Abstract: The present invention addresses to a multidirectional dynamic phase shifting interferometry (DPSI) shearography and interferometry sensor. The present invention uses a configuration with three fixed prisms, or a single fixed three-facet optical prism constructed so as to achieve the same effect as three prisms and thus simultaneously obtain three images with phase shifting. The present invention also encompasses a method of inspection and measurement of vibration modes using said sensor.

Abstract: A system comprises a faceted structure imaging assembly and a faceted structure image analyzer. Signature information of the gemstone is obtained and compared to stored signature information. The signature information includes angular spectrum information generated by the imaging assembly while a colored light pattern is reflected onto the gemstone. The signature information uniquely identifies the gemstone and indicates whether an entity was the source of the gemstone. The signature information comparison involves comparing an angular spectrum image obtained by the imaging assembly to stored angular spectrum images. In one example, the system compares the obtained signature information to stored signature information to validate a source of the gemstone. In another example, the system obtains signature information of the gemstone and forwards the signature information to a remote validation system.

Abstract: An optical detection assembly for monitoring a biological fluid in a vessel includes two fluid-adjustment structures, which are spaced apart and configured to receive at least a portion of a biological fluid-containing vessel therebetween. A light source (which may be associated with one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to emit light through a thickness of the biological fluid in the vessel, while a light detector (which may be associated with the other one of the fluid-adjustment structures) is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source after it has passed through the biological fluid in the vessel. At least a portion of at least one of the fluid-adjustment structures is configured to move with respect to at least a portion of the other one so as to change the thickness of the biological fluid in the monitored portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A detection device according to the present disclosure includes: an irradiation unit configured to emit an infrared ray toward an infusion tube; an imaging unit configured to generate a captured image obtained by imaging the infusion tube irradiated with the infrared ray by the irradiation unit; and a control unit configured to detect blockage of the infusion tube and air bubbles in the infusion tube based on a light intensity distribution in the captured image.

Abstract: A structure for testing a photodiode in a PIC using a grating coupler in optical communication with an optical terminal in a different location of the photodiode from another optical terminal used during operation of the PIC. The photodiode includes an operational optical terminal and a test optical terminal with the test optical terminal in a different location than the operational optical terminal. An optical component is in optical communication with the operational optical terminal of the photodiode and is used during operation of the photodiode and the PIC. A grating coupler is in optical communication with the test optical terminal of the photodiode for testing purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting containers and in particular cans, having an illumination device which illuminates the can to be inspected and radiates radiation onto an inner base wall of the container, and having an image recording device which records at least one spatially resolved image of the inner base wall illuminated by the illumination device is provided. The apparatus has a first polarization device in a beam path between a light source of the illumination device and the inner base wall in such a way that the radiation reaching the inner base wall is polarized, wherein the illumination device being designed in such a way that a predominant proportion of the radiation irradiated into the container by the illumination device reaches the inner base wall.

Abstract: A measurement system including an imaging device and a plasma processing device having a plasma generator configured to generate plasma from a gas supplied into a processing chamber and a controller. The imaging device is configured to generate optical information of the plasma from image data of imaged plasma in the processing chamber, and the controller is configured to convert the generated optical information of the plasma into a plasma parameter that determines physical characteristics of the plasma with reference to a storage that stores correlation information between the optical information of the plasma and measurement results of the plasma parameter.

Abstract: A method for determining an optical pathlength through a cuvette of a spectrophotometric apparatus includes obtaining a first single beam spectrum of a liquid zero-material at least in a first energy region in which the liquid zero-material absorbs at least a portion of incident optical radiation; obtaining a second single beam spectrum of a second liquid at least in the first energy region, the second liquid having a composition excluding the liquid zero-material and having no absorption of incident optical radiation in the first energy region; determining a dual beam spectrum of the liquid zero-material relative to the second liquid at least in the first energy region from the first and second single beam spectra; and calculating an optical pathlength through the cuvette based on processing spectral information obtained from the first energy region of the determined dual beam spectrum.

Abstract: An optical probe and method for analysing a soil located in an underground area are provided. The optical probe includes a probe head insertable into the underground area, the probe head including a transparent wall defining a hollow chamber within the probe head; a light source mounted in the hollow chamber, configured to generate an illumination beam towards the soil, the illumination beam passing through the transparent wall to irradiate the soil, thereby producing a resulting light emanating from the soil, a portion of the resulting light returning towards the probe head and being guided in the transparent wall by total internal reflection along the optical path; a detector configured to receive the portion of the resulting light and outputting an output signal representative of characteristic(s) of the soil; and an optical element guiding the portion of the resulting light from the transparent wall to the detector.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus including a chip containing metal bodies capable of exciting localized surface plasmon resonance at a first surface, and an analyzer unit that performs a scan of the first surface of the chip, in a state where the first surface is in contact with a sample, with a laser in at least a one-dimensional direction and records scattered light, which has been enhanced at the first surface, in association with the scan. The chip includes a substrate, a first layer where concave and convex structures are repeatedly provided on the first surface of the substrate; and a second layer that contains the metal bodies and is provided via the first layer.

