Solid-state, multi-well plate reader

A multi-well plate reader for a 24, 12, or 6-well sample plate, comprising:

• a an alignment tray configured to securely fasten the 24, 12, or 6 well sample plate, the alignment tray, comprising:
• (i) four raised corner pieces, wherein at least one corner piece, comprises:
• a force-producing element configured to align the sample plate to a single reference point, the force-producing element being a spring-like element, an angular edge, or a combination thereof;
• and,
• (ii) at least one coupling protrusion or intrusion;
• b an emitter assembly, physically coupled to and in a fixed position relative to the alignment tray, the emitter assembly, comprising:
• a plurality of electromagnetic emitters arranged to place the emissions of the emitters in optical alignment with each well of the sample well plate;
• c a second tray, comprising:
• at least one coupling intrusion or protrusion that corresponds to the at least one coupling protrusion or intrusion on the alignment tray for temporary coupling and alignment of the trays during the plate reader operation;
• d a receptor assembly, physically coupled to and in a fixed position relative to the second tray, the receptor assembly, comprising:
• a plurality of electromagnetic receptors arranged to place the receptors in alignment with electromagnetic emission that exits each well of the sample plate;
• and
• e a boundary assembly, comprising:
• (i) a first housing that houses the alignment tray and emitter assembly;
• and,
• (ii) a second housing that houses the second tray and receptor assembly;
• f a durable coupling attached to the alignment tray and second tray, to both housings, or both, which allows the trays and housings to move relative to one another;
• wherein:
• each emitter is operable to transmit electromagnetic radiation to one or more of the receptors;
• and,
• both the emitter assembly and receptor assembly are static regarding one another and the sample plate during operation of the plate reader.