Abstract: A UV curing system and method for providing an adjustable beam profile are disclosed for UV curing for ultra high speed industrial applications, such inkjet printing, with improved print quality and efficiency. Also provided is a lamp head assembly for a UV source for such a system, which provides an adjustable beam profile for optimizing UV curing. The lamp head assembly comprises one or more light sources and reflectors or other optical elements, which may be relatively movable and adjustable, to adjust the beam profile to processing conditions and requirements for consistent curing efficiency and print quality at different print speeds. Specific features of such a lamp head assembly may permit adjustment of the spectral, spatial and temporal distribution of light for improved or optimized curing efficiency in ultra-fast UV curing applications.

Abstract: A hybrid integrated structure of an optical active device and a Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) device using an optical fiber array is provided, in which one or more photodiodes are integrated on an upper cladding layer above one or more planar optical waveguides. A section located on a boundary surface between output optical waveguides, that is, an end of the PLC device in the direction of propagation of light, and the input end of an output optical fiber array is ground to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis. Further, one or more optical fibers and one or more reflection mirrors are alternately arranged, inserted, and disposed in a plurality of V-shaped trenches formed in the output optical fiber array.

Abstract: An optical signal detector is provided that detects an optical signal from an optical source using a plurality of optical sensors having different wavelength selectivities, thereby determining the peak wavelength of the optical signal and measuring the power of an optical signal corresponding to the peak wavelength. According to the optical signal detector, separate optical filters are not required and space and costs attributable to the installation of the optical filters can be saved, and thus there are effects in that the overall size and manufacturing costs of the device can be reduced.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor (PEM) is driven with loosely coupled inductors 24 and switching amplifier having a pulse width modulator 18, gate driver circuit 21 and two pairs of power mosfets 210, 212 and 220, 222. Energy stored in the PEM at the end of one cycle is transferred to a capacitor 202 for use in a subsequent cycle.

Abstract: A hybrid integrated structure of an optical active device and a Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) device using an optical fiber array is provided, in which one or more photodiodes are integrated on an upper cladding layer above one or more planar optical waveguides. A section located on a boundary surface between output optical waveguides, that is, an end of the PLC device in the direction of propagation of light, and the input end of an output optical fiber array is ground to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to an optical axis. Further, one or more optical fibers and one or more reflection mirrors are alternately arranged, inserted, and disposed in a plurality of V-shaped trenches formed in the output optical fiber array.

Abstract: A light delivery device (10) having a light source (12) and a variable aperture unit (18) is temporarily connected by a light guide (24; 24, 26) to a radiometer (38) for detecting irradiance of the delivered light. The light delivery device has a memory (30) for storing irradiance levels. The light delivery device is calibrated by adjusting the aperture to each of a series of predetermined settings, obtaining from the radiometer a corresponding series of delivered light irradiance levels measured thereby, storing the irradiance levels and aperture settings in memory, and applying a best fit algorithm to the irradiance measurements and aperture settings. Thereafter, a desired irradiance level can be set by selecting the best fit aperture setting. Output intensity levels may be measured at the same time as the irradiance levels and used to compensate for light source degradation when setting a desired irradiance level.

Abstract: A light source unit comprises a support for supporting a lamp unit, e.g., a gas discharge lamp or the like. The lamp unit has longitudinal and transversal fiduciary surfaces and the support has guide rails for guiding the lamp unit as it is inserted transversely with the longitudinal fiduciary surfaces sliding along a reference surface until transversal fiduciary surfaces engage one or more stops. The support may comprise a first part for supporting the lamp unit, a second part for supporting a light guide, and at least first and second light baffles between the first part and the second part, the first and second baffles each having an aperture for passing only a portion of light from the lamp unit incident upon the baffle, the arrangement being such that light from the lamp unit must pass through the apertures in both baffles to be incident upon the light guide.

