Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for enabling laser spectral analysis of chemical components contained in a target material, by utilizing the respective line spectra of the atoms involved.A laser beam is focused by an optical system upon the surface of the target material to evaporize portions thereof and to form a material cloud which is excited in the vicinity of the laser focus to emit a radiation.The focus itself emits a continuous radiation which passes said cloud along the longest extension of the latter and is imaged by the optical system into a spectrograph, where an absorption spectrum of the target material is produced. Simultaneously, an emission spectrum of the target material is imaged into the spectrograph when the light emitted from the material cloud at right angles to the direction of the focused laser beam is utilized.In this manner the evaluation of spectra is considerably simplified.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a photoelectric pyrometer for measuring the temperature of bodies of small cross-sectional dimensions which vary with respect to the optical axis of the pyrometer. The pyrometer comprises, in successive arrangement, an objective, a stationary field diaphragm, a slit obturator, an aperture diaphragm, a condenser sighted at the aperture of the stationary field diaphragm, and a photoelectric converter arranged in the sharp image plane of the condenser. The light-sensitive surface of the photoelectric converter receives two trains of light pulses. One of these pulse trains is formed by the above-mentioned units, whereas the other is formed by the obturator arranged across the path of a luminous flux generated by an optical feedback radiation source. The photoelectric converter produces two trains of trapezoidal electric pulses of a variable duration and on-off ratio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in performing automated classification of cells of a pap smear as well as other types of cells, such as red blood cells and blood cell neutrophiles. The apparatus generates an image that is split into two paths, (1) a high resolution image of primarily the nucleus of a cell, and (2) a low resolution image of the total cell, nucleus and cytoplasm. An image scanning device located in the first path provides output signals representing the image and circuitry performs measurement and analysis relating to texture of the nucleus. The image in the other path is demagnified which provides an enlarged, lower resolution image of the entire cell, including the nucleus and the cytoplasm and it is projected to a second image scanning device, which provides electrical signals that represent the image of the larger area and circuitry performs measurement and analysis relating to the size, density and color of the cytoplasm and the nucleus.

Abstract: A graphite tube atomizer for flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy includes a graphite tube disposed to permit passage of a measuring beam therethrough. The graphite tube is engaged at opposite ends by annular contact pieces which are coupled to a source of electrical current. The contact pieces are supported in housing portions which serve to surround the graphite tube and provide a chamber into which cooling gasses can be admitted. The cooling gasses also serve to reduce deterioration of the graphite tube. The housing portions are selectively movable either toward or away from each under the power of a drive mechanism. The housings may be urged by the drive mechanism toward each other so the contacts mounted thereon are in selectable pressure engaging contact opposite ends of the graphite tube.

Abstract: A plurality of projectors are positioned in spaced relationship about an object with a surface to be geometrically analyzed. The projectors have cooperating masks which project onto the object illuminated patterns that subdivide the object into predetermined sections. Each mask has a predetermined pattern of sections, and is applied in sequence. The masks are cooperatively advanced in the projectors, with a separate illuminating pattern prevailing on the object each time that the masks are advanced. The combinations of the patterns on the masks define closely-spaced sections subdividing the object. The patterns are coded so that each section is uniquely defined in coded form. Cameras having the entire object within their field of view, photograph the object each time a separate mask is applied.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for the alignment of a laser beam transmitter with a transit or other sighting mechanism set up in another place by means of a contrivance on one of the instruments, which projects laser beams in a plane running through the principal axis of the instrument. The beams are registered by a receiving device on the other instrument through two windows lined up along its principal axis.

Abstract: An instrument for taking bearings of objects, particularly for use in coastal navigation, has a main body with one or two arms pivoted to the body. A first object is sighted through the main body, over the top of a plane mirror. Once a zero line of the main body is lined up on one object, the or one of the pivoted arms is swung out from the main body to point at a second object. The arm which is swung out is coupled to a second mirror arranged in the main body, so that as the arm is swung out, the second mirror rotates in the same direction and through half the angle that the arm turns through. Light rays from the second object are reflected from this second mirror to the first mirror in the main body, and then back to the eye of the observer. When the instrument is correctly adjusted, the observer will see the first object over the top of the first mirror and the second object in the first mirror, just below the first object.

Abstract: A strain sensor providing an optical read-out that is suitable for use in electrically noisy environment or one subject to mechanical vibration consists of one or a set of single mode optical fibres wound round an expanding strain member. The principle of operation relies upon the fact that transverse straining of a single mode fibre destroys mode degeneracy thereby producing birefringence effects that can be rendered obversable using polarized light and a polarization analyzer.

Abstract: In an optical wavelength meter, the wavelength of light to be measured, such as that obtained from a CW or pulsed laser, is directed through a tunable grating monochromator, serving as a bandpass filter, for passing light within the selected bandpass and determining, to the lowest degree of resolution, the wavelength of the light to be measured. Thence, the light is directed sequentially through a plurality of Fabry-Perot etalon interferometers of increasing degree of resolution. The interference patterns are sequentially directed onto a spatial detector. The radii of the first and second rings of the respective interference patterns are measured to derive fractional fringe order measurements of successively higher resolution, such that the wavelength of the light to be measured is determined in successively increasing steps of higher resolution.

Abstract: A retroreflector evaluation system is disclosed as incorporating a laser and a plurality of laser light processing optical elements associated therewith in such manner as will permit the making of reflectance measurements at any or all points on the surface of retroreflective or other reflective samples or devices, thereby providing an indication of the intensity, uniformity, and other reflectance characteristics which determine the quality thereof.

