Abstract: An arrangement and corresponding method are provided for coupling radiation, preferably laser radiation, into a scanning head with a scanning unit in at least two dimensions. The radiation is focussed on an object via a microscope objective via at least one light-conducting fiber which is coupled with the scanning head. A collimator is arranged downstream of the fiber end at the scanning head for collimating the radiation exiting in a divergent manner at the fiber end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for replacing two separate photo detectors chips and two photo emitters by a single photo detector chip and a single photo emitter. This is achieved by using CombiDisks having a flexible shaft. The flexible section allows for the bending of the CombiDisks so that the encoder disks are next to each other and tangent to the same vertical plane. This allows for the placement of both the x and the y sensors in a single plane. This will in turn allow for the two photo detectors to be integrated in a single semiconductor chip, saving a separate photo detector chip, and its associated packaging. This additional savings is significant since the packaging itself contributes to approximately one half of the cost of such a detector.

Abstract: Electronic components of an optoelectronic sensor for a measuring system are arranged on the side of a semiconductor substrate that is facing away from a scale. The semiconductor substrate between electronic components and the scale is removed at those locations where the components emit or detect an electromagnetic beam. In this way, it is possible to arrange all of the electrical connections of the components and further electronic assemblies of the measuring system on a first side of the semiconductor substrate, and all optical components of the measuring system on a second side of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An inner control loop controls the relative position of a surface to be scanned with respect to a focal plane. An outer control loop responds to the location of the surface to be scanned with respect to a focal plane of the scan lens to generate a setpoint for the inner control loop. A sample-and-hold element disposed between the inner and outer control loops is switched by an edge or defect detector. It is preferred that the outer control loop has a time constant in the range of three to ten times longer than that of the inner control loop. The sample-and-hold element provides a gradual state transition upon the occurrence of an edge or a surface defect.

Abstract: A solid-state optoelectronic shutter having an input and an output, comprising a semiconductor material, having formed therein or thereon: a planar photodiode (24), having a planar surface, and optically communicating with the input; a planar LED layer (26), having a planar surface substantially parallel to the planar photodiode, and optionally communicating with the output; and a planar gate layer (28), intermediate the planar photodiode and the planar LED.

Abstract: The integrated-optical chemical and/or biochemical sensor comprises a resonant waveguide structure (1). A chemical and/or biochemical substance (2) to be sensed can be deposited on a surface of the waveguide structure (1). Incident light (31) is coupled into the waveguide structure (1) by a grating structure (G), making use of a first set of degrees of freedom. The incoupled light (32) interacts with the substance (2), which emits fluorescent light (42). Fluorescent light (42) is coupled out by the same grating structure (G), making use of a second set of degrees of freedom which differs from the first set of degrees of freedom in at least one degree of freedom. For example, the incident light (31) is coupled in using a first diffraction order mg,ex=1, and the emitted (42) light is coupled out using a second, different diffraction order mg,em=2.

Abstract: A glare protecting device and a method of controlling thereof for protecting a worker's eyes from a light comprising: a temperature detector for generating a temperature detecting signal by detecting ambient temperature; a controller for generating a starting signal having a starting time in response to the temperature detecting signal, and for generating a temperature compensating signal corresponding to the temperature detecting signal; a driving means for generating a starting voltage in response to the temperature compensating signal, and for generating an initial driving signal having a starting voltage in response to the starting signal; and a glare protecting plate which is started corresponding to the initial driving signal.

Abstract: Organic diode detectors with switchable photosensitivity are achieved using organic photo layers in the photodiodes and a detector circuit which applies a reverse or forward bias voltage across the diodes. The diodes can be arranged in matrices which function as high performance, two-dimensional image sensors. These image sensors can achieve full color or selected color detection capability.

Abstract: A diffractive grating modulator system, includes: a diffractive grating modulator active to produce a plurality of output orders of diffraction; an illumination source for directing light onto the diffractive grating modulator; an output system arranged to receive one of the orders of diffraction from the diffractive grating modulator; a detector arranged to receive a different one of the orders of diffraction from the diffractive grating and to produce a signal representing the output of the diffractive grating modulator; an electronic driving system responsive to a data stream for operating the diffractive grating modulator; and a feedback system connected to the detector and the electronic driving system and responsive to the signal for calibrating the diffractive grating modulator.

Abstract: A fire detector for detecting gaseous and dust-like combustion products, having at least one optical transmitter and at least two optical receivers for in each case outputting an electrical signal to a downstream evaluation unit. At least one of the optical receivers is disposed outside of a direct radiation range of the optical transmitter and acts as a scattered-light receiver, and a gas-sensitive layer is interposed in advance of at least one further optical receiver disposed in a direct radiation range of the optical transmitter this layer preferably absorbing light components of a specific narrow wavelength range in response to a contact with a specific gas.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measuring module includes an optical chip arranged spatially above a scanning plate and a signal processing assembly arranged above the optical chip. A housing completely encloses the optical chip and the signal processing assembly as well as a scanning plate. The electrical connecting lines between the optical chip and the signal processing assembly are routed via the scanning plate and the interior side of the housing to the signal processing assembly. The output signals of the signal processing assembly are conveyed via connecting lines to contacts on the exterior side of the housing. The conductive lines between the optical chip and the signal processing assembly can be kept very short, so that line resistance and interference coupling are reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a moveable scanner device within a scanning system comprises a housing having a transparent platen provided thereon. The scanner device is operatively associated with the housing and is moveable along a displacement path. A drive system comprising a drive belt connected to the scanner device and a tensioning system operatively associated with the drive belt moves the scanner device along the displacement path. A control system operatively associated with the drive system actuates the drive system to move the scanner device to a stowed position along the displacement path, the location of the stowed position being such that a force exerted on the scanner device and directed along the displacement path is not transmitted to the drive belt tensioning system.

