Abstract: A mechanical oscillator-based physical quantity measurement system is disclosed. The mechanical oscillator is coupled by optical signals to a source of oscillation-sustaining energy and this energy is also time-shared between oscillation sustenance and the generation of oscillation frequency-characterized optical output signals. Measurement of physical quantities including fluidic pressure, electrical current flow, physical acceleration and magnetic field strength is contemplated with the disclosed system.

Abstract: An inspection method for a correction pattern includes the following steps. An optical proximity correction is performed to an original pattern to obtain an optical proximity correction pattern. An "exclusive or" logic operation is done to the original pattern and the optical correction pattern to obtain an inspection pattern. The inspection pattern includes a number of kinds of line width sizing. The line width sizing of the inspection pattern is then compared with an optical correction reference size.

Abstract: The invention comprises a gas sensor (1), designed to enable a measurement of a gas sample that is enclosed in a cavity (2), having the shape of a block (50); the wall or wall sections of the cavity exhibiting highly-reflective properties for light. Said cavity contains means (51) for incoming rays of light, and means (52) for outgoing rays of light. Said cavity (2) exhibits opposing surface sections (55a, 56a, 57a) that are designed and coordinated so that the incoming rays of light (60) are arranged to pass--without reflecting, or without appreciably reflecting within a plane (the x-z plane)--across said cavity (2) to a concave mirror surface (55a) that is oriented in a right angle to the plane; that said rays of light are arranged to pass reflected across said cavity (2) in a plane of the mirror surface to the other surfaces (56a, 57a), thereby forming a measuring path before the reflected beams of light are aimed towards said means (52) for exiting light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber optic detector for detection of scattered light or fluorescent light from a liquid suspension, comprising: a lighting optical fiber for transmitting light to a lighting optical fiber outlet; a first gradient index lens disposed at the lighting optical fiber outlet to parallelize light; a detecting optical fiber for transmitting back-scattered light from a detecting optical fiber inlet; a second gradient index lens disposed at the detecting optical fiber inlet to parallelize back-scattered light; and at least one means for focusing parallelized light transmitted from the lighting optical fiber on a point and for focusing light back-scattered from the point to the second gradient index lens of the detecting optical fiber for transmission by the detecting optical fiber.

Abstract: Fiber optic cable waste is avoided by measuring amplitude oscillations of four-wave mixing products in positive-dispersion and negative-dispersion fiber optic cable to determine the lengths of a first, positive-dispersion cable segment and a second, negative-dispersion cable segment that are used to provide a specified length of fiber optic cable having a specified amount of path-average chromatic dispersion. The integrated dispersion of a positive-dispersion fiber optic cable as a function of length is measured to provide a first set of data, and the integrated dispersion of a negative-dispersion fiber optic cable as a function of length is measured to provide a second set of data. A fiber-optic cable is simultaneously fed with two optical signals, a first at wavelength .lambda..sub.1 and a second at wavelength .lambda..sub.2, and the number of sinusoidal oscillations that occur in the four-wave mixing products of the Stokes (or anti-Stokes) sideband as a function of cable length are measured.

Abstract: A system for inspecting internal zones of a machine, such as an engine, comprises an observation device having an optical fiber endoscope, and distribution and guide means including a network of flexible guide sheaths placed in the machine to define a number of different inspection routes along which the endoscope can be guided from an aperture in the machine wall to various predetermined critical internal zones. Preferably the system includes first electrical means implanted in each guide sheath and co-operable with second electrical means secured to the endoscope in order to detect the position thereof in the network and to transmit the position to a monitoring device outside the machine for monitoring and assisting the guidance of the endoscope in the network.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a surface of a disk comprises an indexing table having chucks for holding said disks respectively, said chucks being arranged angularly at regular intervals on the indexing table. Each of disks held by the respective chucks is moved by indexing revolution of the indexing table sequentially from a loading station where the disk is loaded onto the chuck, to an inspection station where the disk is inspected for a surface of the disk and then to an unloading station where the inspected disk is unloaded to the outside of the apparatus. The disk loaded onto a chuck at the loading station is driven to rotate until the disk gets to a predetermined rate of revolution before the disk arrives at the inspection station. The disk which has already get to the predetermined rate of revolution can be immediately inspected for the surface of the disk in the inspection station by an inspection device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording spatially dependent intensity patterns of polarized light that is diffusely backscattered from highly scattering media are described. These intensity patterns can be used to differentiate different turbid media, such as polystyrene-sphere and biological-cell suspensions. Polarized light from a He-Ne laser (.lambda.=543 nm) is focused onto the surface of the scattering medium, and a surface area of approximately 4.times.4 cm centered on the light input point is imaged through polarization analysis optics onto a CCD camera. A variety of intensity patterns may be observed by varying the polarization state of the incident laser light and changing the analyzer configuration to detect different polarization components of the backscattered light.

Abstract: A universal mapping tool and method for mapping workpieces, such as semiconductor devices, is disclosed and described. The tool comprises a fixed and a movable gripping means adapted to mount a wide range of workpieces, means for optically locating the physical center of the workpiece fiducials mounted on the gripping means, and means for interpreting and storing the data obtained in the mapping operation.

Abstract: A remote adjustable focus Raman spectroscopy probe allows for analyzing Raman scattered light from a point of interest external probe. An environmental barrier including at least one window separates the probe from the point of interest. An optical tube is disposed adjacent to the environmental barrier and includes a long working length compound lens objective next to the window. A beam splitter and a mirror are at the other end. A mechanical means is used to translated the prove body in the X, Y, and Z directions resulting in a variable focus optical apparatus. Laser light is reflected by the beam splitter and directed toward the compound lens objective, then through the window and focused on the point of interest. Raman scattered light is then collected by the compound lens objective and directed through the beam splitter to a mirror. A device for analyzing the light, such as a monochrometer, is coupled to the mirror.

