Optical system and method for optically analyzing light from a sample

• US 6,690,467 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Applied Biosystems LLC (Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: PE Corp.
• Inventors: Reel, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Punnoose, Roy M
• Application Number:
  US09/564,790
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 356/326, 356/344, 356/328, 356/330, 356/432, 359/642, 359/656, 359/649
• US Class Current: 356/328
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0208 using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0229 using masks, aperture plates, spatial light modulators or spatial filters, e.g. reflective filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0262 Constructional arrangements for removing stray light
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0294 Multi-channel spectroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/04 Slit arrangements slit adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/2803 using photoelectric array detector
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0346 Capillary cells; Microcells
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/31 Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry G01N21/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44721 by optical means

Abstract

An optical system for analyzing light from a plurality of samples is provided. The optical system includes a plurality of holders adapted to have samples located therein, a collection lens, a transmission grating, and a reimaging lens. The collection lens is configured to receive and substantially collimate light from the samples. The transmission grating is configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens. The reimaging lens is configured to receive the light from the light dispersing element and direct the light onto a light detection device. A method of optically analyzing at least one sample is also provided.

Claims

1. An optical system for analyzing light from a plurality of samples, comprising:

a plurality of sample holders;

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light from the plurality of sample holders;

a substantially hemispherical optical element comprising a flat surface facing the plurality of sample holders, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

a transmission grating configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive the spectrally dispersed light from the transmission grating and direct the spectrally dispersed light onto a light detection device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises said light detection device, and wherein said light detection device is a two-dimensional, multi-element photodetector having respectively perpendicular spatial and spectral detection axes.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein light from the plurality of sample holders is spatially dispersed along the spatial detection axis of the photodetector, such that light from each sample holder can be detected.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein light from each sample holder is spectrally dispersed along the spectral detection axis of the photodetector, such that a plurality of spectral components of the light from each sample holder can be detected.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the system is configured to independently detect light from each sample holder.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the system is configured to independently detect the plurality of spectral components.

7. The system of claim 2 wherein said system is configured to compensate for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed light, the compensation comprising an optical axis of the reimaging lens being non-perpendicular with a surface of the photodetector.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of spectral components are focused onto a plane of the photodetector.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the radius of curvature of the hemispherical optical element is approximately equal to a distance between the collection lens and the sample.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one optical element.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises more than one optical element.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one rectangular element.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the hemispherical optical element is configured to magnify the light from the plurality of sample holders.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the hemispherical optical element is aspheric.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a second substantially hemispherical optical element located between the reimaging lens and the light detection device, wherein the second substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the light detection device, a hemispherically curved surface facing the reimaging lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the reimaging lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the reimaging lens.

16. The system of claim 1 further comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the plurality of sample holders.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein light from the excitation light source does not pass through the collection lens prior to illuminating the sample holders.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises not more than one transmission grating.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sample holders comprise electrophoresis lanes.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein at least one of said lanes is located in a capillary.

21. The system of claim 1, further comprising an optical filter positioned at least one of between the plurality of sample holders and the collection lens and between the collection lens and the reimaging lens.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said optical filter is an interference filter.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light having a wavelength shorter than an excitation wavelength of the plurality of samples.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light having a wavelength substantially equal to an excitation wavelength of the plurality of samples.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is located at the image plane of the reimaging lens.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device includes an anti-reflective coating.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising an aperture positioned between the collection lens and the reimaging lens.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the aperture is configured to provide substantially uniform light throughput.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the aperture is in the shape of a cat'"'"'s eye.

32. The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a correction lens positioned between the collection lens and the reimaging lens, and configured to reduce a curvature of the image on the light detection device.

33. An optical system for analyzing light from a plurality of samples, comprising:

a plurality of sample holders;

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light from the plurality of sample holders;

a substantially hemispherical optical element comprising a flat surface facing the plurality of sample holders, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

a transmission grating configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive the spectrally dispersed light from the transmission grating and direct the light onto a light detection device,

wherein said system is configured to compensate for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed light, the compensation comprising an optical axis of the reimaging lens being non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein said light detection device is a two-dimensional, multi-element photodetector having respectively perpendicular spatial and spectral detection axes.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein light from the plurality of sample holders is spatially dispersed along the spatial detection axis of the photodetector, such that light from each sample holder can be detected.

36. The system of claim 35 wherein light from each sample holder is spectrally dispersed along the spectral detection axis of the photodetector, such that a plurality of spectral components of the light from each sample holder can be detected.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the system is configured to independently detect light from each sample holder.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is configured to independently detect the plurality of spectral components.

