Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first capacitive element may be provided and associated with a surface where a fouling layer is to be detected. A second capacitive element may also be provided, and a capacitance between the first and second capacitive elements may be used to detect formation of the fouling layer. According to another embodiment, a thermal device is provided proximate to a surface where a fouling layer is to be detected. A detector (e.g., a thermometer or vibration detector) may detect a condition associated with the surface, and formation of the fouling layer may be determined based at least in part on the condition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for sensing. Other embodiments include a method for sensing molecules, for example, homonuclear diatomic molecules. The method may include transmitting light from a light source through a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies; introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device; and detecting molecules within the gas.

Abstract: A method for determining analyte concentration levels is provided. The method includes acquiring radiation scattered off or transmitted by a target, analyzing at least a first portion of the radiation via a first technique to generate a first measurement of analyte concentration levels, and analyzing at least a second portion of the radiation via a second technique to generate a second measurement of analyte concentration levels. The method further determines analyte concentration levels based on at least one of the first measurement or the second measurement. In addition, a system for implementing the method and a probe for measuring and monitoring the analyte concentration levels is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as, for example, nitrogen. Other embodiments include a method for sensing homonuclear diatomic molecules. The system may include a light source, a hollow-core wave-guiding device that exhibits a low attenuation at predetermined operating optical frequencies and is in optical communication with the light source, a gas introduction system for introducing a gaseous medium between the light source and the hollow-core wave-guiding device, and a detector in optical communication with the hollow-core wave-guiding device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first capacitive element may be provided and associated with a surface where a fouling layer is to be detected. A second capacitive element may also be provided, and a capacitance between the first and second capacitive elements may be used to detect formation of the fouling layer. According to another embodiment, a thermal device is provided proximate to a surface where a fouling layer is to be detected. A detector (e.g., a thermometer or vibration detector) may detect a condition associated with the surface, and formation of the fouling layer may be determined based at least in part on the condition.

Abstract: An optical monitoring system for a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) apparatus includes a light source for generating an input light beam, and a first port configured within the PECVD apparatus for receiving the input light beam from the light source. The first port is configured to direct the input beam upon a workpiece within the PECVD apparatus. A second port is configured within the PECVD apparatus for receiving an output light beam passed through the workpiece, and a comparing mechanism for comparing the output light beam with the input light beam is configured to determine a deposited layer thickness upon the workpiece.

Abstract: A structurally robust beamsplitter that has substantially constant transmittance values over a wide range of wavelengths includes a freestanding monolithic synthetic polycrystalline diamond optical plate that has a thickness in the range of about 1 .mu.m to about 1 mm. The optical plate further typically has a transmittance in the range between 55% and 75% for incident radiation over almost all wavelengths of radiation from the infrared to the visible. A beamsplitter in accordance with the present invention is readily adapted for use in a interferometric spectroscopy system, such as a system using infrared and far infrared radiation for spectroscopic analysis.