Abstract: A distance measuring instrument comprising a source of coherent light and a receiver is disclosed which may be used to measure the one dimensional position of an object surface. Coherent light is directed at a predetermined angle onto the object surface and the angle at which diffusely reflected light from this surface enters the receiver is measured. This entrance angle is measured with a photosensor and a movable aperture formed by the intersection of a fixedly mounted diaphragm and a movably mounted diaphragm. By measuring the position of the movably mounted diaphragm when the movable aperture is placed so as to allow reflected light to pass from the illuminated surface to the photosensor, the entrance angle of the reflected light and hence the position of the object is determined.

Abstract: An electronic system for detecting faults or flaws in individual items of a stream of items has a single row of light sensors and a light source and detects the presence of an item between source and detectors, establishes a reference level for comparison that is a function of the individual item under inspection, and produces a fault signal from any individual sensor having a change in incident light that is a predetermined amount greater than the reference level and which occurs within a predetermined adjustable portion of the item passing the sensors.

Abstract: A passive compensating device which compensates for angular and translational misalignment errors in a polarized beam and assures the projected beam centroid remains at the same position. The device splits the incoming beam into two beams. Thereafter, optical orienting means disposed to intercept the two beams is operative to rotate the wavefront of both beams so that the composite beam exiting a combiner has two components wherein one component has its wavefront rotated 180.degree. about two orthogonal axes with respect to the other beam. Accordingly, the composite beam centroid is maintained at one position regardless of jitter of the beam entering the compensator device.

Abstract: A device for measuring the profile of a body wherein three expanded planar laser beams are provided, each of the planar beams being relatively disposed at angles of 45.degree. and directed towards the path of a moving body. Respective photocells are arranged to be illuminated by the beams after passage across the path of the moving body. Relative movement is effected between the body and the laser beams, such that the body successively passes through the beams and effectively masks respective ones of the beams from their associated photocells for a time period indicative of the diameter of the body at the photodetector height. The photodetector thus provides an electrical signal representative of such period. The diameter of the body is measured at a plurality of heights to provide a profile of the body in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of the light beam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for diagnosing the condition of oil-wetted parts subject to wear, wherein a specimen of the used oil from the part is extracted, and a plurality of samples are separated according to the different mobility rates of its particles through a liquid medium during the centrifuging of the specimen through the liquid medium for a predetermined period of time. The samples are then analyzed to determine their compositions, thereby providing an indication of the identities of the wearing parts and their rates-of-wear. In one described embodiment, the specimen is centrifuged for a sufficiently long predetermined time to stratify the particles according to size and density; and in a second described embodiment, the specimen is centrifuged for a plurality of short predetermined time periods during each of which a sample of the particles passing the complete length of the liquid medium is removed and analyzed.

Abstract: A device or planoscope for determining a certain plane through the use of a change in an angle of bands of a moire interference pattern. The device may have several sets of screens of opaque lines separated by transparent lines. Each set of screens has a rearward screen of lines and two forward screens of lines. The first forward screen is angled relative to the length of the rearward screen and the second forward screen is parallel to the rearward screen and is located adjacent a side of the first forward screen. The lines of all three screens are parallel to each other and to the length of the rearward screen. The number of lines per unit width of the rearward screen is different than the number of lines per unit width of the forward screens. When the rearward screen is viewed through the forward screens in the certain plane, the bands of the moire interference pattern which arises are parallel to the screen lines.

Abstract: A film thickness detector system has first and second thickness detector positions. The first position includes a light source for projecting a light beam to a light detector. A guide roller positions a film strip such that the light beam is tangent to a portion of the film strip supported by the guide roller. The film strip lies between the light source and light detector and the light beam is intercepted by a portion of the film strip at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the film strip. As the thickness of the film strip intercepting a portion of the light beam varies, the output from the light detector varies in a corresponding manner. The output is amplified and may be used for stopping motion of the film. The second thickness detector position also has a light source and at least one light detector positioned to receive a light beam from the light source.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the automatic examination of eggs for cracks or fractured surface areas in their shells. The process includes the steps of directing light from at least one light source onto the egg, and detecting and measuring the intensity of the light emanating from the egg. Cracks or fractured surface areas in the egg shell will allow a greater intensity of light to emanate from the egg. Such relatively higher intensity is measured to determine if a crack or fracture exists. The apparatus consists of at least one light source, a device for rotating the egg, apparatus for moving the light beam over the surface of the egg shell, and a device for detecting the intensity level of the light emanating from the egg.

Abstract: In an illustrated embodiment, brightness, color, opacity and fluorescent contribution to brightness of single thickness sheet material are measured by an optical measuring system providing for simultaneous measurement of transmitted and reflected light. One embodiment is designed so as to be capable of transverse scanning of a moving paper web on the paper machine. An optical window member of translucent diffusing material serves as a backing for the web for reflectance measurements and is in series with the web with respect to transmittance measurements. The optical window itself is selected as to its reflectance and transmittance so as to provide for periodic standardization of the instrument in an off-sheet position. Another embodiment will measure the same optical properties of single thickness sheet material selectively, with spectral response filters for characterizing such optical properties and with a series of narrow band filters.

Abstract: Optical assemblies are disclosed for use in producing an effect of three-dimensional relief in the projection of a still photograph or motion picture film by means of polarized light, each still photograph or frame of the motion picture film comprising a single, regular, two-dimensional image. In order to produce the effect of three-dimensional relief the projector is provided with an optical assembly consisting of a lens and a beam-splitting polarizing device located inside the lens barrel which results in the projection of two oppositely polarized and laterally separated images of the photograph or each frame of motion picture film. The screen is of the non-depolarizing type and the images are seen in three-dimensional relief when viewed through polarizing spectacles.