Abstract: The present technology provides an Impedance Measurement System (ZMS) for measuring the complex impedance of each well of a single well or multiwell microtiter plate utilizing a novel combination of parallel impedance measurement channels, multiplexing, and reference impedance networks, allowing internal correction of impedance measurement drift, maximized measurement accuracy, and minimized system size.

Abstract: The present technology provides an Impedance Measurement System (ZMS) for measuring the complex impedance of each well of a single well or multiwell microtiter plate utilizing a novel combination of parallel impedance measurement channels, multiplexing, and reference impedance networks, allowing internal correction of impedance measurement drift, maximized measurement accuracy, and minimized system size.

Abstract: An optical apparatus (10) is provided for non-destructive examination of characteristics of an object (102). The apparatus has a light source (28) for directing a beam of NIR Light towards the object (102), an aperture (24) for diverging the NIR beam through or reflected from the object, a collimating lens (30) for collimating the divergent beam, a diffraction device (32) for separating the collimated beam into wavelength components and focusing lens (36) for focusing the wavelength components onto a matrix of photodetectors (34) which in turn produce electrical output signals proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components. The apparatus (10) can be made compact so that it can be used to examine objects in fields. In one example the apparatus (10) has a pistol-shaped housing with a slot (12) in its turret (18) and a body (16) with a display monitor (14). The body (16) also has an opening through which a correlation device (26) in the form of a PCMCIA card can be connected to the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A diffraction surface and a method of making the surface. The surface may be applied to labels and other items to identify the origin of the goods to which the label is attached. The surface can include a block grating including ridges and recesses in the enclosed squares or rectangles. The diffraction grating is manufactured by processing a data stream indicative of the image, including obtaining a Fourier Transform of the data stream and preferably clipping and quantising the data stream, and deforming a plate surface in accordance with the data stream. Also claimed is a diffraction grating having spaced first and second portions each producing an image on a receiving surface in response to illumination by a reading light beam, configured such that when the reading light beam moves from the first to the second portion, a change occurs in the first image to produce the second image.

Abstract: A diffraction surface and a method of making the surface. The surface may be applied to labels and other items, to identify the original of the goods to which the label is attached. The surface can include a block grating. For example, the surface could include a plurality of blocks which adapted when illuminated will produce a recognisable image on an intercepting surface. The diffraction grating is manufactured by processing a data stream indicative of the image. Processing of the data stream includes obtaining a Fourier Transform of the data stream. Preferably, the data stream is clipped and quantised.

Abstract: A diffraction surface and a method of making the surface. The surface may be applied to labels and other items to identify the origin of the goods to which the label is attached. The surface can include a block grating including ridges and recesses in the enclosed squares or rectangles. The diffraction grating manufactured by processing a data stream indicative of the image including obtaining a Fourier Transform of the data stream and preferably clipping and quantising the data stream, and deforming a plate surface in accordance with the data stream. Also claimed is a diffraction grating having spaced first and second portions each producing an image on a receiving surface in response to illumination by a reading light beam, configured such that when the reading light beam moves from the first to the second portion, a change occurs in the first image to produce the second image.

Abstract: A diffraction surface and a method of making the surface. The surface may be applied to labels and other items, to identify the original of the goods to which the label is attached. The surface can include a block grating. For example, the surface could include a plurality of blocks which adapted when illuminated will produce a recognisable image on an intercepting surface. The diffraction grating is manufactured by processing a data stream indicative of the image. Processing of the data stream includes obtaining a Fourier Transform of the data stream. Preferably, the data stream is clipped and quantised.

Abstract: A discriminating apparatus for discriminating a radiant information signal from a background signal, the discriminating apparatus including a radiation sensing means sensitive to an incident signal comprising both an information signal and a background signal and operative to generate an output sensing signal of a level related to the level of the incident signal, and detector means responsive to the sensing signal to detect an information signal component of the sensing signal from a background signal level component of the sensing signal.