Abstract: A method comprises non-destructive contact-free physical characterization of a sample by repeated excitations of the surface of a sample with a sequence of pulses comprising at least one pump pulse by a first “pump” laser followed by a succession of L temporarily offset pulses by a second “probe” laser, and the analysis of the beam emitted by the surface of the sample by an activated photodetector, for the acquisition of signals delivered by the photodetectors during constant time windows.

Abstract: A time resolved reflectance metrology device may detect and image structures in a layer that underlies an at least partially transparent top layer. A pulsed laser beam (pump beam) is used to irradiate the sample to produce transient signals in the underlying layer. The transient signals are detected using a probe beam that reflects from the interface between the top layer and the underlying layer. Light from the probe beam that is reflected from the top surface of the top layer may be eliminated using a confocal lens arrangement before the detector. The confocal lens arrangement, for example, includes a pinhole that is positioned at the image plane for the interface between the top layer and the underlying layer. The structures may be detected and imaged based on the transient signals.

Abstract: An optical metrology device configured for transient ellipsometry includes a light source with at least one laser, that generates pump pulses at a first pulse repetition rate and probe pulses at a second, different, pulse repetition rate that produces a varying time delay between the pump pulses and the probe pulses. The pump pulses generate transient perturbations in the sample material and reflected probe pulses are modulated in response to the transient perturbation in the sample material based on the varying time delay. A polarization state generator generates a polarization state in the probe pulses and a polarization state analyzer analyzes the reflected probe pulses from the sample, which is received by a detector. Transient ellipsometric measurements are generated from the reflected probe pulses at a plurality of time delays between the pump pulses and probe pulses.

Abstract: A measuring device can detect and image buried structures, such as voids, in a sample based on the polynomial fit of the time resolved transient signals at a plurality of locations. A pulsed laser beam (pump beam) is used to irradiate the sample at a plurality of locations. The sample may include non-metallic, optically transparent layers that do not produce acoustic signals in response to the pump beams. Non-acoustic transient signals are detected using a probe beam at the plurality of locations. The buried structures are detected and imaged based on feature analysis (e.g., principal component decomposition, or polynomial fit, or other) of the non-acoustic transient signals at the plurality of locations.

Abstract: A method comprises non-destructive contact-free physical characterization of a sample by repeated excitations of the surface of a sample with a sequence of pulses comprising at least one pump pulse by a first “pump” laser followed by a succession of L temporarily offset pulses by a second “probe” laser, and the analysis of the beam emitted by the surface of the sample by an activated photodetector, for the acquisition of signals delivered by the photodetectors during constant time windows.

Abstract: A battery made up of nickel-cadmium cells includes an indicator for displaying a state of charge comprising sensors for performing continuous measurements of voltage and current and of temperature of the battery, a memory storing at least a history of charge/discharge, a predefined reference voltage, current and temperature, and the measurements and history determined, and a control unit for determining an operation mode of the battery and determining a correction to be applied to the voltage and current measured, calculating a theoretically available capacity of the battery depending on the operating mode and the correction, determining a need for recalibration of the theoretically available capacity of the battery enabling a capacity actually available of the battery to be calculated, and based on the capacity actually available, defining the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: Leaktight box for alkaline electrolyte battery, comprising an assembly of metal plates, where: a first and a second plate overlap in a zone of overlap and are assembled with rivets each comprising a head, a stem and a bulb; the stem of the rivets is deformed in such a way as to occupy in a leaktight manner substantially all of the volume of said holes of the first and second plates; preferably an elastomer seal comprising a material chosen from among a butyl rubber, an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer and a nitrile rubber, where said seal is disposed in continuity with the overlap zone in continuous contact with the first and the second plate in such a way as to complete the leaktightness of the box.

Abstract: A battery made up of nickel-cadmium cells includes an indicator for displaying a state of charge comprising sensors for performing continuous measurements of voltage and current and of temperature of the battery, a memory storing at least a history of charge/discharge, a predefined reference voltage, current and temperature, and the measurements and history determined, and a control unit for determining an operation mode of the battery and determining a correction to be applied to the voltage and current measured, calculating a theoretically available capacity of the battery depending on the operating mode and the correction, determining a need for recalibration of the theoretically available capacity of the battery enabling a capacity actually available of the battery to be calculated, and based on the capacity actually available, defining the state of charge of the battery.

Abstract: Leaktight box for alkaline electrolyte battery, comprising an assembly of metal plates, where: a first and a second plate overlap in a zone of overlap and are assembled with rivets each comprising a head, a stem and a bulb; the stem of the rivets is deformed in such a way as to occupy in a leaktight manner substantially all of the volume of said holes of the first and second plates; preferably an elastomer seal comprising a material chosen from among a butyl rubber, an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer and a nitrile rubber, where said seal is disposed in continuity with the overlap zone in continuous contact with the first and the second plate in such a way as to complete the leaktightness of the box.