Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for identification and analysis of materials and molecular structures. An apparatus for identification and analysis of materials and molecular structures may include a laser. The laser may, in turn, include an amplified spontaneous emission-suppressed single-frequency laser excitation source. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of filters. The plurality of filters may include reflective volume holographic grating blocking filters. The apparatus may also comprise an optical unit and an optical spectrometer. The optical unit may be configured to deliver excitation energy to a sample substance and capture Raman signal scattering from the sample substance. The optical spectrometer may be disposed in a path of the Raman signal and configured to measure a spectrum of the Raman signal and generate a detection signal. Finally, the apparatus may comprise a processing unit configured to analyze the spectrum.

Abstract: An camera, the camera including: an photosensitive device and an image processor, wherein the photosensitive device includes a plurality of photosensitive units, a measuring device and a data processor; the plurality of photosensitive units are distributed in an array, wherein each photosensitive unit is configured to receive and convert light signal to form a temperature difference or a potential difference; the measuring device is configured to measure the temperature difference or the potential difference; a data processor is configured to analyze and calculate the potential difference or the temperature difference.

Abstract: The methods herein utilize polarized light for detecting through holes in substrates. A light source directs light through a first polarization filter having a first polarization axis, wherein polarized light travels from the first polarization filter and toward a substrate. The orientation of the polarized light is changed while traveling through substrate material, and is scattered. However, polarized light traveling through a hole in the substrate remains unscattered. A second polarization filter receives unscattered light and scattered light traveling away from the substrate. The second polarization filter includes a second polarization axis angularly offset from and not parallel with the first polarization axis. As such, the second polarization filter blocks the advancement of unscattered light while the scattered light is not blocked by the second polarization filter. The hole is detected based on an absence of unscattered light surrounded by light traveling from the second polarization filter.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring spectral reflectance of a surface, the apparatus comprising: a chamber comprising a wall formed having an aperture defined by an aperture boundary; a light source mounted to the chamber and having a field of illumination (FOI) configured to intersect the aperture at an illumination intersection; and an optical fiber mounted to the chamber and having a field of view (FOV) configured to intersect the aperture at an imaging intersection; wherein the chamber is configured so that when the aperture is positioned on a surface the chamber substantially prevents light from entering a volume of the chamber.

Abstract: Consistent with the present disclosure, an apparatus for producing a control signal for a laser source is provided, comprising an etalon configured to receive light from the laser source and control circuitry that provides the control signal, wherein the control signal is indicative of a comparison of (a) a difference between a forward transmission signal of the etalon and a backward reflection signal of the etalon and (b) the light received by the etalon from the laser source. Alternatively, the control signal is indicative of a comparison of (a) a difference between a forward transmission signal of the etalon and a backward reflection signal of the etalon and (b) a combination of the forward transmission signal of the etalon and the backward reflection signal of the etalon.

Abstract: A passage (3) for a sample solution is formed in a sapphire base body (2) used as a substrate for semiconductor devices. An LED (4) and a photodiode (5) are formed on the base body (2) by a semiconductor manufacturing process so that they face each other across the passage (3). The LED (4) emits light into the base body (2). This light is transmitted through the sample solution in the passage (3), undergoing absorption according to the concentration and other properties of the solution. The transmitted light passes through the base body (2) and reaches the photodiode (5), producing a detection signal corresponding to the incident light amount. Since the light source and photodetector are integrated with the base body (2) serving as a flow cell, the present device is small and lightweight. Furthermore, no cumbersome task of aligning optical axes in the device-assembling process is needed.

Abstract: Methodology of characterizing surface properties and determining refractive index and extinction coefficient of a prism shaped material, including simultaneously for a multiplicity of wavelengths, using an easy to practice technique.

Abstract: The technology provides two or more spectrometers having uniform focal lengths that facilitate comparing spectral results obtained therefrom. The spectrometers include a collimating lens that receives light rays therethrough, a grating that is optically coupled to the collimating lens, and a focus lens that is optically coupled to the grating. The focus lens includes an outer body having a first lens set, an inner body having a second lens set, and an air gap defined between the first lens set and the second lens set. The inner body is moveable relative to the outer body to adjust a size of the air gap in order to modify a focal length of the focus lens. The inner body moves relative to the outer body to change an image size in the x-dimension. A fastener is provided to fixedly secure the inner body and the outer body.

Abstract: An instrument and method for analyzing a gas leak. The instrument can obtain a time series of spectra from a scene. The instrument can compare spectra from different times to determine a property of a gas cloud within the scene. The instrument can estimate the column density of the gas cloud at one or more locations within the scene. The instrument can estimate the total quantity of gas in the cloud. The instrument can estimate the amount of gas which has left the field of view of the instrument. The instrument can also estimate the amount of gas in the cloud which has dropped below the sensitivity limit of the instrument.

Abstract: Example implementations relate to an optical biofilm probe. For example, in an implementation, the optical biofilm probe may include a light source to project light towards a substrate disposed within a bypass and a detector to detect light from the substrate. Properties of light detected by the detector may be affected by biofilm formation on the substrate. The bypass may be connected in parallel to a conduit of a fluid system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a medical device. More particularly, aspects of the disclosure relate to a medical device including an energy source configured to emit energy into a first end of an optical fiber and a monitoring device configured to receive energy from a second end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely managing grain levels in one or more silos includes a computer system communicatively connected to one or more light sensors and grain loading drive mechanisms and/or grain supply reordering modules. When a sensor reports that a grain level has fallen below a predetermined threshold, the computer system generates an alert and forwards the alert across a wireless communications network to a user's mobile device. The user may select a user command to send to the computer system, whereupon the computer system may activate one or more grain loading drive mechanisms and/or reorder grain from the associated supplier in accordance with the response action or alternatively override the user command based upon one or more contextual determinations, the grain loading drive mechanisms able to replenish the grain levels to optimal, above-threshold levels.

