Abstract: Methodology of characterizing surface properties and determining refractive index and extinction coefficient of a prism shaped material, including simultaneously for a multiplicity of wavelengths, using an easy to practice technique.

Abstract: The invention discloses the Schlieren type ultrasonic wave observer system. The invention states optics interference by the ultrasonic wave sound field after perturbation the medium, and combines to make the interference penetration optical projection the image, the goal lies in the observation ordinary naked eye blind ultrasonic wave sound field distribution. Characteristic of the invention using the spectroscope and the reflector combination, as well as microcontroller precise time delay control, might formerly be limited under the 4F optical field length limit to enhance largely the field of vision the several fold.

Abstract: A portable liquid design system includes a portable information handling system (IHS) that employs a liquid design application capable of operating in different modes to design different liquids such as corn syrup, espresso, coffee, soda pop and others. The portable liquid design system may include a refractometer to measure the refractive index and temperature of a liquid under test. The liquid design application may apply the measured refractive index and temperature to a 3 dimensional representation of the correlation of refractive index, temperature and concentration (% total dissolved solids) to determine a particular concentration corresponding to the measured refractive index and temperature. A single 3 dimensional scale may apply to virtually all values of interest of refractive index, temperature and concentration for a particular liquid under test.

Abstract: A coffee refractometer includes a prism that receives a brewed coffee sample, thus forming a prism-sample interface. A processor or microcontroller controls a light source to provide incident light to the prism-sample interface. The prism-sample interface refracts light toward a photodetector. A temperature sensor provides temperature information to the processor. The refractometer includes a memory store that stores a TDS formula that expresses the TDS of brewed coffee as a function of the index of refraction (ns) of brewed coffee and the temperature of brewed coffee. The processor determines the TDS of the brewed coffee sample by accessing the TDS formula in the memory store and employing the determined index of refraction (ns) of the brewed coffee sample to find the TDS from the TDS formula. The refractometer displays the resultant TDS % on a display of the refractometer and/or transmits such information to an information handling system.

Abstract: The invention concerns an equipment for monitoring an immersion lithography device provided with a main light source and a projection optics for printing images on a wafer. The propagating medium extending from the projection optics to the wafer consists of a liquid (3). The equipment comprises: a chamber (51) for receiving at least part of said liquid (3), a diffraction grating (50) immersed in the chamber; a secondary light source (271) for emitting a secondary incident beam (20) towards the grating so as to obtain a diffracted beam; angle measuring members (57) capable of measuring at least one diffraction angle corresponding to a maximum intensity of an order of diffraction of the beam diffracted by the grating (500), and computing means (505) for calculating an estimate of a physical quantity concerning the refractive index of the liquid.

Abstract: A coffee refractometer includes a prism that receives a brewed coffee sample, thus forming a prism-sample interface. A processor or microcontroller controls a light source to provide incident light to the prism-sample interface. The prism-sample interface refracts light toward a photodetector. A temperature sensor provides temperature information to the processor. The refractometer includes a memory store that stores a TDS formula that expresses the TDS of brewed coffee as a function of the index of refraction (ns) of brewed coffee and the temperature of brewed coffee. The processor determines the TDS of the brewed coffee sample by accessing the TDS formula in the memory store and employing the determined index of refraction (ns) of the brewed coffee sample to find the TDS from the TDS formula. The refractometer displays the resultant TDS % on a display of the refractometer and/or transmits such information to an information handling system.

Abstract: Broadly speaking the present invention is directed to a system for calculating a volume of fluid that is disposed within a container. The system includes (1) an imaging device that captures and stores an image of at least the volume of fluid in the container; (2) a background disposed behind the container so that at least the volume of fluid in the container is disposed in front of the background; and (3) a processor that performs at least one operation on the stored image to calculate the volume of the fluid within the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the determination of miscibility of a mixture of two or more liquids. Measurements of the local deviation of a pattern characteristic or of the variation in light intensity are employed in such determinations.

