Abstract: An endoscope comprises a handpiece housing, an elongate flexible shaft extending from the handpiece housing, a pull wire extending from the handpiece housing into the elongate flexible shaft, and a tensioning mechanism configured to adjust tension in the pull wire. A method for adjusting tension in a pull wire of a controller for an endoscope comprises preparing an endoscope for use before a procedure, adjusting tension in a pull wire for deflecting a flexible elongate shaft of the endoscope to reduce knob dwell, and performing an endoscopic procedure with the endoscope.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods relating to the fabrication of light guide elements. An example system includes an optical component configured to direct light emitted by a light source to illuminate a photoresist material at one or more desired angles so as to expose an angled structure in the photoresist material. The photoresist material overlays at least a portion of a first surface of a substrate. The optical component includes a container containing a light-coupling material that is selected based in part on the one or more desired angles. The system also includes a reflective surface arranged to reflect at least a first portion of the emitted light to illuminate the photoresist material at the one or more desired angles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example embodiment includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene and configured to focus light from the scene onto a focal plane. The system also includes an aperture defined within an opaque material disposed at the focal plane of the lens. The aperture has a cross-sectional area. In addition, the system includes an array of light detectors disposed on a side of the focal plane opposite the lens and configured to intercept and detect diverging light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. A cross-sectional area of the array of light detectors that intercepts the diverging light is greater than the cross-sectional area of the aperture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods relating to the fabrication of light guide elements. An example system includes an optical component configured to direct light emitted by a light source to illuminate a photoresist material at one or more desired angles so as to expose an angled structure in the photoresist material. The photoresist material overlays at least a portion of a first surface of a substrate. The optical component includes a container containing a light-coupling material that is selected based in part on the one or more desired angles. The system also includes a reflective surface arranged to reflect at least a first portion of the emitted light to illuminate the photoresist material at the one or more desired angles.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data access request at a computing system. The data access request is for completion of a first data processing task using the computing system. The method also includes accessing a plurality of first document types associated with a plurality of data processing tasks that include the first data processing task. The plurality of first document types indicates which of various subsets of data are required to complete the plurality of data processing tasks. The method also includes accessing a plurality of second document types that indicate assignments of the plurality of data processing tasks to a plurality of system requestors that includes the first system requestor, and executing the first data processing task based on the plurality of first document types and the plurality of second document types.

Abstract: One example LIDAR device comprises a substrate and a waveguide disposed on the substrate. A first section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a first direction. A second section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a second direction different than the first direction. A third section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a third direction different than the second direction. The second section extends lengthwise between the first section and the second section. The LIDAR device also comprises a light emitter configured to emit light. The waveguide is configured to guide the light inside the first section toward the second section, inside the second section toward the third section, and inside the third section away from the second section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens that focuses light from a scene toward a focal plane. The system also includes an aperture defined within an opaque material. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides. A given waveguide of the plurality has an input end that receives a portion of light transmitted through the aperture, and guides the received portion toward an output end of the given waveguide. A cross-sectional area of the guided portion at the output end is greater than a cross-sectional area of the received portion at the input end. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the guided light transmitted through the output end.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data access request at a computing system. The data access request is for completion of a first data processing task using the computing system. The method also includes accessing a plurality of first document types associated with a plurality of data processing tasks that include the first data processing task. The plurality of first document types indicates which of various subsets of data are required to complete the plurality of data processing tasks. The method also includes accessing a plurality of second document types that indicate assignments of the plurality of data processing tasks to a plurality of system requestors that includes the first system requestor, and executing the first data processing task based on the plurality of first document types and the plurality of second document types.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example implementation includes a system. The system includes a lens that focuses light from a scene toward a focal plane. The system also includes an aperture defined within an opaque material. The system also includes a plurality of waveguides. A given waveguide of the plurality has an input end that receives a portion of light transmitted through the aperture, and guides the received portion toward an output end of the given waveguide. A cross-sectional area of the guided portion at the output end is greater than a cross-sectional area of the received portion at the input end. The system also includes an array of light detectors that detects the guided light transmitted through the output end.

