Abstract: A system for measuring a distance to a substrate includes a first light source, emitting a first wavelength on a region of the substrate though a lens. A second light source emits a second wavelength region of the substrate through the lens. A first and second detector are configured to detect the first and second wavelength light reflected from the substrate. A processor is configured to compute a first response function wherein the first response function represents reflected light intensity emitted from the first light source as a function of the distance between the imaging device and substrate. A second response function represents reflected light intensity emitted from the second light source as a function of the distance between the imaging device and substrate. A ratio response function represents the ratio of the first and second response function as a function of distance between the imaging device and substrate.

Abstract: A distance measurement method includes imaging a first light source emitting a first wavelength, on a region of a substrate with a dispersive confocal lens; imaging a second light source emitting a second wavelength with the dispersive confocal lens on the region of the substrate; measuring intensity of light reflection emitted from the first light source; measuring intensity of light reflection emitted from the second light source; and generating a first response function wherein the first response function represents reflected light intensity emitted from the first light source as a function of the distance.

Abstract: An imaging head (404) for writing an image on a substrate (108) includes an array of emitters (104) comprised of groups of emitters (120, 116, 112); imaging lens (408) that focuses light from each group onto the substrate; and wherein light from each group is focused at a different depth relative to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optically adjusting a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging head which includes an a light source (104), optical fiber (124) for transmitting light emitted from the light source; an imaging lens (204) for focusing light emitted from a distal end of the optical fiber (128) on a substrate; wherein a portion of light striking the substrate is reflected back to the distal end of the optical fiber; a fiber optic coupler (116) in the optical fiber which transmits the reflected light to a light detector (112); wherein the light detector measures intensity of the reflected light; and a control unit configured to adjust the imaging head according to the intensity of the reflected light.

Abstract: An imaging head (404) for writing an image on a substrate (108) includes an array of emitters (104) comprised of groups of emitters (120, 116, 112); imaging lens (408) that focuses light from each group onto the substrate; and wherein light from each group is focused at a different depth relative to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optically adjusting a computer-to-plate (CTP) imaging head which includes an a light source (104), optical fiber (124) for transmitting light emitted from the light source; an imaging lens (204) for focusing light emitted from a distal end of the optical fiber (128) on a substrate; wherein a portion of light striking the substrate is reflected back to the distal end of the optical fiber; a fiber optic coupler (116) in the optical fiber which transmits the reflected light to a light detector (112); wherein the light detector measures intensity of the reflected light; and a control unit configured to adjust the imaging head according to the intensity of the reflected light.

Abstract: A distributed temperature sensor (10) for cables configurations including at least one optical waveguide (12), the waveguide is constructed from a material with a predefined melting point, a light source (13) which is configured to emit light into the sensing optical waveguide (12), end a detector (14) configured to detect transmitted light intensity from the sensing optical waveguide (12) and an interlock module (15) configured to perform a shutdown of high power fiber coupled laser diodes (11), according to the signal detected by detector (14).

Abstract: A fiber optic imaging apparatus includes a light source (12); at least one optical fiber (47) for transmitting light from the light source; a mechanical assembly for supporting at least one optical fiber; a detector (41) which measures light transmitted by at least one optical fiber; and a controller for adjusting light intensity emitted from the light source according to a level of light detected by the light detector.

Abstract: An optical imaging head for direct engraving of flexographic printing plates, comprising at least two laser diodes (10, 12) emitting radiation in one or more wavelengths; and means for imaging the one or more wavelengths of radiation at different depths relative to a surface of the plate.

Abstract: Beam shapers, imaging heads formed using such beam shapers and methods are provided that are adapted to shape a light beam for use in imaging. In accordance with one method described herein a light beam is received and the light beam is reflectively scrambled to form generally homogenous light having a non-circular shape. The homogenous light is delivered to a circular core multimode light path that shapes the light beam so that light exiting the circular core multimode light path comprises circular shaped homogenous light.

