Optical detection methods generally involve the absorption, emission, or scattering of light by biological molecules. When a sample is exposed to light of a specific wavelength, it may absorb and re-emit this light at a different wavelength (fluorescence), absorb it and convert it into heat or other forms of energy (absorbance), or scatter the light in different directions (scattering). The resulting signals are then measured and analyzed to provide quantitative or qualitative data about the sample.
