Abstract: An eyewear lens provides for selective spectral performance in response to varying light conditions, including both changes in intensity and spectral distribution. The lens responds selectively to both ultraviolet and visible light, and exhibits different spectral transmittance characteristics under different lighting conditions, to provide for better vision for a wearer. In addition to this active response, the lens also may include a polarizer to further control light and to minimize the glare that interferes with clear vision.

Abstract: A lens is provided comprising a substrate, a first dielectric layer comprising a first dielectric material uniformly covering an outer surface of said substrate, a second dielectric layer comprising a second dielectric material uniformly covering said first metal layer, a metal layer comprising a metal material gradiently covering only a portion of said second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer formed of a third dielectric material gradiently covering said metal layer.

Abstract: A refractive adapter for correcting accomodation disorders caused by prolonged exposure to video terminals or work involving minute objects and for helping to reduce eye strain caused by excessive visual stress at work or in leisure activites. The system comprises rotating corrective lens of various stengths, to be used as required, housed inside the spectacle frame. Rotation occurs by apllying pressure with a fingertip on the projecting lens housed in the frame slots, or by friction of a motor, consisting of a bearin with an outer surface in plastic to ensure a high friction coefficient with the moving body. The controls may be either mechanical (powered with a touch of the finger) or electromechanical (powered by a light source). The system may be an actual spectacle frame with mounted lens or a device apllied to an existing frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for designing and making a customized ophthalmic lens, such as a contact lens or an intraocular lens, capable of correcting high-order aberrations of an eye. The posterior surface of the customized contact lens is designed to accommodate the corneal topography of an eye. The design of the customized ophthalmic lens is evaluated and optimized in an optimizing routine using a computational model eye that reproduces the aberrations and corneal topography of an eye. The present invention also provides a system and method for characterizing the optical metrology of a customized ophthalmic lens that is designed to correct aberrations of an eye. Furthermore, the present invention provides a business model and method for placing an order for a pair of customized ophthalmic lenses.

Abstract: A pupilometer having a pupil irregularity or non-uniformity detection capability. The pupilometer may comprise an imaging sensor for generating signals representative of a pupil of an eye, a data processor; and a program executable by the data processor for enabling the data processor to process signals received from the imaging sensor and to thereby identify one or more regions of non-uniformity within an image of a perimeter of the pupil. The pupilometer may incorporate several innovative calibration and thresholding routines and may provide the basis for an innovative medical diagnostics system, when coupled to a network containing a suitable medical database and data processing hardware.

Abstract: A highly-efficient projection system is provided, including a light source, a color separator, a scrolling unit, a light valve, and a projection lens unit. The color separator separates an incident beam according to color. The scrolling unit includes at least one lens cell and converts the rotation of the lens cell into a rectilinear motion of an area of the lens cell through which light passes so that an incident beam is scrolled. The light valve includes a plurality of micromirrors independently driven according to image signals to change a reflection angle of incident light. The light valve processes a beam transmitted by the color separator and the scrolling unit according to an image signal and forms a color picture. The projection lens unit magnifies the color picture formed by the light valve and projects the magnified color picture onto a screen.

Abstract: A color scrolling projection system is provided, including a light source, a color separator, a color scanner, a light valve, and a control circuit. The light source generates and emits light. The color separator separates incident light according to color. The color scanner includes a scrolling unit and a driving source for rotating the scrolling unit. The scrolling unit includes at least one lens cell and converts the rotation of the scrolling unit into the rectilinear motion of a lens array of the scrolling unit through which light passes. The light valve processes color bars according to an input image signal and forms a color image. The control circuit synchronizes the scrolling of the color with the electrical scanning of the light valve according to an image signal. The color bars are scrolled on the light valve due to a rotation of the scrolling unit.

Abstract: A projection type color display device capable of achieving both the color balance and higher luminous flux amount (high luminance) of enlarged on-screen images is disclosed. The device includes a white light source, light flux separating unit, image display elements, photosynthetic unit, and a projection lens device. The light intensities of light fluxes of three primary colors of red, green and blue as split by the light flux separating unit are modulated by the image display elements which are provided in a way corresponding to respective ones and then synthesized together by the photosynthetic unit for enlarged projection onto a screen by the projection lens device. During red image displaying, a red image signal is input to the red image display element while performing modulation by the blue image display element based on a signal obtained by adding to a blue image signal a signal with its amplitude being 1/n times the amplitude of the red image signal.

