Abstract: A technique for providing high-contrast images of defects in solar cells and solar panels, by illuminating each cell under inspection with broadband infrared radiation, and then forming an image of radiation that is secularly reflected from the cell. Multi-junction solar cells have a metal backing layer that secularly reflects the illumination back into an appropriately positioned and aligned camera, selected to be sensitive to infrared wavelengths at which the solar cell materials are relatively transparent.

Abstract: A coolant delivery system of an apparatus in one example creates a layer of coolant over a target area. The target area comprises at least one carious region. A laser generator of the apparatus directs a laser beam to the target area to ablate the at least one carious region. The laser generator operates substantially simultaneously with the coolant delivery system to direct the laser beam through the layer of coolant to the target area. The layer of coolant cools the target area to reduce thermal damage from the laser beam.

Abstract: A technique for providing high-contrast images of defects in semiconductor devices and arrays of such devices, by illuminating each semiconductor device under inspection with broadband infrared radiation, and then forming an image of radiation that is specularly reflected from the semiconductor device. Many semiconductor devices and arrays of such devices have a metal backing layer that specularly reflects the illumination back into an appropriately positioned and aligned camera, selected to be sensitive to infrared wavelengths at which the semiconductor device materials are relatively transparent.

Abstract: A method for remote analysis of materials embedded in a frozen surface, such as in the icy surface of a planetary body. A laser on board a spacecraft irradiates the frozen surface and thereby releases materials in a gas cloud, by a process of desorption. The laser wavelength is selected to maximize the release of substances by the desorption process, which does not fragment materials into their elemental components. An infrared (IR) spectrometer on the spacecraft detects thermal emissions from the gas cloud against a background provided by the frozen surface, and can readily identify a variety of organic, inorganic and biological materials from their thermal spectra.

Abstract: A technique for providing high-contrast images of defects in semiconductor devices and arrays of such devices, by illuminating each semiconductor device under inspection with broadband infrared radiation, and then forming an image of radiation that is specularly reflected from the semiconductor device. Many semiconductor devices and arrays of such devices have a metal backing layer that specularly reflects the illumination back into an appropriately positioned and aligned camera, selected to be sensitive to infrared wavelengths at which the semiconductor device materials are relatively transparent.

Abstract: A technique for providing high-contrast images of defects in solar cells and solar panels, by illuminating each cell under inspection with broadband infrared radiation, and then forming an image of radiation that is secularly reflected from the cell. Multi-junction solar cells have a metal backing layer that secularly reflects the illumination back into an appropriately positioned and aligned camera, selected to be sensitive to infrared wavelengths at which the solar cell materials are relatively transparent.

Abstract: A method for remote analysis of materials embedded in a frozen surface, such as in the icy surface of a planetary body. A laser on board a spacecraft irradiates the frozen surface and thereby releases materials in a gas cloud, by a process of desorption. The laser wavelength is selected to maximize the release of substances by the desorption process, which does not fragment materials into their elemental components. An infrared (IR) spectrometer on the spacecraft detects thermal emissions from the gas cloud against a background provided by the frozen surface, and can readily identify a variety of organic, inorganic and biological materials from their thermal spectra.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing chemical and biological materials in a sample. The system includes a spectrometer for passively receiving emissions from the sample in the terahertz frequency band to detect the materials therein. A telescope or other device can be used to confine the field-of-view of the spectrometer. A cold surface is positioned filling the field-of-view of the spectrometer at an opposite side of the sample from the spectrometer. The cold surface provides a low temperature background relative to the sample so as to reduce the background emission and enhance the detection of the emission from the sample.

Abstract: A system for detecting and analyzing chemical and biological aerosols. A beam of radiation is used to radiate a target cloud including the aerosol. The radiation energy that is absorbed by the cloud is thermalized by collisional energy transfer between the molecules that absorb the radiation to generate heat. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation is selected to be in resonance with the absorption lines of water or oxygen molecules in the cloud, or to be in resonance with absorption lines of known target molecules in the cloud to generate the heat. An increase in the cloud temperature increases the emission intensity of the molecules against the background, resulting in improved detection of the target molecules in the aerosol. A tracking telescope collects the thermal emissions generated by the radiation beam. A spectrometer receives the emissions from the cloud and generates an emission spectrum.

Abstract: A system (10) for detecting and analyzing chemical and biological constituents in a sample (12). The system (10) includes a spectrometer (18) for passively receiving emissions (22) from the sample (12) to detect the constituents therein. A telescope (58) and/or other optical device (70) is used to confine the field-of-view of the spectrometer (18). A cold device (28) is positioned within the field-of-view of the spectrometer (18) at an opposite side of the sample (12) from the spectrometer (18). The cold device (28) provides a low temperature background relative to the sample (12) so as to increase the emissions (22) from the sample (12) and also to reduce the background emission.