Abstract: A linear light source is provided in which surface mounting type LED chips are arranged linearly on a circuit board. Each LED chip is given a light condensing function. The ratio between the arrangement interval of the adjacent LED chips and the distance from the LED chip to an exposure surface is determined according to the directivity characteristic of each LED chip and the following equation: L(&thgr;)=L(0°)/(2·cos2&thgr;) where L(&thgr;) is exposure at an angle &thgr;, and &thgr; is an angle with respect to a perpendicular to the exposure surface from a LED chip.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is disclosed that is able to extend the intra-scene dynamic range of Time Delay and Integrate Charge-Coupled Device imagers. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the charge collected and accumulated over a plurality of photosensitive devices is limited by adjusting the barrier levels at which collected accumulated charge is removed from the photosensitive devices. By limiting the amount of accumulated charge that is collected, images of high intensity are prevented from overflowing or saturating the photosensitive devices. Thus, information that is included in the brighter levels of the image is not lost because of clipping the photosensitive device to prevent saturation. In one embodiment of the invention, the blooming barrier levels are adjusted in a step-wise linear manner to allow a known amount of charge to be retained during the initial collection phase while allowing progressively greater amounts of charge to be retained as the collection phase proceeds.

Abstract: A focus detecting device includes a focus detecting sensor having a glass plate affixed to a surface thereof, and a holding member which holds the focus detecting sensor. The holding member is provided with a first abutting surface on which the glass plate of the focus detecting sensor abuts, a second abutting surface on which a side surface of the focus detecting sensor abuts, and a groove, disposed between the first and second abutting surfaces, in which an adhesive for fixing the focus detecting sensor flows.

Abstract: A flow cell for obtaining information on particles suspended in sample fluid, wherein an irradiation region M is defined in the flow cell for functioning as a particle detection portion to be irradiated with a laser beam La, and a wall portion of the flow cell is so adapted and arranged that the laser beam La becomes incident upon an outer wall surface of the flow cell 1 at a predetermined angle &thgr;1 (&thgr;1≠0°) and exits from an inner wall surface 5b of the flow cell 1 into the sample fluid 6 at a refraction angle 0°. Further the wall portion 5 of the flow cell 1 is so arranged that the laser beam La becomes incident upon a boundary surface between the sample fluid and the opposite inner wall surface of the flow cell 1 at a predetermined incident angle &agr; (&agr;≠0°) after being incident upon the sample fluid and passing through the irradiation region M.

Abstract: An integrated lens and aperture plate for an optical sensor equipped integrated chip in which the lens and aperture plate are molded as one piece with the lens at the appropriate location so that the lens aligns with the location of the optical sensor when the aperture plate is assembled to the IC. The lens and sensor are in fixed relation to one another since they are parts of the identical component, the IC, and any registration problems between the lens and sensor are thus eliminated.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube includes a photocathode and a primary dynode having input and output apertures. A field isolating mesh is positioned at the input aperture of the primary dynode to facilitate the collection of electrons from the photocathode of the photomultiplier to the primary dynode while simultaneously electrostatically shielding secondary emission electrons from the field of the photocathode. The field isolating mesh has a central opening that is dimensioned to maximize the throughput of photoelectrons from the photocathode to the primary dynode while providing effective field isolation in the vicinity of the primary dynode. The central opening in the field isolation mesh provides the further advantage of permitting uniform deposition of photo-emissive materials on the surface of the dynode during manufacture. In an alternative embodiment, the field isolating mesh of the primary dynode is formed in two segments.

Abstract: A near-field optical system having a mechanism to determine a spacing between an optical surface and a reflective surface that are spaced by less one wavelength by using coupled radiation energy that has an evanescently-coupled portion.

Abstract: A fiber Bragg grating reference module provides a precise temperature reference for a temperature probe, including a thermistor, located in close proximity thereto, and includes an optical fiber having a fiber Bragg grating therein, a glass element and a reference housing. The fiber Bragg grating has two ends and with a coefficient of thermal expansion. The glass element anchors the two ends of the fiber Bragg grating, and has a substantially similar coefficient of thermal expansion as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber Bragg grating to ensure that the glass element does not substantially induce strain on the fiber Bragg grating as the ambient temperature changes. The reference housing has a cavity and also has a means for receiving and affixing one end of the fiber Bragg grating and for suspending the fiber Bragg grating in the cavity leaving the other end of the fiber Bragg grating free to move as the ambient temperature changes without inducing strain in the fiber Bragg grating.