Abstract: A multifunctional dental apparatus comprising dental lasers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) is disclosed for performing photo treatment on an oral site. The dental lasers and LEDs share a unified user interface for operation control and monitoring. The dental lasers and LEDs can work in a cooperative manner with their light beams delivered to the treatment site through a common output port.

Abstract: A quickly deployable and reconfigurable light emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus with high output intensity and precisely controlled beam property is disclosed for navigational aids. The lighting apparatus comprises an array of high intensity LED units with their light beams individually controlled by secondary optical systems. The transformed light beams mix in a pre-determined manner to produce an illumination pattern with desired intensity distribution. The LED lighting apparatus may further comprise a micro-controller, a plurality of sensor elements, and a wireless transceiver for remote monitoring and control. The lighting apparatus can be powered by rechargeable batteries for temporary or semi-permanent lighting. It can also be powered by standard power lines for permanent lighting.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber optic lighting system (FOLS), in which optical fibers, including regular optical fibers and side emitting optical fibers, are used to provide lighting and signaling for navigational aids. The FOLS also serves as a sensor network which monitors the environment as well as the condition of the lighted field.

Abstract: This invention discloses a spectroscopic sensor that is integrated with a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone. The spectroscopic sensor is capable of measuring the optical spectra of a physical object for purposes of detection, identification, authentication, and real time monitoring. Through the mobile communication device, the obtained spectral information can be transmitted, distributed, collected, and shared by utilizing all the functions of the known or existing wireless communication networks.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) signaling apparatus for navigational aids is provided. The signaling apparatus comprises a plurality of high intensity LEDs with their output beams individually controlled by high precision optical beam transformers. The transformed LED beams are mixed in a predetermined manner by controlling the relative position, angular orientation, and other parameters of the LEDs to produce a desired illumination pattern.

Abstract: An optical pattern projection system and method use lasers and diffractive optical components to provide illumination and demarcation for airports, helipads, waterways, emergence route, pedestrian cross, as well as aid for search and rescue operations. The diffractive optical components produce an illumination pattern in the spatial domain and can use either passive or active optical elements.

Abstract: A high intensity solid-state lighting apparatus is disclosed for the application of navigational aids. In various embodiments based on the approach of chip-on-board packaged semiconductor light emitting elements, unidirectional, bidirectional as well as omni-directional navigational lights are configured to meet high luminous intensity requirements. They also provide additional utilities for generating multiple colors and flash patterns with the same light unit for lighting reconfiguration as well as creating new means of signaling. Another purpose of the current invention is to provide a light source which will not cause vertigo effects.

Abstract: A temperature insensitive diode-pumped solid state laser is disclosed in this invention. The components of the laser are optimized with temperature insensitive design, making the laser capable of operating in a wide temperature range without using any cooling/heating system to maintain the temperature of its components.

Abstract: A fluorescence subtracted Raman spectroscopy apparatus uses a wavelength modulated tunable filter as the spectrometer. The wavelength modulation results in an amplitude modulation on the detected optical signal. By using a frequency selective detection technique, the Raman signal is amplified and extracted from the fluorescence background.

Abstract: A diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) has self-maintained multi-dimensional optimization. The output property of the DPSSL, including optical power, noise level, and the operation conditions of its individual components, including the drive current and temperature of the laser diode, the temperature of the laser crystals and laser cavity, the drive current of the thermoelectric coolers, is monitored and systematically optimized in real time through automatic electronic control using a microprocessor. Such monitoring and optimization enable the DPSSL to maintain its optimum performance in output power, beam quality, noise level, and stability, throughout its lifetime regardless of component aging and change of environmental conditions. A highly accurate temperature monitoring and control method is also developed.

Abstract: In a laser based curing apparatus, the acts both as the curing light and the excitation source for a Raman spectroscopic sensor. The spectroscopic sensor provides real-time, in situ, non-invasive curing status monitoring via Raman spectroscopy. The spectroscopic information can be further used to control the operation parameters of the laser to achieve the optimum cure result.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter augmented with Direct Charge Transfer (DCT) techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with DCT and CDS techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with Postfilter Droop Compensation.

Abstract: A Fourier Transform (FT) spectrometer apparatus uses multi-element MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) or D-MEMS (Diffractive Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) devices. A polychromatic light source is first diffracted or refracted by a dispersive component such as a grating or prism. The dispersed beam is intersected by a multi-element MEMS apparatus. The MEMS apparatus encodes each spectral component thereof with different time varying modulation through corresponding MEMS element. The light radiation is then spectrally recombined as a single beam. The beam is further split into to a reference beam and a probe beam. The probe light is directed to a sample and then the transmitted or reflected light is collected. Both the reference beam and probe beam are detected by a photo-detector. The detected time varying signal is analyzed by Fourier transformation to resolve the spectral components of the sample under measurement.

Abstract: Assay reagents include small metallic particles labeled with a Raman dye and antibody molecules capable of binding the analyte of interest. In the absence of the analyte, the size of the isolated metallic particles is so small that no significant SERS signal can be detected. An analyte molecule binds two metallic particles together through the formation of a sandwich complex, and then more metallic particles are clustered together by the analyte if each metallic particle contains more than two antibodies on the surface. The bonded metallic particles form a cluster structure, which significantly amplifies the SERS effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring properties of physical matters by means of Raman spectroscopy including a laser element, a wavelength dispersion element, an array or single element detector, and a control and data processing unit. The laser element, which is used to excite Raman scattering, is spectrum narrowed and stabilized by attachment of a Bragg grating device. The grating can be either a volume Bragg grating (VBG) written inside a glass substrate or a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written inside an optical fiber. A laser element can be provided with a wavelength modulation capability for fluorescence background suppression.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter augmented with Direct Charge Transfer (DCT) techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with DCT and CDS techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with Postfilter Droop Compensation.

Abstract: An on-chip detection circuit automatically detects when an external switch has been activated. When the device is initialized, the detection circuit measures the operating current and coverts the information into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then processed through an on-chip analog-to-digital converter and the digitized result is stored as a reference value. To sense the open and close action of the off-chip mechanical switch, the device then takes a sample of the operating current periodically, digitizes this information and compares the sampled value to the reference value. A change in value larger than some predetermined level indicates the external switch has been activated.

Abstract: A control mechanism that can be used to control a &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC to provide the required level of performance while reducing power consumption. The &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC is designed with multiple stages (i.e., loops or sections), and provides improved performance (e.g., higher dynamic range) as more stages are enabled. The control mechanism selectively enables a sufficient number of stages to provide the required performance and disables remaining stages to conserve power. The control mechanism achieves this by measuring one or more characteristics (e.g., signal level) of the ADC input signal through a &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC that is similar to the &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC on the signal path, comparing the measured characteristic(s) to particular threshold level(s), and controlling the stages such that the desired objectives are achieved. In one implementation, the control circuit includes one or more detector stages, a conditioning circuit, and a signal processor.