Optical system for chemical and/or biochemical reactions

Apparatus for monitoring light emanating from at least one reaction vessel in which a chemical or biochemical reaction is occurring, said apparatus comprising:

• an array of reaction vessels, each reaction vessel comprising a receptacle portion in which a chemical or biochemical reaction can occur, the receptacle portion having an emitting area from which the light can emanate;
• a light detecting device for detecting one or more wavebands of the light emanating from one or more of the reaction vessels;
• a plurality of light waveguides arranged to guide the light from the emitting areas of the array of reaction vessels to the light detecting device for detecting light emanating from one or more of the reaction vessels substantially simultaneously, each of the light waveguides having a first end arranged adjacent a corresponding emitting area of a respective one of the reaction vessels, and a second end for providing the light emanating from the respective reaction vessel to the light detecting device, wherein the first ends of the plurality of light waveguides are arranged in a first array arranged adjacent the array of reaction vessels, and the second ends of the plurality of light waveguides are arranged in a second array adjacent the light detecting device;
• at least one excitation light source for providing excitation light;
• and
• a plurality of further light waveguides, each further light waveguide being arranged between a respective reaction vessel and the at least one excitation light source for guiding excitation light from the at least one excitation light source to the respective reaction vessel.