JPH08285777A - Faint light measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To measure the quantity of faint light emitted from a biological sample with high sensitivity by setting the upper surface temperature of a sample case higher than the lower surface temperature and measuring quantity of light emitted from the sample by means of a light quantity sensor. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of laboratory dishes 30 containing sterilized water and a biological sample are set in the recesses of a rotary stage 20 and then the door of a sample chamber 10 is closed to bring about dark room state. Based on a command delivered from a controller/processor 70, a temperature regulator 41 heats up the upper surface of the laboratory dish 30 by means of a silicon rubber heater 40 depending on the temperature measured by means of a temperature sensor 60 thus setting the upper surface temperature higher by 0.1-1 deg.C than the lower surface temperature. Subsequently, the controller 70 controls a pulse motor 21 to turn the stage 20 thus transferring the laboratory dishes 30 sequentially under the light receiving surface of a photomultiplier 50. When the the laboratory dishes 30 containing the sample is arranged under the photomultiplier 50, the controller 70 commands an electromagnetic shutter 50 to open for a predetermined time and the quantity of faint light emitted from the sample is measured by means of the photomultiplier 50 and a photocounter 53 thus measuring a faint light accurately with high sensitivity.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for measuring weak light emitted from a biological sample.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for observing weak light emission emitted from a biological sample, a device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-315320 is known. This is an apparatus for measuring the faint luminescence emitted from the spot, as a result of which the plant actively performs a protective reaction when a pathogenic microorganism invades the plant.

This device puts a biological sample in a sealed sample container with a transparent lid in order to prevent contamination of the biological sample due to contamination by bacteria and further to prevent the biological sample from drying.
The sample container is placed inside a dark chamber, and the weak light emitted from the biological sample is transmitted through the transparent lid of the sample container to reach the light amount sensor outside the sample container to measure the amount of light.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is used as an apparatus for observing a biological sample in a sample container placed in the sample chamber.
It is disclosed in JP-A-60-137279. In this device, a heater 3 is provided in the vicinity of the transparent window 2 provided on the wall surface of the sample chamber 1 to prevent dew condensation on the transparent window 2,
This is an apparatus for observing a biological sample in a sample container 4 in a sample chamber 1 through a transparent window 2 with a microscope 5 provided outside the.

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-31532
In the apparatus disclosed in No. 0, since the biological sample generally contains a large amount of water, dew condensation may occur on the inner wall of the sample container. When condensation adheres to the inner wall of the sample container, the weak light emitted from the biological sample is absorbed and scattered by this condensation,
Since the amount of light that passes through the outside of the sample container and reaches the light amount sensor is weakened, there is a problem that the amount of weak light emitted from the biological sample cannot be efficiently measured by the light amount sensor.

In particular, when the biological sample is indirectly heated by warming the sample table for the purpose of maintaining the growth condition of the biological sample, the lid of the sample container becomes lower in temperature than the biological sample, and dew condensation occurs on the inner wall of the sample container. It is easy to occur. Further, when the sample table is heated, the light amount sensor also receives the radiant light from the sample table, and this radiant light becomes noise when measuring the light amount of the weak light emitted from the biological sample. There is a problem that the amount of weak light emitted cannot be accurately measured by the light amount sensor.

In the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to prevent dew condensation on the transparent window 2 provided on the wall surface of the sample chamber 1, but
Since no measures are taken against the dew condensation on the inner wall of the sample container 4, there is a problem that the biological sample in the sample container 4 cannot be effectively observed or evaluated by an optical method. In addition, this device is for observing a biological sample in the sample container 4 with a microscope 5 or the like, and since light enters from the outside through the transparent window 2, weak light emitted from the biological sample in the sample container 4 is measured. Not suitable for.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a weak light measuring device for measuring the light amount of weak light emitted from a biological sample with high sensitivity and accuracy. To do.

[0009]

The weak light measuring device according to the present invention is a weak light measuring device for measuring the light emitted from a sample placed in a sample container having a transparent lid. A temperature setting device for setting the temperature of the upper surface of the sample container higher than the lower surface of the sample container; and (2) arranged above the sample container to measure the amount of light emitted from the sample in the sample container at the light receiving surface. A light quantity sensor, and (3) a sealable sample chamber that includes the sample container and a light receiving surface of the light quantity sensor therein.

