Abstract: An illumination optical system is disclosed which capable of uniformly illuminating a surface to be illuminated. The illumination optical system comprises a polarization conversion element which converts a luminous flux from a light source into a luminous flux having a certain polarization direction, a polarization beam splitter which splits the luminous flux from the polarization conversion element, and a phase plate which gives a phase difference to the luminous flux from the polarization beam splitter. The system illuminates the surface with the luminous flux from the phase plate and satisfies the conditions ?x<?y and 0°<?y<?y. ?x and ?y represent the maximum incident angles onto the surface in the x and y directions, and ?y represents an incident angle onto the phase plate at which the phase difference at a principal wavelength of the luminous flux that passes through the phase plate is 90 degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of electronic contrast enhancement for an LCD panel for use in an imaging device. The method comprises the step of coupling the LCD panel with a trim retarder in a pre-determined azimuthal orientation for at least partially compensating the residual in-plane retardance, followed by the step of non-mechanical fine-tuning of a dark state of the LCD panel. In the preferred embodiment, the fine-tuning of the dark state of the LCD panel is realized by adjusting the dark-state magnitude of the LC voltage. The method can be used in batch, e.g. wafer-level manufacturing of integrated trim retarder/LCD panels assemblies that can be electronically tuned to provide high on/off contrast.

Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter is disclosed that includes a first prism, a second prism, and a reflective polarizing film disposed between the first prism and the second prism. The first prism comprises a first polymeric material, and has a first outer curved surface and an additional outer surface. The second prism comprises a second polymeric material, which in some embodiments may be the same as the first polymeric material, and has a second outer curved surface.

Abstract: A projector includes a housing, a projection module installed inside the housing, a connection interface installed on the housing for connecting external devices, and an illumination module installed on the housing for illuminating the connection interface. The projector further includes a switch installed on the housing for switching on the illumination module.

Abstract: A light splitting system and a projector incorporating the same are provided. The light splitting system includes an illumination device, a reflective mirror, a first color splitting device and a second color splitting device. The illumination device is for generating a light. The reflective mirror is for reciprocating between a first position and a second position to reflect the light. The first color splitting device is for receiving the light from the reflective mirror when the reflective mirror is located at the first position, and then filtering the light into a first primary-color light. The second color splitting device is for receiving the light from the reflective mirror when the reflective mirror is located at the second position, and then filtering the light into a second primary-color light.

Abstract: A projection device includes a light source for providing a light beam, a light valve device installed on an optical path of the light beam, and a projection lens. The light valve device includes a light valve having an incident surface and a dust-off device. The light beam projects to the incident surface, and the incident surface reflects the light beam to form an image light beam. The dust-off device is installed on the light valve for sealing the incident surface for preventing dust from falling on the light valve. The dust-off device includes a vibrator for removing dust thereon by vibration for preventing dust from affecting the quality of projection images. The projection lens is used for projecting the image light beam out of the projection device.

Abstract: Embodiments of synchronizing modification of an optical characteristic of a screen are disclosed.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a laser light source that irradiates laser light, a switch element that switches over between exiting optical paths of the laser light entered, and a plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements that allow the laser light entering through the exiting optical path to exit with diffusion. The plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements are to be superimposed together at least in a part of respective ones of exiting light thereby illuminating an illumination area.

Abstract: Light is managed through the use of a light shutter. The light shutter is, for example, a variable retarder in series with a reflective linear polarizer in a polarized light beam. A comet tail effect caused by transition latencies of pixels in microdisplays of a light engine is effectively removed by closing the shutter during pixel transition times. In addition to suppressing the comet tail effect, the light shutter may also be used to level light intensity (or brightness) of an input light source that supplies a light engine, and may be used to adjust the input light intensity to more effectively utilize a full modulation range of modulating devices in the light engine.

Abstract: A projection assembly is provided herein for use in display systems. According to one exemplary embodiment, the projection assembly includes a multi-mirror reflective ring-field type lens assembly. According to such an exemplary embodiment, the projection assembly also includes a light modulator assembly in optical communication with the multi-mirror ring-field type lens assembly.

Abstract: An assembly and a method for displaying at least one image in an electronic device. The assembly comprises a projector unit, which includes at least one light emitter and an image forming element, and a plane of projection. The light emitter is configured to emit light towards the image forming element. The image forming element is configured to form at least one image by utilizing light emitted by the light emitter. The projector unit is configured to project an image formed by the image forming element on the plane of projection.

Abstract: An integrator device is provided in the present disclosure. The integrator device may be used in a display system. According to one exemplary embodiment, the integrator device includes at least one metallic substrate. An anti-reflective layer is formed on the substrate. In addition, a band-reject layer formed is on said anti-reflective layer.

