Abstract: A flat spatial response LIDAR apparatus for detecting particles within a short range is provided. The apparatus includes a light source projecting a light beam which is back-scattered by the particles to be detected. The back-scattered light is received, detected and analyzed. A spatial filter spatially filters the received back-scattered light in order to flatten the spatial response of the apparatus, so that a same concentration of particles at any distance within the short range will generate a signal of substantially the same intensity. This is for example accomplished by a properly profiled mask disposed in front of the detector, or a plurality of spatially distributed waveguides. As a result, the LIDAR apparatus can compensate for the 1/r2 dependence, or other dependences of the back-scattered light on the distance r.

Abstract: A laser welding system for sealing or cutting polymeric sheets is described. The system comprises a laser source capable of delivering a laser beam. The laser beam is projected onto a region of the polymeric sheets where the sealing or cutting is to be performed. An optical device is provided to image the sealing or cutting as it is performed. An image analyser asserts the sealing or cutting quality. An integrated control means is provided to control the laser source, the projection of the laser beam, the optical device and the image analyser.

Abstract: A clamp holds together at least two superposed, flexible polymeric films while they are optically sealed or cut by at least a laser beam. The clamp is comprised of two jaws wherein at least one of the jaws can be moved to allow a closing and an opening of the clamp. One of the jaws is a contact jaw to bring the films into contact. The other jaw is an optical jaw having an optical window to let at least one laser beam pass through it and wherein the window is wide enough to allow to optically seal or cut the whole width of the films if required. A support mechanism interconnects the jaws and allows a controlled opening and closing of the clamp.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for laser marking indicia in the volume of gemstones such as diamonds, the indicia being made up of a plurality of microscopic dot-shaped marks whose build-up can be initiated by exposing naturally-occurring internal defects or impurities in the volume of a gemstone to a tightly focused train of laser pulses. Authentication data is encoded in the gemstone from the relative spatial arrangement of the dot-shaped marks that form the indicium. Taking advantage of the presence of otherwise invisible defects in the gemstone allows for inscribing indicia with laser pulses carrying energies substantially lower than the threshold energy required for inscribing in the volume of a perfect gemstone material. The marking process is then much less susceptible to inflict damages to the surface of the gemstone, and the marking can be performed using a broad variety of femtosecond laser systems.

Abstract: A prismatic reflection optical waveguide device having an input and an output optical waveguide segments and a reflection interface provided therebetween apt to convey a light beam from one direction to another, wherein the light beam is conveyed by a single reflection on the reflection interface. Such a prismatic reflection optical waveguide device may, for example, be used as an optical waveguide sensor for measuring the refractive index of a sample medium. The measuring range and/or the sensitivity of such an optical waveguide sensor may be adjusted according to a particular application. Such a prismatic reflection optical waveguide device may also be used as a generally lossless bent optical waveguide wherein the reflection interface works as a mirror for reflecting the light beam coming from the input segment to the output segment, thereby providing a generally lossless transmission.

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: A method for inducing apoptosis or cell death in leukemia cells includes inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) by using a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, or the actions of NO by a NO quencher/scavenger. The NOS inhibitor includes a NOS1-specific inhibitor, such as N-[4-(2-{[(3-chlorophenyl)methyl]amino}ethyl)phenyl]-2-thiophenecarboximide dihydrochloride, [N5-(1-imino-3-butenyl)-L-ornithine], 7-nitroindazole, or 1-(2-trifluoromethylphenyl)imidazole. The examples of NO quencher/scavenger include 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide and hydroxocobalamin.

Abstract: The invention is specially directed towards intermittent motion packaging machines where the packages are momentarily immobilized at a forming station for the time duration of the package sealing and cutting. The polymeric sheets or films are sealed and cut after being exposed to a laser beam in a controlled and optimized manner. The laser beam is shaped with appropriate optical elements to provide a desired intensity profile in the section of the films to be sealed or sealed and cut. With this method, a package can be sealed and cut simultaneously in one exposure step. An optical clamp holds the films together while they are being sealed by the laser. The optical clamp can reflect back to the films, partially or totally, the laser beam intensity that has not been previously absorbed. The optical clamp further allows to monitor the sealing and cutting process while the process is being performed.

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: A prismatic reflection optical waveguide device having an input and an output optical waveguide segments and a reflection interface provided therebetween apt to convey a light beam from one direction to another, wherein the light beam is conveyed by a single reflection on the reflection interface. Such a prismatic reflection optical waveguide device may, for example, be used as an optical waveguide sensor for measuring the refractive index of a sample medium. The measuring range and/or the sensitivity of such an optical waveguide sensor may be adjusted according to a particular application. Such a prismatic reflection optical waveguide device may also be used as a generally lossless bent optical waveguide wherein the reflection interface works as a mirror for reflecting the light beam coming from the input segment to the output segment, thereby providing a generally lossless transmission.

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: 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: 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.