Abstract: A projection system and method are provided. The projection system includes a light source, at least one filter having a slit, a scrolling unit, a color separator, and a light valve. The slit in the at least one filter controls a divergence angle of light emitted from the light source. The scrolling unit scrolls an incident beam. The color separator has a plurality of dichroic filters which separate an incident beam emitted from the light source according to color. The light valve receives a plurality of color beams from the color separator and transmitted by the scrolling unit on corresponding color areas and forms a plurality of color bars by scrolling the color beams. A black bar is formed between adjacent color bars by controlling a distance between adjacent dichroic filters or by controlling the width of the slit in the at least one filter.

Abstract: A projection system including an adjusting part, a scrolling part, and a color separating part is provided. The adjusting part adjusts the divergence angle of light emitted from a light source. The scrolling part scrolls a plurality of color bars on a light valve. The color separating part separates an incident beam, emitted from the light source and transmitted by the scrolling part, into a plurality of color beams. The adjusting part, the scrolling part, and the color separating part are sequentially arranged from the light source. Since beams of individual colors travel along a single path, the number of required optical components is reduced, thereby making the projection system compact.

Abstract: There is a need for allowing an exhaust direction of a cooling air to be appropriately changed according to an installation environment of a projection type display device. There is another need to achieve a system for preventing an intake air and an exhaust air from being circulated therebetween by changing the direction of an intake port as well as an exhaust direction.

Abstract: A projector includes a light source, a color separating optical system, liquid crystal panels, a cross dichroic prism, and a projection lens, in which an optical filter is disposed to reflect a predetermined spectral component in the light flux between a dichroic mirror and a dichroic mirror where an angle by which the light flux expands falls within 20° with respect to an illumination optical axis L of the light flux on an optical path from the light source device to a light flux-emitting surface of the projecting lens. Thus, carrying out spectrum correction can reduce or prevent the contrast degradation of the projected image. Furthermore, it allows the difference of an incident angle to the light flux-incident surface of the light flux to be smaller, thereby reducing color unevenness.

Abstract: A color wheel is fabricated with filter sectors formed on both surfaces of a substrate such that filter sectors adjacent to each other are disposed respectively on the top and bottom side surfaces of the substrate, whereby structures as means for demarcating each of the filter sectors can be shaped on the substrate at one time so that the adjacent filter sectors can be positioned with respect to each other with an accuracy of the demarcation of the structures without positioning masking jigs every time each filter is formed.

Abstract: An image projector assembly including a mountable image projection device and a docking station adapted for mounting said device. The image projection device is the optical engine and typically includes an image generating apparatus and a light source to project through said apparatus to thereby provide for an image. The docking station includes a signal generating apparatus to provide a signal to the image generating apparatus representative of a visual image and includes a power source for the optical engine. The demountable aspect of the assembly provides for easy replacement and maintenance of the optical engine as well as its portability to use in different optical engines thereby saving on cost.

Abstract: A light source device includes: a light-emitting tube including a light-emitting portion that generates a light beam by an electric discharge between electrodes and sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion; a reflector including a neck portion provided with an insertion hole to which the light-emitting tube is inserted, and a reflecting portion integrally formed with the neck portion and having an ellipsoidal curved reflecting surface that irradiates forward the light beam emitted by the light-emitting portion and aligns the light beam in a predetermined direction. The light-emitting tube has a sub-reflection mirror that covers substantially front half of the light-emitting portion. The reflector has a step formed between the peripheral edge of an opening end of the insertion hole near the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A light source device includes: a light-emitting tube including a light-emitting portion that generates a light beam by an electric discharge between electrodes and sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion; a reflector including a neck portion provided with an insertion hole to which the light-emitting tube is inserted, and a reflecting portion integrally formed with the neck portion and having an ellipsoidal curved reflecting surface that irradiates forward the light beam emitted by the light-emitting portion and aligns the light beam in a predetermined direction. The light-emitting tube has a sub-reflection mirror that covers substantially front half of the light-emitting tube. The insertion hole has a diameter that is enlarged from the base end thereof toward the distal end in a light irradiation direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser unit using a seal member whose central and peripheral portions will not affect each other to produce strain during mounting and which can be handled as a single component.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator performs spatial light modulation of light produced by a light source. An image-side telecentric image forming optical system forms an image of a two-dimensional pattern of the light, which has been obtained from the spatial light modulation performed by the spatial light modulator, on a photosensitive material. At least either one of two pupil-adjacent lenses, which are adjacent to each other with an entrance pupil position in the image forming optical system intervening between the two pupil-adjacent lenses, is constituted such that at least either one of lens surfaces of the pupil-adjacent lens is an aspherical surface.

