Abstract: An illuminator includes a light source that outputs light, a polarization separation device that separates the light outputted from the light source into polarization components of the first and second oscillation directions, the polarization components having mutually orthogonal polarizations, and a polarization conversion device that converts the polarization component of the second oscillation direction divided by the polarization separation device to the polarization component of the first oscillation direction. The polarization component of the first oscillation direction divided by the polarization separation device and the polarization component of the first oscillation direction converted by the polarization conversion device are incident on an incident surface of an illumination target from different directions from each other.

Abstract: An improved image projection lighting device is disclosed. Commands received by a communications port of the base housing may be acted upon to change zoom and focus values of a zoom and focus lens. A cooling system may be provided which compares an input air temperature of the image projection lighting device to an exiting air temperature to determine if a filter needs service. A video projector may project a first image comprised of first, second, and third separate images and the first separate image can be faded up to project light that is void of an image by a first command received at the communications port.

Abstract: In the case of a food processor (1) having a base unit (2) and having a work container (40) that can be placed on a housing wall (3) of the base unit (2), and having a cover (47) for the work container (40), retaining means (55) for retaining both the work container (40) on the base unit (2) and the cover (47) on the work container (40) are provided, wherein the retaining device (55) comprises at least one retaining member (70, 71) provided on the inside of the cover (47) and a retaining member (57) provided on a shaft configuration (9) comprising a drive shaft (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a theatre hall comprising a wall (2) with a circular cross-section formed by several adjacent defining projection surfaces (3) and comprising projectors (6). At least one projector (6) is associated with each projection surface (3). The theatre hall also has a dome-shaped hall ceiling (17) and several projectors (18) are associated therewith. All of the projectors (6, 18) can be controlled by a common control centre unit (15) in such a manner that a merging overall picture is produced on the wall (2) with a circular cross-section and on the dome-shaped hall ceiling (17). The theatre hall further comprises devices (10) for influencing the central control unit (15).

Abstract: A digital planetarium apparatus includes an original image generator, an intermediate image generator, and a fish-eye lens. The original image generator is formed of two video projectors and generates semicircular images in display devices inside the respective video projectors. The intermediate image generator optically focuses the two semicircular images generated by the original image generator to thereby generate a circular image. The fish-eye lens projects the circular image generated by the intermediate image generator.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a projection optical system for projecting a pattern of an original onto a substrate, a stage for holding the substrate, a cover for substantially surrounding an exposure light path, from an end portion of the projection optical system, at a side facing the stage, to the stage, a first supply port provided inside the cover, for supplying a purge gas into a space surrounded by the cover, and a first exhaust port provided in an end portion of the cover at a side facing the stage, for exhausting the gas.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus for exposing a substrate by emitting exposure light thereto through a projection optical system and liquid, has a detection apparatus that detects whether the liquid is present on an object disposed lower than a front end of the projection optical system. Another detection apparatus has an emitting portion that emits detection light to an immersion area between the projection optical system and an object disposed on an image plane side thereof, and a light-receiving portion disposed at a predetermined position for the detection light; therein, at least one of size and shape of the immersion area is obtained based on light receiving results. The detection apparatus is used to detect the presence of liquid on such lower-disposed object, the state of the immersion area, or shape or contact angle of the liquid. Optimal measures are taken, based on detection results, for maintaining high exposure and measurement accuracies.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus can prevent disadvantages of supplying liquid of reduced cleanliness and formation of watermarks. The exposure apparatus (EX) exposes a substrate (P) by irradiating exposure light (EL) onto the substrate (P) via a projection optical system (PL) and a liquid (LQ), and includes a liquid supply mechanism (10) for supplying the liquid (LQ), and a measuring device (60) which measures a time during which the supply of the liquid from the liquid supply mechanism is stopped (10).

Abstract: An illumination system for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system may include multiple sources of EUV light. The system may combine the light from the multiple sources when illuminating a mask.

Abstract: In order to prevent exposure mismatch on a boundary between exposure regions that causes pattern connection defects (including stitch defects), exposure is performed twice or more on a whole exposure region of a glass substrate. The exposure method includes aligning a reticle in a scanning direction, exposing the reticle pattern onto the glass substrate, moving the glass substrate one-half of the width of the reticle, and exposing an exposure area twice by repeating the exposing and moving steps.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes a support structure configured to hold a patterning device. The patterning device is configured to pattern a beam of radiation according to a desired pattern. The lithographic apparatus further includes a substrate table configured to hold a substrate. The substrate has a surface coated at least partially with a layer of radiation sensitive material. The lithographic apparatus also includes a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate, and a liquid supply system. The liquid supply system is configured to supply a prewetting liquid on top of the layer of radiation sensitive material to prewet the substrate, and is configured to supply an immersion liquid in a space between the prewet substrate and at least a portion of the projection system.

Abstract: A mask distance a is adjusted with magnification control unit and mask-shift servo-control unit, and a base plate distance b is adjusted with focus control unit, AFC control unit and table-shift servo-control unit, so that a/b is kept constant, and 1/f=1/a+1/b is satisfied. Even when a focal distance of projection lens fluctuates from temperature change of projection lens due to laser beams, projection magnification is able to be kept constant and focusing is precisely carried out upon imaging mask on the base. The invention is usable for ELA (excimer laser anneal) apparatus of SLS (Sequential Lateral Solidification) type.

