Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope is provided. A light source is configured to generate light of a first wavelength. A plurality primary cavity mirrors are configured to route light of a second wavelength around a primary cavity to a readout device. One primary cavity mirror of the plurality of primary cavity mirrors includes a gain medium. The pumping mirror and the one primary cavity mirror including the gain medium is positioned and configured to reflect the light of the first wavelength back and forth in a pumping cavity through the gain medium, wherein the light of the first wavelength stimulates the gain medium to generate the light of the second wavelength that are reflected around the primary cavity to the readout device.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to laser systems and laser pulse characterization methods and respective systems. An embodiment of the method comprises generating two collinear replicas of the pulse being characterized; applying two different predetermined spectral phases to each replica, so as to simultaneously scan delay and dispersion; applying a nonlinear process to the pulse to be characterized; measuring the resulting signal from the application of the predetermined spectral phases and nonlinear process; applying a numerical iterative algorithm to the measured signal to retrieve the spectral phase of the pulse to be characterized; such process being done as a scanning procedure or in parallel utilizing a single laser shot.

Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope comprises an optical block that defines an optical closed loop pathway; at least one mirror structure mounted on the optical block and in communication with the closed loop pathway; at least one volume Bragg grating mounted on the optical block and in communication with the closed loop pathway; and a pump laser in communication with the volume Bragg grating, the laser operative to emit a light beam at a selected incident angle such that the beam passes through the volume Bragg grating and overlaps with the closed loop pathway. The volume Bragg grating is operative as a gain medium to increase an optical power of the beam, and a pair of counter-propagating beams is produced within the closed loop pathway from the beam. The mirror structure and the volume Bragg grating are positioned and angled to reflect the counter-propagating beams around the closed loop pathway.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser, sintering, and welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Abstract: A thickness measuring apparatus for measuring a thickness of a wafer includes a light source emitting light having a transmission wavelength region to the wafer, a focusing unit applying the light emitted from the light source to the wafer held on a chuck table, an optical branching section branching the light reflected on the wafer held on the chuck table, a diffraction grating diffracting the reflected light branched by the optical branching section to obtain diffracted light of different wavelengths, an image sensor detecting an intensity of the diffracted light obtained by the diffraction grating to produce a spectral interference waveform, and a computing unit computing the spectral interference waveform produced by the image sensor to output thickness information.

Abstract: An integrated polarization interferometer includes a polarization beam splitter for separating incident complex waves, a first mirror attached to a first surface of the polarization beam splitter, for reflecting a first polarization transmitted through the polarization beam splitter to the polarization beam splitter, and a second mirror attached to a second surface of the polarization beam splitter, for reflecting a second polarization transmitted through the polarization beam splitter to the polarization beam splitter. Accordingly, it is possible to measure dynamic spectroscopic polarization phenomenon with extremely high robustness disturbances due to an external vibration and the like by using the integrated polarization interferometer, thereby improving measurement repeatability and accuracy of measurement.

Abstract: An optical sensor device includes a light source configured to emit a light including a wavelength in a range of 650 to 900 nm that is exposed to a biological fluid at first and second times. At least a portion of the light is reflected off of the fluid and received by a light detector. The light detector analyzes at least a portion of the received light to determine a first intensity of the light at the wavelength at the first time and a second intensity of the light at the wavelength at the second time. A controller compares the first and second intensities and generates an output indicative of the presence of red blood cells or free hemoglobin in the biological fluid depending on which intensity is greater and whether there is more redness in the biological fluid at the first time or at the second time.

Abstract: The methods disclosed herein include recording at near-vertical first and second measurement positions respective first and second interferograms of the photomask surface and defining a difference map as the difference between the first and second interferograms. Respective first and second normal forces on the photomask are also measured at the first and second measurement positions. The change in the normal force is used define a scaling factor, which is applied to the difference map to define a scaled difference map. A compensated flatness measurement with a reduced shape contribution due to gravity is obtained by subtracting the scaled difference map from the first interferogram. An interferometer-based flatness measurement system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for assessing biological particles for use in cell immunotherapy. By utilizing a microfluidic chip device together with optical force measurement and cell imaging, the methods enable comprehensive assessment and characterization of biological particles with regard to morphology, motility, binding affinities, and susceptibility to external forces, including but not limited to, chemical, biochemical, biological, physical and temperature influences. The methods enable the selection and production of biological particles, such as engineered T-cells, for use in immunotherapy and biomanufacturing.

Abstract: An SPR detection apparatus has an optical system with a sensor member including a planar metallic layer, the sensor member being removably mountable to a housing. First optics direct an incident beam toward a rear side of the metallic layer at a predetermined range of angles to a normal to the sensor layer. Second optics guide at least one reflected beam, corresponding to the incident beam, from the metallic layer to the transducer. The transducer converts incoming electromagnetic radiation to an electrical signal for transmission to a signal processor disposed in the housing and operatively connected to the at least one opto-electrical transducer so as to detect a surface plasmon resonance angle. The first optics are configured so that the at least one incident beam spans at least about 20°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held microfluidic detection device, comprising: —a microfluidic cell (M) having at least one chamber intended to at least contain a sample; —a support (S) comprising a housing for the removable attachment thereto of the microfluidic cell (M); —excitation light means arranged at least in part in the support (S) to side illuminate the at least one chamber of the microfluidic cell (M) to excite the sample contained therein; —an optical detector (D) configured and arranged to detect light emitted from the sample when excited with said side illumination; and —a casing (C) constituting an envelope into which at least the support (S) is housed and attached.

