Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a live cell object, the method including the steps of: (a) modulating the phase of an electromagnetic wave in a periodic pattern with a two dimensional phase grating to produce a phase modulated electromagnetic wave in two axes; (b) projecting a real image of the phase grating onto an object to produce phase modulated electromagnetic wave illumination of the object; (c) varying a location of the periodic pattern in time along the two axes to change the phase of the periodic pattern; (d) projecting a real image of the object to a detector; (e) recording multiple images of the object with the detector, each of the images is recorded with the periodic pattern in a different location; and (f) calculating a synthetic image of the object by extracting information 90 degrees out of phase with the illumination.

Abstract: An outdoor lighting device and method for achieving the same, the device including: (a) a light source; (b) a concentrator including only a first solid optical medium (SOM), the concentrator having an input surface optically coupled to the light source, a side surface and an output surface; and (c) a transparent cover optically coupled to the output surface, and covering substantially all of the output surface, wherein the side surface is shaped so as to provide a desired luminous intensity profile emerging from the transparent cover, and wherein a continuity from the light source to the transparent cover is uninterrupted by an air gap.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an object and an inspection system, the system includes: at least one primary light source followed by at least one illumination path imaging lens adapted to direct at least one primary light beam towards an area of an inspected object; at least one secondary light source followed by at least one collimating component and at least one concentrating component adapted to direct at least one secondary light beam towards the area; wherein the at least one primary light beam and the at least one secondary light beam illuminate the area such that substantially each point within an imaged portion of the area is illuminated over a large angular range characterized by substantially uniform intensity; a collection path that comprises an image sensor, a beam splitter path and a collection path imaging lens; wherein the beam splitter is positioned between the area and between the collection path imaging lens; and wherein the at least one collimating component defines a central aperture through whi

Abstract: A device and method for directing light from a non directed light source into a forward direction with a required angular distribution. The device may comprise a tapered light guide, a front refractor and a back reflector. The wedge angle of the light guide is selected such that light incident upon the entrance of the light guide and exits the light guide and is directed either by the front refractor or the back reflector into the desired angular distribution.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an object and an inspection system, the system includes: at least one primary light source followed by at least one illumination path imaging lens adapted to direct at least one primary light beam towards an area of an inspected object; at least one secondary light source followed by at least one collimating component and at least one concentrating component adapted to direct at least one secondary light beam towards the area; wherein the at least one primary light beam and the at least one secondary light beam illuminate the area such that substantially each point within an imaged portion of the area is illuminated over a large angular range characterized by substantially uniform intensity; a collection path that comprises an image sensor, a beam splitter path and a collection path imaging lens; wherein the beam splitter is positioned between the area and between the collection path imaging lens; and wherein the at least one collimating component defines a central aperture through whi

Abstract: A patterned TDI sensor comprising an array of pixels having respective sensitivities to light that varies according to a periodic pattern across said array of pixels, for high throughput applications of imaging and measurement with patterned illumination such as structured illumination, Moire techniques, 3D imaging and 3D metrology. An object is measured by scanning the object with illumination that varies periodically across the object, imaging the object with a patterned TDI sensor having a repetition length matched with the repetition length of the illumination and analyzing the output signal of the TDI sensor to extract information such as height or image of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and method of, improving the resolution of a conventional imaging system by effectively increasing the bandwidth of an imaging system's transfer function. An object is first illuminated with periodic illumination. The phase of the periodic illumination is varied while the periodic illumination is used to scan the object. A plurality of images are received by an imaging system whereby the images received correspond to variations in the phase of the periodic illumination. These images are subsequently processed to extract information in phase with the periodic illumination and information 90 degrees out of phase with the periodic illumination. In an optical microscope system, the periodic illumination also provides automatic focusing and three-dimensional imaging capabilities.