Abstract: Described is a metrology system for determining a characteristic of interest relating to at least one structure on a substrate, and associated method. The metrology system comprises a processor being configured to computationally determine phase and amplitude information from a detected characteristic of scattered radiation having been reflected or scattered by the at least one structure as a result of illumination of said at least one structure with illumination radiation in a measurement acquisition, and use the determined phase and amplitude to determine the characteristic of interest.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes one or more computer-readable storage media, and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors and the one or more computer-readable storage media are configured to: acquire image data acquired by capturing an image of an object, acquire distance information about a distance from an imaging apparatus, by which the captured image of the object is captured, to the object, acquire an optical profile representing an attribute of an image reflected on a surface of the object based on the image data and the distance information, and evaluate a state of the surface of the object based on the optical profile.

Abstract: A multi-purpose in-situ contamination sampler includes an inner frame surrounded by a plurality of removable or attachable pieces, each of which include of a single witness surface configured to collect both particulate and molecular contamination within an environment on a payload or a spacecraft.

Abstract: System and apparatus for robust, portable gas detection. Specifically, this disclosure describes apparatuses and systems for optical gas detection in a compact package using two optical pathways. There is a need for a very compact, low-power, gas detection system for gases such as CO2, NOx, water vapor, methane, etc. This disclosure provides an ultra-compact and highly stable and efficient optical measurement system based on principals of optical absorption spectroscopy using substantially collinear pathways.

Abstract: A method and system for the suppression and/or modulation of absorption spectrum artifacts for the purpose of gas detection and concentration measurements using at least one magnetic, electric or electromagnetic field. A field applied selectively to at least one section of the system modulates absorption by influencing quantum energy state transitions of gas species.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for in-line measurement of alkali metal-containing structures or alkali ion-containing structures of, e.g., electrodes. In an embodiment, a system for processing an electrode is provided. The system includes a first processing chamber for forming an electrode comprising an alkali metal-containing structure. The system further includes a metrology station coupled to and in-line with the first processing chamber, the metrology station comprising: a source of radiation for delivering radiation to the alkali metal-containing structure, and an optical detector for receiving an emission of radiation emitted from the alkali metal-containing structure, and a processor configured to determine a characteristic of the alkali metal-containing structure of the electrode based on the emission of radiation.

Abstract: A system and method indicate capability for detecting methane leaks inside buildings. This approach provides the ability to detect methane behind high efficiency coated windows and can extract methane concentration (rather than concentration-path length product CL). Lock-in imaging technologies can facilitate lower laser transmitter power. A field deployable, hand held prototype sensor for use in remote sensing a appropriate standoff distances can support operational testing. Distance infrared imaging of methane is feasible. Fully characterized real time image of a methane cloud offers operational advantages in accuracy and safety as compared to current sensors.

Abstract: A particle detection system may include a light source, a first beam splitter, a particle interrogation zone, a reflecting surface, a second beam splitter, a first photodetector, and a second photodetector. The first beam splitter may be configured to split the source beam into an interrogation beam and a reference beam. The particle interrogation zone may be disposed in the path of the interrogation beam. The reflecting surface may be configured to reflect the interrogation beam back on itself. The second beam splitter may be configured to: (i) receive the reference beam and side scattered light from one or more particles interacting with the interrogation beam in the particle interrogation zone; and (ii) produce a first component beam and second component beam. The first photodetector may be configured to detect the first component beam. The second photodetector may be configured to detect the second component beam.

Abstract: A device may receive a master data set for a first spectroscopic model; receive a target data set for a target population associated with the first spectroscopic model to update the first spectroscopic model; generate a training data set that includes the master data set and first data from the target data set; generate a validation data set that includes second data from the target data set and not the master data set; generate, using cross-validation and using the training data set and the validation data set, a second spectroscopic model that is an update of the first spectroscopic model; and provide the second spectroscopic model.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for spectrally resolving light from fluorophores having overlapping fluorescence spectra in a sample. Methods according to certain embodiments include detecting light with a light detection system from a sample having a plurality of fluorophores having overlapping fluorescence spectra and spectrally resolving light from each fluorophore in the sample. In some embodiments, methods include estimating the abundance of one or more of the fluorophores in the sample, such as on a particle. In certain instances, methods include identifying the particle in the sample based on the abundance of each fluorophore and sorting the particle. Methods according to some embodiments includes spectrally resolving the light from each fluorophore by calculating a spectral unmixing matrix for the fluorescence spectra of each fluorophore. Systems and integrated circuit devices (e.g., a field programmable gate array) for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of correcting a misalignment of a wafer on a wafer holder and an apparatus for performing the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor alignment apparatus includes a wafer stage; a wafer holder over the wafer stage; a first position detector configured to detect an alignment of a wafer over the wafer holder in a first direction; a second position detector configured to detect an alignment of the wafer over the wafer holder in a second direction; and a rotational detector configured to detect a rotational alignment of the wafer over the wafer holder.