Abstract: A wafer stage (1) includes a stage base (6a) having a reference surface which axially supports a slider (13) so as to allow the slider (13) to move in the X- and Y-axis directions, linear motors (3A, 3B) which move the slider (13) in at least one of the X- and Y-axis directions on the reference surface of the stage base (6a) and align the slider (13) at a predetermined position, and stator bases (6b) which are provided separately from the stage base (6a) and support the linear motors (3A, 3B).

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes an illumination optical system that includes an optical integrator for forming a secondary light source from the light, and a variable stop arranged at or near a position where the secondary light source is formed, the diameter variable stop that defines a NA of the illumination optical system, a projection optical system that includes an aperture stop arranged at a position substantially optically conjugate with the variable stop, the aperture stop defining a numerical aperture of the projection optical system, and a controller for controlling the aperture diameter of the variable stop as the aperture diameter varies so that an image of the secondary light source can fall within the aperture diameter of the aperture stop.

Abstract: The invention provides an exposure device that can conduct digital exposure with high precision and with a high light-use efficiency using evanescent light. Light that is modulated by a DMD and condensed by a microlens array is incident at corresponding optical fiber cores arranged in a matrix in an evanescent array head, and is guided through the insides of the optical fibers. Because the light condensed by the microlens array is incident at the optical fiber cores corresponding to the microlenses, the light can be efficiently incident. Evanescent light leaks out from micro-openings formed in emission-side end portions of the optical fibers, and a photosensitive material is exposed by this evanescent light.

Abstract: A linear motor having a high driving force, high efficiency and low normal force comprises two opposed magnet tracks and an armature comprising three open coil sets. The linear motor may be used to drive a stage, such as, for example, a mask or wafer stage, in a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithographic projection apparatus with a supporting structure to support and move an object, like a substrate. The supporting structure may be a robot having a robotic arm with a support frame for supporting, e.g. the substrate. The support frame includes a clamping structure having one or more clamps for holding the substrate during movement. The robot arm comprises one or more compliant parts. The clamp may be a Johnson-Raybeck effect type clamp with an oxidized upper surface. For better de-clamping, a RF AC decaying de-clamping voltage may be provided to the clamp. The apparatus may be cleaned with one single substrate only.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to adjust the operating point of a laser that can be modulated by a data signal. The operating point of the laser is adjusted by regulating a direct current flowing through the laser; whereby said direct current correlates with the optical characteristics of the laser. In order to carry out said adjustment, the direct current is controlled above an alterable threshold current. A differential current defined from the difference between the direct current and the threshold current or a variable correlating with the differential current is adjusted to a constant value or one that is solely dependent on temperature for the adjustment of said operating point.

Abstract: A distance-measuring system, which comprises a light source unit for emitting a distance-measuring light, a photodetection optical system having a photodetection optical axis, a projecting optical system having a projecting light optical axis and for projecting the distance-measuring light from the light source unit to an object to be measured and for guiding the distance-measuring light reflected from the object to be measured toward the photodetection optical system, and an internal reference optical system for guiding the distance-measuring light from the light source unit to the photodetection optical system as an internal reference light, wherein the light source unit can emit two distance-measuring lights with different spreading angles, and one of the light source unit and the projection optical system has a decentering member for decentering the distance-measuring light with respect to the projecting light optical axis.

Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a sighting telescope optical system, a distance measuring system which outputs first data, a phase detection autofocus system which and outputs second data, and an AF driver which moves a focusing lens of the sighting telescope optical system to bring the sighting object into focus in accordance with one of the first data and the second data. A surveying instrument is also disclosed, which includes a sighting telescope and an AF drive unit which is provided separately from the sighting telescope, wherein the AF drive unit can be mounted to and dismounted from a body of the surveying instrument.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for optical inertial measurement includes a body with an optical head mounted on the body. The optical head has at least one optical element creating an optical path to at least one viewing region. A sensor is in communication with the at least one optical element and adapted to receive images of the at least one viewing region. A processor is provided which is adapted to receive signals from the sensor and perform optical flow motion extraction of the at least one viewing region. The speed and direction of movement of the body and the orientation of the body in terms of pitch, roll and yaw being determined by monitoring the rate and direction of movement of pixel shift within the at least one viewing region, sequentially comparing consecutive images and calculating attitude.