Abstract: A substrate inspection apparatus is disclosed. The substrate inspection apparatus according to the present disclosure may include: a light source configured to radiate laser light onto a coated film that is spread on a region of a substrate; a light detector configured to obtain optical interference data on an interference between reference light, that is generated by the laser light being reflected from a surface of the coated film, and measurement light, that is generated by the laser light penetrating the coated film and being scattered; and a processor configured to derive a thickness of the coated film corresponding to the region, based on the optical interference data.

Abstract: A device and a method for observing an object by imaging, or by lensless imaging. The object is retained by a holder defining an object plane inserted between a light source and an image sensor, with no enlargement optics being placed between the object and the image sensor. An optical system is arranged between the light source and the holder and is configured to form a convergent incident wave from a light wave emitted by the light source, and for forming a secondary light source, conjugated with the light source, positioned in a half-space defined by the object plane and including the image sensor, such that the secondary source is closer to the image sensor than to the holder. This results in an image with a transversal enlargement factor having an absolute value of less than 1.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring a film thickness of a transparent material on a substrate. A first object (transparent material) is applied onto a first substrate surface, and a second object (transparent material) is applied onto a second substrate surface. The method includes: measuring a first relative height of a front surface of the first object with respect to the first substrate surface at a position without the first object; measuring a second relative height of the front surface with respect to a back surface of the first object; and calculating a refractive index of the transparent material, based on the first relative height and the second relative height. The method includes measuring a film thickness of the second object, using a third relative height of a front surface of the second object with respect to a back surface of the second object and the calculated refractive index.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the wavelength of a light beam are provided. An input light beam is received, and light from the input light beam is distributed to multiple channels. At a first pair of interferometer cavities that has a first free spectral range, two of the multiple channels of light are received. The intensity of light reflected from the first pair of cavities is measured, and a first estimate of the wavelength or optical frequency of the input light beam is determined based on measurements of interference signals from the first pair of cavities and an initial estimate of the wavelength or optical frequency. At a second pair of cavities that has a second free spectral range smaller than the first free spectral range, another two of the multiple channels of light are received.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement having an illuminating arrangement to emit coherent light; a cuvette defining an inner volume for receiving a fluid possibly comprising microscopic objects of foreign origin, the cuvette being arranged to receive the coherent light and let it exit therefrom through opposite entrance and exit openings, the entrance opening being closed by an entrance window. The possible microscopic objects present in the fluid scatter part of the light, the scattered and non-scattered light interfering to form interference fringes. An image sensor is configured to capture a hologram digital image frame by receiving the light propagated across the cuvette. An exit window is arranged to close the exit opening of the cuvette. The image sensor is mounted in direct contact with the cuvette.

Abstract: A ring-laser gyroscope which generates in an optical ring resonator and in response to a first pump beam, a first back-scattered beam propagating in a direction; generates in the optical ring resonator and in response to a second pumped beam, a second back-scattered beam propagating in an opposite direction; determines a first difference between the frequencies of the first and second back-scattered beams; reverses the directions of the first and second back-scattered beams; determines a second difference between the frequencies of the first and second back-scattered beams; determines a third difference between the first and second differences; and determines a rotation of the optical ring resonator in response to the third difference.

Abstract: A model-based method of inspecting a specimen for presence of an interferent (H, I, and/or L). The method includes capturing images of the specimen at multiple different exposures times and at multiple spectra having different nominal wavelengths, selection of optimally-exposed pixels from the captured images to generate optimally-exposed image data for each spectra, identifying a serum or plasma portion of the specimen, and classifying whether an interferent is present or absent within the serum or plasma portion. Testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes: accessing a skin type of a user; predicting a first set of locations occupied by the user during a first future time interval; based on historical ultraviolet irradiance data and the first future time interval, calculating a first predicted unprotected ultraviolet radiation exposure of the user during the first future time interval; calculating a maximum allowable ultraviolet radiation exposure for periods within the first future time interval based on the skin type of the user; calculating a first minimum sun protection factor predicted to reduce the first predicted unprotected ultraviolet radiation exposure to less than the maximum allowable ultraviolet radiation exposure; selecting a first sunscreen formula characterized by a first sun protection factor greater than the first minimum sun protection factor; and shipping the first volume of the first sunscreen formula to the user prior to the first future time interval.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: measuring a first series of interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT) signals and a second series of iSCAT signals of a sample on a sample holder, the sample comprising a particle dissolved in solution; deriving an illumination heterogeneity for the first series of iSCAT signals; deriving a reflectance profile for the first series of iSCAT signals based on the illumination heterogeneity and/or the second series of iSCAT signals; measuring a third series of iSCAT signals of the sample on the sample holder; and normalizing an interferometric contrast for the third series of iSCAT signals with the reflectance profile.