Abstract: A digital ink jet printing process suitable for printing pictures and graphics is provided. The digital ink printing process comprises providing a substrate; performing a pre-process on the substrate to form a printing film; performing a printing process using a UV printer to print pictures and/or graphics on a surface of the printing film; and performing an after-process over the printed pictures of graphics to form a protective film over the printed pictures of graphics.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a radiation system configured to supply a beam of radiation; a mask table provided with a mask holder for holding a mask; a substrate table provided with a substrate holder for holding a substrate; a projection system configured to image an irradiated portion of the mask onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the projection system is separated from the substrate table by an intervening space that is at least partially evacuated and is delimited at the location of the projection system by a solid surface from which the employed radiation is directed toward the substrate table; the intervening space contains a hollow tube located between the solid surface and the substrate table and situated around the path of the beam of radiation, the tube being configured such that beam of radiation focused by the projection system onto the substrate table does not intercept a wall of the hollow tube; a flushing system is configure to continually flush the inside of the h

Abstract: An image projection system includes a light source device for providing unified light, a light modulator for receiving and modulating the unified light, and a projection device for receiving and projecting the modulated light onto a screen. The light source device includes a light-emitting unit capable of generating source light, and a light-uniform unit that has a light entrance side disposed to receive the source light, and a light exit side disposed to permit the unified light to exit the light-uniform unit. The light exit side includes an active area and an overfill area surrounding the active area. The light source device further includes a reflecting unit disposed to cover the overfill area such that the unified light at the overfill area that impinges the reflecting unit is reflected back toward the light-uniform unit and the light-emitting unit.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a wafer to light through a pattern of a mask. The apparatus includes a projection optical system configured to project the pattern onto the wafer, a first barometer configured to measure pressure of an atmosphere in the apparatus, a second barometer configured to measure the pressure at a speed higher than that at which the first barometer measures the pressure, a calibration unit configured to calibrate an output of the second barometer based on an output of the first barometer, and an aberration correction unit configured to correct aberration of the projection optical system based on the calibrated output.

Abstract: The invention provides a height detecting apparatus for a lithographic apparatus. The height mapping apparatus includes a height mapping unit for providing at least one height map of a top surface of an object to be placed in a radiation beam of the lithographic apparatus, the object to be clamped by a clamping force applied thereto on a support constructed to support the object. The height mapping apparatus also includes a control unit for controlling the mapping unit to provide the at least one height map of the object relative to at least two different clamping pressure levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for exposing an edge of a semiconductor wafer in photolithographic processes, and an OF (Orientation Flatness) detecting system provided with a WEE (Wafer Edge Exposure) apparatus. According to the present invention, a notch-aligned wafer can be treated by a WEE process on a wafer chuck of an OF detecting system, without waiting for its patterning exposure process to be performed first. Thus, the total processing time in photolithographic processes can be decreased.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes; a supply outlet that supplies a liquid to an optical path space of exposure light, and a liquid supply system that supplies an ionized ionic liquid to the supply outlet.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus comprises a projection optical system configured to project light from a reticle onto a substrate, wherein the apparatus is configured to expose the substrate to the light with a gap between the projection optical system and the substrate filled with liquid; a first supply nozzle arranged around a final optical element of the projection optical system and configured to supply the liquid to the gap; a first recovery nozzle arranged around the first supply nozzle and configured to recover the liquid from the gap; and a second supply nozzle arranged in at least a part of a region around the first recovery nozzle and configured to supply a gas so as to form a gas curtain, wherein letting Q1 be a flow rate of the liquid supplied from the first supply nozzle, and Q2 be a sum of flow rates of the liquid and gas recovered from the first recovery nozzle, the apparatus is configured to satisfy a relationship Q1<Q2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improving the leveling and, consequently, the focusing of a substrate such as a wafer during the photolithography imaging procedure of a semiconductor manufacturing process. The invention performs a pre-scan of the wafer's topography and assigns importance values to different regions of the wafer surface. Exposure focus instructions are calculated based on the topography and importance values of the different regions and the wafer is then scanned and imaged based on the calculated exposure focus instructions.

Abstract: A photo mask retainer, mounted inside a photo mask delivery box for holding a storage photo mask, have a base, a U-turn extending from the top of the rear side of the base and curving toward the top side of the base, a bearing portion formed on the free end of the U-turn for pressing on the vertical peripheral sidewall of the storage photo mask, a retaining end portion formed on the free end of the U-turn for pressing on the top surface of the storage photo mask, and a clamp extending from the front side of the base for fastening to a respective locating block inside the photo mask delivery box

Abstract: An audible distance measurer object-face discriminator cognition stimulant system device housed in a handheld shaft, walking stick, belt attachment, or portable housing.

