Abstract: Modular lens assemblies and mounting systems are disclosed. A modular lens assembly includes a removable portion and a fixed portion. The removable portion includes a first lens stack configured to produce a near-collimated ray path or a collimated ray path. The fixed portion includes a second lens stack configured to receive the near-collimated ray path or the collimated ray path from the removable portion. The modular lens assembly may be implemented in an image capture device. An image sensor of the image capture device is positioned at an end of the modular lens assembly. The image sensor is configured to capture images based on light incident on the image sensor through the first lens stack and the second lens stack such that the light incident on an outer lens of the first lens stack is refracted through the second lens stack to the image sensor.

Abstract: Accessory lens structures for cameras are described. For example, an image capture device may include a mother lens assembly including a first stack of lenses; an image sensor positioned at a first end of the mother lens assembly and configured to detect images based on light incident on the image sensor through the first stack of lenses; a conversion lens assembly including a second stack of lenses, wherein the second stack of lenses is afocal; and a conversion lens mounting apparatus configured to removably attach the conversion lens assembly to the image capture device in a position over a second end of the mother lens assembly, opposite from the image sensor, such that light incident on an outer lens of the second stack of lenses will be refracted through the second stack of lenses and the first stack of lenses to the image sensor.

Abstract: An image capture system for enhanced electronic image stabilization (EIS) includes an image capture device and an adapter lens. The image capture device includes an image sensor, a lens housing, a processor, and a lens assembly that includes a first group of optical elements disposed within the lens housing. The first group of optical elements are used project an image onto the image sensor. The processor performs EIS. The adapter lens is used to enhance EIS of the image capture device. The adapter lens has an adapter lens housing that interfaces with the lens housing. The adapter lens has a second group of optical elements disposed within the adapter lens housing. The second group of optical elements are used to project the image as an image circle on the image sensor.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for use with a biological sample, wherein in one example, the device comprising a sample holder and an excitation source for providing excitation energy into the light conduit towards the sample holder. In one embodiment, the device comprises an imaging cytometer. Optionally, the device comprises a flow cytometer. Optionally, a light conduit comprises an optical fiber. Optionally, the optical fiber has an outer cross-sectional shape different from an inner optical core cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for replaceable outer lenses for use in water. For example, an image capture device may include a lens barrel in a body of the image capture device; a replaceable lens structure mountable on the body of the image capture device, the replaceable lens structure including a first set of two or more stacked lenses, including a first outer lens, and a first retaining ring configured to fasten the first set of two or more stacked lenses against a first end of the lens barrel in a first arrangement, wherein the first set of two or more stacked lenses is configured to collimate light incident on the first outer lens when the first outer lens is underwater at an interface between the lens barrel and the first replaceable lens structure; and an image sensor mounted within the body at a second end of the lens barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for replaceable outer lenses for use in water. For example, an image capture device may include a lens barrel in a body of the image capture device; a replaceable lens structure mountable on the body of the image capture device, the replaceable lens structure including a first set of two or more stacked lenses, including a first outer lens, and a first retaining ring configured to fasten the first set of two or more stacked lenses against a first end of the lens barrel in a first arrangement, wherein the first set of two or more stacked lenses is configured to collimate light incident on the first outer lens when the first outer lens is underwater at an interface between the lens barrel and the first replaceable lens structure; and an image sensor mounted within the body at a second end of the lens barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for replaceable outer lenses for use in water. For example, an image capture device may include a lens barrel in a body of the image capture device; a replaceable lens structure mountable on the body of the image capture device, the replaceable lens structure including a first set of two or more stacked lenses, including a first outer lens, and a first retaining ring configured to fasten the first set of two or more stacked lenses against a first end of the lens barrel in a first arrangement, wherein the first set of two or more stacked lenses is configured to collimate light incident on the first outer lens when the first outer lens is underwater at an interface between the lens barrel and the first replaceable lens structure; and an image sensor mounted within the body at a second end of the lens barrel.

Abstract: A Wynne-Dyson projection lens for use in an ultraviolet optical lithography system is disclosed, wherein the projection lens is configured to have reduced susceptibility to damage from ultraviolet radiation. The projection lens utilizes lens elements that are made of optical glasses that are resistant to damage from ultraviolet radiation, but that also provide sufficient degrees of freedom to correct aberrations. The glass types used for the lens elements are selected from the group of optical glasses consisting of: fused silica, S-FPL51Y, S-FSL5Y, BSM51Y and BAL15Y.

Abstract: A Wynne-Dyson projection lens for use in an ultraviolet optical lithography system is disclosed, wherein the projection lens is configured to have reduced susceptibility to damage from ultraviolet radiation. The projection lens utilizes lens elements that are made of optical glasses that are resistant to damage from ultraviolet radiation, but that also provide sufficient degrees of freedom to correct aberrations. The glass types used for the lens elements are selected from the group of optical glasses consisting of: fused silica, S-FPL51Y, S-FSL5Y, BSM51Y and BAL15Y.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in analyzing discrete reactions at ultra high multiplex with reduced optical noise, and increased system flexibility. Apparatus include substrates having integrated optical components that increase multiplex capability by one or more of increasing density of reaction regions, improving transmission of light to or collection of light from discrete reactions regions. Integrated optical components include reflective optical elements which re-direct illumination light and light emitted from the discrete regions to more efficiently collect emitted light. Particularly preferred applications include single molecule reaction analysis, such as polymerase mediated template dependent nucleic acid synthesis and sequence determination.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in analyzing discrete reactions at ultra high multiplex with reduced optical noise, and increased system flexibility. Apparatus include substrates having integrated optical components that increase multiplex capability by one or more of increasing density of reaction regions, improving transmission of light to or collection of light from discrete reactions regions. Integrated optical components include reflective optical elements which re-direct illumination light and light emitted from the discrete regions to more efficiently collect emitted light. Particularly preferred applications include single molecule reaction analysis, such as polymerase mediated template dependent nucleic acid synthesis and sequence determination.