Abstract: Detection apparatus for performing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements on a sample includes a support having side walls and a bottom wall defining a plurality of adjacent wells. The bottom wall has integrated therein SPR detectors underlying the wells for detecting the refractive indexes of samples deposited in the wells. Each SPR detector includes a prism having an exterior entrance surface, an exterior exit facet and an interior sensing surface located at the bottom of the overlying well, and a thin metal layer coated on the sensing surface. The prism may be molded from a transparent polymer into the bottom of a standard-format microplate structure. That structure may be used in conjunction with an SPR measuring or reading instrument to perform label-less assay measurements on various samples in an efficient and reliable manner. A method of acquiring the assay measurements is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable refractometer comprising a depression (7) for samples, located on an insertion tip (11) in such a way that once the insertion tip (11) has penetrated a liquid or a fruit, a sufficient quantity of the sample liquid remains in the depression (7) for samples, thus wetting a measuring surface (4) that is delimited in said depression by a transparent body. The refractive index of the wetting liquid can be determined by measuring the intensity of an optical beam that is reflected by the measuring surface (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to refractometry and attenuated reflectance spectrometry in a wellbore environment. Specifically, it pertains to a robust apparatus and method for measuring refractive index of fluids along a continuum (rather than in steps), and for measuring attenuated reflectance spectra, and for interpreting the measurements made with this apparatus to determine a variety of formation fluid parameters. The present invention provides a method and apparatus to distinguish between gas and liquid based on the much lower index of refraction of gas. It can also be used to monitor fluid sample clean up over time. The refractive index of a wellbore fluid is determined from the fraction, R, of light reflected off the interface between a transparent window that has a known refractive index and this fluid. Preferably, the refractive index is measured at some wavelength of light for which the fluid is not highly attenuating but is optimally attenuating.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is disclosed which includes a measuring unit equipped with a dielectric block and a thin film layer; an incidence system for making a light beam enter the dielectric block so that a condition for total internal reflection is satisfied at an interface between the dielectric block and the thin film layer; and a photodetector for receiving the light beam totally reflected at the interface. The measuring unit is measured a plurality of times, and a change in the state of attenuated total reflection during the plurality of measurements is detected. The sensor further includes a tilt measurement section for measuring the longitudinal tilt of the interface which changes the incidence angles during the plurality of measurements, and a calculating section for obtaining a measured value in which errors due to the longitudinal tilt have been corrected.

Abstract: A method for designing and tuning a refractive index of a magnetic fluid is performed by adjusting some characteristic parameters. The characteristic parameters include the type of carrier, the type of magnetic particles, the concentration of the magnetic ingredient; the wavelength of an intended light onto the magnetic fluid layer; the strength of applied magnetic field; the sweep rate of the magnetic field; the direction of the applied magnetic field; the strength of applied magnetic field associated with the thickness of the magnetic fluid layer; and the strength of applied magnetic field associated with the temperature. A magnetic fluid with a designed value of refractive index under zero magnetic field is synthesized by carefully selecting the carrier and the volume concentration of the magnetic particles, and this value can further be tuning around the designed value by changing the forgoing characteristic parameters.

Abstract: A novel surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging system based on modified Mach-Zehnder phase-shifting interferometry (PSI) measures the spatial phase variation of a resonantly reflected light during chemical or biological detection. The SPR microarray can diagnose the target analyte without additional labeling in the real-time analysis. Experimental results demonstrate that the detection limit of the SPR PSI imaging system is improved to about 1 pg/mm2 surface coverage of chemical or biological material for each individual spot over that of the conventional SPR imaging system. Therefore, the SPR PSI imaging system and its SPR microarray can provide the capability of real-time analysis, with high resolution and at high-throughput screening rates.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for precision optical measurement of solute concentration and temperature of a transparent liquid. The apparatus includes a vessel (12) which contains a sample of liquid (14), the refractive index of which is to be determined, a light source (22) and a beam position sensor (30). The vessel (12) has an entrance side and an exit side, with a known angular relationship therebetween, and is situated in a known ambient The light source (22) is located so as to cause a beam of light to impinge on the entrance side at an angle with respect to a normal to an outer surface of the entrance side, to pass through the liquid (14), and to then pass through the exit side, from which it exits at an angle with respect to a normal to an outer surface of the exit side. The beam position sensor (30) provides data for determining the exit angle thereby permitting the refractive index of the liquid to be determined, based on the angles.

Abstract: A potting compound for use in the fabrication of fiber optic gyro sensor coils utilizes a silver-filled silicone base to reduce gyro sensitivity to changes in heat rate and thereby improve gyro performance during warm-up and periods of thermal cycling.

Abstract: A hand-held automatic refractometer comprises a completely fluid-sealed housing enclosing a wireless transmitter for transmitting digital measurement data to a remote computer having a corresponding receiver connected thereto. The refractometer housing protects the internal components, including the transmitter, from damage caused by test fluids and cleaning fluids.

Abstract: A method for determining a cell crossing number of a shadowline between illuminated and dark regions of a linear scanned array of photosensitive cells, and an automatic refractometer using the method, are disclosed. The array is scanned to extract a response signal from each of the photosensitive cells, and the response signals are converted from are converted from analog form to digital pixels, thus yielding a set of data points that collectively represent an illumination distribution curve over the array. A range of cells within which the shadowline resides is established by analyzing the illumination curve data. The second derivative of the illumination distribution curve over the established range of cells is calculated and the greatest positive area bounded by the second derivative is identified. The centroid of the greatest positive area is found and its cell number coordinate is deemed the cell crossing number of the shadowline.

