Abstract: An efficient tapered optical fiber bundle along with the method of manufacturing is presented. The tapered fiber bundle is fully fused to an induced shape with no interstitial space between fibers. To minimize fiber deformation and hence the tapered bundle's loss, the individual fibers are minimally deformed by positioning them in a fixture with predetermined geometry prior to fusion. The bundle could be optionally reshaped after fusion. The tapered bundle could then be used in its original form as a star coupler, or it could be cleaved and coupled to a multimode fiber, a multi-clad fiber, a cladding-pumped fiber, or an optical system to form an optical device. The resulting optical device has improved efficiency and lower loss compared with prior art devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for examining particles in a flow stream of a flow cytometer, employing incoherent light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), and detectors. The light emitting diodes operate as the excitation light sources and emit light toward said flow stream, and the detectors detect light, in particular, fluorescent light, emanating from the particles in response to the excitation light striking the particles. A controller controls each of the light emitting diodes to emit their excitation light for a predetermined period during which the excitation light radiates onto particles of interest. The controller evaluates the detected light to ascertain characteristics of the particles, such as particle size, density and granularity. The apparatus and method can further employ one or more coherent and homogenous light emitting devices, such as a laser, as an additional excitation light source.

Abstract: A shield is disclosed that is particularly useful for protecting exposed optical elements at the end of optical probes used in the analysis of hazardous emissions in and around an industrial environment from the contaminating effects of those emissions. The instant invention provides a hood or cowl in the shape of a right circular cylinder that can be fitted over the end of such optical probes. The hood provides a clear aperture through which the probe can perform unobstructed analysis. The probe optical elements are protected from the external environment by passing a dry gas through the interior of the hood and out through the hood aperture in sufficient quantity and velocity to prevent any significant mixing between the internal and external environments. Additionally, the hood is provided with a cooling jacket to lessen the potential for damaging the probe due to temperature excursions.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for monitoring material buildup on system components in a plasma processing system. The system components contain emitters that are capable of producing characteristic fluorescent light emission when exposed to a plasma. The method utilizes optical emission to monitor fluorescent light emission from the emitters for determining system component status. The method can evaluate material buildup on system components in a plasma, by monitoring fluorescent light emission from the emitters. Consumable system components that can be monitored using the method include rings, shields, electrodes, baffles, and liners.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an endpoint during a chemical mechanical polishing process is disclosed that includes illuminating a first portion of a surface of a wafer with a first broad beam of light. A first reflected spectrum data is received. The first reflected spectrum of data corresponds to a first spectra of light reflected from the first illuminated portion of the surface of the wafer. A second portion of the surface of the wafer with a second broad beam of light. A second reflected spectrum data is received. The second reflected spectrum of data corresponds to a second spectra of light reflected from the second illuminated portion of the surface of the wafer. The first reflected spectrum data is normalized and the second reflected spectrum data is normalized. An endpoint is determined based on a difference between the normalized first spectrum data and the normalized second spectrum data.

Abstract: The invention discloses a fluorescence microscope comprising a light source that emits excitation light for illumination of a specimen, means for defining a two-dimensional search region for the excitation and detection wavelengths, means for selecting a subregion from the search region, at least one detector that detects detected light proceeding from the specimen, and a display for displaying an image of at least a portion of the specimen. Furthermore the invention discloses a method for fluorescence microscopy.

Abstract: A device for measuring the space distribution of the spectral emission of an object. The device includes a first lens forming in its Fourier plane an image constituting the optical Fourier transform of a zone of the object, a second lens, a diaphragm conjugated optically with the zone by the first and second lenses, a mechanism for selecting a rectilinear portion of the image, a mechanism for dispersion of the light corresponding to this portion, and a sensor receiving the dispersed light. The spectral response of the zone, for each point of the portion, is determined by signals from the sensor. The device is applicable in particular to display screens.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a generally flat color sample in a plurality of fixed and repeatable positions in proximity with the optics of a portable color instrument with a uniform and repeatable force. The apparatus has a platform upon which the portable color instrument is secured, a sample stage with multiple index planes upon which a color sample is placed, and a device which urges a pressure foot against the color sample, thereby holding the color sample in position on the stage with a uniform and repeatable force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steering a beam of light. The method and apparatus are based on the discovery that the spectral dispersion of multi-chromatic light pulses by an acousto-optical deflector can be significantly ameliorated by positioning a dispersive element, such as a prism, along the path of the multi-chromatic light pulses in such a way that the dispersive element disperses the multi-chromatic light pulses in a direction opposite to the spectral dispersion caused by the acousto-optical deflector. The dispersive element may be positioned either before or after the acousto-optical deflector. The method and apparatus are particularly well-suited for use with ultrashort laser pulses in the visible and infrared ranges having a bandwidth of up to about 40 nm. The method and apparatus have applicability in, among other things, multi-photon laser scanning microscopy.

