Abstract: An imaging apparatus for use with an imaging device in order to image a subject. The imaging device includes an annular gantry having an opening and a table to accommodate the subject or a portion thereof for imaging. The imaging apparatus includes a platform and a positioning device. The imaging device is mounted to the platform. The annular gantry is in a fixed position relative to the platform. The table is horizontally displaceable relative to the annular gantry. The positioning device supports the platform and is configured to horizontally displace the platform relative to a supporting surface for the subject. The positioning device is configured to position the platform with the imaging device in at least one operational state in such a way that, during a relative movement of the table with respect to the annular gantry, the table remains stationary relative to the supporting surface.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for use with an imaging device in order to image a subject. The imaging device includes an annular gantry having an opening and a table to accommodate the subject or a portion thereof for imaging. The imaging apparatus includes a platform and a positioning device. The imaging device is mounted to the platform. The annular gantry is in a fixed position relative to the platform. The table is horizontally displaceable relative to the annular gantry. The positioning device supports the platform and is configured to horizontally displace the platform relative to a supporting surface for the subject. The positioning device is configured to position the platform with the imaging device in at least one operational state in such a way that, during a relative movement of the table with respect to the annular gantry, the table remains stationary relative to the supporting surface.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for use with an imaging device in order to image a subject. The imaging device includes an annular gantry having an opening and a table to accommodate the subject or a portion thereof for imaging. The imaging apparatus includes a platform and a positioning device. The imaging device is mounted to the platform. The annular gantry is in a fixed position relative to the platform. The table is horizontally displaceable relative to the annular gantry. The positioning device supports the platform and is configured to horizontally displace the platform relative to a supporting surface for the subject. The positioning device is configured to position the platform with the imaging device in at least one operational state in such a way that, during a relative movement of the table with respect to the annular gantry, the table remains stationary relative to the supporting surface.

Abstract: A highly efficient light extraction system for LED chip arrays, in which a multi-function domed lens overlays the LED chip array. A lower portion of the multi-function domed lens acts as a reflector, capturing wide-angle light emitted by the LED chips. An upper portion of the multi-function domed lens provides the function of a refractive lens. The multi-function domed lens provides improved light extraction efficiency over prior art embodiments, greater total light output, as well as a narrower light distribution pattern, with increased light intensity at the center of the beam.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for use with an imaging device in order to image a subject. The imaging device includes an annular gantry having an opening and a table to accommodate the subject or a portion thereof for imaging. The imaging apparatus includes a platform and a positioning device. The imaging device is mounted to the platform. The annular gantry is in a fixed position relative to the platform. The table is horizontally displaceable relative to the annular gantry. The positioning device supports the platform and is configured to horizontally displace the platform relative to a supporting surface for the subject. The positioning device is configured to position the platform with the imaging device in at least one operational state in such a way that, during a relative movement of the table with respect to the annular gantry, the table remains stationary relative to the supporting surface.

Abstract: A tunable wavelength filtering device is presented in which the tuning mechanism is based on altering the incident angle to an optical thin film coating stack, or thin film optical filter. Rotating mirrors, such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) tilt-mirrors, are used to alter the incident angle of the optical beam coming from an input fiber, and also to aim or align the exiting beam to an output optical fiber. The optical thin film coating stack can be implemented onto a glass substrate, to form a thin film filter chip. The thin film filter chip can be fixed in place, and the incident angle and exiting angle of the optical beam is varied by adjusting the tilt angle of the two rotating mirrors.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for use with an imaging device in order to image a subject. The imaging device includes an annular gantry having an opening and a table to accommodate the subject or a portion thereof for imaging. The imaging apparatus includes a platform and a positioning device. The imaging device is mounted to the platform. The annular gantry is in a fixed position relative to the platform. The table is horizontally displaceable relative to the annular gantry. The positioning device supports the platform and is configured to horizontally displace the platform relative to a supporting surface for the subject. The positioning device is configured to position the platform with the imaging device in at least one operational state in such a way that, during a relative movement of the table with respect to the annular gantry, the table remains stationary relative to the supporting surface.

