Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) assembly including a VCSEL structure having a light-emitting region located on its surface, a relatively wettable region of a surface modifier coating formed over the light emitting region, and a microlens formed on the relatively wettable region. A relatively non-wettable region of the surface modifier coating is formed around the light-emitting region (e.g., on the electrode surrounding the light-emitting region). The surface modifier coating is formed, for example, from one or more organothiols that change the surface energies of the light-emitting region and/or the electrode to facilitate self-assembly and self-registration of the microlens material. The microlens material is printed, microjetted, or dip coated onto the VCSEL structure such that the microlens material wets to the relatively wettable region, thereby forming a liquid bead that is reliably positioned over the light-emitting region. The liquid bead is then cured to form the microlens.

Abstract: A printing system includes a multiple-beam generator array configured to generate multiple beams. A collimator lens is positioned to receive the multiple beams, and an aperture stop is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other. A scanning optical system is positioned to receive the beams from the aperture stop, and a recording medium receives the beams from the scanning optical system. A filter is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other, whereby each of the multiple beams may be filtered by the supplied filter.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices (i.e., solar cells) are formed using non-contact patterning apparatus (e.g., a laser-based patterning systems) to define contact openings through a passivation layer, and direct-write metallization apparatus (e.g., an inkjet-type printing or extrusion-type deposition apparatus) to deposit metallization into the contact openings and over the passivation surface. The metallization includes two portions: a contact (e.g., silicide-producing) material is deposited into the contact openings, then a highly conductive metal is deposited on the contact material and between the contact holes. The device wafers are transported between the patterning and metallization apparatus in hard tooled registration using a conveyor mechanism. Optional sensors are utilized to align the patterning and metallization apparatus to the contact openings. An extrusion-type apparatus is used to form grid lines having a high aspect central metal line that is supported on each side by a transparent material.

Abstract: A printing system includes a multiple-beam generator array configured to generate multiple beams. A collimator lens is positioned to receive the multiple beams, and an aperture stop is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other. A scanning optical system is positioned to receive the beams from the aperture stop, and a recording medium receives the beams from the scanning optical system. A filter is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other, whereby each of the multiple beams may be filtered by the supplied filter.

Abstract: A multiple beam scanning system for scanning light beams onto a photoreceptor of an image forming apparatus. A pre-polygon input and output telecentric optical subsystem includes a beam conditioning system that focuses the light beams in a cross-scan direction, collimates the beams in the scan direction, and individually focuses the beams on a polygonal mirror deflector, which reflects the beams along a first scan path. A post-polygon input and output telecentric optical subsystem redirects the scanned beams along a second scan path and through an output window onto the photoreceptor, wherein the post-polygon subsystem includes a positive cross-scan cylindrical first optical element, a negative cross-scan cylindrical second optical element, and a positive cross-scan cylindrical third optical element. In one embodiment, the three cylindrical optical elements are cylinder mirrors. In another embodiment, one or more of the optical elements are cylinder lenses.

Abstract: An improved method of analyzing target analytes in a sample is described. The method is based on creating an approximately homogeneous distribution of light in an anti-resonant guided optical waveguide to improve light-target interaction in a target-containing medium. The light-target interaction can be monitored by many different means to determine characteristics of the target analyte.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a photosensor array with subrange cells that photosense within respective subranges of an energy range. An optical signal and the array move relative to each other, and, for segments of their relative movement, sets of subrange cells photosense within subranges that are different. For example, a scanning device can cause relative scanning movement. The optical signal can be produced by illuminating a two-dimensional object. The photosensed quantities for a part of the optical signal can be used to produce spectral information for the part.

Abstract: A scanning optical system including an optical source configured to generate an ultra-short light pulse, a dispersion compensation system disposed such that the ultra-short light pulse travels through the dispersion compensation system, an optical deflector configured to rotate about an axis such that the ultra-short light pulse is deflected through a scan angle, and an f-theta scan lens having a group delay (GD) variation versus relative pupil height and group delay dispersion (GDD) variation versus the scan angle that are substantially minimized. The f-theta scan lens is disposed such that the ultra-short pulse is incident on the f-theta scan lens.

Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) assembly including a VCSEL structure having a light-emitting region located on its surface, a relatively wettable region of a surface modifier coating formed over the light emitting region, and a microlens formed on the relatively wettable region. A relatively non-wettable region of the surface modifier coating is formed around the light-emitting region (e.g., on the electrode surrounding the light-emitting region). The surface modifier coating is formed, for example, from one or more organothiols that change the surface energies of the light-emitting region and/or the electrode to facilitate self-assembly and self-registration of the microlens material. The microlens material is printed, microjetted, or dip coated onto the VCSEL structure such that the microlens material wets to the relatively wettable region, thereby forming a liquid bead that is reliably positioned over the light-emitting region. The liquid bead is then cured to form the microlens.

