Abstract: A disclosed device comprises an edge bonding seal configured to be mounted to an edge bead of the electrostatic chuck. The edge bonding seal includes a monitoring layer comprised of a first material configured to either emit a species capable of being optically monitored or having an electrical resistance value capable of being monitored, or both. The edge bonding seal further includes an edge bonding layer configured to be interspersed at least between the monitoring layer and the plasma environment. The edge bonding layer is comprised of a second material susceptible to erosion due to reaction with the plasma environment and configured to expose the monitoring layer to the plasma environment upon sufficient exposure to the plasma environment.

Abstract: A test cell comprises a test chamber at least partially enclosed by a wall. The test chamber holds a test fluid, and a test material is placed within the test chamber such that at least a portion of the test material is contact with the test fluid and at least a portion of the test material is in optical register with a window of the wall. A first conductive element is in electrical communication with the test fluid but is separated from the test material by a space, and extends to an outside of the cell. A second conductive element is in electrical communication with the test material and also extends to the outside of the cell.

Abstract: A real-time, 3D, non-linear microscope measuring system and method for examining a set of microscopic image points in different image planes. The system comprises a pulsed laser or parametric oscillator light source generating an examining optical signal, and is applicable to measure and/or photochemically stimulate pre-selected points within a short time interval. The system further comprises a bundle of fibers composed of optical fibers or other waveguides, a rapidly working optical switch, a imaging system, a light source and an optical system. The examining optical signal is a fluorescent or other optical signal imaged on the required spot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a detection system for identifying an unidentified substance in a sample, comprising light emitting sources, where at least one of the light emitting sources emits light in the infrared region; a circuit board; a trigger, that activates a pulse of electrons from the circuit board to the light emitting sources; a detector; and a central processing unit, where fluorescence generated from the unknown unidentified substance that is illuminated by light from the light emitting sources is collected in the detector and analyzed in the central processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aggregate composed of a plurality of nanoparticles of a transition metal and a plurality of cyanine dye molecules that are interacting non-covalently. The nanoparticles are capped with a capping molecule, while the cyanine dye molecule can be cationic, anionic, or neutral cyanine dye. Methods of making such aggregates and for using them in detection of an analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: The optical analysis of body fluids is a method of determining the relative concentration of certain bio-molecules in blood and urine samples by fluorescent spectroscopy. The relative concentration of these bio-molecules serves as a marker or screening test to assess the presence and stage of cancer in some organ or tissue of the body, and in some cases, the presence of particular types of cancer in the body. The bio-molecules include various species of porphyrin, flavins (including flavin mononucleotide[FMN], flavin adeno dinucleotide [FAD], and riboflavin), bile components (including biliverdin and bilirubin), tyrosine, tryptophan, and NAD(P)H.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus for analyzing a specimen comprises a spectral separator for dispersing spatially an electromagnetic wave introduced from the specimen into spectral components, a sensing element array containing plural sensing elements for sensing the spectral components of the electromagnetic wave dispersed spatially by the spectral separator, and a spectrum calculator for calculating the spectrum from the signal sensed by the sensing elements; the sensing element array having sensitivities different to each of the spectral components of the electromagnetic wave dispersed spatially by the spectral separator, and the spectral separator and the sensing element array being placed so as to receive the spectral components by each of the sensing elements at different incident angles.

Abstract: A system and method processes a structure comprising embedded material. The system includes a laser adapted to generate light and to irradiate an interaction region of the structure. The system further includes an optical system adapted to receive light from the interaction region and to generate a detection signal indicative of the presence of embedded material in the interaction region. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the laser and the optical system. The controller is adapted to receive the detection signal and to be responsive to the detection signal by selectively adjusting the laser.

Abstract: A Raman method and system for analysing a sample including an excitation source emitting an incident light beam, a sample holder for mounting the sample, elements for focusing the incident light beam onto the sample surface to generate a Raman scattered light having an intensity, elements for collecting the Raman scattered light to form a Raman scattered light beam, a detection system measuring intensity of the Raman scattered light beam as a function of time. The system includes at least a polarization state generator able to generate four independent polarization states or a polarization state analyzer able to analyze four independent polarization states to detect the intensity of the Raman scattered light beam and calculate a partial or complete Mueller-Stokes matrix of the sample.