The temperature setting device is arranged at a position where radiant light from the temperature setting device does not reach the light receiving surface of the light amount sensor,
A heater for heating the upper surface of the sample container may be provided, or a cooler for cooling the lower surface of the sample container may be provided, and the radiant light therefrom may not reach the light receiving surface of the light amount sensor. A heater for heating the upper surface of the sample container and a cooler for cooling the lower surface of the sample container may both be provided.

Further, the temperature setting device measures the upper surface temperature, the lower surface temperature of the sample container or the temperature in the vicinity of the position where the sample container is placed, and based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor, A control means for maintaining the temperature of the upper surface of the sample container higher than the lower surface of the sample container may be further provided.

The light quantity sensor may be equipped with a photomultiplier tube and the light quantity may be measured by a photon counting method.

Further, the weak light measuring apparatus according to the present invention changes the relative positional relationship between the sample stage on which the plurality of sample containers are mounted and the light amount sensor and the sample stage to change the plurality of sample containers. A transporting means for sequentially arranging each of them in the measurement position, and a light shielding means for causing only the light amount of the light emitted by the sample in the sample container at the measurement position with respect to the light amount sensor to reach the light receiving surface of the light amount sensor. You may prepare.

Further, in this case, the temperature setting device may include a cooler for cooling the lower surface of the sample container via the sample table.

[0015]

In the weak light measuring device of the present invention, first, a sample container, in which a sample to be measured, for example, a biological sample, is placed is placed in the sample chamber. At this time, the sample container is placed at the measurement position for the light amount sensor. The sample chamber door is closed and the sample chamber is sealed. In the sealed state, the sample chamber becomes a dark room.

Then, the temperature setter heats the upper surface of the sample container or cools the lower surface of the sample container. At this time, the biological sample in the sample container is maintained at a predetermined temperature, for example, the culture temperature, and the temperature of the upper surface of the sample container is set higher than the temperature of the lower surface of the sample container. This prevents dew condensation on the inner wall of the upper surface of the sample container.

The faint light emitted from the biological sample in the sample container passes through the transparent upper surface of the sample container and reaches the light receiving surface of the light amount sensor above it, and the light amount is measured by the light amount sensor.

The upper surface of the sample container is heated by a heater in order to maintain the temperatures of the upper surface and the lower surface of the sample container at predetermined values. Alternatively, the lower surface of the sample container is cooled by a cooler. Alternatively, the upper surface of the sample container is heated by the heater and the lower surface of the sample container is cooled by the cooler.
The upper surface of the sample container and the lower surface of the sample container may not be simultaneously heated, but may be selectively used depending on the case.

When the upper surface of the sample container is heated by the heater, the radiant light from the heater does not reach the light receiving surface of the light quantity sensor, so that the radiant light from the heater has a bad influence on the light quantity measurement. Never give.

The upper surface temperature, the lower surface temperature of the sample container or the temperature of the sample table is measured by a temperature sensor, and the upper surface of the sample container is heated by a heater or the lower surface of the sample container by a cooler based on the temperature information obtained there. By cooling, the temperature of the upper surface of the sample container can be set higher than the culture temperature with good stability while maintaining the culture temperature of the biological sample in the sample container at a predetermined value.

When the light quantity is measured by the photon counting method using a photomultiplier tube as the measuring head of the light quantity sensor, the weak light emitted from the biological sample and transmitted through the upper surface of the transparent sample container and reaching the light receiving surface is highly sensitive. Can be measured.

When it is desired to evaluate a plurality of biological samples, a sample table for mounting a plurality of sample containers is provided in the sample chamber. A biological sample is placed in each of a plurality of sample containers,
These sample containers are arranged at predetermined positions on the sample table. The light quantity sensor or the sample table is moved by the conveying means, the respective sample containers are sequentially arranged at the measurement positions with respect to the light quantity sensor, and the weak light emitted from the biological sample in the sample container at the measurement position is measured by the light quantity sensor. At this time, only weak light emitted from the biological sample in the sample container at the measurement position is measured.

In this case, the lower surface of the sample container placed on the sample table is also indirectly cooled by cooling the sample table with the cooler.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a weak light measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the weak light measurement device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The weak light measurement device according to the embodiment shown in these figures is placed in a room maintained at a substantially constant temperature for measurement, and is useful when the culture set temperature of the biological sample is higher than the room temperature of the room. It is something.

The sample chamber 10 is a dark chamber which can be sealed, and includes a disk-shaped rotary stage 20 therein, and a Petri dish 30 can be placed on the rotary stage 20. A silicon rubber heater 40 is installed on the inner wall of the upper surface of the sample chamber 10. Further, a photomultiplier tube 50 is provided on the upper surface of the sample chamber 10.
The light-receiving surface of is installed facing downward.