Abstract: One example LIDAR device comprises a substrate and a waveguide disposed on the substrate. A first section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a first direction. A second section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a second direction different than the first direction. A third section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a third direction different than the second direction. The second section extends lengthwise between the first section and the second section. The LIDAR device also comprises a light emitter configured to emit light. The waveguide is configured to guide the light inside the first section toward the second section, inside the second section toward the third section, and inside the third section away from the second section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example embodiment includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene and configured to focus light from the scene onto a focal plane. The system also includes an aperture defined within an opaque material disposed at the focal plane of the lens. The aperture has a cross-sectional area. In addition, the system includes an array of light detectors disposed on a side of the focal plane opposite the lens and configured to intercept and detect diverging light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. A cross-sectional area of the array of light detectors that intercepts the diverging light is greater than the cross-sectional area of the aperture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods relating to the fabrication of light guide elements. An example system includes an optical component configured to direct light emitted by a light source to illuminate a photoresist material at one or more desired angles so as to expose an angled structure in the photoresist material. The photoresist material overlays at least a portion of a first surface of a substrate. The optical component includes a container containing a light-coupling material that is selected based in part on the one or more desired angles. The system also includes a reflective surface arranged to reflect at least a first portion of the emitted light to illuminate the photoresist material at the one or more desired angles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limitation of noise on light detectors using an aperture. One example embodiment includes a system. The system includes a lens disposed relative to a scene and configured to focus light from the scene onto a focal plane. The system also includes an aperture defined within an opaque material disposed at the focal plane of the lens. The aperture has a cross-sectional area. In addition, the system includes an array of light detectors disposed on a side of the focal plane opposite the lens and configured to intercept and detect diverging light focused by the lens and transmitted through the aperture. A cross-sectional area of the array of light detectors that intercepts the diverging light is greater than the cross-sectional area of the aperture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods relating to the fabrication of light guide elements. An example system includes an optical component configured to direct light emitted by a light source to illuminate a photoresist material at one or more desired angles so as to expose an angled structure in the photoresist material. The photoresist material overlays at least a portion of a first surface of a substrate. The optical component includes a container containing a light-coupling material that is selected based in part on the one or more desired angles. The system also includes a reflective surface arranged to reflect at least a first portion of the emitted light to illuminate the photoresist material at the one or more desired angles.

Abstract: One example system comprises a substrate and a waveguide disposed on the substrate to define an optical path on the substrate. The waveguide is configured to guide, inside the waveguide and along the optical path, a light signal toward an edge of the waveguide. The edge defines an optical interface between the waveguide and a fluidic optical medium adjacent to the edge of the waveguide. The system also includes an optical fluid and a fluid actuator configured to adjust a physical state of the optical fluid based on a control signal. The adjustment of the physical state of the optical fluid causes an adjustment of the fluidic optical medium adjacent to the edge.

Abstract: One example LIDAR device comprises a substrate and a waveguide disposed on the substrate. A first section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a first direction. A second section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a second direction different than the first direction. A third section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a third direction different than the second direction. The second section extends lengthwise between the first section and the second section. The LIDAR device also comprises a light emitter configured to emit light. The waveguide is configured to guide the light inside the first section toward the second section, inside the second section toward the third section, and inside the third section away from the second section.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to the manufacture of optical elements and optical systems. An example method includes overlaying a first mask on a photoresist material and a substrate, and causing a light source to illuminate the photoresist material through the first mask during a first exposure so as to define a first feature. During the first exposure, the light source is positioned at a non-normal angle with respect to a plane parallel to the substrate. The method includes developing the photoresist material so as to retain an elongate portion of the photoresist material on the substrate. A first end of the elongate portion includes an angled portion that is sloped at an angle with respect to a long axis of the elongate portion. The method also includes depositing a reflective material through a second mask onto the angled portion.

Abstract: One example LIDAR device comprises a substrate and a waveguide disposed on the substrate. A first section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a first direction. A second section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a second direction different than the first direction. A third section of the waveguide extends lengthwise on the substrate in a third direction different than the second direction. The second section extends lengthwise between the first section and the second section. The LIDAR device also comprises a light emitter configured to emit light. The waveguide is configured to guide the light inside the first section toward the second section, inside the second section toward the third section, and inside the third section away from the second section.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to light detection and ranging (lidar) devices having a light-guide manifold. An example lidar device includes a transmit subsystem. The transmit subsystem includes a light emitter. The transmit subsystem also includes a light-guide manifold optically coupled to the light emitter. Further, the transmit subsystem includes a telecentric lens assembly optically coupled to the light-guide manifold. The lidar device also includes a receive subsystem. The receive subsystem includes the telecentric lens assembly. The receive subsystem also includes an aperture plate having an aperture defined therein. The aperture plate is positioned at a focal plane of the telecentric lens assembly. Further, the receive subsystem includes a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) positioned to receive light traveling through the aperture.

Abstract: The present application relates to contact immersion lithography systems and methods of their use. An example immersion lithography system includes a photomask substrate and at least one sensor disposed along a surface of the photomask substrate. The immersion lithography system also includes a controller having at least one processor and a memory. The at least one processor is configured to execute program instructions stored in the memory so as to carry out operations. The operations include receiving, from the at least one sensor, information indicative of an electric field proximate to the at least one sensor. The operations also include determining, based on the received information, at least one of: a thickness of a liquid layer adjacent to the photomask substrate or a distance to a further substrate adjacent to the photomask substrate.