Abstract: This invention provides systems for analyzing substrates. Also provided by the invention are improved optical systems for enhanced multiplex illumination, optical systems with compact multi-wavelength illumination architectures, optical systems for enhanced detection of optical signals, and optical systems for reduced autofluorescence background noise.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in analyzing discrete reactions at ultra high multiplex with reduced optical noise, and increased system flexibility. Apparatus include substrates having integrated optical components that increase multiplex capability by one or more of increasing density of reaction regions, improving transmission of light to or collection of light from discrete reactions regions. Integrated optical components include reflective optical elements which re-direct illumination light and light emitted from the discrete regions to more efficiently collect emitted light. Particularly preferred applications include single molecule reaction analysis, such as polymerase mediated template dependent nucleic acid synthesis and sequence determination.

Abstract: An RGB-Z sensor is implementable on a single IC chip. A beam splitter such as a hot mirror receives and separates incoming first and second spectral band optical energy from a target object into preferably RGB image components and preferably NIR Z components. The RGB image and Z components are detected by respective RGB and NIR pixel detector array regions, which output respective image data and Z data. The pixel size and array resolutions of these regions need not be equal, and both array regions may be formed on a common IC chip. A display using the image data can be augmented with Z data to help recognize a target object. The resultant structure combines optical efficiency of beam splitting with the simplicity of a single IC chip implementation. A method of using the single chip red, green, blue, distance (RGB-Z) sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: An imaging system substantially simultaneously acquires z-depth and brightness data from first sensors, and acquires higher resolution RGB data from second sensors, and fuses data from the first and second sensors to model an RGBZ image whose resolution can be as high as resolution of the second sensors. Time correlation of captured data from first and second sensors is associated with captured image data, which permits arbitrary mapping between the two data sources, ranging from 1:many to many:1. Preferably pixels from each set of sensors that image the same target point are mapped. Many z-depth sensor settings may be used to create a static environmental model. Non-correlative and correlative filtering is carried out, and up-sampling to increase z-resolution occurs, from which a three-dimensional model is constructed using registration and calibration data.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for use in analyzing discrete reactions at ultra high multiplex with reduced optical noise, and increased system flexibility. Apparatus include substrates having integrated optical components that increase multiplex capability by one or more of increasing density of reaction regions, improving transmission of light to or collection of light from discrete reactions regions. Integrated optical components include reflective optical elements which re-direct illumination light and light emitted from the discrete regions to more efficiently collect emitted light. Particularly preferred applications include single molecule reaction analysis, such as polymerase mediated template dependent nucleic acid synthesis and sequence determination.

Abstract: An imaging system substantially simultaneously acquires z-depth and brightness data from first sensors, and acquires higher resolution RGB data from second sensors, and fuses data from the first and second sensors to model an RGBZ image whose resolution can be as high as resolution of the second sensors. Time correlation of captured data from first and second sensors is associated with captured image data, which permits arbitrary mapping between the two data sources, ranging from 1:many to many:1. Preferably pixels from each set of sensors that image the same target point are mapped. Many z-depth sensor settings may be used to create a static environmental model. Non-correlative and correlative filtering is carried out, and up-sampling to increase z-resolution occurs, from which a three-dimensional model is constructed using registration and calibration data.

Abstract: An RGB-Z sensor is implementable on a single IC chip. A beam splitter such as a hot mirror receives and separates incoming first and second spectral band optical energy from a target object into preferably RGB image components and preferably NIR Z components. The RGB image and Z components are detected by respective RGB and NIR pixel detector array regions, which output respective image data and Z data. The pixel size and array resolutions of these regions need not be equal, and both array regions may be formed on a common IC chip. A display using the image data can be augmented with Z data to help recognize a target object. The resultant structure combines optical efficiency of beam splitting with the simplicity of a single IC chip implementation. A method of using the single chip red, green, blue, distance (RGB-Z) sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a system for formatting a magnetic tape with identifiable optical servo tracks are disclosed. Multiple optically detectable servo tracks extending lengthwise parallel to the tape transport direction are written simultaneously by directing a spatial beam dot pattern unto the magnetic tape. The beam dot pattern is capable of imparting not only a unique identification, but also other information such as tape longitudinal address, and manufacturer's data to each servo track. The spatial beam dot pattern may also include two arrays of beam dots created via the use of two one-dimensional diffractive optical elements.

Abstract: A system to project the image of a virtual input device includes a substrate bearing a diffractive pattern, and a source of collimated light, such as a laser diode. The collimated light interacts with the substrate and the pattern to project a user-viewable image that preferably is the image of a virtual input device. Interaction between a user and the projected image of the virtual input device can then be sensed, and used to input information or otherwise control a companion device, for example a PDA or a cellular telephone.