The lower chamber 11 of the sample chamber is located below the sample chamber 10 and includes a pulse motor 21 for rotating the rotary stage 20 and a temperature controller 41 for controlling the silicon rubber heater 40 therein.

The control processing device (for example, a personal computer) 70 includes a sample chamber 10 and a lower chamber 11 of the sample chamber.
It is provided separately from.

The rotary stage 20 rotates as the pulse motor 21 rotates. The upper surface of the rotary stage 20 has a plurality of recessed portions as light-shielding means equidistant from the rotation center. The petri dish 30 is housed in these recesses. A temperature sensor 60 is provided on the upper surface of the rotary stage 20.

The petri dish 30 is placed in the concave portion of the rotary stage 20 after the biological sample is put therein. Petri dish 3
The lid of No. 0 is transparent, and a part of the light emitted from the biological sample put in the dish 30 passes through the transparent lid and goes upward.

Petri dishes 30a, 30b, 30c ,. ． ． Among them, only the light emitted from the biological sample in the only petri dish 30b at the measurement position below the photomultiplier tube 50 can reach the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50. However, the other petri dishes 30a, 30c ,. ． ． The light emitted from the biological sample in the inside does not reach the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50. That is, the photomultiplier tube 50 measures the light amount of only the light emitted from the biological sample in the unique petri dish 30b at the measurement position below the photomultiplier tube 50.

The silicon rubber heater 40 has an opening at a portion where the housing 51 of the photomultiplier tube 50 is arranged, is placed on the upper surface of the sample chamber 10, and heats the upper surface of the dish 30. The silicon rubber heater 40 uses the temperature controller 41 based on the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 60.
The upper surface temperature of the dish 30 is set higher than the culture set temperature by a predetermined value.

The photomultiplier tube 50 is housed in a housing 51, the housing 51 is arranged in the opening of the silicon rubber heater 40, and an electromagnetic shutter 52 is arranged in proximity to the front surface of the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50. ing. When one petri dish 30 is transported to the measurement position below the photomultiplier tube 50, the electromagnetic shutter 52 is opened for a predetermined time, emitted from the biological sample in the petri dish 30, and transmitted through the lid of the petri dish 30. The amount of light reaching the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50 is measured by the photomultiplier tube 50 and the photon counter 53.
To measure. When the measurement for the predetermined time is completed, the electromagnetic shutter 52 is closed. Then, the rotary stage 20 is rotated by the pulse motor 21, and the petri dish 30 containing the biological sample to be measured next is transported to the measurement position below the photomultiplier tube 50 and similarly measured.

The light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50 is arranged at a position where the radiant light from the silicon rubber heater 40 cannot reach. Therefore, the radiant light from the silicon rubber heater 40 does not affect the measurement of the photomultiplier tube 50.

The control processor 70 gives a command to the temperature controller 41 to control the silicon rubber heater 40 to set the temperature of the upper surface of the dish 30 higher than the culture set temperature by a predetermined value. Further, by rotating the pulse motor 21 to rotate the rotary stage 20, the rotary stage 20
The petri dish 30 placed on the photomultiplier tube 50
It is transported to the measurement position below the light receiving surface of. In addition, the opening and closing of the electromagnetic shutter 52 is controlled so that the photomultiplier tube 50 emits light from a biological sample in the petri dish 30 at the measurement position below the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50 and transmits through the lid of the petri dish 30. The value of the result of measuring the amount of light reaching the light receiving surface by the photon counter 53 for a predetermined time is acquired. The control processing device 70 measures the amount of weakly emitted light from the biological sample while organically acquiring and controlling the above-mentioned measured values.

Next, a measurement example using the weak light measuring device of the above embodiment will be described below.

Prior to the description of a specific measurement example, the biological sample used in the measurement will be described. As the biological samples, tuber roots and Fusarium fungi of the red high variety were used. Fusarium is a fungus found in soil,
A typical disease caused by Fusarium is a wilting vine cracking disease that causes root rot disease. After infecting plants such as sweet potatoes, Fusarium fungi generally exist in the conduit as hyphae of non-pathogenic filamentous fungi that do not show disease even after infection, and are frequently present in sweet potato seedlings and tuberous roots. To do. It has been found that pre-inoculation of sweet potatoes with a small amount of Fusarium bacterium imparts resistance against creeping cracking disease and can significantly suppress the occurrence of creeping cracking disease.
However, when a large amount of Fusarium is forcibly inoculated into sweet potato, sweet potato develops vine cracking disease. When the Fusarium bacterium invades the sweet potato roots, the sweet potato positively reacts as a result of which a weak light is emitted from the sweet potato. The measurement example described below is a measurement of this weak light.

