Abstract: A sensor apparatus can include an optical fiber having regularly spaced fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and a light source configured to emit a pulse of light into the optical fiber. The sensor apparatus includes a coupler to receive reflections of the pulse of light from the FBGs and output the reflections to two outputs coupled to a second coupler, one of the outputs having a delay element. Reflected pulses from adjacent FBGs arrive at the second coupler temporally aligned and are combined in the second coupler. The second coupler has outputs that are out of phase with each other by a known quantity. A detector receives the combined pulses from two of the outputs of the second coupler and determines a rate of phase change. The detector can determine, from the rate of phase change, a location on the optical fiber that is distorted. Related aspects also are described.

Abstract: A spatially distributed sensor system has an optical transmitter, an optical conduit optically coupled to the optical transmitter at an input position, and a sensing element optically coupled to the optical conduit at a position along the optical conduit spatially separated from the input position. The sensing element is structured to split off a fraction of light from the optical transmitter upon being coupled into the optical conduit and to return light to the optical conduit. The spatially distributed sensor system also has an optical receiver coupled to the optical conduit to receive at least a portion of light from the optical conduit that includes light returned to the optical conduit from the sensing element. An analysis of light received by the optical receiver provides information to determine a position of the sensing element.

Abstract: An optical detection system includes an optical transmit-receive system, an optical conduit in optical communication with the optical transmit-receive system, and an optical sensor in optical communication with the optical conduit. The optical transmit-receive system provides pulsed optical signals to the optical sensor by way of the optical conduit that have a maximum pulse width of about 100 nanoseconds and further have a maximum pulse width that is less than a maximum distance of reflection of the pulsed optical signals in the optical detection system to decrease false alarms.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to solid state light sources for use in industrial processes.

Abstract: An array of LEDs (30) is provided having a lens array (34) for collecting divergent light from each LED (30). Each lens (34) in the array is associated with a respective LED (30) and has a compound shape including a curved surface (40) that may be spherical or may have an offset aspherical shape. The curved surfaces (40) are centered about each side of its associated LED (30). The lens (34) may alternatively include faceted surfaces (46) that approximate the curved lens surface.

Abstract: A spatially distributed sensor system has an optical transmitter, an optical conduit optically coupled to the optical transmitter at an input position, and a sensing element optically coupled to the optical conduit at a position along the optical conduit spatially separated from the input position. The sensing element is structured to split off a fraction of light from the optical transmitter upon being coupled into the optical conduit and to return light to the optical conduit. The spatially distributed sensor system also has an optical receiver coupled to the optical conduit to receive at least a portion of light from the optical conduit that includes light returned to the optical conduit from the sensing element. An analysis of light received by the optical receiver provides information to determine a position of the sensing element.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for sensing an attempted intrusion including measuring changes in the state of polarization (SOP) of light transmitting through an optical fiber. The sensing system including a optical fiber in proximity to a secured element, and a fiber optic polarizer coupled to the optical fiber. The system may also include a transmitter, a receiver, and an electronic component for measuring changes in the state of polarization of the light transmitted through the optical fiber, wherein the light supplies information adequate to determine one or more polarization traces, an averaged trace based on the one or more polarization traces, and an intrusion trace.

Abstract: A dense array of semiconductor devices having an array of micro-reflectors, the micro-reflectors having characteristics that enhance dense packing of the array in balance with collection and collimation of the array's radiant output.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for semiconductor devices such as an LED array, wherein coolant directly cools the LED array. Preferably, the coolant may be selected, among other bases, based on its index of refraction relative to the index associated with the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A thermal management system is provided for semiconductor devices such as an LED array, wherein coolant directly cools the LED array. Preferably, the coolant may be selected, among other bases, based on its index of refraction relative to the index associated with the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A dense array of semiconductor devices having an array of micro-reflectors, the micro-reflectors having characteristics that enhance dense packing of the array in balance with collection and collimation of the array's radiant output.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system having an array of light emitting semiconductor devices to performing an operation that have multiple characteristics associated with performing the operation. The array includes at least one detector located within the array to selectively monitor multiple characteristics of the light emitting semiconductor devices and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the selected characteristic. A controller is configured to control the light emitting semiconductor devices in response to the signal from the at least one detector. At least one of the multiple characteristics may be concentrated at an area of the array and the at least one detector may be located within the array at the area of the array to selectively monitor characteristic that is concentrated at the area of the array.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical array module that includes a plurality of semiconductor devices mounted on a thermal substrate formed with a plurality of openings that function as micro-reflectors, wherein each micro-reflector includes a layer of reflective material to reflect light. Such material preferably is conductive so as to provide electrical connection for its associated semiconductor device.