Abstract: Embodiments are generally described that include lasers having two mirrors, at least one of which has a reflectivity related to a presence or concentration of a target analyte. Output radiation generated by the laser may be related to the presence of the target analyte.

Abstract: Differences in the interferometric patterns of modulated telecommunication signals and broadband optical noise sources are identified and are exploited in measuring the optical signal-to-noise measurements in reconfigurable photonic networks. A light output power from said interferometer corresponding to a specified delay setting in the interferometer is measured, and a coherent optical signal is distinguished from the incoherent optical noise based on the light output power measurement.

Abstract: A light source section outputs optical flux having two types of wavelength, which are a short wavelength and a long wavelength, while the intensity is made variable. The output from the first light intensity detecting section in irradiating the optical flux having a short wavelength is compared with the output from the first light intensity detecting section in irradiating the optical flux having a long wavelength. A disappearance level near a point where the detected signal from the internal subject disappears is calculated. The first intensity of optical flux having a long wavelength is set to level higher than the disappearance level. Based on the output from the first light intensity detecting section obtained by the optical flux having a long wavelength of the first intensity, a subject inside the body to be detected is measured.

Abstract: A closed cell for use in spectrophotometers is adapted to receive a liquid to be subjected to analysis and an air space or bubble to absorb pressure differentials, wherein the cell includes means to retain the air space or bubble in a predetermined location in the cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provides for measuring and correcting for a given telecentricity in a lithographic apparatus. A radiation beam is partitioned into a plurality of beams, each of which is modulated using an array of individually controllable elements and projected onto a portion of a substrate through a projection system. A set of alignment beams is transmitted simultaneously on paths similar to those traversed by the plurality of radiation beams, and a corresponding set of sensors respectively measures an angle and a position of the set of alignment beams proximate to an entrance of the projection system. An assembly of telecentricity control mirrors (TCM) adjusts appropriate ones of the plurality of radiation beams in response to the measurement to correct for any detected telecentricity errors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optically monitoring the progression of a physical and/or chemical process taking place on a surface of a body in which the surface radiation which emanates from part of the surface during the physical and/or chemical process, is measured with the aid of a measuring device, in particular a sensor. In order to develop a method of this kind such that sintering processes can also be monitored in a firing furnace having thermal radiation equilibrium, the invention proposes to emit the radiation (14) having a radiation spectrum that differs from the surface radiation, to the surface (10) by means of a radiation source (15) and to measure the radiation with the aid of a measuring device (16).

Abstract: A system (10) for automatically inspecting a stream of matter (12) for varying composition, comprising an emitting device (16) serving to emit a detection medium, which comprises electromagnetic radiation of a substantially constant intensity, to an irradiated zone (I) of the stream at which the medium penetrates a surface of the matter (12), the irradiated zone (I) extending continuously across substantially the width of the stream, the medium penetrating the surface being varied by the matter (12), a receiving device (32) for receiving the varied medium emanating from the matter (12) at a detection zone (D) substantially separate from the irradiated zone (I), and a detecting device (34) serving to generate detection data in dependence upon the varied medium, the arrangement being such that, in use of the system (10), at least the majority of the varied medium received at the receiving device (32) can be transflected medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for realizing high resolution three-dimensional (3-D) optical imaging using diffraction limited low resolution optical signals. Using axial shift-based signal processing via computer based computation algorithm, three sets of high resolution optical data are determined along the axial (or light beam propagation) direction using low resolution axial data. The three sets of low resolution data are generated by illuminating the 3-D object under observation along its three independent and orthogonal look directions (i.e., x, y, and z) or by physically rotating the object by 90 degrees and also flipping the object by 90 degrees. The three sets of high resolution axial data is combined using a unique mathematical function to interpolate a 3-D image of the test object that is of much higher resolution than the diffraction limited direct measurement 3-D resolution. Confocal microscopy or optical coherence tomography (OCT) are example methods to obtain the axial scan data sets.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented in which a sample can be accurately repositioned in a spectroscopic and/or imaging apparatus upon multiple insertions, and where the apparatus can be worn by living subjects for extended periods of time. The apparatus additionally reduces the temperature increase and stabilizes the temperature of the sample upon irradiation with an optical source of excitation. Additionally, the apparatus stabilizes the pressure and critical optical properties of the sample and its interface with the apparatus. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus can be used to alter and/or substantially reduce fluorescence from targeted fluorophores in the sample.

Abstract: A method and system for spectroscopy of surface plasmons is presented. An electromagnetic wave is made incident on a diffraction grating. Surface plasmons are excited on a medium coincident to the diffraction grating and dispersion of a wavelength spectrum of the electromagnetic wave are simultaneously performed through diffraction. Changes in spatial distribution of intensity in the wavelength spectrum of the diffracted electromagnetic wave due to the excitation of the surface plasmons are measured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission liquid flow cell capable of high rates of liquid flows regardless of the optical pathlength of the cell. This increase in the cell's internal flow rate is provided by an internal bypass created around the circumference of the windows. The high rate of internal flow of liquid around the circumference of the windows and in direct contact with the liquid between the windows provides a push-pull action that urges the flow of liquid through the gap between the windows. The faster the circumferential flow, the stronger the push-pull action. The cell is used for the measurement of the absorption of light passing through a liquid sample contained in the gap between the cell's windows.