Abstract: Described is a method and a system for detecting the arterial oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (also called blood oxygenation, SpO2 or SaO2 measuring), comprising a measuring device for performing a blood oxygenation measurement and a controller unit. The measuring device is controllable by the controller unit so that the blood oxygenation measurement can be performed non-continuously. In a first step the measuring device is powered on, in a second step the blood oxygenation measurement is performed, and in a third step the measuring device or parts thereof are powered down, whereby the three steps are repeatable periodically. This provides SpO2 measurement applicable in telemetric or handhold instruments. The system is preferably used in telemetric or handhold instruments.

Abstract: A centrifuge device that is used to centrifuge a fluid sample, such as a blood sample, to separate the fluid sample into its various component layers, and which is capable of measuring the length of the component layers to calculate cell counts for each layer. The centrifuge device includes a rotor assembly for rotating and thus centrifuging the fluid sample, and a movable optical reader device for reading the cell layers in the centrifuged sample. The centrifuge device is capable of accurately controlling the reading of the centrifuged sample based on the orientation of the rotor, so that the rotor can continue to rotate the centrifuged sample while the readings are being taken.

Abstract: A method for laser marking semiconductor wafers wherein marking errors attributable to the laser marking tool are measured for each of the anticipated marking fields. A weighted average error is then calculated, and a correction based thereon is entered into the control mechanism of the laser marking tool. The method of the invention reduces downtime between jobs by eliminating the need to recalibrate the laser marking tool between jobs.

Abstract: In a method for monitoring particulates in stacks or ducts a back-scatter monitor uses a solid-state laser to emit a collimated beam, the intensity of which is controlled via feedback from a reference detector. The beam is split so that part goes to a reference surface for calibration checks, and part is directed to pass at a selected angle through a gaseous sample. Optical energy scattered from particles in the sample is detected by viewing optics to provide an indication of particulate concentration. The beam steering mechanism can direct the optics to view scattering along a selectable axis that intersects the laser beam at a specified location within the gaseous sample. The method can be used to determine the opacity of the gaseous sample providing a basis for correlation to particulate loading of that portion of the particulates that are of a size comparable to the wavelength of light.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for monitoring a percentage of the oxygen saturation in the hemoglobin of blood flowing through a blood vessel. An optical sensor that detects the percentage oxygen saturation in blood is disposed proximate a proximal end of the catheter. A thermistor is disposed adjacent to the distal end of the catheter and it is employed to detect changes in blood temperature that indicate the position of the catheter's distal end in the blood vessel. Indicia or marks visible at intervals on the outer surface of the catheter enable a medical practitioner to determine the length of the catheter that has been introduced into the blood vessel. A strain relief that is flexible and resists stretching extends along the length of the catheter. For flushing the distal end of the catheter, a fluid supply may be connected to a lumen running through the catheter to provide the flushing fluid.

Abstract: A laser is irradiated on the surface of a semiconductor wafer while a stage mounted on the semiconductor wafer is moved, and scattering lights emitted from the surface of the semiconductor wafer is received by the receiving device, and an intensity distribution of the scattering lights is measured. The intensity distribution is processed by the controller so as to obtain a defect density of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting an optical fiber, particularly an epoxy region of an optical fiber in a supporting structure. The inspection may use an initialization routine including determination of whether the centering between the optical fiber and the illumination source is sufficient. The meters used to determine completion of initialization may be displayed. The inspection may analyze the uniformity of the thickness of an epoxy layer between the fiber and the supporting structure. The inspection may also analyze the core and clad zones of the optical fiber for scratches and other intensity variations, referred to generically as blobs. The core zone preferably encompasses a region larger than the core alone, e.g., an area which is a multiple of the core diameter. Different criteria are established for the core and clad zones, with no discontinuities being tolerated in the core zone. Scratches may be extracted using a windowing technique.

Abstract: A light sensing device for sensing the light output of a bulb in a lamp comprises a fiber-optic light guide having first and second ends and a photodetector. The first end is optically coupled to a projection of a bulb in the lamp and is adapted to pick up light transmitted through the projection from within the bulb. The second is optically coupled to the photodetector such that light exiting from the second end impinges on the photodetector to generate an output indicative of the light output of the bulb.

Abstract: A capillary spectrometer is disclosed for observing radiation from a source. The spectrometer comprises a capillary array, a dispersive element, and a short wavelength imaging detector. The capillary guide comprises a receiving end and an emitting end. The receiving end is positioned so that it may receive radiation from the source. As radiation travels through the capillary guide, the course of the radiation is changed so that it is emitted in a predetermined path or paths from the emitting end. The emitted radiation falls on the dispersing element which disperses the radiation into a predetermined pattern. The radiation then falls on sensors of the short wavelength imaging detector which generate electrical signals in response to the frequency and intensity of radiation. Insulators may be used to prevent discrete rays of radiation from interfering with each other as they pass from the capillary guide to the short wavelength imaging detector.

Abstract: An arrangement for inspecting the surface of a rotating object (1) which includes object retaining means for retaining whilst rotating the object, means (3) for irradiating the surface of an object when retained and rotated by the object retaining means with a first beam of optical radiation, means (5) for irradiating the surface of an object when retained and rotated by the object retaining means with a second beam of optical radiation detectable as distinct from the first beam, detector means (7) for detecting radiation reflected by the surface of the object from the first beam and for detecting radiation reflected by the surface of the object from the second beam and a signal processor (15) for receiving signals produced by the detector means and for analysing such signals wherein the first beam and the second beam are of different wavelengths or in different wavelength bands and the detector means is capable of simultaneously receiving and detecting radiation received from the same irradiated area of the