Abstract: A system for the remote detection and analysis of trace chemical agents in the air. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is used to radiate a cloud. The radiation energy that is absorbed by the cloud is thermalized by collisional energy transfer between the molecules that absorb the radiation. Increases in the cloud temperature increase the emission intensity of the molecules against the background, resulting in improved detection of the target molecules. A tracking telescope is used to collect the thermal emissions generated by the radiation beam. A spectrometer is used to resolve the emissions from the cloud and generate an emissions spectrum. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation can be selected to be in resonance with the absorption lines of water or oxygen molecules in the cloud, or to be in resonance with absorption lines of known target molecules in the cloud to generate the heat.

Abstract: A system for the remote detection and analysis of trace chemical agents in the air. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is used to radiate a cloud. The radiation energy that is absorbed by the cloud is thermalized by collisional energy transfer between the molecules that absorb the radiation. Increases in the cloud temperature increase the emission intensity of the molecules against the background, resulting in improved detection of the target molecules. A tracking telescope is used to collect the thermal emissions generated by the radiation beam. A spectrometer is used to resolve the emissions from the cloud and generate an emissions spectrum. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation can be selected to be in resonance with the absorption lines of water or oxygen molecules in the cloud, or to be in resonance with absorption lines of known target molecules in the cloud to generate the heat.

Abstract: Non-invasive measurement of blood glucose is achieved by transmitting a ring of electromagnetic radiation to the surface of a subject (S) by a ring illuminator (22). The radiation diffuses into the subject illuminated and emits a portion of the radiation in area (E2) displaced from the illuminated area. A CCD camera (40) collects at least a portion of the emitted radiation and generates detection signals which are processed by a processor (100) in order to measure blood glucose concentration. The processing may be synchronized with the heart beat of the subject by an electrocardiogram (74).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the inspection of a substrate provides consistent detection of defects such as cracks, differentiates between different types of defects, and, does not excessively heat the substrate. An infrared radiating source produces infrared energy which illuminates the substrate in a uniform manner at an incident angle. An infrared camera collects a portion of the infrared light which is reflected from the substrate. An image is created from the collected light which includes indicia of the defect. The image is examined as the incident angle is varied for changes in the appearance of the indicia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the inspection of a substrate provides consistent detection of defects such as cracks, differentiates between different types of defects, and, does not excessively heat the substrate. An infrared radiating source produces infrared energy which illuminates the substrate in a uniform manner at an incident angle. An infrared camera collects a portion of the infrared light which is reflected from the substrate. An image is created from the collected light which includes indicia of the defect. The image is examined as the incident angle is varied for changes in the appearance of the indicia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the inspection of a substrate provides consistent detection of defects such as cracks, differentiates between different types of defects, and, does not excessively heat the substrate. An infrared radiating source produces infrared energy which illuminates the substrate in a uniform manner at an incident angle. An infrared camera collects a portion of the infrared light which is reflected from the substrate. An image is created from the collected light which includes indicia of the defect. The image is examined as the incident angle is varied for changes in the appearance of the indicia.

Abstract: A system and method are set forth for photoacoustical analysis of isotope and other compounds having telltale absorption wavelengths between 1700-2500 nm. The system and method includes a Co:Mg F2, an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), or a diode laser tunable between 1700-2500 nm which is directed into a sample at energies sufficient to generate detectable acoustical emissions. A microphone detects the emissions for processing and analysis. The system and method is adapted to detect stable isotope compounds such as 13CO2 as well as other chemical compounds. For non-gaseous compounds, a CO2 or diode laser is used to photoablate the gaseous sample containing the suspected compound.

Abstract: A system and method are set forth for photoacoustical analysis of isotope and other compounds having telltale absorption wavelengths between 1700-2500 nm. The system and method includes a Co:Mg F.sub.2, optical parametric oscillator (OPO) or diode laser tunable between 1700-2500 nm which is directed into a sample at energies sufficient to generate detectable acoustical emissions. A microphone detects the emissions for processing and analysis. The system and method is adapted to detect stable isotope compounds such as .sup.13 CO.sub.2 as well as other chemical compounds. For non-gaseous compounds, a CO.sub.2 or diode laser is used to photoablate the baseous sample containing the suspected compounds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspection of a substrate and a cover glass covering the substrate provides consistent detection of defects in the substrate such as cracks and cracks in the cover glass free of visual inspection of the substrate and the cover glass. An electromagnetic radiating source produces infrared radiation which illuminates the substrate and cover glass at a predetermined azimuth angle. The azimuth angle is varied such that the substrate and cover glass are illuminated at a plurality of azimuth angles. The substrate and the cover glass reflect portions of the incident electromagnetic radiation. A radiation detector collects portions of the reflected radiation and creates a plurality of images therefrom which include indicia representative of the defect in the substrate and the crack in the cover glass.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) is provided for treating a target area (22) of a tooth (10). The apparatus (1) generally comprises a coolant delivery system (20) and an ultraviolet laser system (15). The coolant delivery system (20) delivers coolant (52) to the target area (22) while a light guide (44) focuses ultraviolet radiation thereon. The ultraviolet radiation (18) and coolant (52) combine to ablate a desired material without generating excess heat which may otherwise char surface tissue or cause thermal damage.