Abstract: This invention allows a user to print from a laser measuring device (lidar) directly without the aid of a data processing intermediate. The laser measuring device (lidar) and printer communicate through any means possible. The user can modify the laser measuring device (lidar) printout through a program. This allows users to create a unique printout with information from the laser measuring device (lidar) for multiple purposes. Not only can the user print out text, information from the laser, but also control the printer's settings. By eliminating the need of a data processing unit to format information before printing, this technology eliminates the chance of data tampering from the laser measuring device (lidar). This technology will aid the police force and others by providing them with a more portable method of printing the laser measuring device (lidar) readings.

Abstract: Apparatus for assaying an analyte in blood in a blood vessel below a patient's skin comprising: at least one light source controllable to transmit light into tissue below the skin through at least one first region on the skin; at least one light detector that receives a portion of the transmitted light that reaches at least one second region on the skin after propagating through the blood vessel and generates signals responsive to the received light; and a controller; wherein the controller controls the at least one light source to transmit light at least one wavelength that interacts with blood and at least one wavelength that interacts with the analyte and uses the signals responsive to the light that interacts with the blood to determine a location for the blood vessel and the determined location and signals responsive to the light to assay the analyte.

Abstract: A centrifuge blood processing system for separating fluid components comprising a first light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes in optical communication with the centrifuge blood processing system for providing an incident light beam for illuminating an observation region on the centrifuge blood processing system, a light collection element in optical communication with the centrifuge blood processing system for collecting at least a portion of the light transmitted, scattered or both from the observation region, a programmable controller for providing an operational procedure for the monitoring system; and an independent dedicated control circuit in electrical communication with the programmable controller and electrically coupled to the light source, the control circuit receiving command parameters from the controller and controlling periods of illumination from the light source in response to the command parameters. Periods of illumination are controlled to prevent the failure of LEDs.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow transducer such as a flow cytometer for making simultaneous electronic and optical measurements on a particle flowing through a sensing zone.

Abstract: A system for detecting controlled substances on an object including at least one laser for illuminating at least part of an object with laser energy and either a second harmonic detector or a luminescence controlled substance detector, or both. Additionally, a system also including a Raman scattering controlled substance detector is disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for X-ray imaging of a body, employing a support to receive a body to be examined, a source emitting a beam of X-rays, a detector irradiated by the beam, a converter for converting the detected intensities into data, a means for turning the mounted mobile support by an angle of rotation about an axis of rotation with respect to the source and the detector and a suitably programmed computer to average the data acquired for a pair of orthogonal angles of rotation to obtain n column and m line mean values for n and m elementary segments of a band of the detector, to construct an initial image (n, m) with the n column and m line mean values, to adjust the coefficient of attenuation in each n x m elementary zone by a method of least squares taking into account the n column and m line mean values regarded as constraints, to repeat the previous stages for data acquired with different pairs of preferably orthogonal angles of rotation, and to average term by term the adjusted images so as to arriv

Abstract: A device and method for checking surfaces in the interior of holes, depressions, or the like. The device and method are developed in such a manner that a multicolor light beam can be produced with a light source, wherein a light beam, due to the chromatic aberration of the imaging optics, can be focused onto several points at different distances from the imaging optics, such that the distance to the surface can be determined from the spectrum of the detected light beam.

Abstract: A NERS-active structure includes a deformable, active nanoparticle support structure for supporting a first nanoparticle and a second nanoparticle that is disposed proximate the first nanoparticle. The nanoparticles each comprise a NERS-active material. The deformable, active nanoparticle support structure is configured to vary the distance between the first nanoparticle and the second nanoparticle while performing NERS. Various active nanoparticle support structures are disclosed. A NERS system includes such a NERS-active structure, a radiation source for generating radiation scatterable by an analyte located proximate the NERS-active structure, and a radiation detector for detecting Raman scattered radiation scattered by the analyte.

Abstract: A system for performing nanostructure-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (NERS) includes a radiation source, a radiation detector configured to detect Raman scattered radiation scattered by an analyte, and a container configured to provide a sealed enclosure. The NERS system further includes a turbulence generating device configured to generate random dynamic motion of a plurality of nanoparticles within the container. A method for performing NERS includes providing a container configured to provide a sealed enclosure, providing a plurality of nanoparticles each comprising a NERS-active material and an analyte within the container, causing random dynamic motion of the plurality of nanoparticles and the analyte, irradiating the plurality of nanoparticles and the analyte with radiation, and detecting Raman scattered radiation scattered by the analyte.

