Abstract: An x-ray laminography imaging system that utilizes a nonplanar anode target to enable objects that are oblique to the direction of projection of electron beams onto the target to be precisely imaged. Because many objects that laminography techniques are used to inspect are oblique or have portions that are oblique, the nonplanar anode target of the present invention enables enables spot patterns to be traced that are parallel to the plane of the object, regardless of whether it is oblique or orthogonal.

Abstract: An arrangement for optical communication comprises an optical coupler, an opto-electronic board, and an optical fiber. The optical fiber comprises a first refraction surface, a second refraction surface, and an internal reflector. The first refraction surface has a first finite focal length. The second refraction surface has a second finite focal length. In operation, an optical signal enters the first refraction surface, couples from the first refraction surface to the second refraction surface via the internal reflector, and exits the second refraction surface, where the optical signal defines a light path. The light path optically couples the opto-electronic board to the optical fiber.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device is provided having an active alignment. The lens and the optoelectronic device are mounted on their respective carrying members, and the carrying members are placed proximate to each other in a loose alignment controlled by alignment pins loosely engaging oversized alignment opening. An alignment range is created by a difference in the diameter of the alignment pins and the alignment opening, allowing the lens and optoelectronic device to be moved with respect to each other and actively aligned. The member carrying the lens may also include a connector stop cooperatively arranged with the alignment pins to provide an aligned coupling between an optical fiber connector and the optoelectronic component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for determining a sensor holder for holding an object, whereby the sensor holder carries a digital sensor of a dental X-ray unit. The inventive system comprises an input and display unit for interactively controlling the same, whereby a schema image can be displayed on the display unit. The system also comprises a processing unit that, based on the selected sensor holder, simulatively generates the schema image from which is apparent which area of the object is displayed when using the selected sensor holder.

Abstract: A planar lightwave circuit includes at least one optical waveguide core, and at least one feature proximate the core having a stress-engineered property to balance stress and therefore minimize birefringence affecting the core. A protective passivation layer is formed over the core and the feature to be substantially non-interfering with the balanced stress provided by the feature. The stress balancing feature may be an overcladding layer formed over the core, doped to have a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately matched to that of an underlying substrate, to symmetrically distribute stress in an undercladding between the overcladding and the substrate, away from the core. The protective passivation layer is formed to have a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately matched to that of the overcladding. In one exemplary embodiment, the passivation layer is formed from silicon nitride. Related concepts of stress release grooves, and core overetching, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic module according to the invention includes a housing, a light source, a positioning device, and an optical fiber. The housing defines interior and exterior regions of the module. The housing has a source receiving aperture and a fiber receiving aperture. Each aperture extends from the exterior region of the module to the interior region thereof. The light source is attached to the housing and extends at least partially into the interior region of the module through the source receiving aperture. The positioning device is attached to the housing and extends at least partially into the interior region of the module through the fiber receiving aperture. The positioning device has a central axis, an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of the fiber receiving aperture, and a bore extending through at least a portion thereof. The bore has an axis that is eccentric with respect to the central axis.

Abstract: This invention is mainly to provide a dental x-ray clamping device with a multi-orientation support made up with an attachable ring pivot and a supporting-frame pivot, which is designed for an all-purpose modulized raying clamp with simplified members in design, in which the ring pivot is provided with a pivoting ring, while the supporting-frame pivot is provided with a pivoting supporting bite frame, and only the supporting bite frame is pivoted to an opening side of a supporting orientation and combined with the ring pivot easily pivoting at a required angle of rotation so as to be located at an orientation so that the center of the ring aligns with that of the opening side of the supporting bite frame and further that the x-ray operation can be performed at the case of the teeth diagnosis or the endodontic treatment using each orientational support on the teeth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dental x-ray device comprising a mobile support structure for a system that can be displaced to produce x-ray photographs and also comprising a fixed support structure. The mobile support structure is displaceably mounted on the fixed support structure by one or more bearings. The device is provided with adjustment elements for the displacement of the support structure parallel to the bearing surface, in addition to a drive for carrying out a rotation of the support structure about an axis that is perpendicular to the bearing surface. The bearing elements are configured in such a way that they can be displaced on the bearing surface in every direction parallel to the bearing surface and can carry out a rotation about an axis that is perpendicular to the bearing surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical switch that consumes a less power, excels in a high-speed response, and possesses a structure suitable for a miniaturization and multi-channel switching. The optical switch switches a plurality of input signals to a plurality of output positions, in which a laminated structure that has a nonlinear optical layer and a buffer layer laminated in the same number as that of input parts intersects an optical path between the input parts and output parts. By providing the laminated structure using the nonlinear optical thin films, the invention achieves a small matrix optical switch excellent in a high-speed response and suitable for switching a large-capacity of information.

Abstract: Grid arrangement (1) for use with an X-ray apparatus (70) that is provided with an X-ray source and a recording element, it being possible, in operation, to place the grid arrangement (1) against the recording element and the grid arrangement being equipped to accommodate a flat grid (3) that comprises a multiplicity of elongated thin lamellae. The lamellae are placed essentially parallel to one another in a direction parallel to one surface of the grid (3), and the lamellae are oriented towards a focal axis a specific distance above the surface of the grid (3). The grid arrangement (1) further comprises drive means (8) which are equipped to move the grid (3) in a pendulum movement essentially about an axis of rotation and adjustment means (4, 10) for adjusting the axis of rotation of the pendulum movement to match the focal axis of the grid (3).