First, as a preparation, adjustment treatment of Fusarium bacterium was carried out by the following procedure to prepare an experimental sample. (1) Sludge of Potato Dextrose Broth (culture solution) containing agar (1.5%) A small amount of Fusarium bacteria on the surface of slant medium was taken out and the temperature was 28 ° C in agar without Potato Dextrose Broth medium. The cells were cultured with shaking for 72 hours. (2) Next, a further small amount of Fusarium bacterium was taken out from it, and cultured in agar-free Potato Dextrose Broth medium under shaking at a temperature of 28 ° C. for 24 hours. (3) Next, while measuring with a spectroscope, Potato Dextrose Br containing Fusarium bacteria
Adjust the oth solution to reduce the turbidity at a wavelength of 600 nm to 1.4.
Set to 1.8.

Next, the sweet potato roots were processed according to the following procedure to prepare a sterile state. (1) A 70% ethanol solution was sprayed on the surface of a commercially available sweet potato root to disinfect it. (2)
Next, this sweet potato root was immersed in a sodium hypochlorite solution containing 1% of available chlorine for 10 minutes to sterilize the surface. (3) Next, the surface of the sweet potato root was washed with sterilized water to wash away the sodium hypochlorite solution. (4) Next, sweet potato roots were cut to a thickness of about 8 mm, and the center portion was cut into a disc shape having a diameter of 18 mm with a sterilized cork boula.

The weak light emitted from the sweet potato roots was measured as follows by using the sweet potato roots and the Fusarium bacterium prepared above as materials and using the weak light measuring device according to the first configuration of the present embodiment. . The measurement was carried out in a temperature-controlled room.

Sterilized water was placed in the petri dish 30, and further sweet potato roots inoculated with Fusarium fungi were placed. Multiple samples were prepared. After placing the petri dish 30 in each of the recesses of the rotary stage 20, the door of the sample chamber 10 is closed to bring the sample chamber 10 into a dark room state.

The temperature controller 41 heats the upper surface of the petri dish 30 by the silicon rubber heater 40 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 60 according to a command from the control processing device 70. At this time, the temperature of the bottom surface of the dish 30 should be lower than
0 The temperature of the upper surface is set 0.1 to 1.0 ° C. higher.

The pulse motor 21 is controlled by the control processor 70.
Is controlled to rotate the rotary stage 20 to sequentially transport each of the petri dishes 30 below the light receiving surface of the photomultiplier tube 50. When the petri dish 30 containing the sweet potato roots to be measured is placed below the photomultiplier tube 50, the electromagnetic shutter 52 is opened for a predetermined time according to a command from the control processing unit 70, and the photomultiplier tube 50 and the photon counter. 53
And measure the amount of weak light emitted from the sweet potato root,
The result is taken into the control processing device 70 and stored or processed. When the predetermined measurement time has elapsed, the electromagnetic shutter 52 is closed according to a command from the control processing device 70.

As described above, the time change of the measured value of the weak light emitted from the sweet potato root in one petri dish 30 was measured. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the result. It is observed that the amount of weak light emitted from the sweet potato roots reaches its maximum 7 hours after inoculation with Fusarium.

Further, with respect to seven sweet potato tuber samples, the amount of weak light emitted from the sweet potato tubers was measured 7 hours after the inoculation with Fusarium. Table 1 is a table showing the results, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results. At the same time, Table 1 and FIG. 4 also show the results when dew condensation occurs on the inner wall of the dish 30 in each sample. There is a difference in the measured value of the weak light emitted from the sweet potato root depending on the presence or absence of dew condensation on the inner wall of the dish 30.
That is, when dew condensation did not occur in comparison with the case where dew condensation occurred on the inner wall of the dish 30, it was confirmed that it was possible to measure 10.7 to 18.1% efficiently in the measurement of the weak light emitted from the sweet potato root. To be

[0046]

[Table 1]

In the embodiment described above, the silicon rubber heater 40 is arranged above the petri dish 30 to heat the upper surface of the petri dish 30 so that the temperature of the upper surface is higher than that of the lower surface of the petri dish 30. Therefore, it is effectively used when the set culture temperature of the biological sample is higher than the room temperature of the room where the weak light measurement apparatus according to the present embodiment is placed and used for measurement.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a weak light measuring apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The weak light measurement device according to the embodiment shown in this figure, when the culture set temperature of the biological sample is lower than the room temperature of the room where the device is placed and used for measurement, the amount of weakly emitted light from the biological sample is reduced. It can be measured efficiently. In this embodiment, the petri dish 3
By providing a means for cooling the lower surface of the dish 0, the lower surface of the dish 30 is maintained at the culture temperature of the biological sample, and the upper surface of the dish 30 is heated to a relatively higher temperature than the lower surface.

