Abstract: A method includes causing, by at least one processing device, a confocal sensor system to make a plurality of signal measurements of a target material, each signal measurement of the plurality of signal measurements corresponding to a respective distance of a plurality of distances between a confocal sensor of the confocal sensor system and the target material, generating, by the at least one processing device, target scan data for the target material based on the plurality of signal measurements, and measuring, by the at least one processing device, at least one property of the target material based on the target scan data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a specimen with light at varying power levels are provided. One system configured to inspect a specimen includes a light source configured to generate light. The system also includes a power attenuator subsystem configured to alter a power level of the light directed to the specimen during inspection between at least two power levels including a full power level and a minimum power level equal to or greater than about 10% of the full power level. In addition, the system includes a detection subsystem configured to generate output responsive to the light scattered from the specimen. The output can be used to detect defects on the specimen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting a specimen with light at varying power levels are provided. One system configured to inspect a specimen includes a light source configured to generate light. The system also includes a power attenuator subsystem configured to alter a power level of the light directed to the specimen during inspection between at least two power levels including a full power level and a minimum power level equal to or greater than about 10% of the full power level. In addition, the system includes a detection subsystem configured to generate output responsive to the light scattered from the specimen. The output can be used to detect defects on the specimen.

Abstract: A grating based demultiplexer module is described. The module includes an integrally formed first section, second section, and third section. The first section includes a diffraction grating formed on the surface of the first section and directs a WDM beam onto the internal surface of the diffraction grating. The third section is positioned to receive angularly separated light from the external surface of the diffraction grating. In some embodiments, the third section can direct individualy beams of the angularly separated light onto the surface of optical detectors. The third section provides structural support and maintains the alignment between the first section and the third section.

Abstract: A grating based demultiplexer module is described. The module includes an integrally formed first section, second section, and third section. The first section includes a diffraction grating formed on the surface of the first section and directs a WDM beam onto the internal surface of the diffraction grating. The third section is positioned to receive angularly separated light from the external surface of the diffraction grating. In some embodiments,the third section can direct individualy beams of the angularly separated light onto the surface of optical detectors. The third section provides structural support and maintains the alignment between the first section and the third section.

Abstract: A grating based demultiplexer module is described. The module includes an integrally formed first section, second section, and third section. The first section includes a diffraction grating formed on the surface of the first section and directs a WDM beam onto the internal surface of the diffraction grating. The third section is positioned to receive angularly separated light from the external surface of the diffraction grating. In some embodiments, the third section can direct individualy beams of the angularly separated light onto the surface of optical detectors. The third section provides structural support and maintains the alignment between the first section and the third section.

Abstract: A multiplexer/demultiplexer optical system component that is passively aligned upon assembly is disclosed. The optical system includes a lens block and a mirror-filter block. In some embodiments, optical filters are positioned and epoxyed to the mirror-filter block using a positioning tool. In some embodiments, optical filters are positioned and epoxyed on a support structure which has been etched to receive the optical filters. The mirror-filter block is a block having flat surfaces, one of which is a flat reflecting surface. The lens block is formed by injection molding and includes a barrel for holding and positioning an optical fiber, placement for a collimating lens, and placements for focusing lenses such that, when assembled, light incident on each of the focusing lenses propagates along the optical axis of the focusing lens. In some embodiments, the collimating lens and the focusing lenses are integrally formed with the lens block.

Abstract: A grating based demultiplexer module is described. The module includes an integrally formed first section, second section, and third section. The first section includes a diffraction grating formed on the surface of the first section and directs a WDM beam onto the internal surface of the diffraction grating. The third section is positioned to receive angularly separated light from the external surface of the diffraction grating. In some embodiments, the third section can direct individualy beams of the angularly separated light onto the surface of optical detectors. The third section provides structural support and maintains the alignment between the first section and the third section.

Abstract: A multiplexer/demultiplexer optical system component that is passively aligned upon assembly is disclosed. The optical system includes a lens block and a mirror-filter block. In some embodiments, optical filters are positioned and epoxyed to the mirror-filter block using a positioning tool. In some embodiments, optical filters are positioned and epoxyed on a support structure which has been etched to receive the optical filters. The mirror-filter block is a block having flat surfaces, one of which is a flat reflecting surface. The lens block is formed by injection molding and includes a barrel for holding and positioning an optical fiber, placement for a collimating lens, and placements for focusing lenses such that, when assembled, light incident on each of the focusing lenses propagates along the optical axis of the focusing lens. In some embodiments, the collimating lens and the focusing lenses are integrally formed with the lens block.

Abstract: A system for viewing a scene from a remote location. The system includes a client machine. The system includes a network connected to the client machine. The system includes a server machine having a 3D environment stored in it. The server machine is connected to the network and remote from the client machine, wherein the client machine predicts a next view of the 3D environment based on a previous view of the 3D environment by the client machine, and the server machine predicts the next view also based on the previous view and sends to the client machine by way of the network only the difference between the predicted view and the previous view. Methods for viewing a scene from a remote location.