Method and apparatus for detecting fluorescence

摘要

An apparatus and method for detecting fluorescence of an unknown target material. An energy source arranged to excite both the target material and the reference material at approximately the excitation wavelength. A reference detector and a target detector are optically arranged to be responsive to light emitted from the reference material and the target material, respectively, at approximately the fluorescing wavelength. A reference measurement means generates a reference output in response to the reference detector in order to determine the amount of fluorescence generated by the reference material. A target measurement means generates a target output in response to the target detector means in order to determine the amount of fluorescence generated by the target material. Reference calibration means varies the electrical voltage supplied to the energy source and calibrates the reference output. Target calibration means calibrates the target output in response to a known target material.