Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for point-of-care and/or distributed testing services. The methods and devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device can be modified to allow for more flexible and robust use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical, laboratory, and other applications. The systems, devices, and methods of the present invention can allow for effective use of samples by improved sample preparation and analysis.

Abstract: There is provided a focus detection apparatus including: microlenses; light reception units that receive light which is incident through the microlenses; waveguides that cause light, which is incident to the microlenses at a predetermined angle, to be received by the light reception units and that are provided between the microlenses and the light reception units; and a detection unit that detects focusing using output values from the light reception units.

Abstract: A method for the automatic optical inspection of a tread profile of at least one wheel of a vehicle is provided, the method encompassing the following steps: Irradiating at least one section of the tread profile using radiation from at least one radiation device; detecting the radiation reflected by the tread profile using at least one radiation detection device; processing the reflected radiation using a data processing device; and outputting an analysis result regarding a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional structure of the tread profile, i.e., for suitability for winter weather road conditions.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a position of a substrate transfer device including a substrate supporting unit, the light-transmitting optical sensor is moved with respect to a detection target provided at a predetermined relative position with respect to a position where a substrate is to be transferred by the substrate transfer device, and a vertical dimension of the detection target that blocks the optical axis is measured by setting the substrate supporting unit in a first orientation and relatively moving up or down the optical sensor with respect to the detection target. A vertical dimension of the detection target that blocks the optical axis is measured by setting the substrate supporting unit in a second orientation and relatively moving the optical sensor with respect to the detection target. Horizontal coordinates of a reference position of the detection target are obtained based on the measured vertical dimensions in the respective orientations.

Abstract: A measurement device and method for the detection of airborne particles. The device includes a nozzle designed to produce a laminar flow of air with a flow path beyond the nozzle, a first laser and a second laser being positioned for emitting time-amplitude modulated laser light with intersecting laser beams with a laser beam intersection region in a region of the air flow path, and two photodetectors positioned for the detection of laser light scattered in the laser beam intersection region by airborne particles contained in the laminar air flow. The lasers are designed for emission of time-amplitude modulated laser light of identical laser emission wavelength, and the photodetectors are positioned and designed each for the detection of scattered laser light from both lasers.

Abstract: An optical measuring apparatus for measuring optical characteristics of a stereoscopic display device includes a test image supplier for generating a 3D test signal, a 3D display for displaying left-eye image and/or right-eye image based on the 3D test signal supplied from the test image supplier, a image selection member for selectively transmitting the left-eye image and right-eye image to be displayed on the 3D display, and a light measuring device for measuring intensity or color information of the image transmitted via the image selection member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distance measurement apparatus. The distance measurement apparatus according to the present invention has, mounted thereon, a light transmitting portion which emits light, and a light receiving portion including a light receiving element where a spot of the light is collimated. The present invention comprises: a tilting base; and a rotating reflector which reflects the light emitted by the light transmitting portion to an object, and reflects the light reflected or scattered by the object to the light receiving portion.

Abstract: A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associate color of a structure is also provided.

Abstract: A position measuring device includes a light emitter, an image capturer, a first beam splitter, a first light receiver, a second light receiver, a calculator, and a controller. The first light receiver receives light that propagates along a first optical axis toward the light emitter and is reflected by the first beam splitter, and outputs a first signal. The second light receiver outputs a second signal corresponding to an intensity of light propagating along a second optical axis toward the image capturer. The controller controls the intensity of the laser light based on the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the second signal is smaller than a predetermined threshold, and performs control so that the laser light has a predetermined intensity when the difference between the first signal and the second signal is equal to or greater than the threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for inspecting or measuring a specimen. An incident beam is directed across a plurality of consecutive scan portions of a specimen so that an output beam profile from each scan portion is consecutively collected by a photomultiplier tube (PMT), and the scan portions include at least one or more first scan portions and a next scan portion that is scanned after the one or more first scan portions. After or while the incident beam is directed to the one or more first scan portions of the specimen, an output signal for each first scan portion is obtained based on the output beam profile that is collected by the PMT for each first scan portion. An expected output beam profile for the next scan portion is determined based on the output signal that is obtained for each one or more first scan portions.

