Abstract: A system and a method for measuring the focus state of an optical instrument are described. The system and the method provide for forming an image of the exit pupil of the objective of the optical instrument. Where the image of the exit pupil is formed, one or more optical elements are placed, deviating at least part of the rays coming from the exit pupil, so that rays coming from different non-overlapping portions of the pupil follow separate optical paths. The rays coming from the two portions of the pupil are then focused, in order to obtain two bidimensional images. A computer determines the mutual distance between these two bidimensional images as a mutual rigid lateral displacement between the two and, based on this distance, determines the corresponding defocus of the optical instrument.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detecting time-resolved optical data, the device comprising a sensor comprising a number of detection elements configured to detect a light signal in a single photon regime, a timing circuit connected to said number of detection elements though a common line, and a control module connected to the sensor, the control module being configured to selectively enable the detection elements of the sensor according to a set of enabling patterns. The timing circuit is configured to measure a time of arrival of an output signal from the detection elements on the common line, the output signal being indicative of the detection of a photon of the light signal by any of the enabled detection elements.

Abstract: A method to measure the refractive index of a sample, includes: providing a plasmonic sensor including a sensing surface in contact with the sample; providing an optical resonator, the plasmonic sensor being integrated therein as a reflecting surface; providing a first input field of electromagnetic radiation as a primary carrier; providing a second input field of electromagnetic radiation as a secondary carrier having a second frequency different from the first and defined as: second frequency=first frequency+?v and having a TE and/or a TM polarized component; impinging simultaneously with the first and second input field the plasmonic sensor; tuning the frequency of the first field and/or the value of ?v; detecting a resonator output power corresponding to the first and second intra-cavity fields resonating; determining a difference between the first and the second resonating frequencies; and calculating the refractive index of the sample from the difference.

Abstract: An integrated optofluidic device to illuminate, along an irradiation direction, a fluidic sample containing an object to be analysed, the device comprising: a substrate comprising an entry surface and being made of a material transparent to a light beam incident through the entry surface along the irradiation direction; a microfluidic channel formed in the substrate and having a channel portion intercepting the irradiation direction and extending along a longitudinal axis transverse to the irradiation direction, the microfluidic channel comprising a first flow inlet port for loading a fluidic sample therein, and an elongated lens cavity for an optofluidic cylindrical lens, the cavity being formed in the substrate and being arranged along the beam irradiation direction between the entry surface and the microfluidic channel, wherein the lens cavity is in fluid communication with a lens inlet port for loading a lens fluid.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring the focus state of an optical instrument are described. The system and the method provide for forming an image of the exit pupil of the objective of the optical instrument. Where the image of the exit pupil is formed, one or more optical elements are placed, deviating at least part of the rays coming from the exit pupil, so that rays coming from different non-overlapping portions of the pupil follow separate optical paths. The rays coming from the two portions of the pupil are then focused, in order to obtain two bidimensional images. A computer determines the mutual distance between these two bidimensional images as a mutual rigid lateral displacement between the two and, based on this distance, determines the corresponding defocus of the optical instrument.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building structure is described. The system comprises a laser source which emits an infrared radiation and an interferometric arrangement which divides the radiation into an object beam and a reference beam. The object beam irradiates the building structure and is scattered by it, while the reference beam interferes with the scattered object beam so as to create a hologram of the building. The system also comprises a sensor which detects a sequence of holograms and a processing unit which reconstructs the evolution in time of deformations or displacements of the building by numerically processing the sequence of holograms. The system—being based on digital holography—offers various advantages compared to known monitoring techniques, for example techniques which make use of seismometers (possibility of remote monitoring, substantial space-time continuity of the monitoring, capacity for detecting a wider range of deformations and displacements).