Abstract: For systems which disperse individual wavelength components of a DWDM beam into an array of converging beams, the individual wavelength signals are modified for blocking, equalization or other purposes by reflective liquid crystal cells. Thus modulated or modified components are then recombined by the system into an output beam, as by reverse passage through the system. Controlled full extinction or linear attenuation may be introduced by converging asymmetrical beams of separate polarization components for each wavelength into superposed relation on zero twist nematic crystal cells which are voltage controlled so as to retard for extinction of greater than 40 dB or to transform the state of polarization to a selected angle for attenuation. Polarization sensitive elements in the return paths of the reflected beams then filter the rejected components.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the dimensions of moving packages includes a computer system connected to a position tracking system and a slice measurement system. The computer system uses the position tracking system to generate a series of position measurements of the packages as they move through the slice measurement system and uses the slice measurement system to generate a cross sectional slice of the packages at each measured positioned. The computer system then uses the cross sectional slice information to determine the height and width of the packages and uses the position measurements to determine the length of the packages.

Abstract: A multipass system for sampling by Raman spectroscopy enhances the collected signal and provides a system having improved sensitivity. The system incorporates an injection element for inserting collimated excitation radiation into an optical path, an objective lens for focusing the excitation radiation into the sample and for collecting radiation, a blocking filter that is substantially perpendicular to the optical path and that transmits Raman shifted radiation and reflects the excitation radiation, and a mirror for causing the excitation radiation to reflect excitation radiation back and forth between the mirror and the blocking filter multiple times while Raman shifted radiation is passed through the blocking filter for collection and analysis.

Abstract: A spectrometry instrument with exchangeable accessories (34, 48, 50, 52) providing, for example, different sample presentation facilities. The accessories include a manually operable cam-lock facility (54, 68) for quick and easy attachment of an accessory to the instrument. The instrument also includes an electrical circuit (86-90), which is completed by a circuit portion (100) in an accessory when the accessory is attached to the instrument, for generating a unique identifying voltage (94) to thereby identify that accessory. This allows for automatic loading in a controlling computer of programs for setting up and running the instrument for measurement regimes using that accessory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying, switching, rearranging or otherwise controlling the individual wavelength components of DWDM optical signals are described, which employ compact refolding and reshaping of these dimensionally patterned beams within a confined volume. The wavelength components of the beam are diffractively dispersed with high diffraction efficiency, and then reversely converged to beam waists incident on different ones of an array of control elements such as liquid crystal cells, MEMs and other spatial light modulators, or fixed distributed patterns. With reflective control elements the wavelength components may be reversely refolded along reciprocal paths with rediffraction, to form a reconstituted and revised DWDM output signal. If the control elements transmit at least one of the wavelength components, a separate, adjacent three dimensional beam refolding path, with rediffraction, is used to feed recombined signals to a separate output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spectrophotometric and/or nephelometric analyses. The apparatus can be used in in-vitro diagnosis.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a turntable and drive means. The turntable is used for supporting n measuring units at intervals of a predetermined angle with respect to a rotation axis thereof. The drive means is used for rotating the turntable intermittently at intervals of an angle equal to m times the predetermined angle (m is an integer). When the turntable is stopped, k kinds of processes are respectively performed on the measuring units situated at different positions on the turntable. The above-mentioned k is 2≦k≦n, and the above-mentioned m is either 1, a number that is neither the common divisor of 1 and n nor the common multiple, or a sum of 1 and the common multiple of n.

Abstract: Sensor for household appliances, in particular washing machines and dishwashers, comprising a housing 2 which comprises first and second housing fingers 8, 10 extending from a basis, a first optical element 12 being arranged in the first housing finger 8, a second optical element 14 which is arranged in the second housing finger 10 wherein a sensing beam 16 transmitted and received by the optical elements 12, 14 is propagating between the housing fingers 8, 10 external to the housing 2 for sensing of the turbidity of a cleaning medium at least partially surrounding the housing 2, and a temperature sensor 18 which is arranged in the second housing finger 10 in a greater distance from the basis 4 compared to the second optical element 14 for sensing the temperature of the cleaning medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for enhancing the system response of a photodetector array based spectrometer. For a spectrometer with a given system response curve, secondary light sources are provided to improve the system response in the spectral ranges where the dynamic range is less than at the peak of the curve. In one embodiment, multiple light sources can be combined by means of multiple branches of fibre optic bundles. The secondary light sources may be used in combination with suitable shaping filters and/or masks to further flatten the system response.

Abstract: A surface shape measurement apparatus for measuring a shape of an object to be examined by a simple mechanism for rotating a reference grid. The apparatus comprises a stage on which the object is rested, a reference grid disposed in parallel to the stage, illumination means for illuminating the reference grid and projecting an grid pattern onto the object surface, photographing means for photographing the grid pattern projected onto the object surface through the reference grid and obtaining an image of moiré fringes, rotation means for rotating the reference grid about an axis normal to a grid surface of the grid plate, and analysis means for analyzing the shape of the object surface based on information about a rotation angle of the reference grid and intensity of the moiré fringes.

Abstract: A portable Laser Plasma Spectroscopy (LPS) system and process is provided for performing in situ, near-real time, remote elemental analysis and identification of deposits or other foreign material found on surfaces of machine parts, such as turbine compressor blades or the like, wherein identification of the elemental constituents of a particular deposit is obtained without incurring significant ablative damage to the machine part substrate material underlying the deposit.