39. The system of claim 33 wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein a plurality of spectral components are focused onto a plane of the light detection device.

40. The system of claim 33, wherein the radius of curvature of the hemispherical optical element is approximately equal to a distance between the collection lens and the sample.

41. The system of claim 33, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one optical element.

42. The system of claim 33 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises more than one optical element.

43. The system of claim 33, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one rectangular element.

44. The system of claim 33, wherein the hemispherical optical element is configured to magnify the light from the plurality of sample holders.

45. The system of claim 33 wherein the hemispherical optical element is aspheric.

46. The system of claim 33 wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a second substantially hemispherical optical element located between the reimaging lens and the light detection device, wherein the second substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the light detection device, a hemispherically curved surface facing the reimaging lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the reimaging lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the reimaging lens.

47. The system of claim 33, further comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the plurality of sample holders.

48. The system of claim 47 wherein light from the excitation light source does not pass through the collection lens prior to illuminating the plurality of sample holders.

49. The system of claim 33 wherein said system comprises not more than one transmission grating.

50. The system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of sample holders comprise electrophoresis lanes.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein at least one of said lanes is located in a capillary.

52. The system of claim 33, further comprising an optical filter positioned at least one of between the plurality of sample holders and the collection lens and between the collection lens and the reimaging lens.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said optical filter is an interference filter.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light having a wavelength shorter than an excitation wavelength of the plurality of samples.

56. The system of claim 52 wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light having a wavelength substantially equal to an excitation wavelength wavelength of the plurality of samples.

57. The system of claim 33 wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is located at the image plane of the reimaging lens.

58. The system of claim 33, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).

59. The system of claim 33, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device includes an anti-reflective coating.

60. The system of claim 33, further comprising an aperture positioned between the collection lens and the reimaging lens.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the aperture is configured to provide substantially uniform light throughput.

62. The system of claim 61 wherein the aperture is in the shape of a cat'"'"'s eye.

63. The system of claim 33, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a correction lens positioned between the collection lens and the reimaging lens to reduce the curvature of the image on the light detection device.

64. The system of claim 33, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the spectrally dispersed light is focused onto a plane of the light detection device.

65. An optical system for analyzing light from a plurality of samples, comprising:

a plurality of sample holders;

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light from the plurality of sample holders;

a transmission grating configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive the spectrally dispersed light from the transmission grating and direct the light onto a light detection device,

wherein said system is configured to compensate for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed light, the compensation comprising an optical axis of the reimaging lens being non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

66. The system of claim 65, further comprising a substantially hemispherical optical element comprising a flat surface facing the plurality of sample holders, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the radius of curvature of the hemispherical optical element is approximately equal to a distance between the collection lens and the sample.

68. The system of claim 66 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one optical element.

69. The system of claim 66, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises more than one optical element.

70. The system of claim 66 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one rectangular element.

71. The system of claim 66 wherein the hemispherical optical element is configured to magnify the light from the plurality of sample holders.

72. The system of claim 66, wherein the hemispherical optical element is aspheric.

73. The system of claim 65, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a second substantially hemispherical optical element located between the reimaging lens and the light detection device, wherein the second substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the light detection device, a hemispherically curved surface facing the reimaging lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the reimaging lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the reimaging lens.

74. The optical system of claim 65, further comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the plurality of sample holders.

75. The optical system of claim 74, wherein light from the excitation light source does not pass through the collection lens prior to illuminating the sample holders.

76. The optical system of claim 65, wherein said system comprises not more than one transmission grating.

77. The optical system of claim 65, wherein the plurality of sample holders comprise electrophoresis lanes.

78. The optical system of claim 77 wherein at least one of said lanes is located in a capillary.

79. The optical system of claim 65, further comprising an optical filter positioned at least one of between the plurality of sample holders and the collection lens and between the collection lens and the reimaging lens.

80. The optical system of claim 79, wherein said optical filter is an interference filter.

81. The optical system of claim 79, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light.

82. The optical system of claim 79 wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light having a wavelength shorter than an excitation wavelength of the plurality of samples.

83. The optical system of claim 79, wherein said optical filter substantially blocks light having a wavelength substantially equal to the excitation wavelength of the plurality of samples.

84. The optical system of claim 65, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is located at the image plane of the reimaging lens.

85. The optical system of claim 65, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).

86. The optical system of claim 65, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device includes an anti-reflective coating.

87. The optical system of claim 65, further comprising an aperture positioned between the collection lens and the reimaging lens.

88. The optical system of claim 87, wherein the aperture is configured to provide substantially uniform light throughput.