Abstract: Devices are provided for indicating a moisture content of a substance such as soil. In an example, a device for indicating a moisture content of soil includes a stem configured to be inserted into the soil and an indicator coupled to the stem and configured to visually indicate the moisture content of the soil, the stem and the indicator each comprised of an absorbent material and at least the indicator including hydrochromic ink on the absorbent material.

Abstract: An observation device includes an illumination optical system and an observation optical system. The illumination optical system includes a light source and an aperture member. The observation optical system includes an objective lens, an optical structure, and a detector. The optical structure is disposed at a first position which is the position conjugate with the aperture member. The optical structure includes a blocking portion that blocks light and a transmitting portion that transmits light, the blocking portion having a shape including the shape of an image of an aperture of the aperture member which is formed on the optical structure. The detector detects dark-field light passing through the optical structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure addresses the problem of providing an optical plastic film such that rainbow unevenness when viewed with naked eyes and blackout when viewed with polarized sunglasses can be suppressed without any axis alignment or increase in the in-plane phase difference.

Abstract: MFB twist distribution data is calculated along a multi-fiber shape sensor bundle (MFB) using optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) phase interrogation data. Phase data is extracted from OFDR interferometric interrogation data acquired from an MFB having single core radially offset fibers with fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) helically wrapped about and rigidly adhered to a central single core fiber with BRFs. A change in phase between current and previously acquired phase signals is calculated for the fibers. The change in phase is unwrapped and FBG gap-induced unwrapping discontinuities are accounted for in the change in phase. The FBG gap-mitigated phase differences are determined for each of the offset fibers and then averaged. The center fiber gap-mitigated phase difference is subtracted from the average to yield a twist-phase difference.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for Raman spectroscopy are described. In certain implementations, a spectrometer is provided. The spectrometer may include a plurality of optical elements, comprising an entrance aperture, a collimating element, a volume phase holographic grating, a focusing element, and a detector array. The plurality of optical elements are configured to transfer the light beam from the entrance aperture to the detector array with a high transfer efficiency over a preselected spectral band.

Abstract: A microplate reader simultaneously obtains Raman measurements from samples contained in non-adjacent wells. At least two Raman probes are positioned perpendicularly above or below the microplate to simultaneously acquire Raman spectra data of the non-adjacent liquid samples. Each probe is coupled to a laser and a spectrometer and includes a lens focusing laser light within the sample and collecting light from the sample for the spectrometer. The spectrometer may include a 2D imaging sensor (sCMOS or CCD) to image light from multiple probes simultaneously, spaced from one another to reduce crosstalk. A positioner moves the microplate plate or probes to acquire data from a different subset of non-adjacent samples, and may also vary laser focus within wells during data acquisition. Multiple fluorescence probes may simultaneously acquire fluorescence data from the same samples, or non-adjacent samples. Probes may be fiber-coupled and positioned within a reaction chamber of a liquid handling system.

Abstract: A collaborative seam tracking method based on laser line scanning sensing includes: scanning, by using a laser line scanning sensor, a weld seam to obtain an original sampling deviation value; coordinate converting the original sampling deviation value to obtain a converted sampling deviation value, and then obtaining a first converted sampling deviation coordinate based on a current position coordinate of a motion mechanism; in response to an absolute difference between the converted sampling deviation value and a position value of a corresponding projection point on a preset path is less than a processing range of a galvanometer, performing a seam tracking; in response to the absolute difference between the converted sampling deviation value and the position value of the corresponding projection point on the taught path is greater than or equal to the processing range, performing Hermite interpolation, thereby obtaining an interpolation function as a motion trajectory.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system includes a dual-polarization optical antenna, a single-polarization optical antenna, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The dual-polarization optical antenna is configured to (i) emit a transmit beam with a first polarization orientation and (ii) and detect a return beam having a second polarization orientation. The single-polarization optical antenna is configured to detect the return beam having the second polarization orientation.

Abstract: A LIDAR system including an emitter configured to emit at least one light beam; a detector configured for receiving light reflected from surrounding objects; and a rotatable scanning element including a reflective prism having at least four faces inclined relative to the axis of rotation, and a transmission element connected to the reflective prism, the transmission element having an exterior edge portion extending around the axis of rotation generally in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation, the edge portion having a variable thickness about the axis of rotation, the emitter, the detector, and the rotatable scanning element being arranged such that the light beam is incident on and refracted by the transmission element and subsequently incident on one face of the at least four faces of the reflective prism, an angle of incidence of the beam on the face depending on the variable thickness of the transmission element.