Abstract: An optical fiber including a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber and a method of quantifying loss associated with an optical connector that is connected to optical fiber comprising a plurality of embedded optical reflectors distributed periodically along the length of the fiber. The method includes inserting an optical signal into the fiber through the optical connector; measuring a component of the optical signal reflected by at least one of the plurality of embedded optical reflectors, in which the component is received through the optical connector; calculating the difference in power level between the inserted and reflected signals; and quantifying, based on the calculated power level difference and the reflectivity of the embedded optical reflector, the loss associated with the optical connector.

Abstract: The invention provides differential refractive index detectors and methods for the use of differential refractive index detectors. In an exemplary embodiment, a differential refractive index detector includes a flow cell body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow axis extending between the proximal and the distal end. The flow cell body includes a first chamber and a second chamber and the fluid conduits coupled to the flow cell body can be tapered to reduce dispersion.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength laser diode based optical sensor system capable of monitoring the dynamics and physiological changes of a microorganism culture in real-time. The microorganism culture from a microorganism production chamber is pumped to a flow chamber. Laser diodes emit light at certain wavelengths through the flow chamber, which is sensed by photodiodes. A laser control circuitry is operatively connected to the laser diodes and a signal conditioning circuitry is operatively connected to the photodiodes. A microprocessor reads and records voltage signals corresponding to the wavelengths. A data acquisition system converts said voltage signals into measurements of biological parameters, which are displayed on a graphical user interface and allow a user to monitor the measurements in real time.

Abstract: An electro-optical assembly, in particular a sensor assembly for detecting ambient light, includes a reflection surface, a lens body and an electro-optical component, in particular a light receiver. The component includes a depression having a main lens section, in particular a diverging lens section with a concave interior wall, and a converging lens section with a convex interior wall. The interior wall of the converging lens section is formed in such a way that the rays of the ray path which travel through the converging lens section to the electro-optical component hit the reflection surface in such way that the angle of incidence at the reflection surface is larger or the same as the critical angle of the total internal reflection at the reflection surface. In another aspect a method for detecting ambient light is described.

Abstract: A test pattern (170) comprising a set of dots (174) which define a first ellipse (176) of best fit in which the major and minor axes R1, R2 are equal (i.e. a circle) is displayed on a plane surface and a digital image of the (usually distorted) test pattern seen through a lens is captured. A second ellipse of best fit joining the dots in the set is derived from the distorted test pattern in the image. Characteristics of the first and second ellipses are compared to determine the degree and nature of distortion to the test pattern, from which the power of the lens is calculated. The major and minor axes of the first and second ellipses may be compared. The test pattern can include a number of said sets of dots distributed over an area of the surface with each set being analysed to determine the optical parameters of the lens at multiple locations.

Abstract: Two pairs of alignment targets (one aligned, one misaligned by a bias distance) are formed on different masks to produce a first pair of conjugated interference patterns. Other pairs of alignment targets are also formed on the masks to produce a second pair of conjugated interference patterns that are inverted the first. Misalignment of the dark and light regions of the first interference patterns and the second interference patterns in both pairs of conjugated interference patterns is determined when patterns formed using the masks are overlaid. A magnification factor (of the interference pattern misalignment to the target misalignment) is calculated as a ratio of the difference of misalignment of the relatively dark and relatively light regions in the pairs of interference patterns, over twice the bias distance. The interference pattern misalignment is divided by the magnification factor to produce a self-referenced and self-calibrated target misalignment amount, which is then output.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect the topology of a workpiece including surface variations and flaws according to images from several viewpoints includes a frame, a loading member, a robot, an image capturing mechanism, and a controller. The loading member is positioned on the frame and loads a workpiece. The controller controls the robot to drive the image capturing mechanism to move or rotate to different preset positions from each of which the image capturing mechanism can capture images of the workpiece and transmit the images to the controller. The controller further processes the images to obtain an assessment of the components and surface of the workpiece for further processing.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for inspecting a label for proper application thereof. The system includes a label application apparatus and an inspection apparatus associated with said label application apparatus. The method includes inspecting a spent carrier web for the presence of labels, or portions thereof, that did not transfer to articles being labeled.

Abstract: A gas analysis device includes a light source configured to emit laser beam to a target gas, a reflection body which reflects the laser beam, a light reception device that receives the laser beam reflected by the reflection body, a container which contains the light source and the light reception device, and an alignment mechanism that includes an insertion member inserted from outside of the container to inside of the container to move, along a plane intersecting with the irradiation direction of the laser beam, at least any one of the light source and the light reception device.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices for generating optical pulses in one or more waveguides using a spatially scanning light source. A detection system, methods of use thereof and kits for detecting a biologically active analyte molecule are also provided. The system includes a scanning light source, a substrate comprising a plurality of waveguides and a plurality of optical sensing sites in optical communication with one or more waveguide of the substrate, a detector that is coupled to and in optical communication with the substrate, and means for spatially translating a light beam emitted from said scanning light source such that the light beam is coupled to and in optical communication with the waveguides of the substrate at some point along its scanning path. The use of a scanning light source allows the coupling of light into the waveguides of the substrate in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A device comprises a housing, a detector for receiving solar irradiance and for providing a detector signal providing an indication of an amount of solar irradiance received by the detector and a shield transparent to at least part of the solar irradiance to be detected, the shield and the housing providing a detector space for housing at least part of the detector. The device further comprises a first light source for emitting light to the shield and a first light sensor arranged to receive light from the first light source, arranged to provide a first signal providing an indication for an amount of light received by the first light sensor. Particles will and reflect light back to the detector space. The reflected light is received by the light sensor. Hence, a signal generated by the sensor is an indication for pollution of the shield.