Abstract: A light source unit, for supplying light via a light guide to a remote location, comprises a support for supporting a light source and a light guide in a prescribed alignment relative to each other, the support comprising a first part for supporting the light source, a second part for supporting the light guide, and at least first and second light baffles between the first part and the second part, the first and second baffles each having an aperture for passing only a portion of light from the light source incident upon the baffle, the arrangement being such that light from the light source must pass through the apertures in both baffles to be incident upon the light guide.

Abstract: In a light delivery system comprising a lightguide coupled to an optical apparatus for delivering substantially uniform light to a predetermined plane within the apparatus, images of non-uniformities caused by imperfections at or near an outlet end of the lightguide are displaced away from the predetermined plane. The image displacement may be performed by a lens adjacent the end of the lightguide, or integral therewith, or by a suitably formed plug or end cap of a liquid lightguide.

Abstract: A light source having a light generator, a sensor for sensing operational parameters of the light generator, and a light source data storage device integrated with the light generator and operatively coupled to the sensor, for storing operating data correlated to the operational parameters of the light emitter. The light source also typically has a light source housing, to which are mounted the light generator, the sensor and the light source data storage device.

Abstract: A curing system, a transmission system and a method for delivering curing radiation to multiple worksites simultaneously. The curing system includes a radiation source adapted to generate curing radiation, a homogenizer adapted to receive radiation generated by the radiation source and emit substantially homogenized radiation, and a radiation transmission device. The radiation transmission device includes at least one device inlet port adapted to receive substantially homogenized radiation from the homogenizer and a plurality of transmission channels operatively coupled to the device inlet port and adapted to transmit radiation received by the device inlet port. Each transmission channel comprises a device outlet port adapted to emit radiation transmitted by the transmission channel.

Abstract: A photocuring device and a method of photocuring using it. The device includes a housing and a light emitting semiconductor array mounted to the housing, capable of emitting light energy having a light output wavelength suitable for initiating a photoreaction. The device also has a power source for providing power to energize the array to emit light energy and a controller coupled to the power source for varying the power provided by the power source to the array.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply for an illumination system used to expose photo-initiated adhesives. The illumination system includes an arc lamp to provide light. As the lamp ages, its electrodes deteriorate, reducing the amount of light directed into a light guide and ultimately onto the adhesive. The power supply provides an increasing power input to the lamp to increase the light output of the lamp, countering this deterioration at least in part. The voltage and current drawn by the lamp are measured and a skewed control signal which magnifies the level is used to control the power input to the lamp.

Abstract: A light integrating interface having a housing made substantially of pressed polytetrafluoroethylene powder. The interface has a non-spherical integrating cavity with a reflective inner surface, as well as a light energy input port and a light energy output port operatively coupled to the integrating cavity.

Abstract: A light source having a light generator, a sensor for sensing operational parameters of the light generator, and a light source data storage device integrated with the light generator and operatively coupled to the sensor, for storing operating data correlated to the operational parameters of the light emitter. The light source also typically has a light source housing, to which are mounted the light generator, the sensor and the light source data storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the wavelength of a laser. Initially, the wavelength of the laser is coarsely tuned to within a predetermined window around a specified wavelength. After coarse adjustment, a wavelength control loop is activated to finely tune and lock the laser wavelength. In an embodiment, the control loop dithers the wavelength of the optical carrier signal from the laser. The optical carrier signal is then modulated (i.e., with data) in the normal manner. A portion of the modulated optical signal is filtered and detected. The amplitude and phase of the detected signal, which comprises the error signal, is processed and averaged. The averaged signal is then summed with a dither signal to provide a composite signal. A control signal corresponding to the composite signal is then generated and used to adjust the laser wavelength.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the operation of a laser diode to maintain optimum operating characteristics (i.e., fairly constant output power and extinction ratio) despite the fact that the threshold current and slope efficiency vary greatly over a the desired range of operating temperature. A laser driving circuit includes a bias current generator, a temperature-dependent modulation current generator, and a switching element for switching the modulation current on and off in accordance with a desired input pattern. The modulation current is caused to vary with temperature in a manner that compensates for the fact that the laser diode's slope efficiency varies with temperature.