Abstract: A portable spectrometer device includes an illumination source for directing at a sample, and a tapered light pipe (TLP) for capturing light interacting with the sample at a first focal ratio and for delivering the light at a second focal ratio lower than the first focal ratio. A linearly variable filter (LVF) separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals; and a detector array, including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels disposed to receive at least a portion of a plurality of the constituent wavelength signals provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength. Preferably, the TLP is lensed at one end, and recessed in a protective boot with stepped inner walls. The gap between the TLP and LVF is minimized to further enhance resolution and robustness.

Abstract: A lightpipe is coupled to a spectrometer based on a laterally variable optical filter. The lightpipe may be used for both guiding the illuminating light towards a sample and collecting light reflected or emitted by the sample upon illumination, for spectral measurements at a distance from the sample afforded by the lightpipe. The lightpipe may include a slab of homogeneous transparent material for unconstrained bidirectional propagation of light in bulk of the material. The lightpipe may be solid, hollow, or sectioned for separate guiding of the illuminating and the reflected light.

Abstract: An optical filter is disclosed including two laterally variable bandpass filters stacked at a fixed distance from each other, so that the upstream filter functions as a spatial filter for the downstream filter. This happens because an oblique beam transmitted by the upstream filter is displaced laterally when impinging on the downstream filter. The lateral displacement causes a suppression of the oblique beam when transmission passbands at impinging locations of the oblique beam onto the upstream and downstream filters do not overlap.

Abstract: A portable spectrometer device includes an illumination source for directing at a sample, and a tapered light pipe (TLP) for capturing light interacting with the sample at a first focal ratio and for delivering the light at a second focal ratio lower than the first focal ratio. A linearly variable filter (LVF) separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals; and a detector array, including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels disposed to receive at least a portion of a plurality of the constituent wavelength signals provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength. Preferably, the TLP is lensed at one end, and recessed in a protective boot with stepped inner walls. The gap between the TLP and LVF is minimized to further enhance resolution and robustness.

Abstract: A scanning laser having a wavelength compatible with a coating binder so as to cure it as the laser scans and irradiates the coating on a moving web. A system and method for curing flakes by providing a scanning laser which scans across a moving coated substrate in a magnetic field allows images to be formed as magnetically aligned flakes are cured into a fixed position. The images have regions of cured aligned flakes. The scanning laser cures the magnetically aligned flakes within it region it irradiates. Alternatively an array of lasers can be used wherein individual lasers can be switched on and off to fix irradiated coating as a moving web is moved at a high speed.

Abstract: A scanning laser having a wavelength compatible with a coating binder so as to cure it as the laser scans and irradiates the coating on a moving web. A system and method for curing flakes by providing a scanning laser which scans across a moving coated substrate in a magnetic field allows images to be formed as magnetically aligned flakes are cured into a fixed position. The images have regions of cured aligned flakes. The scanning laser cures the magnetically aligned flakes within it region it irradiates. Alternatively an array of lasers can be used wherein individual lasers can be switched on and off to fix irradiated coating as a moving web is moved at a high speed.

Abstract: A multi-segment optical retarder that can be used with or within a single projector for creating 3D images. The multi-segment optical retarder is coupled to an actuator used to effect some predetermined linear, rotary, or oscillating movement of the multi-segment optical retarder such that a fast axis orientation of each segment is substantially constant relative to itself over time and for a given area of incidence.

Abstract: A scanning laser having a wavelength compatible with a coating binder so as to cure it as the laser scans and irradiates the coating on a moving web. A system and method for curing flakes by providing a scanning laser which scans across a moving coated substrate in a magnetic field allows images to be formed as magnetically aligned flakes are cured into a fixed position. The images have regions of cured aligned flakes. The scanning laser cures the magnetically aligned flakes within it region it irradiates. Alternatively an array of lasers can be used wherein individual lasers can be switched on and off to fix irradiated coating as a moving web is moved at a high speed.

Abstract: A grating trim retarder fabricated from a form-birefringent multi-layer dielectric stack including at least one anti-reflection coating and supported on a transparent substrate is provided. The form-birefringent dielectric stack includes an axially-inhomogeneous element in the form of a ?C-plate grating and a transversely-inhomogeneous element in the form of an A-plate grating. Each of the ?C-plate and the A-plate gratings are fabricated with dimensions to form a zeroth order sub-wavelength grating structure. Fabricating the grating trim retarder with anti-reflection coatings and/or a segment where the ?C-plate and A-plate grating overlap enables the in-plane and out-of-plane retardances to be tailored independently according to the desired application.