Abstract: Prior methods of measuring diamond proportions in order to construct a complete model, such as a three dimensional virtual wire-frame model, of a diamond have been found to be inadequate. In particular, there has been no commercially available, automated and objective method for measuring the dimensions of a diamond with similar or greater accuracy as compared with the accuracy that can be achieved with manual gauges or micrometers. The present invention provides a method of measuring a physical characteristic of a facet of a diamond, such as the location of one or more points on an edge of a facet. The method comprises illuminating the diamond to visually distinguish a facet from adjacent facets when viewed from a predetermined location, and then capturing an image of the diamond as viewed from this predetermined location.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a more positive pick up of a micro sample by means of a microscope system with manipulator. The microscope system with manipulator incorporates therein a low-vibration probe rotary mechanism, which is used for precisely correcting the rotational direction of the micro sample without applying vibrations thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the detection of optical channels in an optical signal and their reliable discrimination against optical amplifier noise, i.e. amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), includes splitting, using an optical filter, an input optical signal into two replicas separated by a delay and adjusting the delay such that a periodicity of the optical filter substantially matches the channel spacing of the input optical signal, such that the optical channels within the input optical signal are directed to a first output and noise within the input optical signal is divided between the first output and a second output. The method and apparatus further include determining a difference in power between the first output and the second output wherein the difference in power is an indication of the presence or absence of optical channels within the input optical signal.

Abstract: An optical current or magnetic field sensor has a sensor head which has a first phase delay element (13), a second phase delay element and a sensor fiber (15) The two phase delay elements (13) are optically connected to opposite ends of the sensor element (15), and the phase delay angle &rgr; on at least one of the phase delay elements (13) deviates by an angle &egr;, with &egr;≠0°, from 90°. Linearly polarized light waves (3) are injected into the first phase delay element (13), with a polarization axis (y′) of these linearly polarized light waves (3) including an angle which deviates from 45° by an angle &Dgr;&agr;, with &Dgr;&agr;≠0°, with a principal axis (y) of the first phase delay element (13). The angle &Dgr;&agr; is selected as a function of at least the angle &egr;.

Abstract: An electronically surveying apparatus of the present invention includes a storing portion for storing positional information of a surveying apparatus body and design data; an angle-measuring portion for electronically measuring an angle between a reference direction and an aimed direction; an arithmetic processing portion for obtaining a model of an expected arrangement at completion of an object which is expected to be seen from the surveying apparatus body in the aimed direction by calculation, based on the angle measured by the angle-measuring portion and the design data; and a displaying portion for displaying the model or the expected arrangement at completion of the object.

Abstract: An observation system includes an observation device, an image pickup device, a display device, and at least one holding device. The observation device includes an optical objective system for observing an object. The image pickup device is capable of picking up an optical image incident upon the optical objective system of the observation device. The display device is capable of displaying the image picked up by the image pickup device. The holding device includes a moving mechanism which holds the observation device and the display device and which moves one of the observation device and the display device in conjunction with movement of the other device, and a switching mechanism capable of switching the observation device and the display device to a state in which the devices are movable by the moving mechanism and a state in which the devices are fixable in positions moved by the moving mechanism.

Abstract: An improved image sensing wheel alignment system for calculating vehicle wheel alignments having a detector array for receiving an input image containing vehicle wheel alignment information. An image sensor controller controls the detector array to receive the input image during an acquisition period, the image sensor controller examining signals from the image detecting elements individually at a plurality of times during the acquisition period to determine exposure levels for image detecting elements. An output image from the image detecting elements at the end of the acquisition period contains wheel alignment information for use in calculating vehicle wheel alignments.