Abstract: Light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixtures are presented that use a low-pass filter to smooth out or eliminate discrete, step changes in LED light fixture brightness, that may result from the use of digital brightness level settings. Because some lighting applications require a fast response to changes in the set brightness level, and some applications require a slower response, one set of examples use a switchable RC low-pass filter circuit, with two or more selectable RC time constant values. Another set of examples use a programmable resistance integrated circuit to achieve a more continuously-variable time constant, for greater flexibility in adjusting the response time of the LED lighting fixture, in response to user brightness inputs. The user is able to control the maximum rate of change of the LED light fixture's brightness, in response to changes in the brightness setting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer tomography apparatus for examining a body part of a large animal, comprising a computer tomography (CT) device and a platform on which the CT device is mounted. The CT device has an annular gantry and a CT table to accommodate a body part of a large animal to be examined. The gantry is immovable relative to the platform. Relative to the platform and to the gantry the CT table is horizontally movably connected to the gantry and/or the platform in such a way that the CT table can be moved into a central opening in the annular gantry. The computer tomography apparatus further comprises a positioning device which is connected to the platform and is designed to position the platform having the mounted CT device relative to a supporting surface for a large animal.

Abstract: Examples of electrical lamp fixtures for illuminating terrariums and stimulating the growth and health of reptiles, amphibians, and birds, and specifically to an improved, compact light emitting diode (LED) terrarium light apparatus are described. The lighting apparatus can incorporate one or multiple extended point source LED arrays, such as composed of high brightness LEDs of multiple wavelengths, that provide spatially and spectrally controlled light. A compact, high brightness LED terrarium light apparatus for reptiles and birds, comprises an array of multiple LED chips that provides visible light, ultraviolet light, and (optionally) infrared light, with separate control of the various spectral components.

Abstract: Wavelength-tuning optical filters are presented that also allows for the tuning or real-time adjustment of its bandwidth, or passband width. The bandwidth-adjustable tunable optical filters use one or more diffraction gratings that are fixed in place to provide angular dispersion of different wavelengths. A first rotatable or tilting mirror is used to adjust the angle of incidence of an input optical beam to the diffraction grating or diffraction grating system, while a second rotatable or tilting mirror is used to aim the diffracted optical beam back through the diffraction grating or diffraction grating system, so that a subset of the incoming wavelengths are optically aligned to the end face of an output fiber. The first rotatable or tilting mirror provides tuning or adjustment of the bandwidth or passband width of the tunable optical filter, while the second rotatable or tilting mirror tunes or adjusts the center wavelength of the passband.

Abstract: Light emitting diode (LED) lighting fixtures are presented that use a low-pass filter to smooth out or eliminate discrete, step changes in LED light fixture brightness, that may result from the use of digital brightness level settings. Because some lighting applications require a fast response to changes in the set brightness level, and some applications require a slower response, one set of examples use a switchable RC low-pass filter circuit, with two or more selectable RC time constant values. Another set of examples use a programmable resistance integrated circuit to achieve a more continuously-variable time constant, for greater flexibility in adjusting the response time of the LED lighting fixture, in response to user brightness inputs. The user is able to control the maximum rate of change of the LED light fixture's brightness, in response to changes in the brightness setting.

Abstract: Methods and techniques are presented to inhibit crystallization in optical waveguide structures, during high temperature annealing or deposition, thus preventing the formation of crystalline grains that scatter and/or absorb light. Dopant atoms or molecules are used to disrupt crystallization. The dopant atoms or molecules are selected to be transparent to the optical signal's wavelength range(s). Optical signals propagating in a waveguide that is fabricated with such techniques will experience reduced propagation loss or insertion loss. The passive dopants can also be used in active devices such as lasers or optical amplifiers that incorporate optically active dopants, as long as the passive dopants are chosen so that they do not interact with the active dopants.

Abstract: A tunable wavelength filtering device is presented in which the tuning mechanism is based on altering the incident angle to an optical thin film coating stack, or thin film optical filter. Rotating mirrors, such as Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) tilt-mirrors, are used to alter the incident angle of the optical beam coming from an input fiber, and also to aim or align the exiting beam to an output optical fiber. The optical thin film coating stack can be implemented onto a glass substrate, to form a thin film filter chip. The thin film filter chip can be fixed in place, and the incident angle and exiting angle of the optical beam is varied by adjusting the tilt angle of the two rotating mirrors.