A cooling water circulation device 42 is provided to cool the lower surface of the petri dish 30. The cooling water circulation device 42 controls the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water based on the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 60 in accordance with the instruction of the control processing device 70, and circulates the cooling water inside the rotary stage 20 to rotate the rotary stage 20.
And the lower surface of the petri dish 30 placed on the rotary stage 20 is cooled.

The sample chamber 10, the pulse motor 21, the photomultiplier tube 50, the housing 51, the electromagnetic shutter 52, the photon counter 53, and these and the control processing unit 7 are provided.
The cooperative relationship with 0 is the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

By thus cooling the rotary stage 20 and indirectly cooling the lower surface of the dish 30, the lower surface of the dish 30 is maintained at the culture temperature of the biological sample as in the case of the first embodiment. In addition, the upper surface of the dish 30 can be heated to a relatively high temperature relative to the lower surface thereof, condensation on the inner wall of the lid of the dish 30 can be prevented, and weak light emitted from a biological sample in the dish 30 can be efficiently measured. it can.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a weak light measuring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The weak light measuring device according to the embodiment shown in this figure can efficiently measure the amount of weak light emission from a biological sample without depending on the room temperature of the room in which the device is placed and used for measurement.
In this embodiment, by providing both means for heating the upper surface of the dish 30 and means for cooling the lower surface of the dish 30, the lower surface of the dish 30 is maintained at the culture temperature of the biological sample, and the upper surface of the dish 30 is higher than the lower surface. To a relatively high temperature.

In order to heat the upper surface of the dish 30, a silicon rubber heater 40 and a temperature controller 41 are provided on the upper surface of the sample chamber as in the first embodiment. At the same time, petri dish 3
In order to cool the lower surface of No. 0, a cooling water circulation device 42 is provided as in the second embodiment.

When the culture set temperature of the biological sample is higher than the room temperature of the room in which the weak light measuring device according to the present embodiment is placed and used for the measurement, the silicone rubber heater 40 and the temperature controller 41 are operated and the petri dish is operated. The top surface of 30 is heated. The temperature adjuster 41 controls the silicon rubber heater 40 based on the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 60 in accordance with a command from the control processing device 70 to heat the upper surface of the petri dish 30 placed on the rotary stage 20.

On the contrary, when the set temperature of the biological sample is lower than the room temperature of the room where the weak light measuring device according to the present embodiment is placed and used for the measurement, the cooling water circulating device 42 is operated and the lower surface of the dish 30 is operated. To cool. The cooling water circulation device 42 is
According to the instruction of the control processing device 70, the temperature and flow rate of the cooling water are controlled based on the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor 60,
Cooling water is circulated inside the rotary stage 20 to cool the rotary stage 20, and the lower surface of the petri dish 30 placed on the rotary stage 20 is cooled.

Further, the silicon rubber heater 40, the temperature controller 41, and the cooling water circulation device 42 are irrespective of the room temperature of the room in which the weak light measuring device according to this embodiment is placed and used for measurement.
May be simultaneously operated to heat the upper surface of the dish 30 and cool the lower surface of the dish 30 at the same time.

The sample chamber 10, the pulse motor 21, the photomultiplier tube 50, the housing 51, the electromagnetic shutter 52, the photon counter 53, and these and the control processing unit 7 are provided.
The cooperative relationship with 0 is the same as in the case of the first embodiment.

By heating the upper surface of the dish 30 and indirectly cooling the lower surface of the dish 30 as described above, the first and second chambers are set regardless of the room temperature of the room in which the apparatus is placed.
In the same manner as in the above example, the lower surface of the dish 30 can be maintained at the culture temperature of the biological sample, and the upper surface of the dish 30 can be heated to a relatively high temperature with respect to the lower surface.
It is possible to prevent dew condensation on the inner wall of the No. 0 lid and to efficiently measure the weak light emitted from the biological sample in the dish 30.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made.

