Abstract: A user interface system including a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a first level fluid vessel arranged at a first level within the sheet and a second level fluid vessel arranged at a second level within the sheet, wherein both the first and second level fluid vessels are arranged underneath the surface; a first volume of fluid contained within the first level fluid vessel; a second volume of fluid contained within the second level fluid vessel; and a displacement device coupled to the first and second level fluid vessels that selectively manipulates the first and second volumes of fluid, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface to a first and second stage, respectively or deforming a first particular region and a second particular region of the surface, respectively.

Abstract: A probe assembly for examining a sample, the assembly including a probe, a fiber optic cable for communicating signals to and/or from the probe, an emitter for emitting radiation to irradiate the sample and an electro-magnetic radiation detector for detecting radiation which is transmitted or reflected from the sample. The emitter includes a frequency conversion member which emits radiation in response to being irradiated with input radiation which has a different frequency to that of the emitted radiation. At least one of the emitter or detector is located in the probe. The probe is particularly for use as an endoscope or for imaging teeth. The invention also extends to a method of imaging teeth, and apparatus for imaging diseased teeth, for example, teeth with caries or suffering from periodontal disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a user interface system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and contract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and a sensor system that is configured to receive a user input on the surface with a first sensitivity and configured to receive a user input substantially proximal to the particular region of the surface at with second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity.

Abstract: A user interface system for receiving a user input that includes sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid within the fluid vessel, a displacement device that influences the volume of the fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an electrical sensor coupled to the sheet that receives an input provided by a user that inwardly deforms the surface of the sheet and that includes a first conductor and a second conductor that are electrically coupled to each other with an electrical property that changes as the distance between the first and second conductors changes.

Abstract: A user interface enhancement system that includes a sheet that defines a surface and at least partially defines a fluid vessel arranged underneath the surface, a volume of fluid contained within the fluid vessel that cooperates with the sheet to transmit an image through the sheet without substantial obstruction, a displacement device that influences the volume of fluid within the fluid vessel to expand and retract at least a portion of the fluid vessel, thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, and an attachment component that couples the sheet to the device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method adjusting a user interface experience for a device that includes providing a user interface to retrieve a user input, providing a tactile interface layer that defines a surface and includes a volume of fluid and a displacement device 10 that manipulates the volume of fluid to deform a particular region of the surface into a tactilely distinguishable formation retrieving a user preference between a first type, location, and/or timing and a second embodiment, location, and/or timing through the user interface, and manipulating the volume of fluid to deform a particular region of the surface into a tactilely distinguishable formation of one of the first and second type, location, and/or timing is disclosed.

Abstract: The user interface system of the preferred embodiments includes a sheet that defines a surface on one side and at least partially defines a cavity on an opposite side; a volume of a fluid contained within the cavity; a displacement device that modifies the volume of the fluid to expand the cavity, thereby outwardly deforming a particular region of the surface; and a sensor that detects a force applied by a user that inwardly deforms the particular region of the surface. The user interface system has been specifically designed to be used as the user interface for an electronic device, more preferably in an electronic device that benefits from an adaptive user interface, but may alternatively be used in any suitable application.

Abstract: The user interface system of the preferred embodiment includes: a layer defining a surface, a substrate supporting the layer and at least partially defining a cavity, a displacement device coupled to the cavity and adapted to expand the cavity thereby deforming a particular region of the surface, a touch sensor coupled to the substrate and adapted to sense a user touch proximate the particular region of the surface, and a display coupled to the substrate and adapted to output images to the user. The user interface system of the preferred embodiments has been specifically designed to be incorporated into an electronic device, such as the display of a mobile phone, but may be incorporated in any suitable device that interfaces with a user in both a visual and tactile manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a sample, the apparatus including a source for irradiating a sample with a beam of substantially continuous electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range 25 GHz to 100 THz; means for subdividing an area of the sample which is to be imaged into a two dimensional array of pixels; means for detecting radiation from each pixel wherein the detector is configured to detect a phase dependent quantity of the detected radiation which is measured relative to the radiation which irradiates the sample.

