Optical system for multiple reactions

A method for measuring the optical properties of samples, the method comprising:

• a) heating and cooling the samples to perform polynucleotide amplification;
• and
• b) measuring the optical properties of the samples during the amplification in order to determine the level of amplification, wherein the measuring of the optical properties of the samples comprises:
• i) illuminating samples in an array of sample vessels with an array of n light sources, wherein a holder is adapted to mate with a sample plate which includes the array of sample vessels, and wherein light from the n light sources is divided into x light beams with a prismatic optical divider, such that n times x is m, and m light beams are produced;
• ii) directing the m beams to the m sample vessels using optical components;
• and
• iii) measuring light from the m sample vessels at a detector.

An apparatus for measuring the optical properties of samples in sample vessels, the apparatus comprising:

• a) an array of n light sources;
• b) a holder adapted to mate with a sample plate comprising m sample vessels;
• c) an optical divider comprising a prismatic optical divider and arranged such that light from each light source is divided into x light beams wherein each of the light beams comprise the same wavelength of light;
• d) a set of source optical components that deliver the light beams from the optical divider to the m sample vessels;
• and
• e) an optical detector and a set of detector optical components arranged such that light from the m sample vessels is detected by the detector;
• wherein the source optical components comprise an excitation filter and the detector optical components comprise an emission filter.