For example, as a means for heating the upper surface of the petri dish, warm air may be sent by a dryer or the like. As a means for cooling the lower surface of the petri dish, a cooling medium other than water may be used, or an electronic cooler such as a Peltier element may be used. The temperature sensor may be installed in the lower part or the upper part of each petri dish.

When a plurality of petri dishes are placed on the sample table, the petri dish may be linearly placed on the sample table and the sample table may be moved in the linear direction. Instead of moving the sample table, the photomultiplier tube may move.

As the light-shielding means, a partition may be provided between individual petri dishes so that light from other than the biological sample at the measurement position is blocked by the partition and does not reach the light-receiving surface of the light amount sensor. In addition, a concave portion or a partition is provided on the upper surface of the sample chamber, and the light receiving surface of the light amount sensor is arranged in the concave portion or the partition so that the light other than the biological sample at the measurement position is in the concave portion or the partition. The structure may not reach the light receiving surface of the sensor.

[0063]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, since the temperature setting device provided in the sample chamber can keep the upper surface temperature higher than the lower surface temperature of the sample container placed in the sample chamber, Condensation does not occur on the inner wall of the lid of the sample container even if a biological sample containing a large amount of water is contained in the sample container. Since the weak light emitted from the biological sample is not absorbed or scattered by the dew condensation, it passes through the transparent lid of the sample container with high transmittance and reaches the light receiving surface of the light amount sensor. Therefore, the weak light emitted from the biological sample can be measured with high sensitivity.

Further, since the radiant light from the heater does not reach the light receiving surface of the light quantity sensor when heating the upper surface of the sample container, the light quantity sensor and the heater are arranged so that
This radiated light does not become measurement noise, and high-precision measurement is possible.

Further, since the temperature setting device provided in the sample chamber can also have the function of setting and holding the temperature condition of the biological sample in the sample container, there is an effect that the number of parts of the entire apparatus is not increased. is there.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a weak light measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the weak light measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a result of measurement using the weak light measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a result of measurement using the weak light measurement apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a weak light measurement apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a weak light measurement device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional device for observing a biological sample in a sample chamber.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Sample chamber, 11 ... Sample chamber lower housing, 20 ... Rotating stage, 21 ... Pulse motor, 30, 30a, 30b, 3
0c ... Petri dish, 40 ... Silicon rubber heater, 41 ...
Temperature regulator, 42 ... Cooling water circulation device, 50 ... Photomultiplier tube, 51 ... Housing, 52 ... Electromagnetic shutter, 53 ... Photon counter, 60 ... Temperature sensor, 70 ... Control processing device.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A weak light measuring device for measuring the light emitted from a sample contained in a sample container having a transparent lid, wherein the temperature for setting the temperature of the upper surface of the sample container to be higher than the lower surface of the sample container. A setter, a light amount sensor which is arranged above the sample container and which measures a light amount of light emitted from a sample in the sample container at a light receiving surface, and a light receiving surface of the sample container and the light amount sensor are included therein. A weak light measurement device comprising a sample chamber that can be sealed. 2. The temperature setting device is arranged at a position where radiated light from the temperature setting device does not reach a light receiving surface of the light amount sensor,
The weak light measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising a heater that heats an upper surface of the sample container. 3. The weak light measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature setting device includes a cooler for cooling the lower surface of the sample container. 4. The temperature setting device, which is arranged at a position where radiant light from the temperature setting device does not reach the light receiving surface of the light quantity sensor, heats the upper surface of the sample container, and cools the lower surface of the sample container. The weak light measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. The temperature setting device measures a top surface temperature, a bottom surface temperature of the sample container or a temperature in the vicinity of a position where the sample container is placed, and the temperature setting device, based on temperature information from the temperature sensor. The weak light measurement device according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that maintains the temperature of the upper surface of the sample container higher than the lower surface of the sample container. 6. The light quantity sensor comprises a photomultiplier tube,
The weak light measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light quantity is measured by a photon counting method. 7. A sample table on which a plurality of sample containers are placed, and a relative positional relationship between the light amount sensor and the sample table is changed, and each of the plurality of sample containers is sequentially arranged at the measurement position. The transport means and the light-shielding means which makes only the light quantity of the light emitted by the sample in the sample container at the measurement position with respect to the light quantity sensor reach the light receiving surface of the light quantity sensor are further provided. Weak light measurement device. 8. The weak light measurement device according to claim 7, wherein the temperature setting device includes a cooler that cools the lower surface of the sample container via the sample table.