Abstract: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for automatic analysis of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In some aspects a dosage form may be grasped by a gripper which is used to bring the dosage form to a test location and to present the dosage form in a plurality of different alignments between delivery and collection optics. Probe light scattered through the dosage form is collected during each alignment. The collected probe light for the plurality of alignments is then used for Raman spectral analysis of the dosage form. In other aspects a rotation stage is used to rotate a dosage form on the stage to a preferred alignment before being grasped by a gripper. The gripper is then used to carry the dosage form to the test location for optical analysis.

Abstract: A lens-placement system in accordance with the invention includes an imaging system having an imaging camera to capture an image of at least a portion of an image sensor module that is located in a fixed-focus camera. The captured image is used for placement of a lens in the fixed-focus camera.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for producing an image of a global surface of an ion source sample plate that is exterior to an ion source. In general terms, the apparatus contains a sample plate for an ion source, an imaging device (e.g., a CCD or CMOS camera) and an illumination device that is configured to produce a light beam that contacts the sample plate surface to define a grazing angle between the light beam and the sample plate surface. The apparatus may be present at a location that is remote to the ion source.

Abstract: The invention provides a mass spectrometry system ion source containing a sample plate and an illumination device that is configured to produce a light beam that contacts the sample plate surface to define a grazing angle between the light beam and the sample plate surface. The ion source may also contain an imaging device, e.g., a CCD or CMOS camera or the like, for viewing the area. In one embodiment, the imaging device may be connected to a display, e.g., a video monitor. Methods and mass spectrometry systems empliying the ion source are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which utilize laser plastic welding techniques for bonding camera assembly components after their adjustment to a desired relative position. A plastic material of one camera component to be bonded is adapted to be transparent or translucent to the wavelength of light emitted by a laser, although some portion of visible light is blocked. However, a plastic material of the other camera component to be bonded is adapted to be absorptive of the wavelength of light emitted by the laser.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for printing a plurality of biopolymer features on the surfaces of substrates. An apparatus comprises a substrate mount for receiving a substrate, a dispensing device for dispensing reagents for synthesizing a biopolymer on a surface of the substrate, an optical system for positioning the substrate mount along a y-axis and an optical system for positioning the dispensing device along an x-axis. The apparatus may comprise a touch system for positioning the substrate and the dispensing device along a z-axis. One of the substrate mount or the dispensing device is adapted for translation along the y-axis and for rotation about a central axis that is parallel to a z-axis. The other of the above is adapted to move along the x-axis transversely to the direction of, and independently of, movement of the one adapted for translation along the y-axis. The optical systems cooperate to position the substrate mount and the dispensing device relative to one another.

Abstract: A locking positioning mechanism includes a first element and a second element, the first element and second element rotatable relative to one another about a common rotational axis between a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation and axially translatable relative to one another. The mechanism further includes one or more first locking surfaces of the first element and one or more second locking surfaces of the second element. The second locking surfaces are configured to clear the first locking surfaces in the unlocked orientation. The second locking surface is configured for an interference fit with a first locking surface in the locked orientation.

Abstract: A cellular telephone includes a camera with a close-up lens for capturing close-up images and a camera lens for capturing standard image. The close-up lens is a lens with a close focal range, for example, 6-30 centimeters. The camera lens is a lens with a standard focal range, such as, for example, a meter and beyond. A switch may be used to move a close-up lens to a position that allows the close-up lens to operate in combination with the camera lens to capture a close-up image. The switch then moves the close-up lens away from the camera lens when a standard image is captured. Alternately, a switch is used to select an image from either the close-up lens or the camera lens. The switch may be implemented, for example, as an electronic switch or an optical switch.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a package with an optoelectronic component, and an alignment feature mounted to a surface of the package. The alignment feature is to be inserted into a sleeve sized to mate with a ferrule of a fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A solder reflow system is disclosed that includes a substrate, a solder pad disposed upon the substrate, an optical component disposed upon the solder pad, and a laser positioned above the substrate with laser output focused sufficiently close to the solder pad to reflow the solder when the laser is powered. Also disclosed is a method for reflowing a solder joint, including: providing an optical component assembly including a substrate, a solder pad disposed upon the substrate, solder disposed upon the solder pad, and an optical component disposed upon the solder pad; providing a laser; positioning the laser above the substrate with laser output focused sufficiently close to the solder pad, instead of directly over the solder pad; and powering the laser, thereby transferring energy through the substrate into the solder pad, and reflowing the solder.

Abstract: The split-beam optical thickness gauge (OTG) measures the height difference of two adjacent surfaces. Low-coherence light is generated by the low-coherence light source. The split-beam probe head receives the low-coherence light and splits the incoming low-coherence light into a primary beam and walk-off beam. The primary beam shines upon a first surface and is reflected back up into the split-beam probe head. The walk-off beam shines upon a second surface and is reflected back up into the split-beam probe head. Spatial separation between the primary beam and the walk-off beam ensures that each beam shines substantially on only one of the surfaces. An incorporated polarizer assures that the primary and walk-off beams interfere. The reflected light returns to the autocorrelator and is detected so that distance measurements can be determined based upon a change in the path difference between the reflected primary beam and the walk-off beam.

Abstract: A solder reflow system is disclosed that includes a substrate, a solder pad disposed upon the substrate, an optical component disposed upon the solder pad, and a laser positioned above the substrate with laser output focused sufficiently close to the solder pad to reflow the solder when the laser is powered. Also disclosed is a method for reflowing a solder joint, including: providing an optical component assembly including a substrate, a solder pad disposed upon the substrate, solder disposed upon the solder pad, and an optical component disposed upon the solder pad; providing a laser; positioning the laser above the substrate with laser output focused sufficiently close to the solder pad, instead of directly over the solder pad; and powering the laser, thereby transferring energy through the substrate into the solder pad, and reflowing the solder.

Abstract: The split-beam optical thickness gauge (OTG) measures the height difference of two adjacent surfaces. Low-coherence light is generated by the low-coherence light source. The split-beam probe head receives the low-coherence light and splits the incoming low-coherence light into a primary beam and walk-off beam. The primary beam shines upon a first surface and is reflected back up into the split-beam probe head. The walk-off beam shines upon a second surface and is reflected back up into the split-beam probe head. Spatial separation between the primary beam and the walk-off beam ensures that each beam shines substantially on only one of the surfaces. An incorporated polarizer assures that the primary and walk-off beams interfere. The reflected light returns to the autocorrelator and is detected so that distance measurements can be determined based upon a change in the path difference between the reflected primary beam and the walk-off beam.