Abstract: A microlens structure is mounted directly onto the upper surface of a packaged VCSEL device and positioned to locate microlenses directly over corresponding VCSEL elements. The microlens structure includes a block-like pedestal having a lower surface that faces the upper surface of the VSCEL device. The microlenses are formed in a central region of the lower surface, and several legs (stand-offs) extend from peripheral edges of the lower surface. During assembly, the VCSEL device is positioned under the microlens structure such that each microlens is aligned over its corresponding VCSEL element, and then raised until the legs contact the upper surface of the VCSEL device. The legs serve to self-align the microlenses to the VCSEL device, and are sized to maintain an optimal distance between the microlenses and the VCSEL elements. The pedestal is attached to a carrier plate that is secured to an IC package housing the VCSEL device.

Abstract: Light to be sensed is spreaded across an entry surface of a transmission structure with a laterally varying energy transmission function. For example, the light could be output from a stimulus-wavelength converter, provided through an optical fiber, or it could come from a point-like source or broad area source. Output photons from the transmission structure can be photosensed by photosensing components such as an array, position sensor, or array of position sensors. Wavelength information from the light can be obtained in response to the photosensing component. Spreading can be performed by air, gas, transparent material, or vacuum in a gap, by a region or other part of a lens, or by an optical fiber end surface. If the light comes from more than one source, a propagation component can both spread the light and also keep light from the sources separate.

Abstract: Lasers, such as in laser structures, can include two or more semiconductor structures that are substantially identical or that include the same semiconductor material and have substantially the same geometry, such as in closely spaced dual-spot two-beam or quad-spot four-beam lasers. The lasers can also include differently structured current flow or contact structures or different wavelength control structures. For example, current flow or contact structures can be differently structured to prevent or otherwise affect phase locking, such as by causing different threshold currents and different operating temperatures.

Abstract: A tunable microelectromechanical (MEMS) spectrophotometer with a rotating cylindrical reflective diffraction grating is integrated with a photodetector and an optical fiber light source on a Rowland circle on a monolithic silicon substrate.

Abstract: A light-producing device integrated with a power monitoring system include a light-producing device from which light is emitted in wavelengths that can range from approximately 700 nm to approximately 3 microns. A semi-transparent sensor is located such that at least a portion of the light emitted passes through the semi-transparent sensor and at least a portion of light is absorbed by the semi-transparent sensor. The semi-transparent sensor is configured to be semi-transparent at wavelengths that can range from 700 nm to 3 microns. The semi-transparent sensor may also be used with an external light source, for example with fiber-optic cables.

Abstract: A light detection system for imaging an object including a light source, an object, a first substrate with a sensor arranged on a side of the first substrate opposite from the light source, the sensor having an opening through which the light from the light source passes. A distance from the sensor to the object corresponds approximately to the size of the sensor. The light illuminates the object and the sensor detects the light emanating from the object. The object is scanned relative to the sensor to create the image. A method includes arranging the sensor to face the object, illuminating the object with a light source so that the light passes through the opening in the sensor, and detecting the light emanating from the object, the object being scanned relative to the sensor to create the image.

Abstract: A system to monitor light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a printbar is described. The system integrates photodetectors into a printer or into the printbar itself such that as the printbar ages, the photodetectors can detect the decrease in intensity of the LEDs in the printbar and recalibrate driver circuits providing power to each LED. The recalibrated power output of each driver circuit compensates for nonuniformities in the LEDS that result from uneven aging of the LEDs.

Abstract: A tunable microelectromechanical (MEMS) spectrophotometer with a rotating cylindrical reflective diffraction grating is integrated with a photodetector and an optical fiber light source on a Rowland circle on a monolithic silicon substrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making shaped optical moems components with stressed thin films. In particular, stressed thin films are used to make mirror structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting beam-to-beam spacing error on an image plane of a photoreceptor includes a controller which generates beam-to-beam spacing error corrections signals, a plurality of optical elements, each of which is adjustable and responsive to beam-to-beam spacing error correction signal and a gray level measurement device. The controller performs the beam-to-beam spacing error correction analysis, determining whether or not a correction is necessary, and if so, which optical element to adjust and the magnitude of adjustment. Enhanced toner area coverage sensors are used to detect the gray level of a toned area of raster scan line patterns at various locations across the photoreceptor image plane. By repeatedly evaluating the beam-to-beam spacing error during operation, the apparatus of the invention is able to correct beam-to-beam spacing errors that may develop during operation and does not permit residual errors to persist even after an initial correction has been implemented.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting beam-to-beam spacing error on an image plane of a photoreceptor includes a controller which generates beam-to-beam spacing error correction signals, a plurality of optical elements, each of which is adjustable and responsive to beam-to-beam spacing error correction signal and a gray level measurement device. The controller performs the beam-to-beam spacing error correction analysis, determining whether or not a correction is necessary, and if so, which optical element to adjust and the magnitude of adjustment. Enhanced toner area coverage sensors are used to detect the gray level of a toned area of raster scan line patterns at various locations across the photoreceptor image plane. By repeatedly evaluating the beam-to-beam spacing error during operation, the apparatus of the invention is able to correct beam-to-beam spacing errors that may develop during operation and does not permit residual errors to persist even after an initial correction has been implemented.