89. The optical system of claim 88, wherein the aperture is in the shape of a cat'"'"'s eve.

90. The optical system of claim 65, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a correction lens positioned between the collection lens and the reimaging lens, and configured to reduce the curvature of the image on the light detection device.

91. A system for analyzing light from a sample in a separation system, comprising:

at least one separation lane;

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light emitted from the at least one separation lane;

a substantially hemispherical optical element comprising a flat surface facing the at least one separation lane, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

a light dispersing element configured to spectrally disperse substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive light from the light dispersing element and direct the light onto a light detection device,

wherein said system is configured to compensate for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed light, the compensation comprising an optical axis of the reimaging lens being non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

92. The system of claim 91, wherein the at least one separation lane comprises a plurality of separation lanes.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the plurality of separation lanes comprise separation capillaries positioned in a planar array.

94. The system of claim 91, wherein the at least one separation lane comprises only a single separation lane.

95. The system of claim 91, wherein said light dispersing element comprises a transmission grating.

96. The system of claim 91 wherein said light dispersing element comprises a reflection grating.

97. The system of claim 91, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is a multi-element photodetector configured to analyze light from the plurality of separation lanes.

98. The system of claim 97 wherein the multi-element photodetector comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).

99. The system of claim 91, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is located at substantially the image plane of the reimaging lens.

100. The system of claim 91 further comprising a light source providing an excitation light to the at least one separation lane.

101. The system of claim 91 wherein the radius of curvature of the hemispherical optical element is approximately equal to a distance between the collection lens and the sample.

102. The system of claim 91, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one optical element.

103. The system of claim 91, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises more than one optical element.

104. The system of claim 91, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one rectangular element.

105. The system of claim 91, wherein the hemispherical optical element is configured to magnify the light from at least one separation lane.

106. The system of claim 91, wherein the hemispherical optical element is aspheric.

107. The system of claim 91, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a second substantially hemispherical optical element located between the reimaging lens and the light detection device, wherein the second substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the light detection device, a hemispherically curved surface facing the reimaging lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the reimaging lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the reimaging lens.

108. A system for analyzing light from a light source, comprising:

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light emitted from the light source;

a substantially hemispherical optical element comprising a flat surface facing the light source, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

a light dispersing element configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive the spectrally dispersed light from the light dispersing element and direct the light onto a light detection device,

wherein said system is configured to compensate for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed light, the compensation comprising an optical axis of the reimaging lens being non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein the system comprises at least one separation lane.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein said at least one separation lane comprises said light source.

111. The system of claim 109, wherein the at least one separation lane comprises a plurality of separation lanes.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein the plurality of separation lanes comprise separation capillaries positioned in an planar array.

113. The system of claim 109 wherein the at least one separation lane comprises only a single separation lane.

114. The system of claim 108 wherein said light dispersing element comprises a transmission grating.

115. The system of claim 108, wherein said light dispersing element comprises a reflection grating.

116. The system of claim 111, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is a multi-element photodetector configured to analyze light from the plurality of separation lanes.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein the multi-element photodetector comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).

118. The system of claim 108 wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is located at substantially the image plane of the reimaging lens.

119. The system of claim 110 further comprising an excitation light source providing an excitation light to the at least one separation lane.

120. The system of claim 108 wherein the radius of curvature of the hemispherical optical element is approximately equal to a distance between the collection lens and the sample.

121. The system of claim 108, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one optical element.

122. The system of claim 108, wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises more than one optical element.

123. The system of claim 108 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one rectangular element.

124. The system of claim 108, wherein the hemispherical optical element is configured to magnify the light from the light source.

125. The system of claim 108, wherein the hemispherical optical element is aspheric.

126. A system for analyzing light from a sample in a separation system, comprising:

at least one separation lane;

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light emitted from the at least one separation lane;

a substantially hemispherical optical element comprising a flat surface facing the at least one separation lane, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

a transmission grating configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive the spectrally dispersed light from the transmission grating and direct the spectrally dispersed light onto a light detection device,

wherein said system is configured to compensate for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed light, the compensation comprising an optical axis of the reimaging lens being non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

127. The system of claim 126 wherein the at least one separation lane comprises a plurality of separation lanes.

128. The system of claim 127 wherein the separation lanes comprise separation capillaries positioned in an planar array.

129. The system of claim 126, wherein the at least one separation lane comprises only a single separation lane.

130. The system of claim 127, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is a multi-element photodetector configured to analyze light from the plurality of separation lanes.

