Abstract: The invention provides a high resolution, wide dynamic range, multi-color detection platform for microfluidic analyzers/instruments and methods. The detection platform uses multiple high gain semiconductor optical sensors for the detection of luminescence from cellular or biological samples. The digitized outputs from these sensors are combined and weighted in a signal processing unit, using pre-determined algorithms for each color, which optimize the resolution in each of these high gain semiconductor optical sensors while extending the dynamic range of the detection platform.

Abstract: A CMOS sensor has unit pixels each structured by a light receiving element and three transistors, to prevent against the phenomenon of saturation shading and the reduction of dynamic range. The transition time (fall time), in switching off the voltage on a drain line shared in all pixels, is given longer than the transition time in turning of any of the reset line and the transfer line. For this reason, the transistor constituting a DRN drive buffer is made proper in its W/L ratio. Meanwhile, a control resistance or current source is inserted on a line to the GND, to make proper the operation current during driving. This reduces saturation shading amount. By making a reset transistor in a depression type, the leak current to a floating diffusion is suppressed to broaden the dynamic range.

Abstract: A microscope and a method of microscopy use structured illumination, involving imaging a grid structure or periodic light distribution on a sample. By displacing the image of the grid structure, imaging is carried out under different phase positions, and a high-resolution sample image is calculated from the recorded images. The grid structure or light distribution is generated by using at least two phase grids arranged one in front of the other, and different orientations of the light distribution perpendicular to the illumination direction are generated by displacing the phase grids relative to one another, with displacement, imaging and calculation being carried out for different orientations.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: a photodiode provided in a silicon substrate, and configured to generate electric charge corresponding to an amount of received light, by performing photoelectric conversion; and a transfer transistor provided at an epitaxial layer on the silicon substrate, and configured to transfer the electric charge generated in the photodiode, wherein the transfer transistor includes a gate electrode and a channel region, the gate electrode being embedded in the epitaxial layer, and the channel region surrounding the gate electrode, and the channel region has, in a thickness direction, a concentration gradient in which a curvature of a potential gradient is free from a mixture of plus and minus signs.

Abstract: A pattern irradiation apparatus includes a light source unit, an objective, a spatial light modulator, a light blocking member, and a control device. The objective irradiates a sample plane with light emitted from the light source unit. The spatial light modulator is of a phase modulation type and is arranged at a position conjugate with a pupil position of the objective and modulates a phase of the light emitted from the light source unit. The light blocking member is arranged in an optical path between the spatial light modulator and the objective and is configured to block 0-order light generated by the spatial light modulator. The control device makes a correspondence between a focusing position of the 0-order light generated by the spatial light modulator and a position of the light blocking member.

Abstract: A laser transponder system for disrupting speed and/or distance measuring LIDARs. The system includes at least two laser transponders, a microcontroller and a user interface. The microcontroller is connected to both laser transponders, and to the user interface. Microcontroller analyzes input from the laser transponders and determines their output. In case an advanced speed measuring LIDAR signal is detected the microcontroller configures the first laser transponder as a transmitting only unit and the second laser transponder as a receiving only unit. Transmissions emanating from the transmitting only unit are not received by the receiving only unit. Disrupting signal periods are selected by the microcontroller algorithm from its pre-stored database according to a detected LIDAR signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (100) for the detection and/or quantitative analysis of hydrogen, intended for monitoring an installation (1). Said device (100) comprises a first measuring optical fiber (10) intended to equip the installation (1), and an optical system (20) optically connected to the first measuring optical fiber (10) and adapted to measure the variation in at least one parameter of the first measuring optical fiber (10). The optical system (20) is adapted to measure the parameter along the first optical fiber (10) according to the principle of Brillouin measurement. The invention also concerns a method using such a device (100).

Abstract: In some aspects, a flow cytometer system is provided that includes beam shaping optics positioned to manipulate a light beam and produce a resulting light beam that irradiates the core stream at the interrogation zone of the flow cell. The beam shaping optics include an acylindrical lens positioned to receive and focus light in a direction of a first axis orthogonal to a direction of light travel, and a cylindrical lens positioned to receive the light output from the acylindrical lens and to focus the light output from the acylindrical lens in a direction of a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and to the direction of light travel. The resulting light beam output has a flat-top shaped intensity profile along the first axis, and a Gaussian-shaped intensity profile along the second axis. Related methods of shaping a light beam at an interrogation zone of a flow cell are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool measuring device for measuring the size of tools used for making aluminum can bodies. The tool measuring device utilizes an LED measurement carriage having a central opening so that the LED measurement carriage passes over and around the tools. An LED linear beam is generated by LED linear arrays so that the tools cast a shadow on optical photodetector linear arrays. The distance between the transition points from light to dark on the optical photodetector linear arrays is measured to provide a highly accurate measurement of the size of various portions of the tools.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus/method detects a signal varying with displacement of an object and measurement of the displacement. The apparatus includes clock generator, detector, operation device, and correction device. The clock generator generates, in synchronization with a request signal for requesting measurement data, a first clock signal having a cycle shorter than a cycle of the request signal. The detector performs the detection with respect to each cycle of the first clock signal. The operation device obtains the measurement data based on output of the detector. The correction device obtains a displacement amount of the object per unit time based on plural measurement data, and corrects the measurement data based on the obtained displacement amount and a time difference between the first clock signal relating to the measurement data and the first clock signal relating to the request signal. The method includes the corresponding steps of the apparatus.

