Abstract: A detector device is presented for use in a surface probing system. The detector device comprises an integral semiconductor structure configured to define a cantilever and tip probe assembly, comprising at least one tip formed on the cantilever, wherein an apex portion of said at least one tip is configured as an apertured photodetector comprising a layered structure formed with an aperture of subwavelength dimensions and defining at least one depletion region and an electrical circuit, said subwavelength aperture allowing collection of evanescent waves created at a surface region and interaction of collected evanescent waves with the at least one depletion region thereby causing direct conversion of the collected evanescent waves into electric signals being read by the electrical circuit within said tip apex portion, said integral semiconductor structure being thereby capable of concurrently monitoring topographic and optical properties of the surface being scanned by the tip.

Abstract: Multicore fibers and endoscope configurations are provided, along with corresponding production and usage methods. Various configurations include an adiabatically tapered proximal fiber tip and/or proximal optical elements for improving the interface between the multicore fiber and the sensor, photonic crystal fiber configurations which reduce the attenuation along the fiber, image processing methods and jointed rigid links configurations for the endoscope which reduce attenuation while maintaining required flexibility and optical fidelity. Various configurations include spectral multiplexing approaches, which increase the information content of the radiation delivered through the fibers and endoscope, and configurations which improve image quality, enhance the field of view, provide longitudinal information. Various configurations include fiber-based wave-front sensors.

Abstract: An imaging system and corresponding imaging method are described. The system comprising: a radiation emitting unit, configured for emitting electromagnetic radiation of a selected wavelength range and a detector array located at a selected image plane located downstream of said aperture plane. The radiation emitting unit comprises a plurality of radiation emitting element are configured for focusing said radiation onto corresponding selected arrangement of focusing spot on an aperture plane of the imaging system. The imaging system is configured for imaging an object located between said plurality of radiation emitting elements and said aperture plane.

Abstract: An imaging sensing system containing: i) a fibre optic plate (FOP) having a proximal end, a distal end and a body situated between the proximal and distal ends; ii) at least one illumination component; and ii) an image sensor proximate the FOP.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for use in monitoring one or more conditions of a subject's body. The system includes a control unit which includes an input port for receiving image data, a memory utility, and a processor utility. The image data is indicative of data measured by a pixel detector array and is in the form of a sequence of speckle patterns generated by a portion of the subject's body in response to illumination thereof by coherent light according to a certain sampling time pattern. The memory utility stores one or more predetermined models, the model comprising data indicative of a relation between one or more measurable parameters and one or more conditions of the subject's body. The processor utility is configured and operable for processing the image data to determine one or more corresponding body conditions; and generating output data indicative of the corresponding body conditions.

Abstract: A detector device is presented for use in a surface probing system. The detector device comprises an integral semiconductor structure configured to define a cantilever and tip probe assembly, comprising at least one tip formed on the cantilever, wherein an apex portion of said at least one tip is configured as an apertured photodetector comprising a layered structure formed with an aperture of subwavelength dimensions and defining at least one depletion region and an electrical circuit, said subwavelength aperture allowing collection of evanescent waves created at a surface region and interaction of collected evanescent waves with the at least one depletion region thereby causing direct conversion of the collected evanescent waves into electric signals being read by the electrical circuit within said tip apex portion, said integral semiconductor structure being thereby capable of concurrently monitoring topographic and optical properties of the surface being scanned by the tip.

Abstract: A system for use in monitoring parameters of an object includes an illumination unit configured for providing coherent illumination of a predetermined wavelength range and for directing the coherent illumination onto an inspection region of the object, and a collection unit comprising a lens arrangement and a detector array and configured for collecting light returning from the inspection region and for generating one or more image data pieces associated with speckle patterns generated at an intermediate plane between the inspection region and the detector array. The detector array is configured as a rolling shutter type detector unit and the collection unit comprises at least one light splitting element configured for splitting collected light to thereby form a plurality of image replications corresponding to the speckle patterns on the detector array.

Abstract: A system and technique are described, for use in optical monitoring of objects. The system comprising: a collection unit comprising at least one optical arrangement and at least one detector array arranged for defocused collection of light returning from a selected region on the object; and image data collection circuitry configured for receiving electronic signals associated with data piece collected by pixels of the at least one detector array and for generating output data indicative of correlation function between image frames collected by the detector array at two or more different temporal instances. The technique thereby enables determining of correlation between image data pieces with reduced computational complexity.

Abstract: A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.

