Optics cup with curved bottom

A disposable cartridge for use in the identification and quantification of micro-organisms in biological samples, comprising:

• the disposable cartridge including an optics cup contained in a compartment for positioning and supporting the optics cup, wherein the optics cup is adapted to contain the biological sample for use in an optical analysis;
• the optics cup having a generally rectangular shape with a top rectangular opening, with a pair of opposing sidewalls having a longitudinal axis therebetween and a first end wall and a second end wall and a floor, wherein a lower tapered area extends from the first end wall in an inwardly and downward direction toward the floor relative to the rectangular opening of the optics cup, wherein the second end wall opposes the first end wall and extends upwardly away from the floor;
• the compartment for positioning and supporting the optics cup having a rectangular-shaped opening for receiving and supporting the optics cup;
• wherein the floor has the shape of an inverted arch extending along the entire length of the floor,
• wherein the inverted arch is symmetric about and uniform along the longitudinal axis and the inverted arch is curved;
• wherein a portion of the container along at least the tapered area is reflective for reflecting illumination introduced into the top opening and for light collection to enhance optical analysis of the biological sample, and
• wherein the arch is oriented such that the light inside the illuminated cup traveling away from an optical collection cone will be reflected to collection points along the longitudinal axis.