Abstract: System and method for detecting and counting bacteria suspended in a biological fluid by means of light scattering measurements is provided. In accordance with the method of the invention the level of signal to noise of the measured intensities of light scattered by a sample of the biological fluid is significantly enhanced for forwardly scattered light within a range of scattering angles which are smaller compared to a predefined maximal scattering angle. The system of the invention includes a cuvette adapted to contain a sample of the biological fluid whose sidewalls and windows are suitably constructed and arranged to significantly reduce the level of reflected light obscuring the scattering patterns measured within the range of scattering angles considered.

Abstract: A printing device calculates a status value of a surface of a print medium to determine the appropriateness of the print medium for printing. Light fluxes are inputted to the surface of the print medium at an incidence angle. An image pickup unit picks up reflection light fluxes and a measurement-target surface status value calculating unit calculates a status value relating to the appropriateness of the print medium for printing based on the picked up luminance information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robot-controlled optical measurement array (1) comprising an optical sensor (2) that is fastened to a spacer (3). Reference marks (22) are provided on the spacer (3) and/or on a sensor (2) housing (2?). Said optical measurement array (1) is calibrated by means of an auxiliary device (13) that is placed on the optical measurement array (1) and is provided with a sensor target (16) which is disposed on the auxiliary device so as to lie within one measurement space (17) of the optical sensor (2) when the optical measurement array (1) and the auxiliary device (13) are in the assembled state. In order to calibrate the optical measurement array (1), measured values of the sensor target (16) are generated with the aid of the sensors (2), said measured values being used for calculating the three-dimensional position of the sensor coordinate system (10) in relation to the sensor target (16).

Abstract: Interferometric scanning method(s) and apparatus for measuring test optics having aspherical surfaces including those with large departures from spherical. A reference wavefront is generated from a known origin along a scanning axis. A test optic is aligned on the scanning axis and selectively moved along it relative to the known origin so that the reference wavefront intersects the test optic at the apex of the aspherical surface and at one or more radial positions where the reference wavefront and the aspheric surface intersect at points of common tangency (“zones”) to generate interferograms containing phase information about the differences in optical path length between the center of the test optic and the one or more radial positions. The interferograms are imaged onto a detector to provide an electronic signal carrying the phase information.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring contaminant particles in pipelines. The system can include a probe for extending into a pipeline, and sampling fluid in the pipeline to ensure that a representative amount of contaminants within the pipeline can subsequently be measured. An analyzer receives the sampled fluid from the probe, illuminates the sampled fluid with a light source, and collects scattered light from any contaminant particles in the illuminated sampled fluid. A detector receives the scattered light from the analyzer, and converts the scattered light into an electrical signal that is proportional to the contaminant particles size. A processor receives the electrical signal from the detector, converts the electrical signal into digital data pertaining to the contaminant particles, and transmits the digital data on an Ethernet connection, or wireless signal to a communication network for distribution to at least one digital data processor for display and evaluation.

Abstract: Method for approximating the spectrum of a plurality of color samples, the method including the procedures of measuring the color of a reference color sample in a color space, determining a reference sample estimated spectrum from the measured color, measuring the actual spectrum of the reference color sample, determining a spectral delta from the difference between the reference sample estimated spectrum and the actual spectrum, measuring the color of each of the color samples, for each of the color samples, determining a sample estimated spectrum from the measured color, and for each of the color samples, determining a sample approximated spectrum by adding the spectral delta to the respective sample estimated spectrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for blocking specular reflection and suppressing modulation from periodic features on a specimen are provided. One inspection system configured to block specular reflection and suppress modulation in an image of a specimen includes an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate the specimen with a predetermined pattern of spatially incoherent light. The system also includes an optical element configured to block light reflected from periodic features formed on the specimen and at least some light diffracted from the periodic features. The system further includes a detector configured to detect light that passes through the optical element and to generate an image of the specimen in response to the detected light. The optical element blocks specular reflection and at least partially suppresses modulation in the image due to the periodic features. The system also includes a processor configured to detect defects on the specimen using the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blood analyzer. The blood analyzer comprises a flow cell in which a first measurement sample flows, a light source for irradiating the first measurement sample flowing in the flow cell, a PIN photodiode for detecting a side scattered light from the first measurement sample irradiated by the light source, and an avalanche photodiode for detecting a side fluorescence light from the first measurement sample irradiated by the light source. The blood analyzer also comprises a signal processing part which has a low pass filter for reducing high frequency noise included in the side fluorescent light signal. A cut-off frequency of the low pass filter is set so that the blood analyzer can classify white blood cells in the first measurement sample into at least four groups comprising neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils, based solely on the side scattered light signal and the side fluorescent light signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the departure of a shape of an object from a specified shape is described. The apparatus includes a light source for directing an incident beam of radiation onto the object, and an inspecting device for inspecting the final beam after transmission by or reflection from the object. The apparatus is arranged so that the final beam will have a substantially planar wavefront when the object has the specified shape, and said inspecting device is arranged to determine any departure of the wavefront of the final beam from planarity. In one embodiment, the inspecting device includes a beamsplitter, for example a diffraction grating or hologram, and a detector such as a CCD camera. The beamsplitter is then arranged to split the final beam into two or more beams and to direct the two or more beams to laterally displaced locations on the detector.