Abstract: A method for the detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms using Raman scattered light and transmitted light in the near infrared spectral region. The method may include passing the Raman scattered light and transmitted light through a FAST fiber array spectral translator.

Abstract: A method for the detection and identification of pathogenic microorganisms using Raman scattered light and emitted light. The method may include passing the Raman scattered light and emitted light through a FAST fiber array spectral translator.

Abstract: An optical system and a method of exciting and measuring fluorescence on or in samples treated using fluorescent pigments using such an optical system are disclosed. The optical system comprises at least one first laser (1); a deflection element (7); a mirror (4); an optic (8); and a unit (10), which includes mirror (4) and optic (8) mounted fixed in relation to one another. The unit (10) is positioned so it is linearly movable back and forth along the optical axis (5) and is mechanically connected to an oscillating linear drive (11). The optic (8) additionally acts as a collimator and the mirror (4) additionally acts to deflect the collimated light (12) diametrically opposite to the direction of incidence of the bundled light of the laser (1).

Abstract: A spectrometer (100) includes a light source (102) providing output light (106) to the bundled input ends (108) of multiple light pipes (110). The light pipes (110) branch into sets (118) between their input ends (108) and output ends (114), with each set (118) illuminating a sample detector (126) (via a sample chamber (122)) for measuring light scattered or emitted by a sample, or a reference detector (128) for obtaining a reference/datum measurement of the supplied light, so that comparison of measurements from the sample detector (126) and the reference detector (128) allows compensation of the sample detector measurements for drift. Efficient and accurate measurement is further assured by arraying the multiple light pipes (110) in each set (118) about the input bundle (116) so that each set receives at least substantially the same amount of light from the light source (102).

Abstract: A system for detecting fine liquid, e.g., oil, particles in a gas system having a high pressure compressor and at least two gas handling devices, e.g., a coalescer and at least one adsorber. The detection system uses plural sensors and a monitor unit to detect the presence of such fine liquid particles in various portions of the gas system and to provide alert signals in response thereto. The alert signals can be used by associated valves to control the gas system.

Abstract: A system for detecting fine liquid, e.g., oil, particles in a gas system having a conduit through which a gas, e.g., hydrogen, air, etc., will flow. The detection system includes a monitor including a high sensitivity photometric sensor, a data acquisition unit and flow and pressure control components to control the pressure and rate of flow of the gas to the monitor. The detection system is arranged to detect the presence of fine liquid particles the gas passing through the conduit and to provide an alert signal representative of the mass count of such particles in response thereto.

Abstract: For the colour measurement of samples printed on a substrate including a brightener, a raw spectral reflection factor of the sample is measured in a first measurement by illumination of the sample with light without UV portion. In a second measurement, a fluorescence spectrum of the sample is measured by illumination of the sample with only UV light. The measured fluorescence spectrum is recalculated as a corrected fluorescence spectrum by weighting with spectrally dependent correction factors and, finally, the measured raw spectral reflection factor and the corrected fluorescence spectrum are added to form a corrected spectral reflection factor from which the values characterizing the colour of the sample are then calculated. The spectral correction factors are determined during the device manufacture for a certain set of light types and stored in the device.

Abstract: A method for combining beams from multiple laser emitters, which may be optical fibers or bulk amplifiers, to form a composite output beam with desirable beam characteristics, as measured, for example, by Strehl ratio. Beams from the multiple emitters are interferometrically combined in the near field, and the phases of the beams are controlled to provide optimal phase coherence, and thereby to minimize losses. Various techniques are disclosed for controlling the phase angles of the emitted beams, using either a separate phase detector for each emitter beam, or a single detector for the composite output beam, or nulling detectors in spurious outputs from the beam combining optics. All of these techniques achieve an improvement in Strehl, largely because the interferometric combination of beams is independent of the array fill factor.

Abstract: Low coherence light is divided into measuring light and reference light. The measuring light is collected to be projected onto an object of measurement. Intensities of the reflected light in a plurality of positions in the direction of depth are detected by carrying out a Fourier analysis on each channeled spectrum obtained by decomposing the detected interference light into frequency components. The optical path length of the reference light is stepwise changed to adjust the optical path length within the focusing range of the measuring light. A plurality of pieces of data representing the intensity of the reflected light are obtained in a plurality of positions in the direction of depth each time the position of the focusing range changes, and data on the position in the direction of depth where the measuring light is in the focusing range is extracted out of the pieces of data.

