Apparatus for facilitating a chemical reaction through the application of light, including a light source providing illumination at a selected wavelength, a lens material adapted to be in physical contact with the light source, when in use, and a receptacle for holding a reaction vial in which the chemical reaction takes place, the receptacle adapted to position a portion of the reaction vial in physical contact with the lens material when in use, wherein the lens material has a refractive index that facilitates the transmission of the illumination from the light source to the reaction vial. Alternatively, the receptacle and vial may be replaced by a reaction plate in which reaction wells are formed.