Abstract: An optical sensing device is provided. The device comprises a cavity defined by at least an anomalous reflective element having an anomalous reflection surface, and a non-absorptive element having a non-absorptive reflection surface disposed in a direction away from the anomalous reflection surface.

Abstract: A fringe locking subsystem for an optical sensing cavity is provided. The subsystem comprises one or more photo detectors that detect a reference signal and a cavity signal; a first amplifier that generates a calculated differential between the reference signal and the cavity signal; a lock-in amplifier that generates a modulation signal based on the calculated differential; and a controller that adjusts a distance within the cavity based on the modulation signal.

Abstract: Optical detection systems and optical spectrometric systems are presented. One embodiment is a parallelized optical detection system. The detection system includes collector optics configured to receive an input optical signal, a plurality of optical filters and a plurality of tunable cavities. The collector optics includes at least one collector lens and at least one fiber multiplexer. The plurality of optical filters are configured to receive the input optical signal from the fiber multiplexer, and have serially varying pass band configured to filter the input optical signal at respective bandwidths. Each of the plurality of tunable cavities is optically coupled to each filter of the respective plurality of optical filters to receive a respective filtered output signal. The plurality of tunable cavities have band-pass frequencies with center frequencies staggered.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a welding controller configured to receive images from multiple observation points directed toward a deposition zone. The welding controller is also configured to control a parameter affecting deposition based on a differential analysis of the images.

Abstract: A detector system for precursively identifying an electrical arcing event is provided. The system may include a transmission channel for transmitting a radio frequency signal to a zone where an arcing event may occur. The system may further include a reception channel for receiving a radio frequency signal resulting from an interaction of the transmitted radio frequency signal and an electric field which forms at the zone as a precursor to an arcing event. A pre-arc identification circuit may be coupled to process the resulting radio frequency signal. The identification circuit may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a pre-arc condition based on at least one parameter of the resulting radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A microfluidic detection system is provided. The system comprises a device for illuminating a microfluidic sample comprising an analyte, wherein illumination from the illuminating device is modulated on and off at a determined frequency, a gated phase-sensitive detector that detects, one or more wavelengths emitting from the analyte, at a determined frequency, and a control device that coordinates the modulating frequency of the illumination and the detecting frequency of the detector.

Abstract: A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: A method for measuring temperature of a rotating body such as a steam turbine is provided. The method includes striking a light beam onto the rotating body onto the rotating body and measuring a reflectance of the light beam from the rotating body. The method further includes obtaining a temperature of the rotating body based upon the measured reflectance.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.

Abstract: A detector system for precursively identifying an electrical arcing event is provided. The system may include a transmission channel for transmitting a radio frequency signal to a zone where an arcing event may occur. The system may further include a reception channel for receiving a radio frequency signal resulting from an interaction of the transmitted radio frequency signal and an electric field which forms at the zone as a precursor to an arcing event. A pre-arc identification circuit may be coupled to process the resulting radio frequency signal. The identification circuit may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a pre-arc condition based on at least one parameter of the resulting radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A fuel moisturization sensor system is disclosed. The fuel moisturization sensor system includes a first light source configured for emitting light through a fuel and moisture flow path at a first wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is at least partially absorbable by the moisture when in a vapor phase and substantially not absorbable by the fuel, and a second light source configured for emitting light through the fuel and moisture flow path at a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is preferentially scattered by moisture when in a liquid phase and substantially not absorbed by the fuel or by the moisture when in a vapor phase, a detector system configured to detect light transmitted through the flow path at the first and second wavelengths and to generate a first data signal corresponding to the transmission at the first wavelength and a second data signal corresponding to the transmission at the second wavelength.

Abstract: A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.

Abstract: A photonic crystal based collection probe is provided. The probe includes a photonic crystal configured to guide and condition a beam of Raman scattered photons. Further, the device includes a spectrograph in optical communication with the photonic crystal and configured to receive Raman scattering from the photonic crystal. The device may be employed in a Raman spectrometer system.

Abstract: An interferometer includes a resonant cavity having a movable mirror and at least one fiber optic component acting as a fixed mirror. A surface of the fiber optic component is coated with a reflective film. An actuator is coupled to the movable mirror, such that when a scattered optical beam is coupled to the cavity, interference occurs between the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film and a surface of the movable mirror facing the surface of the fiber optic component coated with reflective film. The reflective film on the surface of the fiber optic component causes closely spaced spectral lines within the scattered optical beam to be suitably resolved.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.

Abstract: A photonic crystal based collection probe is provided. The probe includes a photonic crystal configured to guide and condition a beam of Raman scattered photons. Further, the device includes a spectrograph in optical communication with the photonic crystal and configured to receive Raman scattering from the photonic crystal. The device may be employed in a Raman spectrometer system.