Patent ID: 6970241
Filing Date: 2005-11-29
Classification: G01J,G01N

Abstract:
1. A polarization module, comprising: a) a sample holder for holding a sample; b) an input polarizer located intermediate the sample and a light source emitting an excitation light beam, the input polarizer being fixed in position with a vertical plane of polarization and intersecting the excitation light beam to vertically polarize the excitation light beam prior to its entry into the sample; c) an output polarizer located intermediate a modulator means and a detector of light intensity, the output polarizer being fixed in position intermediate the modulator means and the detector, with a horizontal plane of polarization and intersecting a fluorescence emission beam prior to its exit from the polarization module as an output signal detectable by the detector; and, d) the modulator means located intermediate the sample and the output polarizer and intersecting the fluorescence emission beam exiting the sample, the modulator means comprising a liquid crystal variable retardance modulator switchable between a first and a second state at an arbitrarily slow rate, and having a fast axis oriented at 45°.