected on the second detector surface a second illumination pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at the sample plane there is a detector surface of a detector, and a second detector surface of a second detector, wherein the system shapes the excitation light rays propagating, respectively, through the light pipe and the second light pipe so that there is projected on the detector surface an illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the detector surface, and further so that there is projected on the second detector surface a second illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the second detector surface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at the sample plane there is a detector surface of a detector and a second detector surface of a second detector, wherein the excitation light rays propagate, respectively, through the light pipe and the second light pipe so that there is projected on the detector surface an illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the detector surface, and further so that there is projected on the second detector surface a second illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the second detector surface, wherein the second illumination pattern is spaced apart from the illumination pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the light pipe so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the light pipe so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern, wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at the sample plane there is a detector surface of a detector, and a second detector surface of a second detector, wherein the system comprises a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the detector surface, wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the second detector surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system includes a lens focusing an object plane defined by a light exit surface of the light pipe and a light exit surface of the second light pipe onto an image plane defined at the sample plane. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at the sample plane there is a detector surface of a detector, and a second detector surface of a second detector, wherein the system comprises a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the light pipe so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the detector surface, wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern matching a size and shape of the second detector surface, wherein the lens for projection of the illumination pattern and the second illumination pattern images an object plane onto an image plane defined at the sample plane, wherein a light exit surface of the light pipe and a light exit surface of the second light pipe are positioned at the object plane. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter in a direction from the light entry surface of the light pipe to the light exit surface of the light pipe, wherein throughout a length of the light pipe, the light pipe reflects the excitation light rays from the light source so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the light pipe. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter in a direction from the light entry surface of the light pipe to the light exit surface of the light pipe, wherein throughout a length of the light pipe, the light pipe reflects the excitation light rays from the light source so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the system, wherein the second light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter in a direction from the light entry surface of the second light pipe to the light exit surface of the second light pipe, wherein throughout a length of the second light pipe, the second light pipe reflects the excitation light rays from the second light source so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the second light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the second light pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises one or more filters to filter light at wavelengths longer than an emission band of wavelengths of the light source, and wherein the system comprises folding optics folding an optical axis. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode, and wherein the second light source comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode emitting light at a first narrow band wavelength, and wherein the light source comprises a second light emitting diode emitting light at a second narrow band wavelength. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the light source and the second light source each comprises a light emitting diode emitting light at a first narrow band wavelength, and wherein the light source and the second light source each further comprises a second light emitting diode emitting light at a second narrow band wavelength. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the light pipe so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern, wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern, wherein the system is configured to receive light rays of the excitation light and emissions signal light rays resulting from excitation by the light rays of the excitation light, the system comprising a two dimensional planar sensor array spaced apart from the sample plane, the system substantially blocking rays of the light rays of the excitation light, and substantially permitting the emissions signal light to propagate toward light sensors of the sensor array, the system being configured to transmit, with circuitry of system, data signals in dependence on photons sensed by the light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the system includes a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the light source so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern matching a size and shape of a detector surface at the sample plane, wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern matching a size and shape of a second detector surface at the sample plane, wherein the system includes a fluid holding volumetric area adjacent the sample plane, wherein the system is configured to cause fluid flow into and out of the fluid holding volumetric area, wherein the system is configured to receive light rays of the excitation light and emissions signal light rays resulting from excitation by the light rays of the excitation light, the system comprising a two dimensional planar sensor array spaced apart from the sample plane, the system substantially blocking rays of the light rays of the excitation light, and substantially permitting the emissions signal light to propagate toward light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array, the system being configured to transmit, with circuitry of the system, data signals in dependence on photons sensed by the light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array. 
     
     
         19 . A system comprising:
 at least one light source to emit excitation light rays; and   a light pipe homogenizing the excitation light rays and directing the excitation light rays, the light pipe comprising a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, the light pipe receiving the excitation light rays from the at least one light source;   wherein the light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter, in a direction from the light entry surface of the light pipe to the light exit surface of the light pipe, throughout a length of the light pipe, the light pipe reflecting the excitation light rays so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the light pipe;   a lens that receives the excitation light rays from the light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays so that excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project an illumination pattern, wherein the lens images an object plane defined by the light exit surface of the light pipe onto an image plane defined by a detector surface of a detector, the detector surface for supporting biological or chemical samples at a sample plane, wherein the detector surface and the light exit surface of the light pipe of tapered construction each include a rectilinear shape, and wherein system is configured by the rectilinear shape of the light exit surface of the light pipe of tapered construction and by an imaging lens to project the illumination pattern onto the image plane at the detector surface, the lens imaging the rectilinear shape of the light pipe so that the illumination pattern matches the rectilinear shape of the detector surface and a size of the detector surface;   wherein the detector includes a two dimensional planar sensor array of light sensors spaced apart from the sample plane, the detector substantially blocking light rays of the excitation light from reaching the light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array, and substantially permitting emissions signal light resulting from excitation by the excitation light to propagate toward light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array, the system being configured to transmit, with circuitry of the system, data signals in dependence on photons sensed by the light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array, wherein the detector includes an array of reaction recesses defined by the detector surface, and wherein for respective ones of light sensors of the two dimensional planar sensor array of light sensors there is provided one or more reaction recess of the array of reaction recesses.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , comprising:
 a second light pipe receiving excitation light rays from an illumination source, the second light pipe homogenizing the excitation light rays from the second light source, the second light pipe comprising a light entrance surface and a light exit surface having a rectilinear shape, the second light pipe directing the excitation light rays from the illumination source;   wherein the second light pipe is of tapered construction and comprises an increasing diameter, in a direction from the light entry surface of the second light pipe to the light exit surface of the second light pipe, throughout a length of the second light pipe, the second light pipe reflecting the excitation light rays from the illumination source so that light pipe exit light rays exiting the light exit surface of the second light pipe define a diverging cone of light that diverges with respect to an optical axis of the second light pipe;   wherein the lens receives the excitation light rays from the second light pipe and shapes light rays of the excitation light rays from the second light pipe so that second excitation light exiting the lens defines a converging cone of light that converges to project a second illumination pattern onto the sample plane;   wherein the system includes a fluid holding volumetric area adjacent the sample plane, wherein the system is configured to cause fluid flow into and out of the fluid holding volumetric area.