Abstract: An optical detection scheme for on-chip, high sensitivity refractive index detection is based on micro-interferometry, and allows for picoliter detection volumes and universal analyte sensitivity. The invention employs three main elements: a source of coherent light, such as a VCSEL, laser diode or He—Ne laser; an etched channel of capillary dimensions in a substrate for reception of a sample to be analyzed; and a photodetector for detecting laser light reflected off of the channel. The laser source generates an unfocused laser beam that is incident on the etched channel. A unique multi-pass optical configuration is inherently created by the channel characteristics, and is based on the interaction of the unfocused laser beam and the curved surface of the channel, that allows RI measurements in small volumes at high sensitivity. The entire device, including the laser and the photodetector can be formed on a single microchip.

Abstract: A method and a device for determination of the stability or storability of oil, wherein the stability of oil is determined by measuring the intensity of light scattering from the oil surface, when an asphalteneflocculating liquid is added to the oil sample for determining the stability of the oil. In an advantageous embodiment of the method the intensity of scattered light is directed onto the surface of the oil sample by using a suitable prism. The invention allows implementation of a fully automatically operating analyzer for determining the stability of oil. A closed measuring system is brought about that solves the explosion protection problem which is important in oil refining.

Abstract: A differential refractometer in which: light from a light source is condensed on a lens; the light thus condensed is guided to a cell which houses a sample of which refractive index is to be measured and a reference of which refractive index is used as a reference value, the sample and the reference being housed as separated from each other in the cell; the light having passed through the cell is guided to an image sensor; and the amount of light deflection due to the difference in refractive index between the sample and the reference is measured, thereby to obtain the refractive index of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for measuring the average density and relative volumes in an essentially transparent, dispersed two-phase fluid. A laser beam with a diameter no greater than 1% of the diameter of the bubbles, droplets, or particles of the dispersed phase is directed onto a diffraction grating. A single-order component of the diffracted beam is directed through the two-phase fluid and its refraction is measured. Preferably, the refracted beam exiting the fluid is incident upon a optical filter with linearly varing optical density and the intensity of the filtered beam is measured. The invention can be combined with other laser-based measurement systems, e.g., laser doppler anemometry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for detecting alcoholic content in a fuel by finding its refractive index, which is of such a construction that a refractive interface for the fuel is formed on the half way of a light transmission body; a light emitting element is provided at one end of the light transmission body, from which incident light is introduced into said refractive interface; and a single dimensional light position sensing detector is provided at the other end of the light transmitting body, into which the light refracted at the refractive interface is introduced; or it is of such a construction that a light emitting element and a single dimensional light position sensing detector are provided at one end of a light transmission body; a refractive interface and a reflecting surface are provided at the other end of the light transmission body, wherein an incident light from the light emitting element, which has entered into the refractive interface and has been refracted there, is reflect

Abstract: A refractive index measurement cell for liquid samples and method for measuring refractive indices of liquids are described which comprise a transparent tubular member closed at one end defining a sample volume of semicylindrical shape with respect to an axis for containing a liquid and having a diametrically disposed wall element including a flat surface defining the sample volume and containing the axis; a reference line coincident with the axis on the flat surface; a light source for projecting a light beam through the wall element, reference line and sample volume, whereby the beam is refracted at the flat surface; and a detector, selectively positionable about the axis of the tubular member, for detecting the light beam transmitted through the sample volume and for measuring the angular position of the beam about the axis.

Abstract: An air/fluid sensing device useful in apparatus for analyzing biological material. The device includes one or more light sources directed at a surface of a container defining an interface with the space enclosed thereby. Depending on whether fluid is present in or absent from the container at the location where said one or more light sources are directed to said surface, the light emanating from the sources will be refracted or reflected, thereby giving an indication of whether fluid is present or absent at said locations.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the concentration of dissolved solids in a sample solution. A refractometer has an enclosing opaque housing, a light source directing a substantially collimated monochromatic light beam through, and a hollow transparent-walled prismatic container adopted for holding a liquid solution to be tested. A light sensor is disposed in the refracted path of the light beam and responds to the exact refraction of the beam caused by passing through the liquid solution. A display is actuated by the light sensor and digitally displays the exact refraction as a function of the concentration of dissolved solids in the liquid sample. Method and apparatus are provided for determining the presence of a sufficient amount of the sample and for automatically commencing the testing in the refractometer.

Abstract: A fused glass refractometer cell is disclosed in which a lens is formed by the front surface of the cell and a reflective surface is applied to the rear surface of the cell. Means are provided to limit the passage of light through the cell to the central portion of the cell.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring changes in a physical property of a flowing fluid, including a cell through which the fluid flows, the cell having an inlet and an outlet, an inlet tube connected to the inlet of the cell, for delivering the flowing fluid to the cell, and an outlet tube connected to the outlet of the cell, for transporting the flowing fluid away from the cell, the inlet and outlet tubes being mounted in heat-exchanging relationship with each other, so as to transfer heat between the incoming and outgoing fluid and thereby reduce any temperature difference between the incoming fluid and the cell.