Abstract: Embodiments of a sensor device, method and system employ a multiplicity of environmental sensors as a single monitoring and alerting mechanism, operable to provide a profile of any contaminant in terms of various gases and particles in the atmosphere, quantified in terms of relative concentrations. In various embodiments, the sensor device can comprise hardware and firmware elements, including an electronic control system, a case, a shield and a cover. The environmental sensors can be secured as part of the electronic control system and the shield can be formed so as to facilitate proper channeling of air and sound for effective operation.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surface roughness evaluating device wherein a two-dimensional laser displacement meter is disposed so that the width direction of the two-dimensional laser displacement meter coincides with a Y-axis direction, to be able to measure displacement data of coordinates in the Y-axis direction at fixed intervals, the measuring width of the two-dimensional laser displacement meter is at least two or more times mean width of the roughness profile elements RSm of elements of a measurement target, and a calculating device is configured to generate reference surface data of each coordinate by averaging in the Y-axis direction the displacement data acquired at fixed intervals in the X-axis direction by the two-dimensional laser displacement meter, and generate three-dimensional surface roughness data of the measurement target by subtracting the reference surface data of each coordinate from the displacement data of each X-Y plane coordinate.

Abstract: Provided is a method for evaluating a bioavailability of organic solid waste by an anaerobic conversion based on fractal dimension, relating to anaerobic digestion of organic solid waste. Organic solid waste is broken up and dried, and the organic solid waste is analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer, so as to measure a wave vector Q and a scattering intensity I. The wave vector Q and the scattering intensity I are analyzed using a data processing software, and a two-dimensional fractal dimension Df is obtained based on a fractal theory. A volatile fatty acid maximum VFAmax and a biochemical methane potential BMP of the organic solid waste are predicted according to the two-dimensional fractal dimension Df, so as to evaluate a bioavailability of organic solid waste by an anaerobic conversion.

Abstract: A device and method for observing an object, in particular a biological object includes a light source able to illuminate a sample. Under the effect of the illumination, the object emits back-scattered radiation that propagates to a screen, the area of which is larger than 100 cm2. The projection of the back-scattered radiation onto the screen forms an image representative of the back-scattered radiation, called a scattergram. An image sensor allows an image representative of the scattergram formed on the screen to be acquired.

Abstract: An optical fingerprint sensing module attached to a base is provided. The base includes a first surface, a second surface and an opening extending through the first surface and the second surface. The optical fingerprint sensing module includes a fixing frame and a sensor integrated circuit (IC). The fixing frame is disposed in the opening of the base. The sensor IC is disposed in a receiving groove of the fixing frame and includes a plurality of photo sensors. The photo sensors receive light reflected from a user's finger through the opening of the base.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a particle detection sensor that is compact-and-flat designed and manufacturable at low cost. [Solution] A particle detection sensor (1) includes light transmissive resin (5) that encapsulates a light emitting element (3) and a light receiving element (6), and a reflective surface (7) that is arranged on the light transmissive resin (5) and reflects output light (8) radiated from the light emitting element (3) toward an incident light field area (10).

Abstract: In one embodiment, disclosed are apparatus, methods, and targets for determining a phase shift of a photomask having a phase-shift target. An inspection or metrology system is used to direct an incident beam towards the target and then detect a plurality of intensity measurements that are transmitted through the target in response to the incident beam. A phase shift value for the target may then be determined based on the intensity measurements.

Abstract: A triangulation sensing system includes a projection axis configuration and an imaging axis configuration. The projection axis configuration includes a triangulation light source (e.g. an incoherent source) and a variable focus lens (VFL) that is controlled to rapidly periodically modulate a triangulation light focus position (TLFP) along a Z axis over a focus position scan range, to provide a corresponding triangulation light extended focus range (TLEFR) that supports accurate measurement throughout. In some implementations, the triangulation system may be configured to provide the best measurement accuracy for a workpiece region of interest (WROI) by exposing its triangulation image only when the scanned TLFP temporarily coincides with the WROI Z height. In some implementations, the triangulation system may be configured to limit various measurement operations to using only an operational pixel subset of a detector that receives image light from the WROI, in order to shorten the measurement time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (15) for observing a plate (10) including wells (20), including, for each well (20): a source (40) comprising a light-emitting diode (60) capable of producing a light ray, a pinhole (70), and a light integrator (65), an optical sensor (185) able to collect the optical signal from the well (20), the system (15) being such that: a ratio between the length and the average transverse dimension (Dt) of each light integrator (65) is greater than or equal to 2.2, or at least one optical axis is off-centered relative to the propagation line, the ratio between the length and the average transverse dimension of the integrator being greater than or equal to 1.5.