Abstract: A diffuse reflectance spectroscopy system for determining an optical property of a specimen and a method for operating the same are provided. The system includes: a light emitting unit comprising a light emitting terminal, the light emitting unit configured to emit steady light; an optical medium arranged at one end of the device, the optical medium being controllable to switch between multiple optical states and configured to deliver the steady light to the specimen through the optical medium in different optical states, wherein the optical medium comprises a first surface in contact with the light emitting terminal of the light emitting unit and a second surface for contact with the specimen; and a detecting module comprising one or more receiving terminals for receiving light scattered from the specimen for determining the optical property of the specimen.

Abstract: A system for multispectral imaging and ranging is provided. The system comprises at least one light illumination source, and a focal plane detector array configured to support both passive imaging and active imaging at multiple wavelengths. The focal plane detector array includes a plurality of pixels, wherein each of the pixels comprises a plurality of detectors. The detectors are configured to collect passive light to support passive imaging; collect retro-reflected light, transmitted by the at least one light illumination source, to support active illuminated imaging; and collect retro-reflected light, transmitted by the at least one light illumination source, to support active illuminated ranging.

Abstract: An apparatus, includes an illuminating light source and illuminating optics arranged to illuminate a sample region with illuminating light pulses, light gathering optics to gather Raman scattered light pulses from the sample region, a spectral disperser and a detector array for measuring the spectral intensity distribution of Raman scattered light pulses obtained from the sample region and an auxiliary detector for providing an indicator signal indicative of elastic scattering coefficient of the sample region. The apparatus is arranged to form a first output spectrum from the spectral intensity distribution of a first group of Raman scattered light pulses. The pulses of the first group of Raman scattered light pulses are obtained from the sample region when the indicator signal indicates that an object is located in the sample region.

Abstract: Sensing systems include a tube defining a Fabry-Perot cavity and an optical fiber including a distal end disposed within the Fabry-Perot cavity and a proximal end. A corrodible material caps the Fabry-Perot cavity. Devices for sensing corrosion of downhole equipment include an optical fiber with a corrodible material disposed over a distal end of the optical fiber. Systems for sensing a condition in equipment include an optical fiber with a fiber Bragg grating proximate a distal end thereof and a mass of sensor material coupled to the distal end of the optical fiber. The mass of sensor material is suspended from above the fiber Bragg grating. Other systems for sensing a condition in a wellbore include an optical fiber and a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings along a length thereof. A plurality of sensor materials are coupled to the optical fiber and surround respective fiber Bragg gratings.

Abstract: A water quality sensor includes a housing including a light transmissive bucket mounted in an electrical washing appliance and a light transmissive inner barrel mounted in the bucket, an actuation module mounted in the inner barrel for detecting a water quality of a washing solution in the electrical washing appliance. Thus, if the bucket is cracked during manufacturing or due to a collision, the contact actuation module can still be well protected by the inner barrel, so that the washing solution in the electrical washing machine does not directly flow into contact with the actuation module to cause an accidental short circuit of the circuit substrate of the actuation module, improving the water resistance and service life of the water quality sensor.

Abstract: Focusing modules and methods are provided, which use a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to yield a circumferentially sinusoidal pattern to derive focusing signals. For example, the SLM may comprise an optical chopper wheel made of a glass disc with a circumferentially sinusoidal pattern. The circumferentially sinusoidal pattern simplifies phase derivation from the focusing signal, providing a faster and more accurate estimation of defocusing. Signal detection may be carried out by a diode array that provides a more accurate signal faster, as well as a more differentiated analysis of the focusing signal than the one available by current technology.

Abstract: A rear-projection photodetection yarn clearing apparatus includes a light emitting diode and a detector arranged behind a to-be-detected yarn, and further includes a reflector arranged in front of the to-be-detected yarn. A front end face of the light emitting diode is flush with a photosurface of the detector, a light filter for capturing light rays having a waveband from 330 nm to 470 nm is also arranged in front of the light emitting diode and the detector, and a light-reflecting surface of the reflector is in parallel with the photosurface of the detector. The light emitting diode includes an ultraviolet light emitting diode, and the detector includes an ultraviolet enhanced silicon photodiode. The ultraviolet enhanced silicon photodiode is made from a high-resistivity N-type (111) silicon wafer having a resistivity of 3,000 ?·cm and a field oxide thickness of 1,000 nm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for characterizing mode group properties of multimodal light traveling through an optical component, comprising: providing a Mode Group Separating optical fiber in an optical path between a light source and said optical component; launching reference pulses of light with a wavelength ?t from said light source through said Mode Group Separating optical fiber into said optical component at discrete intervals between a core center and a core radius of said fiber. The Mode Group Separating optical fiber is a multimode fiber with an ?-profile graded index core with an ?-value chosen such that said fiber satisfies the following criterion at the wavelength ?t: ? ?? ? · L ? ? ? T REF > 4 where: ?? is a time delay difference between consecutive mode groups; L is a length of said fiber; ?TREF is a Full Width at Quarter Maximum of said reference pulses.