Abstract: Examples of electrical lamp fixtures for illuminating terrariums and stimulating the growth and health of reptiles, amphibians, and birds, and specifically to an improved, compact light emitting diode (LED) terrarium light apparatus are described. The lighting apparatus can incorporate one or multiple extended point source LED arrays, such as composed of high brightness LEDs of multiple wavelengths, that provide spatially and spectrally controlled light. A compact, high brightness LED terrarium light apparatus for reptiles and birds, comprises an array of multiple LED chips that provides visible light, ultraviolet light, and (optionally) infrared light, with separate control of the various spectral components.

Abstract: A pin hole or aperture is located or formed adjacent to the end surface of one or more of the input ports or fibers, or adjacent to one or more of the output ports or fibers, of a fiberoptic component. The aperture allows light to enter (or exit) the core of the associated fiber, and the non-transparent layer that surrounds the aperture blocks light from entering or exiting the cladding layer of the associated fiber. This blocking of the evanescent field in the cladding layer serves to reduce the polarization, wavelength, and temperature dependencies of the light coupling to the output port(s) or fiber(s) of the optical component. It can also reduce the passband width of the selected wavelength in tunable optical filter applications. The non-transparent layer surrounding the aperture can be made reflective, and light that is reflected by the non-transparent layer can be used for optical power monitoring.

Abstract: A solid-state optical amplifier is described, having an active core and doped cladding in a single chip. An active optical core runs through a doped cladding in a structure formed on a substrate. A light emitting structure, such as an LED, is formed within and/or adjacent to the optical core. The cladding is doped, for example, with erbium or other rare-earth elements or metals. Several exemplary devices and methods of their formation are given.

Abstract: Integrated optical component combine the functions of a Variable Optical Attenuator (VOA), a tap coupler, and a photo-detector, reducing the size, cost, and complexity of these functions. In other embodiments, the integrated optical component combines the functions of an optical switch, a tap coupler, and a photo-detector. A rotatable mirror is used to adjust the coupling of light from an input port or ports to one or more output ports. A pin hole with a surrounding reflective surface is used at the core end face of one or more output fibers, such that a portion of the output optical signal is reflected to a photodiode chip. The photo-detector provides an indication of the optical power that is being coupled to the output fiber. With appropriate electronic control circuitry, the integrated optical component can be used to set the output optical power at a desired or required level.

Abstract: A rotating or tilting MEMS structure, such as a tilt mirror for an optical device, includes a damping mechanism, provided by locating an inlay block structure underneath the MEMS rotating surface. Damping is created by the temporary squeezing or compression of the air, atmosphere, or gas(es) surrounding the MEMS structure, between the underside of the MEMS tilting surface and the top surface of the block. Movement of the MEMS surface away from the top surface of the block will also be damped by the temporary reduction in pressure. The block structure is fabricated separately from the MEMS tilt-mirror structure and located under the MEMS tilt-mirror structure, either before or during the die-attach or die-bonding process. The damping effect serves to minimize and limit the amplitude and duration of oscillatory motion of the MEMS tilt-mirror, following intentional movement of the mirror, or, in response to external shock and vibrational forces.

Abstract: In-line uni-directional optical tap detector devices provide optical power monitoring in a small, inexpensive form factor. A pair of optical fibers with angled end surfaces are fusion-spliced or butt-coupled together, with a thin-film coating or coating stack positioned in between the two fiber end surfaces. The thin-film coating or coating stack acts as an optical tap, reflecting a small portion of the optical signal towards a photo-detector affixed to the exterior of the cladding of the fibers, positioned and angled such that the photo-detector measures the optical power of signals propagating in one direction down the fibers, while ignoring signals propagating in the opposite, or reverse direction. Alternately, a V-groove block or fiber holder is used to position and secure the fibers, without requiring fusion splicing, where the reflection of a portion of the optical signal to the photo-detector may be due to Fresnel reflection at the fiber end surfaces.