Abstract: A method for a monitoring apparatus using a radar and a camera to detect an object. The radar and the camera each have its own detection area and the method is for detecting and correcting the displacement of each detection area by using a single target having dark and bright parts formed in a specified pattern on its surface and placing it in front of the apparatus where the two detection areas overlap. The direction and orientation of the detection area of the radar are measured and corrected and then the detection area of the camera is corrected. The pattern includes an elongated dark part flanked by a pair of bright parts such that quantity of reflected light obtained by scanning the detection surface has a distribution with waveform having two peaks and a valley in between and corrections on the detection areas are made by analyzing their positions.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of defects in a covering layer overlying an underlying layer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprises providing a substrate comprising the covering layer, where the covering layer is at least partially exposed. The covering layer is subjected to a first substance, such as a solvent, and then subjected to a light beam. An optical property of the covering layer is determined and compared with a threshold value. The presence of defects in the covering layer is determined by the difference of the optical property from the threshold value, where the optical property indicates a level of penetration of the first substance through the covering layer.

Abstract: A scan head for a surface profile scanner includes two spaced laser projectors and two spaced CCD cameras, aligned with one another, for scanning an object such as a log or board moving along a sawmill production line and for determining the location of points on the surface of the scanned object, thereby generating data from which the surface profile of the object can be computed. For log scanning, the projectors both project coded light patterns. For board scanning, one projector projects a coded light pattern and the other a fan of uncoded light. The lasers and cameras are grouped in two pairs, one pair at each end of the scan head, preferably with the cameras bracketing the lasers, such that four sets of reflection data are available, through time-division multiplexing, in order to enable recognition of the image of the pattern reflected from the object and to optimize data readings from triangulation (to calculate the distances from the scan head to a series of points on the object).

Abstract: A system and method for inspection of a substrate having a first refractive index, the method including the steps of: (i) defining an apodization scheme in response to a characteristic of the layer; (ii) applying an apodizer to apodize a beam of radiation in response to the apodization scheme; (iii) directing the apodized beam of radiation to impinge on the substrate, whereby a plurality of rays are reflected from the substrate; whereas the apodized beam of radiation propagates through an at least partially transparent medium having a third refractive index and an at least partially transparent layer having a second refractive index and is subsequently reflected from the substrate; whereas the second refractive index differs from the first refractive index and from the third refractive index; and (iv) detecting at least some of the plurality of reflected rays.

Abstract: A device for inspecting solder connections between a component and a substrate or between two components or substrates, wherein the component is disposed upon the surface of the substrate, the device including an image receiving unit. An image transmitting device, the image transmitting device including a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the image receiving unit. A tip assembly removably coupled to the second end of the image transmitting device, the tip assembly further including a mirror and an image receiving aperture, the tip assembly configured to transmit an image of the solder connections received by the mirror, through the image transmitting device, to the image receiving unit, and an illumination device, the illumination device including a light source, at least one light transmitting device, and at least one light emitting aperture disposed adjacent the image receiving aperture, the light emitting aperture directed towards the solder connections to be inspected.

Abstract: Systems for inspection of patterned and unpatterned wafers are provided. One system includes an illumination system configured to illuminate the specimen. The system also includes a collector configured to collect light scattered from the specimen. In addition, the system includes a segmented detector configured to separately detect different portions of the light such that azimuthal and polar angular information about the different portions of light is preserved. The detector may also be configured to produce signals representative of the different portions of the light. The system may also include a processor configured to detect defects on the specimen from the signals. In another embodiment, the system may include a stage that is configured to rotate and translate the specimen. In one such embodiment, the system may also include an illumination system configured to scan the specimen in a wide scan path during rotation and translation of the specimen.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) 10 sequentially or selectively samples (or filters) a spectral band(s) 11 of light from a broadband optical input signal 12 and measures predetermined optical parameters of the optical signal (e.g., spectral profile) of the input light 12. The OSA 10 is a free-space optical device that includes a collimator assembly 15, a diffraction grating 20 and a mirror 22. A launch pigtail emits into free space the input signal through the collimator assembly 15 and onto the diffraction grating 20, which separates or spreads spatially the collimated input light, and reflects the dispersed light onto the mirror 22. A &lgr;/4 plate 26 is disposed between the mirror 22 and the diffraction grating 20. The mirror reflects the separated light back through the &lgr;/4 plate 26 to the diffraction grating 20, which reflects the light back through the collimating lens 18. The lens 18 focuses spectral bands of light (&lgr;1-&lgr;N) at different focal points in space.

Abstract: A method for the detection and evaluation of the light generated in a fluorescing specimen by a short pulse laser, wherein at least a first and a second fluorophore and/or a self-fluorescing specimen are separately irradiated with different wavelengths and the specimen light is recorded in a wavelength-dependent manner with at least one nondescanned detector as reference spectrum and a separation into individual spectra is carried out during the irradiation of at least two fluorophores and/or self-fluorescing specimens simultaneously from the measured spectrum and the reference spectra through regression analysis, wherein the wavelength of the short pulse laser is advantageously changed continuously in at least one wavelength region.