131. The system of claim 130, wherein the multi-element photodetector comprises a charge-coupled device (CCD).

132. The system of claim 126, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device, and wherein the light detection device is located at substantially the image plane of the reimaging lens.

133. The system of claim 126 further comprising a light source providing an excitation light to the at least one separation lane.

134. The system of claim 126 wherein the radius of curvature of the hemispherical optical element is approximately equal to a distance between the collection lens and the sample.

135. The system of claim 126 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one optical element.

136. The system of claim 126 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises more than one optical element.

137. The system of claim 126 wherein the hemispherical optical element comprises at least one rectangular element.

138. The system of claim 126 wherein the hemispherical optical element is configured to magnify the light from the at least one separation lane.

139. The system of claim 126, wherein the hemispherical optical element is aspheric.

140. The system of claim 126, wherein the system further comprises the light detection device and a second substantially hemispherical optical element located between the reimaging lens and the light detection device, wherein the second substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the light detection device, a hemispherically curved surface facing the reimaging lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the reimaging lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the reimaging lens.

141. A method of optically analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:

providing a plurality of samples;

illuminating the samples with an excitation light to generate an emission light;

collecting the emission light emitted from the samples with a collection lens, said collecting comprising collecting the emission light through a substantially hemispherical element located between the collection lens and the plurality of samples, wherein the substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the plurality of samples, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

substantially collimating the emission light with the collection lens;

spectrally dispersing the substantially collimated emission light with a transmission grating;

directing the spectrally dispersed emission light from the transmission grating onto a light detection device by a reimaging lens; and

optically detecting the spectral characteristics of the spectrally dispersed emission light with a light detection device, wherein

said excitation light does not pass through the collection lens prior to illuminating the sample; and

further comprising compensating for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed emission light, the compensating comprising configuring an optical axis of the reimaging lens to be non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein said light detection device is a two-dimensional, multi-element photodetector having respectively perpendicular spatial and spectral detection axes.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein the spectrally dispersed emission light is spatially dispersed along the spatial detection axis of the photodetector, such that light from each sample holder can be independently detected.

144. The method of claim 142, wherein the spectrally dispersed emission light is spectrally dispersed along the spectral detection axis of the photodetector, such that a plurality of spectral components of the light from each sample can be independently detected.

145. The method of claim 141 wherein the providing the plurality of samples includes providing the plurality of samples to a plurality of separation lanes.

146. The method of claim 145 wherein the plurality of separation lanes comprise capillaries for electrophoresis.

147. The method of claim 144, further comprising blocking a portion of light of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths using an optical filter.

148. The method of claim 147 wherein the optical filter comprises an interference filter.

149. The method of claim 144 further comprising selectively blocking the light between the collection lens and the reimaging lens with an aperture.

150. The method of claim 149 wherein said selective blocking of the light provides for substantially uniform light throughput.

151. The method of claim 150 wherein said aperture is in the shape of a cat'"'"'s eve.

152. The method of claim 141 further comprising coating the light detection device with an anti-reflective material.

153. The method of claim 141, further comprising positioning a correction lens between the collection lens and the reimaging lens to reduce curvature of the image on the light detection device.

154. The method of claim 153 further comprising placing a second substantially hemispherical element between the reimaging lens and the image plane of the reimaging lens.

155. A method of optically analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:

providing a plurality of samples;

illuminating the plurality of samples with an excitation light to generate an emission light;

collecting the emission light emitted from the plurality of samples with a collection lens, said collecting comprising collecting the emission light through a substantially hemispherical element located between the collection lens and the plurality of samples, wherein the substantially hemispherical optical element comprises a flat surface facing the plurality of samples, a hemispherically curved surface facing said collection lens, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

substantially collimating the emission light with the collection lens;

spectrally dispersing the substantially collimated emission light with a transmission grating;

directing the spectrally dispersed emission light from the transmission grating onto a light detection device by a reimaging lens; and

optically detecting spectral characteristics of the spectrally dispersed emission light,

wherein said excitation light does not pass through the collection lens prior to illuminating the sample.

156. The method of claim 155, wherein said light detection device is a two-dimensional, multi-element photodetector having respectively perpendicular spatial and spectral detection axes.

157. The method of claim 156, wherein the spectrally dispersed emission light is spatially dispersed along the spatial detection axis of the photodetector, such that light from each sample holder can be independently detected.

158. The method of claim 156 wherein the spectrally dispersed emission light is spectrally dispersed along the spectral detection axis of the photodetector, such that a plurality of spectral components of the light from each sample holder can be independently detected.

159. The method of claim 155, wherein the providing the plurality samples includes providing the plurality of samples to a plurality of separation lanes.