Abstract: Multicore fibers and endoscope configurations are provided, along with corresponding production and usage methods. Various configurations include an adiabatically tapered proximal fiber tip and/or proximal optical elements for improving the interface between the multicore fiber and the sensor, photonic crystal fiber configurations which reduce the attenuation along the fiber, image processing methods and jointed rigid links configurations for the endoscope which reduce attenuation while maintaining required flexibility and optical fidelity. Various configurations include spectral multiplexing approaches, which increase the information content of the radiation delivered through the fibers and endoscope, and configurations which improve image quality, enhance the field of view, provide longitudinal information. Various configurations include fiber-based wave-front sensors.

Abstract: A system for passively monitoring a sample is disclosed. The system comprises an optical arrangement, a filtering unit and a detector unit. The optical arrangement is configured for collecting light arriving from a sample, directing the collected light to the filtering unit for filtering based on at least one of spatial and spectral composition and directing the collected light onto the detector unit. The optical arrangement and the detector unit are arranged to provide imaging of collected light from the sample on the detector unit with selected focusing/defocusing level to generate image data pieces comprising speckle patterns formed in the collected light.

Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for determining one or more characteristics of a region of interest. The method includes providing stimulation for exciting the region of interest for a first selected time period; monitoring mechanical response of the region of interest for at least a second time period after said first time period; processing data indicative of said mechanical response, and determining data on one or more measures of motion of the region of interest; utilizing data on one or more measures of motion for yielding at least one damping parameter indicative of damping of the mechanical response of the region of interest, and determining at least one characteristic of the region of interest in accordance with at least one damping parameter.

Abstract: An imager unit and computerized tomography system are disclosed. The imager unit comprises a radiation source unit comprising at least one radiation source emitting selected radiation and configured to provide diffused radiation with general direction of propagation, and an image collection unit comprising aperture unit and detector array located downstream of the aperture unit with respect to said general direction of propagation. The aperture unit comprises a set of two or more aperture arrays each aperture array having a predetermined arrangement of apertures. The aperture unit is configured for utilizing said set of aperture arrays for collecting the radiation during corresponding collection time periods.

Abstract: A system for use in inspection of a sample is described, the system comprises: an illumination unit configured to provide coherent illumination comprising a plurality of at least two wavelengths and direct said coherent illumination onto an inspection region of a sample; and a collection unit comprising at least one detector array and configured for collecting light returning from said inspection region and generate data indicative of speckle patterns in said plurality of at least two wavelengths at a predetermined sampling rate, wherein said illumination unit is configured for directing light components of said at least two wavelengths toward corresponding two or more segments of said inspection region, and wherein said data indicative of speckle patterns corresponding with said two or more segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel optical approach based on spatial analysis of spatial laser speckle patterns for tissue in-depth flow inspection characteristics. In particular, the invention relates to a technique for determining flow characteristics and identifying low blood flow or a blockage in blood vessels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a super resolution imaging method and system for obtaining an image in a crystal material and/or device.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method are described. The system comprises an RF transmission unit comprising an arrangement of one or more transmission antenna elements configured for transmitting radiation in one or more elected frequency ranges toward an inspection region; RF collection unit comprising one or more collection antenna elements configured for receiving radiation in said one or more frequency ranges from at least a portion of said inspection region; and a control system. The control system is configured for receiving and processing data on collected RF signals from the RF collection unit for determining one or more parameters on a at least one object located in said inspection region.

Abstract: A system for vision correction and enhancement which may include lenses and surfaces coated with materials with tunable reflectivity is provided. Methods of using the system for correcting and enhancing vision is also provided.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method are presented. The system includes an illumination unit including at least one light source configured for emitting coherent illumination of one or more selected wavelength ranges having selected illumination modulation pattern and for directing the coherent illumination onto one or more selected inspection regions; and a collection unit including at least one detector array and imaging optical arrangement configured for collecting interacting light from the one or more selected inspection regions and for generating corresponding one or more sequences of image data pieces at selected sampling rate. The image data pieces are indicative of secondary speckle patterns formed in collected interacting light. The illumination modulation pattern is selected for increasing temporal bandwidth collection of speckle patterns associated with temporal shifts in the one or more inspection regions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for achieving ultrahigh spectral resolution and a photonic spectral processor, which is designed to carry out the method. The disclosed photonic spectral processor overcomes the current 0.8 GHz spectral resolution limitation. The new spectral processor uses a Fabry-Perot interferometer array located before the dispersive element of the system, thus significantly improving the spectral separation resolution, which is now limited by the full width at half maximum of the Fabry-Perot interferometer rather than the spectral resolution of the dispersive element spectral as is the current situation. A proof of concept experiment utilizing two Fabry-Perot interferometers and a diffractive optical grating with spectral resolution of 6.45 GHz achieving high spectral resolution of 577 MHz is described.