Abstract: A system for investigating a sample, the system including a detector having non-linear current voltage characteristics and being configured to mix two radiation signals having frequencies in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz, one of the signals being a local oscillator signal and the other signal being a sample signal carrying information about the sample being investigated, the system further having a quantum cascade laser for providing at least the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: A radiation source comprising a frequency conversion member (1) configured to emit a beam of emitted radiation (7) with at least one frequency in the range from 0.1 THz to 100 THz, in response to irradiation with an input beam (3) with a frequency different to that of the emitted radiation (7), the source being subjected to a magnetic field (9) which has a component parallel to that of the emitted beam of radiation (7). The radiation source may be optimised by using both the fluence of the input beam and the magnetic field or may comprise a magnetically doped frequency conversion member or also have means for applying an electric field.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for imaging a sample: a) the sample to be imaged is irradiated with pulsed electro-magnetic radiation with a plurality of frequencies in the range from 50 GHz to 84 THz; b) an area of the sample is subdivided into a two dimensional array of pixels, and radiation from each pixel is detected over a plurality of frequencies; and c) an image is generated from the radiation detected in step (b) preferably using a frequency or a selection of frequencies from the plurality of frequencies in the pulsed electro-magnetic radiation. The method can be used as a medical imaging technique and can be used to image cancer tumours.

Abstract: An apparatus for investigating a sample, the apparatus comprising an emitter (1) for irradiating the sample (27) with a beam of emitted electromagnetic radiation; and a detector (49) for detecting the radiation reflected from the sample, wherein there is an optically non-linear member (15) which functions as both an active part of the emitter and an active part of the detector, said emitter and detector using the same part of the optically non-linear member (15). The electromagnetic radiation is primarily intended to be in the terahertz (THz) frequency range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging a sample, the method comprising the steps of: a) irradiating a sample to be imaged with a beam of pulsed electromagnetic radiation with a plurality of frequencies in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz; b) detecting radiation which is both transmitted through and reflected from the sample; and c) generating an image of the sample from radiation detected in step (b). The method and apparatus can be used to generate a three-dimensional image of the sample and/or a compositional image of the sample.

Abstract: A system for investigating a sample, the system comprising a detector having non-linear current voltage characteristics and being configured to mix two radiation signals having frequencies in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz, one of the signals being a local oscillator signal and the other signal being a sample signal carrying information about the sample being investigated, the system further comprising a quantum cascade laser for providing at least the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a sample, the apparatus comprising: a source for irradiating a sample with a beam of substantially continuous electromagnetic radiation having a frequency in the range 25 GHz to 100 THz; means for subdividing an area of the sample which is to be imaged into a two dimensional array of pixels; means for detecting radiation from each pixel wherein the detector is configured to detect a phase dependent quantity of the detected radiation which is measured relative to the radiation which irradiates the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for investigating a sample, the apparatus comprising an emitter (1) for irradiating the sample (27) with a beam of emitted electromagnetic radiation; and a detector (49) for detecting the radiation reflected from the sample, wherein there is an optically non-linear member (15) which functions as both an active part of the emitter and an active part of the detector, said emitter and detector using the same part of the optically non-linear member (15). The electromagnetic radiation is primarily intended to be in the terahertz (THz) frequency range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for investigating a sample, the apparatus comprising: means (61) for irradiating the sample (21) with a first beam of electromagnetic radiation configured to excite an optically non-linear process within the sample; means (61) for irradiating the sample with a second beam of electromagnetic radiation; and a detector (41) for detecting a change the second beam after it has been reflected from or transmitted through the sample. If the optically non-linear process is a second order process, the detector could be used to detect a change in the polarisation of the second beam. Apparatus and method find application of samples with terahertz (THZ) radiation locally generated and detected within the sample.

Abstract: A range of technique for investigating a sample such as obtaining images and/or spectral information are described. The techniques include a method for deriving structural information about a sample as a continuous function of the depth below the surface of the sample, a method for evaluating a part of the structure of a sample located between two interfaces within the sample, and a contrast enhancing method and apparatus which has a quick image acquisition time.

Abstract: An optical device for efficient radiation emission having a modulation region with phase matching means (1) for enhancing the phase matching between two different frequency signals propagating in the optical modulation region (1) in response to illumination by at least one incident beam (7, 8), the phase matching means (1), having a spatial variation in its refractive index (5) along the path of the incident radiation beam (7, 8). The device may be configured as a radiation source comprising a frequency conversion member (C2) for emitting a beam of radiation (553) in response to irradiation by one or more input beams (507), the emitted beam (553) having a frequency different to that of the one or more input beams (507), the one or more input beams (507) all being produced within a lasing cavity (defined by M3, M4, M5, M6 and output coupler (523)) and said frequency conversion member (C2) being located within said lasing cavity. The invention also extends to an imaging system using the radiation source.