Abstract: An optical device includes at least one kind of and a plurality of optical circuits optically connected in series wherein the optical circuits are arranged in a spiral on a common substrate.

Abstract: A data measurement system (DMS) (30) for a computed tomography (CT) scanner (12) includes a plurality of connectorized detector sub-array modules (32). Each detector sub-array module (32) includes: a scintillator (40) that produces scintillation events responsive to irradiation by x-rays; a photodetector array (42) arranged to detect the scintillations; and two symmetrically arranged signal connectors (541, 542) that transmit the photodetector signals. Symmetrically mounted pipeline cards (60) mate with the signal connectors (54) of each side of groups of the detector sub-array modules (32) to receive the photodetector signals. A processor (64) communicating with the pipeline cards (60) receives the photodetector signals from the pipeline cards (60) and constructs a DMS output from the photodetector signals.

Abstract: A computed tomography (“CT”) gantry cooling system including a gantry housing defining a gantry chamber, wherein the gantry housing includes a lower portion, an upper portion, and a gantry cover disposed adjacent to the upper portion of the gantry housing. The CT gantry cooling system also including a fan disposed within the gantry cover of the gantry housing, wherein the fan is operable for forcing cooling air into the gantry chamber and creating a positive pressure within the gantry chamber. The CT gantry cooling system further including a vent disposed within the gantry cover of the gantry housing, wherein the vent is operable for exhausting heated air from the gantry chamber.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, electronic radioscopic imaging system uses an X-ray converter screen for converting impinging X-ray radiation to visible light, and thus each point impinged on the screen by X-ray radiation scintillates visible light emissions diverging from the screen. An emission modification lens layer, e.g., a prismatic brightness enhancement film or a sprayed on transmissive layer, through which the visible light emitted from the screen is transmitted is superposed with the screen for generally focusing the diverging visible light as a restricted cone of illumination propagating outwardly from each point impinged on the screen to increase the fraction of light directed into the collection cone and reducing the amount of scattered visible light from the screen.

Abstract: This invention relates to an acousto-optical tunable filter generally of the kind described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,462. More specifically, the invention relates to a filter and its construction, the filter including a support, first and second mounts at spaced locations on the support, an optical fiber having first and second mounted portions secured to the first and second mounts respectively and a filtering section between the first and second mounted portions, a signal generator operable to generate a periodic signal, and an electro-acoustic transducer having a terminal connected to the signal generator and an actuating portion, the electric signal causing vibration of the actuating portion, and the actuating portion being connected to the filtering section so that the vibration generates a transverse wave traveling along the filtering section. The filter has an improved damper to more effectively dampen waves traveling along the filtering section.

Abstract: An X-ray optical system with an X-ray source (Q) and a first graded multi-layer mirror (A), wherein the extension Qx of the X-ray source (Q) in an x direction perpendicular to the connecting line in the z direction between the X-ray source (Q) and the first graded multi-layer mirror (A) is larger than the region of acceptance (F) of the mirror (A) at a focus (Oa) of the mirror (A) in the x direction, is characterized in that a first collimator (bl) is disposed at a focus of the first graded multi-layer mirror (A) between the X-ray source (Q) and the mirror (A) whose opening in the x direction corresponds to the region of acceptance of the first graded multi-layer mirror (A) and the separation qzA between first collimator (bl) and X-ray source (Q) is: qzA=Qx/tan ?x, wherein ?x is the angle subtended by the first graded multi-layer mirror (A) in the x direction, as viewed from the first collimator (bl).

Abstract: An optical signal, which is to become the subject of dispersion compensation, is split by optical combining/splitting unit 2, and each frequency component of the optical signal that is split is reflected by the corresponding reflective mirror 30 included in reflective mirror group 3 to apply a predetermined phase shift to the respective frequency components Each reflected frequency component is then combined using optical combining/splitting unit 2, to give dispersion compensated optical signal Furthermore, in regards to reflective mirror group 3, which is used to apply phase shift to each frequency component of an optical signal, each of the respective plurality of reflective mirrors 30 is made a movable mirror having a movable reflection position that reflects the frequency components. Through this, dispersion that develops in an optical signal may be compensated with favorable controllability and high accuracy.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide element having flat optical frequency characteristics, and an optical communication system using such arrayed waveguide element are realized by providing the arrayed waveguide element that is prepared by forming an inputting channel waveguide as well as an outputting channel waveguide, a channel waveguide array, a first sector form slab waveguide for connecting the inputting channel waveguide with the channel waveguide array, and a second sector form slab waveguide for connecting the outputting channel waveguide with the channel waveguide array on a substrate. A waveguide part wherein the outputting channel waveguide is connected with the second sector form slab waveguide is defined in a parabolic configuration, whereby flat optical frequency characteristics are realized. Furthermore, it is possible that an individual parabolic configuration is adjusted in response to a wavelength, so that it can cope with a trend of broad band in optical signals.

Abstract: A photonic device suitable for being optically coupled to at least one optical fiber having a first spot-size, the device including: at least one photonic component; and, a graded index lens optically coupled between the at least one photonic component and the at least one optical fiber; wherein, the graded index lens is adapted to convert optical transmissions from the at least one photonic component to the first spot size.

Abstract: In order to correlate information of a core sample taken from a borehole with information derived from an original position of the core sample in the borehole, the core is scanned using computed tomography (CT) to generate core slices having first depths assignable thereto based upon a drilling record. The core slices are concerted to first bulk density data using either region-of-interest statistics or selective histogram statistics, which is then compared to second bulk density data obtained from logging at respective second depths to obtain a good match between the first and second depths.