Abstract: A calibration reference for a multipass Raman analysis system, wherein a combination excitation and collection beam passes through a focal point F0 within a sample volume multiple times, is provided. The calibration reference includes a body of material having a known spectral response when illuminated by the combination excitation and collection beam. The size or shape of the body is selected or modified to keep the focal point at F0 within the body when the body is positioned within the sample volume for calibration purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for reconstruction of temporal wavefront changes for use in an optical system comprising: measuring the distribution function of the light intensity, e.g. the two-dimensional distribution function of the light intensity, in at least two different images taken at different times, wherein said images are taken in at least one optical plane, e.g. the same optical plane, of the optical system.

Abstract: A device and a method for aligning a laser unit to a waveguide unit. The method may include (a) placing the laser unit in a tested position in which the laser unit faces the waveguide unit;(b) supplying light, via a coupler of the waveguide unit, to an alignment waveguide of the waveguide unit; (c) receiving light emitted from the alignment waveguide; wherein the light was emitted as result of the supplying of the light; (d) determining whether the light emitted from the alignment comprises a spectral signature associated with an alignment unit of the laser unit; and (e) estimating whether the laser unit is aligned to the waveguide unit based on the determining of step (d).

Abstract: A meteorological lidar capable of measuring vertical distributions of temperature, water vapor concentration, aerosol, wind direction/wind speed, ozone concentration, CO2 concentration, etc., stably and continuously day and night is provided. A meteorological lidar that emits a laser beam of a specific wavelength into the air and measures scattered light generated by the laser beam includes an optical system that emits a laser beam into the air, and a dust-proof part that makes an enclosing space of the optical system clean.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy complex probe capable of effectively detecting a catecholamine compound even at extremely low concentrations. The complex probe includes a nanolaminate including a nanogap and metal nanoparticles. In this case, the nanolaminate and the metal nanoparticles are modified to a compound that may be bound to each functional group included in catecholamine, and thus, catecholamine included in an analyte is doubly recognized by the complex probe. In addition, since a hotspot emitting a strong SERS signal is formed by a nanogap included in a nanolaminate, it is possible to effectively detect a catecholamine compound even at extremely low concentrations.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for rapidly evaluating light transmission through coatings including paints, primers, thin films, surfacing films, laminates and the like are disclosed. The system includes a light source for transmitting light through a coating sample. A sample holder holds the coating sample in a position to receive the incident light. A spectrometer measures an amount of the transmitted light that passes through the coating sample. Optionally, one or more optical filters may be used to condition any transmitted light that passes through the coating sample to reduce the intensity of the light outside of wavelengths of interest. An opaque cover encloses the spectrometer, the one or more optional optical filters, and at least part of the sample holder to prevent light other than the transmitted light from the light source from entering the spectrometer such that any transmitted light passing through the coating sample can be accurately evaluated.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a membrane or textile having a mechanically robust surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate by in a first step adhesively bonding a micropatch array to a substrate, the micropatch array having a plurality of micron-scale pillars, each of the micron-scale pillars in the plurality of micron-scale pillars containing a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles dispersed within a polymer matrix; and in a subsequent step etching a portion of the polymer matrix to expose at least a portion of the plasmonic nanoparticles at or near a surface of the micron-scale pillars. Membranes and textiles containing the mechanically robust surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates are also provided.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of performing circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis. In general, the method includes flowing a sample through a CTC microfluidic platform, deforming a CTC within the sample, measuring CTC deformation through an imprint of the deformed CTC, processing data related to the measuring, and at least one of identifying or characterizing parameters related to the data that enables at least one of detection of CTCs, enumeration of CTCs in the sample, characterization of biophysical properties, CTC cell size, CTC cell membrane deformability, stresses on CTC cell membranes, adhesion stress on CTC cells, normal stress of CTC cells, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the flowing includes passing the sample through at least one channel of the CTC microfluidic platform having a constricted section.

Abstract: Shape-sensing systems and methods for medical devices. The shape-sensing system can include a medical device, an optical interrogator, a console, and a display screen. The medical device can include an integrated optical-fiber stylet having fiber Bragg grating (“FBG”) sensors along at least a distal-end portion thereof. The optical interrogator can be configured to send input optical signals into the optical-fiber stylet and receive FBG sensor-reflected optical signals therefrom. The console can be configured to convert the reflected optical signals with the aid of filtering algorithms of some optical signal-converter algorithms into plottable data for displaying plots thereof on the display screen. The plots can include a plot of curvature vs. time for each FBG sensor of a selection of the FBG sensors for identifying a distinctive change in strain of the optical-fiber stylet as a tip of the medical device is advanced into a superior vena cava of a patient.

Abstract: A biosensor using an exceptional point is disclosed. A biosensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a biosensing unit configured to output wavelength-separated optical signals from destruction of an exceptional point resulting from attachment of biomolecules; a detection unit configured to convert the wavelength-separated optical signals into wavelength-separated electrical signals; an analysis unit configured to measure a beat frequency resulting from the wavelength-separated electrical signals; and a determination unit configured to determine a wavelength difference resulting from the beat frequency, thereby determining the amount of the biomolecules therefrom.