Abstract: Disclosed is a method for engraving materials such as fused silica or ceramic by continuously actuating a laser producing a Gaussian beam, directing the beam towards the surface of the substrate and moving the beam relative to the surface of the substrate so that a V-groove is obtained by laser ablation of the substrate. The depth of the groove, the angle of the top of the groove, can be controlled by the relative speed between the laser beam and the substrate, the power density and the width of the laser beam, the polarization of the laser beam and the incident angle of the laser beam with respect to the surface. A method for treating an optical fiber connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical sensor for volatile organic compounds includes a light transmission medium and a porous medium, having an interface therebetween. A light source directs a beam of light into the light transmission medium at an incidence angle with respect to the interface. A detector is provided for measuring an intensity of light reflected by the interface or transmitted by the porous medium. The light transmission medium and the porous medium have different mediums of refraction to create a total internal reflection condition. The condition is gradually deteriorated as the porous medium is exposed to volatile organic compounds, since the adsorption of the compounds modifying the index of refraction of the porous medium.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an object and detecting defects is taught (BGA and Flip-Chip solder joints on a PCB particularly). The method comprises injecting a thermal stimulation on the object; capturing a sequence of consecutive infrared images of the object to record heat diffusion resulting from the heat pulse; comparing the heat diffusion on said object to a reference; and determining whether the object comprises any defects. Also described is a system comprising a mounting for mounting the object; a thermal stimulation module for applying a thermal stimulation to the bottom surface of the object; an infrared camera for capturing infrared images of the object on the top surface of the object to record a change in infrared radiation from the top surface resulting from the thermal stimulation; and a computer for comparing the change in infrared radiation within a region on the top surface to a reference and determining whether the object comprises any defects.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical sensor located on the side of an optical fibre. An optical fibre having two opposite ends, a core and a cladding and at least one sensing area is disclosed. Each of the sensing areas is located between the two opposite ends and each has a longitudinal and radial portion of the fibre that has been removed and replaced by a sensing material. The luminescent light is thus representative of a parameter to be measured, such as temperature. Placing the sensing material in a side portion of the fibre increases the sensitivity of the sensor, particularly when it comes to temperature measurement in vivo.

Abstract: A dental tartar detection system (10), especially for detection of subgingival tartar (S), comprises a probe (12) adapted to be displaced along a tooth (T) an illumination system (14) for illuminating with an incident light a region on the tooth (T), a detection system (16) for collecting the light reflected thereat, and an analysis system (34) for providing a signal to an operator of the probe (12) when measurements on the reflected light in one or more predetermined range of wavelengths fall within any predetermined range of values that are characteristic of tartar (S). Typically, the detection of tartar (S) is achieved on the basis of the possible colours that tartar (S) can have such that the aforementioned one or more predetermined range of values cover wavelengths associated with colours of tartar (S).

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided. The sensor includes an optical fiber having a free extremity on which a polymer layer is deposited normal to the longitudinal axis. A light source injects a analytical light beam in the fiber, which is reflected by the polymer layer. The reflected beam is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer, which determines the thickness of the polymer layer based on the Fabry-Perot effect. This thickness is related to a substance to be detected. An optical nose made from a plurality of such sensors is also provided, and may be used to detected a variety of substances.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided. The sensor includes an optical fiber having a free extremity on which a polymer layer is deposited normal to the longitudinal axis. A light source injects a analytical light beam in the fiber, which is reflected by the polymer layer. The reflected beam is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer, which determines the thickness of the polymer layer based on the Fabry-Perot effect. This thickness is related to a substance to be detected. An optical nose made from a plurality of such sensors is also provided, and may be used to detected a variety of substances.

Abstract: An input/output data queuing apparatus and method for data transfer between a control processor and a time division multiplex modem is disclosed. A plurality of queues within the modem is accessed through a queue selection block controlled by a timing control block that is in turn controlled via software. This allows directed multiplexing of specific data types into specific TDM transmission slots and retrieval and de-multiplexing of specific data types from the received TDM data stream. A plurality of processor queues feeds each queue allowing prioritisation of the transmitted data elements. This eases processor requirements, maximises the use of the available transmission slots and provides an access mechanism that is adaptable to a wide range of systems.