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method of ring-down spectroscopy in saturated-absorption condition, for measuring a first concentration of a gas through a measurement of the spectrum of a molecular transition of said gas.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a building structure is described. The system comprises a laser source which emits an infrared radiation and an interferometric arrangement which divides the radiation into an object beam and a reference beam. The object beam irradiates the building structure and is scattered by it, while the reference beam interferes with the scattered object beam so as to create a hologram of the building. The system also comprises a sensor which detects a sequence of holograms and a processing unit which reconstructs the evolution in time of deformations or displacements of the building by numerically processing the sequence of holograms. The system—being based on digital holography—offers various advantages compared to known monitoring techniques, for example techniques which make use of seismometers (possibility of remote monitoring, substantial space-time continuity of the monitoring, capacity for detecting a wider range of deformations and displacements).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for realizing a liquid crystal tri-dimensional aligned structure, including: providing a first substrate having a first surface; forming a liquid crystal layer in contact to said first surface, said liquid crystal layer including a polymerizable liquid crystal compound; realizing a first aligning formation within said liquid crystal layer by irradiating a first portion of said liquid crystal layer with electromagnetic or electron beam radiation according to a given first pattern, so that said first portion of liquid crystal compound becomes polymerized and said first aligning formation is made of said polymerized liquid crystal compound according to said given first pattern, said first aligning structure defining a first aligning axis; locally orienting optical axes of molecules of said liquid crystal layer along said first aligning axis.

Abstract: A portable gamma camera includes a containment body (2), a scintillation measuring structure (3) housed in the containment body (2), a collimator (4) associated with the measuring structure (3), a display (5) positioned on the containment body (2) and an electronic controller unit (6), operating between the measuring structure (3) and the display (5) for generating on the display (5) images representing the radiation intercepted by the measuring structure (3).

Abstract: A UV lamp includes a UV lamp unit including a tubular bulb and an antenna inserted in the tubular bulb, and an antenna lead for supplying microwave energy from a microwave energy source to the UV lamp unit. The antenna lead includes a bent portion, one end of which is connected to the antenna and the other end is connectable to the microwave energy source.

Abstract: It is disclosed a system for reconstructing an image of an object hidden by a flame. The system comprises a laser source emitting an infrared radiation and a lensless, off-axis interferometric arrangement that divides the infrared radiation into an object beam and a reference beam. The object beam is enlarged and then irradiates the object, that scatters it. The reference beam is enlarged and then interferes with the scattered object beam, so as to create a hologram. The system comprises an infrared detector which detects the hologram and a processing unit which reconstructs the image of the object by numerically processing the hologram. The system therefore provides the object image based on digital holography at infrared wavelengths. Differently from known thermographic acquisition techniques, even if large portions of the object are hidden by the flame, the system allows to reconstruct an image of the whole object, with no blind areas.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a foamed polymer-inorganic binder hybrid material having controlled density and morphology, in particular a foamed polyurethane-inorganic binder hybrid, a method for the preparation of the same and its uses. Said material has high characteristics of thermal and acoustic insulation, water vapor permeability, fire resistance, lightness, as well as a good adhesiveness to concretes, mortars and plasters and a good compression resistance.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a scintillation body comprising the steps of readying a matrix of binding material within which is present a plurality of scintillation crystals, obtaining a plurality of channels within the matrix and around the crystals and inserting metallic material having a high atomic number and high density between mutually adjacent scintillation crystals without separating the scintillation crystals from the matrix of binding material.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a foamed polymer-inorganic binder hybrid material having controlled density and morphology, in particular a foamed polyurethane-inorganic binder hybrid, a method for the preparation of the same and its uses. Said material has high characteristics of thermal and acoustic insulation, water vapor permeability, fire resistance, lightness, as well as a good adhesiveness to concretes, mortars and plasters and a good compression resistance.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a scintillation body comprising the steps of readying a matrix of binding material within which is present a plurality of scintillation crystals, obtaining a plurality of channels within the matrix and around the crystals and inserting metallic material having a high atomic number and high density between mutually adjacent scintillation crystals without separating the scintillation crystals from the matrix of binding material.