Abstract: Light emitted from the light source unit is divided into measuring light and reference light. An optical path length of the measuring light or the reference light which has been divided by the light dividing means is adjusted. Interference light of the reflected light and the reference light is detected and a tomographic image of the object is obtained on the basis of the detected interference light. The optical path length is adjusted by a reflecting mirror which reflects the measuring light or the reference light radiated from the optical fiber, a first lens which is disposed between the reflecting mirror and the optical fiber and a second lens which collects the measuring light or the reference light made parallel by the first lens on the reflecting mirror and makes parallel the measuring light or the reference light reflected by the reflecting mirror.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a method that includes directing measurement light to reflect from a measurement surface and combining the reflected measurement light with reference light, where the measurement light and reference light are derived from a common source, and there is a non-zero optical path length difference between the measurement light and reference light that is greater than a coherence length of the measurement light. The method further includes spectrally dispersing the combined light onto a multi-element detector to detect a spatially-varying intensity pattern, determining spatial information about the measurement surface based on the spatially-varying intensity pattern, and outputting the spatial information.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering lost data in an electronic gyroscope sensor system are disclosed, which use a linear adaptive predictive technique for determining what data was lost by the gyroscope sensor system during a disruptive interval involved. More precisely, a system and method for recovering lost data in a fiber optic gyroscope sensor system are disclosed, which continuously predicts “N” future samples of sensor data and stores the last known good “L” sensor values and the calculated “L” coefficients in a non-volatile memory. In the event that the fiber optic gyroscope sensor system becomes inoperable (e.g., due to a temporary loss of power to the gyroscope or other cause of electromechanical failure), and once the gyroscope sensor system resumes operation (e.g., power is reapplied), the stored “L” coefficients are retrieved from the non-volatile memory, and are used to calculate the data lost by the fiber optic gyroscope sensor system during the inoperative period involved.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating polarization errors in ring resonators of fiber optic gyros. A ring resonator is provided having first and second resonance frequencies and comprising an optical fiber coil having a hollow core and first and second ends, a light beam generator coupled to the optical fiber coil and configured to generate first and second counter-propagating beams in the hollow core, and a light recirculator coupled to the first and second ends of the optical fiber coil and configured to direct a first light beam exiting the first end of the optical fiber coil into the second end of the optical fiber coil. The first light beam is based on one of the first and second counter-propagating beams. The light recirculator comprises a first polarizing unit configured to reflect a first polarized component of the first light beam and further configured to extract a second polarized component of the first light beam.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an interferometer having a polarizing beam splitter to split an input beam into a measurement beam and a reference beam, the measurement beam contacting a measurement object, the reference beam contacting a reference object. The interferometer includes at least one thin retarder on a surface of the interferometer.

Abstract: Optical imaging systems are provided including a light source and a depolarizer. The light source is provided in a source arm of the optical imaging system. A depolarizer is coupled to the light source in the source arm of the optical imaging system and is configured to substantially depolarize the light from the light source. Related methods and controllers are also provided.

Abstract: A broadband light source with a sufficiently long coherence length is impinged on the optical cavity. The broadband laser light reflects from the first and second surfaces of the cavity. The two light beams, either reflected or transmitted, are phase shifted from one another by an amount proportional to the optical path length of the cavity and inversely proportional to the wavelength of the light (4?nd/?) The two light beams interfere with each other and form a modulated light beam that has a spectrum approximately like the laser's broadband spectrum multiplied by a cosine with a frequency 4?nd/?. The modulated light beam is coupled to a spectrometer that measures the intensity of the light as a function of wavelength over a range of wavelengths. The Fourier transform of the spectrum contains a peak that is related to the OPL and is located at 2*n*d where n*d is the OPL.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for determining properties of optical systems (e.g., interferometers) and/or optical elements (e.g., lenses and/or lens systems) are described. For example, information related to an optical thickness mismatch of an interferometer can be determined by providing scanning interferometry data. The data typically include obtaining one or more interference signals each corresponding to a different spatial location of a test object. A phase is determined for each of multiple frequencies of each interference signal. The information related to the optical thickness mismatch is determined based on the phase for each of the multiple frequencies of the interference signal(s).

Abstract: A method for measuring deformation in specimens is provided. The method includes providing a shadow moire system, the shadow moiré system including an illumination source, a reference grating and an image capture device and providing a specimen. The method further includes determining a selected distance between the specimen and the reference grating, and illuminating the specimen with light from the illumination source directed through the reference grating onto the specimen, thereby forming shadow moiré fringes onto the specimen. The method further includes capturing an image of the shadow moiré fringes by the image capture device.