160. The method of claim 159, wherein the plurality of separation lanes comprise capillaries for electrophoresis.

161. The method of claim 155 further comprising blocking a portion of light of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths using an optical filter.

162. The method of claim 161, wherein the optical filter comprises an interference filter.

163. The method of claim 155, further comprising tilting the light detection device with respect to the optical axis of the reimaging lens so that the light is focused on a plane of the light detection device.

164. The method of claim 155 further comprising selectively blocking the light between the collection lens and the reimaging lens with an aperture.

165. The method of claim 164, wherein said selective blocking of the light provides for substantially uniform light throughput.

166. The method of claim 165 wherein said aperture is in the shape of a cat'"'"'s eye.

167. The method of claim 155, further comprising coating the light detection device with an anti-reflective material.

168. The method of claim 155, further comprising positioning a correction lens between the collection lens and the reimaging lens to reduce curvature of the image on the light detection device.

169. The method of claim 155, further comprising placing a second substantially hemispherical element between the reimaging lens and the image plane of the reimaging lens.

170. A method of optically analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:

providing a plurality of samples;

illuminating the plurality of samples with an excitation light to generate an emission light;

collecting the emission light emitted from the sample with a collection lens;

substantially collimating the emission light with the collection lens;

spectrally dispersing the substantially collimated emission light with a transmission grating;

directing the spectrally dispersed emission light from the transmission grating onto a light detection device by a reimaging lens; and

optically detecting spectral characteristics of the spectrally dispersed emission light,

wherein said excitation light does not pass through the collection lens prior to illuminating the sample; and

further comprising compensating for chromatic aberration in the spectrally dispersed emission light, the compensating comprising configuring an optical axis of the reimaging lens to be non-perpendicular with a surface of the light detection device.

171. The method of claim 170 wherein said light detection device is a two-dimensional, multi-element photodetector having respectively perpendicular spatial and spectral detection axes.

172. The method of claim 170, wherein the spectrally dispersed emission light is spatially dispersed along the spatial detection axis of the photodetector, such that light from each sample holder can be independently detected.

173. The method of claim 170 wherein the spectrally dispersed emission light is spectrally dispersed along the spectral detection axis of the photodetector, such that a plurality of spectral components of the light from each sample can be independently detected.

174. The method of claim 170 wherein the providing the plurality of samples includes providing the plurality of samples to a plurality of separation lanes.

175. The method of claim 174 wherein the plurality of separation lanes comprise capillaries for electrophoresis.

176. The method of claim 170 further comprising, blocking a portion of light of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths using an optical filter.

177. The method of claim 176, wherein the optical filter comprises an interference filter.

178. The method of claim 170, further comprising selectively blocking the light between the collection lens and the reimaging lens with an aperture.

179. The method of claim 178, wherein said selective blocking of the light provides for substantially uniform light throughput.

180. The method of claim 178, wherein said aperture is in the shape of a cat'"'"'s eye.

181. The method of claim 170, further comprising coating the light detection device with an anti-reflective material.

182. The method of claim 170 further comprising positioning a correction lens between the collection lens and the reimaging lens to reduce curvature of the image on the light detection device.

183. The method of claim 170, further comprising placing a substantially hemispherical element at least one of between the collection lens and the object plane of the collection lens, and the reimaging lens and between the image plane of the reimaging lens.

184. An optical system for analyzing light from a plurality of samples, comprising:

a plurality of sample holders;

a collection lens configured to receive and substantially collimate light from the plurality of sample holders;

an optical element comprising at least a hemispherical portion having a diametral plane and a curved surface facing the collection lens, a flat surface facing the plurality of sample holders, and a radius of curvature, the center of said radius of curvature being located substantially on an optical axis of the collection lens and substantially at or near an object plane of the collection lens;

a transmission grating configured to spectrally disperse the substantially collimated light from the collection lens; and

a reimaging lens configured to receive the spectrally dispersed light from the transmission grating and direct the spectrally dispersed light onto a light detection device.

185. The system of claim 184 wherein the optical element is extended perpendicular to the diametral plane in a direction away from the curved surface.

186. The system of claim 185, wherein the extension has a substantially constant width parallel to the diametral plane.

187. The system of claim 185, wherein the extension has more than one width parallel to the diametral plane.

189. The system of claim 185 wherein the optical element comprises one optical element.

190. The system of claim 185 wherein the optical element comprises more than one optical element.

191. The system of claim 184, wherein the curved surface is a substantially hemispherically curved surface.

188. The system of claim 256, wherein the more than one width comprises widths that decrease along the extension in the direction away from the curved surface.