Abstract: A multi-segment optical retarder that can be used with or within a single projector for creating 3D images. The multi-segment optical retarder is coupled to an actuator used to effect some predetermined linear, rotary, or oscillating movement of the multi-segment optical retarder such that a fast axis orientation of each segment is substantially constant relative to itself over time and for a given area of incidence.

Abstract: Optical pick-up units (OPU), which require several light sources for reading newer formats, such as Blu-Ray, and legacy formats, such as DVD and CD, require a series of beam splitters/combiners for directing the various source light beams from the light sources along a common path. A two-mirror reflector sub-unit, in which at least one mirror includes a thin film dielectric retarder element, is used to redirect the beams traveling along the common path onto the disc-media, while imposing a 90° retardation onto the polarized light incidence, whereby light returning from the disc-media undergoes a 90° orientation change in the state of polarization from one linear polarization to the other orthogonal linear polarization.

Abstract: An automated verification system for authenticating an object having an optical security feature includes an optical system, a transport staging apparatus, and an analyzing device. The optical system includes one or more light sources that are capable of generating either narrowband or broadband light beams. The transport staging apparatus cooperates with the light sources and is configured to position the object such that one or more of the light beams strike a portion of the object where the security feature should be located. The analyzing device receives the light beams reflected or transmitted from the object and is adapted to analyze the optical characteristics of the light beams at varying angles and/or wavelengths to verify the authenticity of the object.

Abstract: An automated verification system for authenticating an object having an optical security feature includes an optical system, a transport staging apparatus, and an analyzing device. The optical system includes one or more light sources that are capable of generating either narrowband or broadband light beams. The transport staging apparatus cooperates with the light sources and is configured to position the object such that one or more of the light beams strike a portion of the object where the security feature should be located. The analyzing device receives the light beams reflected or transmitted from the object and is adapted to analyze the optical characteristics of the light beams at varying angles and/or wavelengths to verify the authenticity of the object.

Abstract: An automated verification system for authenticating an object having an optical security feature includes an optical system, a transport staging apparatus, and an analyzing device. The optical system includes one or more light sources that are capable of generating either narrowband or broadband light beams. The transport staging apparatus cooperates with the light sources and is configured to position the object such that one or more of the light beams strike a portion of the object where the security feature should be located. The analyzing device receives the light beams reflected or transmitted from the object and is adapted to analyze the optical characteristics of the light beams at varying angles and/or wavelengths to verify the authenticity of the object.

Abstract: An automated verification system for authenticating an object having an optical security feature includes an optical system, a transport staging apparatus, and an analyzing device. The optical system includes one or more light sources that are capable of generating either narrowband or broadband light beams. The transport staging apparatus cooperates with the light sources and is configured to position the object such that one or more of the light beams strike a portion of the object where the security feature should be located. The analyzing device receives the light beams reflected or transmitted from the object and is adapted to analyze the optical characteristics of the light beams at varying angles and/or wavelengths to verify the authenticity of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for enhancing the performance of visual display units which utilize plasma display panels. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing an electrical noise suppressing/chromaticity enhancing accessory device for positioning in front of the viewing surface of a plasma display panel. In its most basic embodiment, the accessory device of the present invention comprises a first and a second rigid substrate laminated together by a laminating layer; an optically selective coating providing high photopic transmittance, continuous high electrical conductivity for RFI shielding, and reflectivity specifically within the near-IR region that is mechanically protected by being sandwiched between one rigid substrate and the laminating layer; and, a multiple-dye coating for selectively absorbing IR energy emissions and selectively balancing the chromaticity of the PDP display.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for enhancing the performance of visual display units which utilize plasma display panels. More specifically, the present invention provides apparatus for providing an electrical noise suppressing/chromaticity enhancing accessory device for positioning in front of the viewing surface of a plasma display panel (PDP). In its most basic embodiment, the accessory device of the present invention comprises an optically selective coating providing high photopic transmittance, continuous high electrical conductivity for RFI shielding, and reflectivity specifically within the near-IR region. It also preferably includes a multiple-dye coating for selectively absorbing IR energy emissions and selectively balancing the chromaticity of the PDP display and a plastic substrate layer to provide impact resistance.