Abstract: Beam shapers, imaging heads formed using such beam shapers and methods are provided that are adapted to shape a light beam for use in imaging. In accordance with one method described herein a light beam is received and the light beam is reflectively scrambled to form generally homogenous light having a non-circular shape. The homogenous light is delivered to a circular core multimode light path that shapes the light beam so that light exiting the circular core multimode light path comprises circular shaped homogenous light.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a self-adjusting Raman amplifier for fiber optic transmission lines incorporating a line diagnostic mechanism in order to calculate, control and optimize the operating parameters for the amplifier. A Line Analyzing Unit, adjacent to the Raman pump unit, operates before the Raman pump is enabled and during operation, and characterizes the transmission line. The Line Analyzing Unit determines and characterizes the types of optical fibers installed along the transmission line and calculates and optimizes the pump or pumps power in order to achieve optimum gain, gain equalization and gain tilt. The Line Analyzing Unit may also determine if there is an optical loss or reflection in the optical fiber that can be destructive when the high power Raman pump is operating.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a self-adjusting Raman amplifier for fiber optic transmission lines incorporating a line diagnostic mechanism in order to calculate, control and optimize the operating parameters for the amplifier. A Line Analyzing Unit, adjacent to the Raman pump unit, operates before the Raman pump is enabled and during operation, and characterizes the transmission line. The Line Analyzing Unit determines and characterizes the types of optical fibers installed along the transmission line and calculates and optimizes the pump or pumps power in order to achieve optimum gain, gain equalization and gain tilt. The Line Analyzing Unit may also determine if there is an optical loss or reflection in the optical fiber that can be destructive when the high power Raman pump is operating.

Abstract: This invention describes an apparatus and method for a self adjusting Raman amplifier for fiber optic transmission lines incorporating a line diagnostic mechanism in order to calculate, control and optimize the operating parameters for the amplifier. This need arises because the amplifier gain medium is the transmission line itself and the amplifier properties depend on the optical fiber properties along the first tens of kilometers of the transmission line from the pump. A Line Analyzing Unit, adjacent to the Raman pump unit, operates before the Raman pump is enabled and during operation, and characterizes the transmission line. The Line Analyzing Unit determines and characterizes the types of optical fibers installed along the transmission line and calculates and optimizes the pump or pumps power in order to achieve optimum gain and gain equalization.

Abstract: This invention describes an apparatus and method for a self adjusting Raman amplifier for fiber optic transmission lines incorporating a line diagnostic mechanism in order to calculate, control and optimize the operating parameters for the amplifier. This need arises because the amplifier gain medium is the transmission line itself and the amplifier properties depend on the optical fiber properties along the first tens of kilometers of the transmission line from the pump. A Line Analyzing Unit, adjacent to the Raman pump unit, operates before the Raman pump is enabled and during operation, and characterizes the transmission line. The Line Analyzing Unit determines and characterizes the types of optical fibers installed along the transmission line and calculates and optimizes the pump or pumps power in order to achieve optimum gain and gain equalization.

Abstract: An improved waveguide for an infrared thermometer, comprising a silver halide optical fiber cable of low transmission loss, a high aspect ratio, and a radially decreasing index of refraction. The transmission loss is low enough to enable the cable to be up to ten meters in length, thereby extending beyond the housing of the thermometer and being insertable in confined spaces such as an ear canal. The small cross sectional area and radially decreasing index of refraction of the cable make the field of view of the cable small enough to enable it to resolve targets as small as a portion of the human tympanic membrane, enabling the device to be used to measure the core temperature of humans and other organisms.

Abstract: An improved waveguide for an infrared thermometer, comprising a silver halide optical fiber cable of low transmission loss, a high aspect ratio, and a radially decreasing index of refraction. The transmission loss is low enough to enable the cable to be up to ten meters in length, thereby extending beyond the housing of the thermometer and being insertable in confined spaces such as an ear canal. The small cross sectional area and radially decreasing index of refraction of the cable make the field of view of the cable small enough to enable it to resolve targets as small as a portion of the human tympanic membrane, enabling the device to be used to measure the core temperature of humans and other organisms.

Abstract: A method of active radiometric thermometry. The target, whose temperature is to be measured, is heated briefly and locally, preferably by a pulse of laser radiation. The intensity of infrared or visible radiation emitted by the heated portion of the target is measured as a function of time. The temperature of the target is inferred from the shape of the intensity curve of the emitted radiation as a function of time.