Abstract: An optical position measuring instrument including a first scale having a first graduation, wherein the first scale is disposed movable in a first measuring direction, and at a first defined position in the first measuring direction, the first scale includes a spatially limited first marking that differs from the first graduation. The optical position measuring instrument further including a second scale having a second graduation, wherein the second scale is disposed movable in a second measuring direction, and at a second defined position, the second scale includes a second reference marking that is usable for generating at least one reference signal at a reference position of the second scale only if the first scale is located in the first defined position.

Abstract: A position-measuring device, as well as a system having such a position-measuring device, is used for determining the position of a first object relative to a second object, the first and the second object being movable relative to one another along at least two measuring directions. The position-measuring device has an optical unit that is linked to one of the two objects and includes at least one light source, a detector system, as well as further optical elements in a defined configuration. In addition, the position-measuring device includes a measuring standard-reflector unit, which is provided on the other object, and has at least two differently formed regions in one track that are optically scannable by the optical unit for position sensing.

Abstract: A pressure application technique is provided that enables two objects to be pressurized (e.g., objects to be bonded) to be positioned with greater accuracy before having pressure applied thereto. The objects to be pressurized are moved relative to each other in a Z direction such that the objects are brought into contact with each other (step S13). Then, a horizontal positional shift ?D between the objects to be pressurized is measured in the contact state of the objects to be pressurized (step S14). Thereafter, positioning of the objects to be pressurized is again performed by moving the objects to be pressurized relative to each other in the horizontal direction, as a result of which the positional shift ?D is corrected (step S17).

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon detector array; and a processing means configured for processing photon-detector-array signals corresponding to a first set of photons scattered from surface features of an article focused in a first focal plane and a second set of photons scattered from surface features of an article focused in a second focal plane, wherein the processing means is further configured for distinguishing foreign surface features of the article from foreign native features of the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically measuring samples, including a radiation source configured to form an excitation beam in an excitation channel, a detector configured to detect an emission beam in an emission channel and a filter configured to be located, in an excitation position, in the excitation channel, and in an emission position, in the emission channel. The apparatus further includes a first filter storage comprising a first set of filter storage positions, a second filter storage comprising a second set of filter storage positions, and a filter transfer mechanism configured to move the filter between the excitation position, the emission position, the first set of filter storage positions and the second set of filter storage positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is test structure for measuring wave-front aberration of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) inspection system. The test structure includes a substrate formed from a material having substantially no reflectivity for EUV light and a multilayer (ML) stack portion, such as a pillar, formed on the substrate and comprising a plurality of alternating pairs of layers having different refractive indexes so as to reflect EUV light. The pairs have a count equal to or less than 15.

Abstract: A scattered light measurement apparatus includes an optical measurement apparatus, and a scattered light measurement probe configured to irradiate an object with light from the optical measurement apparatus, configured to receive light from the object, and configured to output the received light to the optical measurement apparatus. The optical measurement apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit light including at least light of a measurement target wavelength; first and second optical detectors configured to detect the light received by the scattered light measurement probe; a branching unit configured to guide the light from the light source to the scattered light measurement probe and guide the light from the scattered light measurement probe to the first and second optical detectors; and a control unit configured to evaluate scattering characteristics of a surface layer of the object based on the light detected by the first and second optical detectors.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for collecting and measuring light from external light sources. In general, the devices of the invention feature a light diffusing element, e.g., as a component of a light collector, connected by a light conducting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic cable, to a light measuring device, e.g., a spectrometer. This light diffusing element allows, e.g., for substantially uniform light diffusion across its surface and thus accurate measurements, while permitting the total footprint of the device to remain relatively small and portable. This light diffusing element also allows flexibility in scaling of the device to permit use in a wide range of applications.

Abstract: Ghost reflections in a catadioptric scatterometer objective are excluded from an angle-resolved spectrum measurement by using a partial pupil for illumination and for the measurement excluding the area of the pupil plane that has been illuminated. Ghost reflections are reflected back into same point in the pupil plane. The ghost reflections do not interfere with the signal in the non-illuminated area of the pupil plane. An illumination system provides a beam of electromagnetic radiation to illuminate a first area in an illumination pupil plane of the objective. The objective is arranged as to illuminate the substrate with the beam of electromagnetic radiation. The illumination pupil plane is the back projected image of the pupil plane of the objective and is also imaged into the measurement pupil plane at the back focal plane of the objective, via auxiliary optics.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article, a photon detector array configured to receive photons from surface features of the article; and a processing means configured for processing photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from the surface features and photons fluoresced from the surface features, wherein the processing means is further configured for classifying the surface features of the article.