Abstract: An optical system comprises a detector to determine one or more intensities of light impinging on one or more locations of the detector and an optical element to redirect light towards the detector along a detection axis. The detector and optical element are coupled together by three or more substantially flat flexures respectively defining three or more flexure planes parallel to the detection axis.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a first output line, a second output line; and a photoelectric conversion cell. The photoelectric conversion cell further includes, a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate an output current corresponding to an intensity of incident light, a first switch element configured to transmit the first output current to the first output line according to a first control signal, and a second switch element configured to transmit the second output current to second output line according to a second control signal. As a result, the photoelectric conversion device can be provided to generate rapidly the image data with wide dynamic range without the need for complex control outside of the photoelectric conversion device.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a semiconductor device that includes a first die and an optical receiver. The first die includes a back side layer having a thickness that is sufficiently thin to allow an optical signal to traverse through the back side layer. The optical receiver is configured to receive several optical signals through the back side layer of the first die. In some implementations, each optical signal originates from a corresponding optical emitter coupled to a second die. In some implementations, the back side layer is a die substrate. In some implementations, the optical signal traverses a substrate portion of the back side layer. The first die further includes an active layer. The optical receiver is part of the active layer. In some implementations, the semiconductor device includes a second die that includes an optical emitter. The second die coupled to the back side of the first die.

Abstract: A method for detecting clots in a liquid is presented. The liquid is in a sample container. Light is irradiated having a first wavelength to the sample container by a first light source at a changeable vertical irradiating position (P_0 to P_n) such that the light irradiated by the first light source passes through the sample container along a first measurement path. An intensity of light having the first wavelength passing along the first measurement path and exiting the sample container is measured. Clots are detected in response to the measured intensity.

Abstract: An optical fiber having at least one fiduciary mark is provided. The at least one fiduciary mark is located at one or more axial positions along the optical fiber. The at least one fiduciary mark is configured to produce at least one change in a Rayleigh backscattering signal in the optical fiber. The at least one change in a Rayleigh backscattering signal may be an abrupt change in the Rayleigh backscattering signal. The abrupt change in the Rayleigh backscattering signal occurs over a length of the optical fiber that is of the order of or less than a spatial resolution of an interrogation system employed to detect the Rayleigh backscattering signal.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including a proximity sensing device having an emitter and a detector. The electronic device further including a housing for containing the proximity sensing device which includes an optical interface forming a face of the housing through which radiation between the emitter and the detector pass. The optical interface may include an oleophobic coating which is selectively modified such that optical interference from an optical interface near-field object on the proximity sensing device is reduced without reducing a sensitivity of the proximity sensing device to a target near-field object.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention generally relate to illumination gas imaging and detection. Camera systems can illuminate a target scene with light sources configured to emit absorbing and non-absorbing wavelengths with respect to a target gas. An image of the target scene illuminated with a non-absorbing wavelength can be compared to a non-illuminated image of the target scene in order to determine information about the background of the target scene. If sufficient light of the non-absorbing wavelength is scattered by the scene toward a detector, the target scene comprises an adequate background for performing a gas imaging process. A camera system can alert a user of portions of the target scene suitable or unsuitable for performing a gas imaging process. If necessary, the user can reposition the system until sufficient portions of the target scene are recognized as suitable for performing the gas imaging process.

Abstract: An optical biosensor is provided. The optical biosensor includes a biosensing unit, a detection unit, and a feedback circuit. The biosensing unit is configured to receive an input optical signal, sense a biomaterial, and generate a sensed optical signal. The detecting unit is configured to convert the sensed optical signal into an electrical signal and output the electrical signal as a detection signal. The feedback circuit is configured to output a feedback signal. The feedback signal is generated based on the detection signal and is changed according to a changed amount of a resonant wavelength of the biosensing unit.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a transmitter unit, a receiver unit, and a housing. The transmitter unit transmits a light signal. The receiver unit receives the light signal reflected by an object to determine a proximity status of the object. The housing defines a first enclosed accommodation space for accommodating the receiver unit, wherein the portion of the housing defining the first enclosed accommodation space has a sealed light passage made of a light-transmissible material such that the receiver unit is capable of receiving the light signal reflected by the object through the light passage. The housing can further include a second enclosed accommodation space for accommodating the transmitter unit.

Abstract: A device for detecting a presence of an object includes an optical phased array, a detector, a processing portion and an indicator. The optical phased array can transmit a first optical beam to a first location at a first time and can transmit a second optical beam to a second location at a second time. The detector can detect a first reflected beam based on the first optical beam and can detect a second reflected beam based on the second optical beam. The processing portion can determine the presence of the object based on the first reflected beam and the second reflected beam. The indicator can generate an indicator signal based on the presence of the object.