Abstract: In a polychrometer and a method for correcting stray light of the polychrometer, relative spectral (inter-pixel) distribution of stray light independent of a spectral distribution of an incident light is obtained, intensity coefficient of the stray light is calculated according to spectral (inter-pixel) distribution of the incident light, spectral (inter-pixel) distribution of the stray light included in a spectral (inter-pixel) distribution of an incident light is estimated and corrected. Thus, the stray light can be more accurately corrected as compared with a conventional case where stray light distribution is directly estimated from an incident light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spectroscopic system having a fiber-optic probe for simultaneous IR and Raman measurement. The probe includes a single strand of optical fiber, such as sapphire which is suitable for IR absorption measurements as far as 4 ?m and Raman excitation at wavelengths as short as 300 nm. The probe is immersed in the sample and functions in the evanescent wave mode for both IR absorption and Raman scattering measurements. The sensing system makes possible the synergistic, and simultaneous, analysis of both IR and Raman data in an integrated device.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure spatially resolved the luminescence of a semiconductor sample, in particular a semiconductor wafer or any part thereof, includes a rotatable sample holder for the semiconductor sample. This rotatable sample holder is mounted on an xy stage, and a drive mechanism is used to rotate the sample holder rapidly during the measurement. A device excites luminescence light on the semiconductor sample, and an optical device guides a portion of the luminescence light to a detector. The surface of the semiconductor sample is located in the range of a focal point of the optical device. Using a fixation device, it is possible to remove the rotatable sample holder from the xy stage, when required, and to replace it by a cryostat with an optical window and a further semiconductor sample, so that the surface of the further semiconductor sample is essentially located in the focus point of optical device.

Abstract: An RF power generator (10) for an induction coil (26) for exciting an inductively coupled plasma in a torch (27) for spectrometry. The generator (10) comprises a switching circuit (12) for alternately switching ON and OFF solid state switching devices (20) via gate drive voltages (22) for supplying RF power into a resonant load circuit (16) comprising the induction coil (26) and parallel connected capacitance (25). The gate drive circuits (24) for each solid state switching device (20) each include a portion (30) that is mutually inductively coupled with leads of the induction coil (26) to provide the gate drive voltages (22). The circuit allows for reduced componentry and therefore a relatively inexpensive RF power generator for exciting and sustaining an inductively coupled plasma for spectrometry.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for measuring four factors contributing to transparency of a colored film, namely, Haze, Scatter, Gloss and Bronze values by utilizing a diffuse sphere spectrophotometer.

Abstract: An optical rotating power measurement method comprising: an optical rotating power data acquisition step of starting measurement of the optical rotating power of the sample in a measurement apparatus during a temperature changing process where a controller controls the temperature of the sample such that the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature and of obtaining temperature data and optical rotating power data of the sample as time passes during the temperature changing process; and a data processing step of obtaining a straight line relationship data between the temperature data and the optical rotating power data, by using the fact that the optical rotating power of the sample is proportional to a measurement temperature; wherein the optical rotating power data of the sample at the predetermined temperature or the temperature dependence data of the optical rotating power of the sample is determined based on the straight line relationship data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spectroscopic method and associated apparatus and computer program for measuring and analysing intensities of fluorescent molecules excited by an energy pulse. The method includes the steps of: a) generating a transient state build-up in the fluorescent molecules by means of an excitation pulse, within which pulse repetitive excitation-emission cycles are induced in the fluorescent molecules between their ground, typically singlet (So) and excited, typically singlet (SO states, resulting also in transition from S] to the transient state, b) relaxation of population of the transient state by transition back to the ground state in a time period following directly after the excitation pulse, c) determination of the transient state population by recording the fluorescence. The invention is characterised by varying pulse characteristics from one sequence of pulses to the next so as to circumvent the need of time-resolution in the detection.

Abstract: Methods for wavelength calibration of spectrometers are provided which achieve better calibration accuracies than conventional peak search methods. The methods are based on the principle of a stepwise relative shift of corresponding measured-value blocks of a model and calibration spectrum where a correlation value is calculated for each shift step. A shift value is determined for each measured-value block at which the correlation value reaches an optimum. A value pair consisting of a position marker of the measured-value block and the associated shift value is determined for each measured-value block. These value pairs represent the design points for fitting to a suitable assignment function. Coefficients obtained in this manner can be used directly as coefficients of a wavelength assignment or be combined with the coefficients of an existing first wavelength assignment in that they for example replace or are offset against the coefficients of an existing first wavelength assignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to address the potential impact of lighting conditions/light sources on color measurement and/or color matching, particularly as such light variation relates to UV levels. The systems and methods generally include a UV visualizer that is adapted to establish and/or compare UV profiles for individual substrates/samples, e.g., print materials, under various illuminating conditions. According to the disclosure, it is possible to determine both (i) how a sample (e.g., a printing material) responds to UV light, and (ii) the amount of UV light under which the sample is viewed without the need to measure the excitation pattern of the sample/paper or the spectra of the illuminating light. In this way, a true color reading and/or color match may be achieved. Color corrections may be implemented that necessarily address the level of color brightener, if any, in the substrate or paper to be printed upon.

Abstract: Methods and assemblies are provided for evaluating plants for presence of pests. Methods may include separating pests from a plant to produce a sample of pests for analysis, illuminating the sample to produce emitted light from the sample, and comparing the emitted light from the sample to a model to discriminate pests within the sample. Assemblies may include a separating unit operable to separate pests from a plant to produce a sample comprising pests, a light source for illuminating at least part of the sample, and an imaging device adjacent the light source for receiving light from the illuminated sample and creating an image of the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor.