Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: A sensor system in which a sensor suite has a locally located field sensing unit (FSU) that converts and evaluates sensor information using sensor fusion algorithms and is thereby able to send qualitative low-bandwidth, low power usage signals to a remote command post.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward determining an optimal mix of agents, subject to a grade of service (GOS) constraint, for handling outbound and inbound calls in a blended call center environment. Optimality is achieved through the ability to capture real time data via a real time interface (RTI) for each skill-set.

Abstract: Distributed fiber optic chemical and physical sensors provide a relatively highly uniform response over the length of the fiber by, for example, varying such properties as the core/cladding index of refraction ratio to compensate for the non-linearity in sensitivity due to the loss of higher order modes in multi-mode fibers. The variation of the ratio changes the absorption coefficient of the fiber and can be used to compensate for any non-linearity in response. Other techniques for compensation also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scanning of a microarray to provide an image of the microarray are disclosed. Data related to change in polarization state of a scanning light beam for individual points or lines or other portion of the microarray are collected and processed to image the microarray at high resolution and speed.

Abstract: An imaging method and apparatus are provided, including a light source emitting a polarized light beam, and an optical assembly including a control layer and/or a light reflection surface. The control layer advantageously allows for control over the properties of a generated evanescent wave to optimize an image of a specimen array within the evanescent wave. The light reflection surface includes coupling means used to couple a receptor/capture agent advantageously allowing for flexible control over receptor specific regions.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: A partially modified photosensitive monolithic oxide glass apparatus formed through photolithographic imaging. The apparatus may be either a volume apparatus or a layer apparatus. Both types of apparatus may be used to diffuse light in predetermined directions or shapes. The monolithic oxide glass apparatus is capable of withstanding temperatures well beyond glass transition temperatures of plastic light shaping devices and can be formed in convex or concave surfaces through conventionally molding grinding or polishing techniques and can be coated by hot-coating techniques.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing an optical waveguide illuminator are disclosed. By controlling the propagation of light in the core and cladding regions of the waveguide, distributed light emission along a length of an optical fiber or along a planar waveguide surface can be achieved by varying the core/cladding refractive index ratio and introducing light scattering centers in the core.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance device includes a metal thin film, a dielectric thin film on an optical member and, in addition, an electro-optically active thin film either between the metal thin film and the dielectric thin film or between the optical member and the metal thin film. The electro-optically active thin film is subject to a voltage which is varied to tune the resonance condition of the device.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter for simulating the waveband spectrums of selected substances. The filter includes an optical waveguide with a core material for transmitting light energy and a nominal core refractive index for the core material. Predetermined periodic variations are formed in the core material of the optical waveguide between the input and output ends that alter the core refractive index of the waveguide at the location of the periodic variations. Depending upon the periodic variations, the waveguide produces a predetermined reference waveband spectrum output that matches the waveband spectrum of a selected substance. A modulator is coupled to the waveguide to selectively modulate the periodic variations to intermittently shift the reference waveband spectrum output to fine tune the filter and reduce signal noise.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance device includes a metal thin film, a dielectric thin film on an optical member and, in addition, an electro-optically active thin film either between the metal thin film and the dielectric thin film or between the optical member and the metal thin film. The electro-optically active thin film is subject to a voltage which is varied to tune the resonance condition of the device.

Abstract: A holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) is formed from a monolithic glass material by recording light shaping structures (sometimes collectively known as “speckle”, particularly when the structures extend into the interior of the diffuser) in the glass material during its formation. A volume LSD may be produced by the photolithographic writing or other imaging of light shaping structures in a photosensitive glass material. Alternatively, a surface LSD may be produced by this imaging process or by embossing light shaping structures onto a high quality optical glass or by embossing a light shaping structures on a glass film layer coated onto a substrate. Both types of diffusers control the angular spread of transmitted light while homogenizing otherwise spatially noisy light sources such as LCDs and filamented light sources and while maintaining damage thresholds consistent with any glass optical element.

Abstract: Apparatus for acquiring an image of a specimen comprising a cassette having an optical portion holding a specimen array on a TIR surface and being removably matable to a processing portion having a polarized light beam source and a processing polarization-sensitive portion to image the spatially distributed charges in polarization of the specimen array. In one form the array optical portion comprises a transparent slide having a bottom surface with first and second gratings located to direct polarized light to the TIR surface and to direct light reflected by that (TIR) surface to an imager, respectively. The apparatus may include a flow cell integral with the optical portion as well as means for selecting the direction and wavelength of the polarized light.

Abstract: Systems and methods using a spectrometer system for real-time automatic evaluation of tissue injury are described. A method of assessing an injury to tissue comprises reflecting an electromagnetic signal from the tissue to produce a reflected electromagnetic signal; producing spectral data pertaining to the intensities of individual wavelengths of the reflected electromagnetic signal; analyzing the spectral data to obtain a set of results; and providing an indication of the nature of the injury to the tissue based upon the set of results.

Abstract: A sensor system in which a sensor suite has a locally located field sensing unit (FSU) that converts and evaluates sensor information using sensor fusion algorithms and is thereby able to send qualitative low-bandwidth, low power usage signals to a remote command post.

Abstract: A light reflector apparatus using an illumination optical fiber to produce a uniform illumination pattern is disclosed. By controlling the propagation of light in the core and cladding regions of an optical fiber, uniform light emission along the length of the fiber can be achieved. Using the illumination fiber as a light source in an open cusp reflector assembly provides for uniform dispersion of the emitted light over the exit faces of the reflector.