Abstract: A method for operating an optical measuring system including a wavelength-tunable temperature-stabilized laser light source for measuring the concentration of a target gas in a measured gas, wherein an instantaneous base current IDC_ZG,act corresponding to a wavelength ?ZG of a target gas absorption line is set so that a wavelength distance ??DC defined during calibration between a target gas absorption line for a target gas and a reference gas absorption line for a reference gas is maintained. During operation, a temperature difference in the laser light source, defined in advance during calibration, between the operating points selected at the time of calibration of the reference gas, with a base current IDC_RG,cal, and the target gas, with a base current IDC_ZG,cal, is maintained by determining the required instantaneous base current IDC_ZG,act for the target gas, as a function of an instantaneous base current IDC_RG,act for the reference gas.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical measuring system including a wavelength-tunable temperature-stabilized laser light source for measuring the concentration of a target gas component in a measured gas, wherein an instantaneous base current IDC_ZG,act corresponding to a wavelength ?ZG of a target gas absorption line is set so that a wavelength distance ??DC defined during calibration between a target gas absorption line for a target gas component and a reference gas absorption line for a reference gas component is maintained. During operation, a relative temperature difference in the laser light source, defined in advance during calibration, between the operating points selected at the time of calibration of the reference gas, with a base current IDC_RG,cal, and the target gas component, with a base current IDC_ZG,cal, is maintained by determining the required instantaneous base current IDC_ZG,act for the target gas component, as a function of an instantaneous base current IDC_RG,act for the reference gas.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical measuring system for measuring the concentration of a gas component in a measured gas, based on wavelength modulation spectroscopy, wherein a laser light source is operated in a current-modulated manner with a base current IDC and a modulation current IAC and a laser beam of the wavelength ?0 having a wavelength modulation amplitude ??AC is emitted, and the wavelength modulation amplitude ??AC of the laser light is kept constant by way of variable setting of the current modulation amplitude ?IAC. The method provides for keeping a modulated power ?PAC at an internal resistor RI of the laser light source constant at the operating point so as to stabilize the wavelength modulation amplitude ??AC.

Abstract: A method for making a lithographic printing plate includes the steps of providing a printing plate precursor including a support and photosensitive coating wherein the photosensitive coating includes a photopolymerizable composition; image wise exposing the printing plate precursor on an external drum apparatus emitting one or more scanning laser beams having a wavelength between 390 nm and 420 nm and an energy density, measured on the surface of the precursor, of 100 ?J/cm2 or less; optionally preheating the printing plate precursor; and processing the exposed printing plate precursor with a developer.

Abstract: An apparatus is mounted on a moveable carriage of an external drum platesetter for removing air-borne ablative particles caused when a printing plate mounted on an outside surface of a rotating drum of the platesetter is imaged via a laser source having a window for transmitting a laser beam. The apparatus includes a nozzle, a redirecting surface and a vacuum chamber. The nozzle transmits a line of compressed air towards the redirecting surface which in turn redirects and splits the line of compressed air into two parts. A first part is directed towards the drum and a second part is diverted towards the laser window. The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum channel for removing air including the ablative particles.

Abstract: A design for pre-scan optics offers the possibility of low cost field modularity by replacing a rather inexpensive optical sub-module inside the pre-scan optics instead of the entire optics bench in the case of laser failure in a platesetter or imagesetter. It further allows the use of lenses that are highly dispersive and are designed to operate at other wavelengths, such as 780 nm. The correction is distributed over three elements. This allows for collimation in both the X and Y axes of the beam.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed including a first illumination source for producing a first illumination field, a modulation system for modulating the first illumination field, and an optical imaging system for directing the modulated illumination field to an imaging surface along a first optical path. In accordance with an embodiment, the imaging system includes a second illumination source for producing a second illumination field, a first sub-assembly, a second sub-assembly and a control assembly. The first sub-assembly is for directing the second illumination field toward the imaging surface along a second optical path that is different than and non-parallel with said first optical path. The first sub-assembly includes a beam splitter sub-assembly that includes a beam splitter and at least one lens. The second sub-assembly is for receiving a portion of the second illumination field from the imaging surface, and includes a lens and a sensor for producing a sensor output signal.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that includes a first illumination source for producing a first illumination field, a modulation system for modulating the first illumination field, and an optical imaging system for directing the modulated illumination field to an imaging surface along a first optical path. The imaging system includes a second illumination source for producing a second illumination field, an optical assembly, a sensor assembly, and a control assembly. The optical assembly is for directing the second illumination field toward the imaging surface along a second optical path that is different than and non-parallel with the first optical path. The sensor assembly is for receiving a portion of diffuse reflected illumination of the second illumination field from the imaging surface.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed including a first illumination source for producing a first illumination field, a modulation system for modulating the first illumination field, and an optical imaging system for directing the modulated illumination field to an imaging surface along a first optical path. In accordance with an embodiment, the imaging system includes a second illumination source for producing a second illumination field, a first sub-assembly, a second sub-assembly and a control assembly. The first sub-assembly is for directing the second illumination field toward the imaging surface along a second optical path that is different than and non-parallel with said first optical path. The first sub-assembly includes a beam splitter sub-assembly that includes a beam splitter and at least one lens. The second sub-assembly is for receiving a portion of the second illumination field from the imaging surface, and includes a lens and a sensor for producing a sensor output signal.