Abstract: An imaging system, methodology, and various applications are provided to facilitate optical imaging performance. The system contains a sensor having one or more receptors and an image transfer medium to scale the sensor and receptors in accordance with resolvable characteristics of the medium, and as defined with certain ratios. A computer, memory, and/or display associated with the sensor provides storage and/or display of information relating to output from the receptors to produce and/or process an image, wherein a plurality of illumination sources can also be utilized in conjunction with the image transfer medium. The image transfer medium can be configured as a k-space filter that correlates receptor size to a diffraction-limited spot associated with the image transfer medium, wherein the receptor size can be unit-mapped within a certain ratio to the size of the diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biological assays where cells can be classified and enumerated using flow cytometry optical instrumentation. The invention combines information from multi-angle, light scatter from the cell itself and multi-angle light scatter from small, optically resonant particles that are selectively bound to surface molecules on the cell to carry out classification and enumeration. This light scatter method enables an instrumentation system that is simple to use, inexpensive to build, and mechanically robust; making it suitable for use in remote clinical environments.

Abstract: Methods for differential numerical aperture analysis of samples, utilizing angle-of-incidence measurements resulting from variable illumination or observation numerical apertures, or both. Metrology applications are provided, and more particularly including scatterometer, ellipsometer and similar analysis methods, including bi-directional reflectance or transmission distribution function measurement.

Abstract: A method for measuring overlay in semiconductor wafers includes a calibration phase in which a series of calibration samples are analyzed. Each calibration sample has an overlay that is known to be less than a predetermined limit. A difference spectrum for a pair of reflectively symmetric overlay targets is obtained for each calibration sample. The difference spectra are then combined to define a gross overlay indicator. In subsequent measurements of actual wafers, difference spectra are compared to the overlay indicator to detect cases of gross overlay.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatuses for non-contact three-dimensional measurement of bodies and methods for determining a system of coordinates for measuring points on an apparatus for non-contact three-dimensional measurement of bodies. The apparatus and the method are characterized by particular simplicity and easy implementation. Advantageously, this makes the apparatus and method applicable in production sites for special workpieces. This opens up a wide and highly cost-efficient range of uses. Before the workpieces are measured, a system of coordinates for three-dimensional matching of the workpiece geometry is determined in a first measurement. A body with known dimensions of its edges or lines is placed on any position on the turntable and measured during one rotation using the triangulation sensor. The apparatus according to the invention is thus characterized by its minimal design. The low number of movements required, i.e.

Abstract: A system and method for optically detecting samples held in a solution requires the use of a holding plate that has as many as one-thousand through-hole wells, or more. The solution is suspended in these through-hole wells under surface tension between opposed surfaces of the holding plate. A pneumatic pump is then engaged with the plate to establish a differential pressure (&Dgr;p) between the upper and lower surfaces of the solution that is equal to approximately two tenths of a pound per square inch (0.2 psi). The result is the formation of a convex meniscus on a surface of the solution that causes light passing into the solution to converge and concentrate. This concentration of light, in turn, facilitates optical detection of samples in the solution.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to optically measure properties of a metallic film using an excitation beam and a probe beam. The excitation beam creates a surface acoustic wave in the metallic film while the probe beam causes electron density waves (plasmons) in the metallic film. The detected intensity of the reflected probe beam indicates, e.g., a thickness of the metallic film.

Abstract: A confocal interferometry system for making interferometric measurements of an object, the system including an array of pinholes positioned to receive a source beam and, for each pinhole in the array of pinholes, separate the source beam into a corresponding reference beam on one side of the array of pinholes and a corresponding measurement beam on the other side of the array of pinholes; a first imaging system arranged to image the array of pinholes onto an array of spots on or in the object so that the corresponding measurement beam for each pinhole of the array of pinholes is directed to a different corresponding spot of the array of spots and produces for that spot a corresponding return measurement beam, the first imaging system also arranged to image the array of spots onto the array of pinholes so that the corresponding return measurement beam from each spot of the array of spots is directed back to a corresponding different pinhole in the array of pinholes, wherein for each pinhole the pinhole array c