Abstract: In order to reliably transfer an object whose temperature has been controlled to an appropriate temperature in a state in which the appropriate temperature is maintained, there are provided a slider arm 143 that holds and carries a wafer W, a drive device LM having a movable element to which the slider arm 143 is fixed and that integrally moves with the slider, and a heat sink 147 that is inserted between the movable element and the slider arm 143 and controls the temperature of the slider arm 143 to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a lithographic apparatus that includes a docking system for positioning a patterning device, such as a reticle, relative to the reticle stage. The lithographic projection apparatus has an operational cycle that includes a projection phase, in which the reticle stage carries the patterning device and an exchange phase, in which the patterning device is exchanged and the docking system positions the patterning device relative to the reticle stage. The docking system is configured to be spaced from the patterning device during the projection phase in order to ensure that a higher accuracy of the projected image is obtained.

Abstract: Systems and methods for near-field photolithography utilize surface plasmon resonances to enable imaging of pattern features that exceed the diffraction limit. An example near-field photolithography system comprises a plasmon superlens template comprising a plurality of opaque features to be imaged onto photosensitive material and a metal plasmon superlens. The opaque features and the metal superlens are separated by a polymer spacer layer. Light propagates through the superlens template to form an image of the opaque features on the other side of the superlens. An intermediary layer comprising solid or liquid material is interposed between the superlens and a photoresist-coated semiconductor wafer to reduce damage resulting from contact between the superlens template and the photoresist-coated semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring rotational speed of an object rotating about a non-fixed axis of rotation. The system comprises a source unit capable of emitting source signal; a receiving unit capable of receiving the source signal synchronous with rate of rotation of the object; and a process and display unit communicatively coupled to the receiving unit, the process and display unit capable of determining and displaying rotational speed of the object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cytometer comprising: an illuminating unit comprising a laser and a light beam shaping module for shaping and converging the laser light beam emitted from the laser so that the light beam irradiates the samples; a sample generation unit comprising a gas-liquid transmission controlling module and a flow chamber which are connected to each other, so the sample liquid containing the cells to be detected may flow through the flow chamber while being encircled by the sheath fluid; and a signal processing unit for receiving, converting and processing the scattering light emitted from the flow chamber, the signal processing unit comprising at least a photoelectric detection module, wherein the light beam shaping module comprises at least one aspheric collimating lens with a large numerical aperture and a pair of mutually crossing cylindrical lenses, and the numerical aperture of the aspheric collimating lens is at least 0.3.

Abstract: A method for measuring a multimode optical fiber comprises: monitoring a temperature change within a measurement time in a DMD measurement of the multimode optical fiber, wherein the DMD measurement is carried out in an environment in which a magnitude of temperature change is controlled.

Abstract: There is provided a distortion measuring device including a Brillouin scattered light spectrum recording unit which records a spectrum of Brillouin scattered light generated in an optical fiber as a result of supplying incident light, a peak frequency approximating unit which acquires an approximated peak frequency at which the recorded spectrum takes a maximal value, a peak frequency deriving unit which derives a peak frequency at which the spectrum takes the maximal value within a range of a frequency determined based on a magnitude of the spectrum at the approximated peak frequency, amid a distortion deriving unit which derives distortion of the optical fiber based on the derived peak frequency

Abstract: A transmission image sensor is provided that is optimized for detection of an alignment marker that includes gratings, which are used to detect the position of a part of an overlay marker, e.g. of box-in-box type. Both the alignment markers and the overlay markers may be used to derive a measurement of magnification of a projection system. Magnification values obtained from the overlay marker components using the transmission image sensors link the values conventionally obtained using the transmission image sensor to detect alignment markers and an off-line tool to detect overlay markers.

Abstract: An automated optical inspection system, comprising at least one camera having a field of view; and at least one image scanning module comprising a plurality of objective modules arranged to have fields of view covering a portion of an article during inspection, and an image selection mirror mechanism, such as a pentaprism movable to sequentially select and transfer images of the fields of view from the objective modules to the at least one camera, and a beam splitter operative to simultaneously direct illumination from at least one illumination source to a portion of the article and to direct an image of the portion of the article to at least one camera, wherein the beam splitter is operative to pivot about at least one axis, thereby to create motion of the image of the article within the field of view of the camera. The objective modules may be arranged in a pair of back-to-back arcs each served by and partially encircling its own optical head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-functional calibration system (10) for characterizing luminescence measurement systems, in particular spectrally resolving, wide-field and/or confocal imaging systems, with (a) a baseplate (12), (b) at least one calibration module (24) arranged on the baseplate (12) and including at least one calibration and/or characterization function, and (c) at least one focusing device (20) integrated in the baseplate (12) with a focusing surface (22) for setting a defined measurement beam focus of the luminescence measurement systems to be calibrated, the focusing surface (22) arranged in a common plane with the at least one calibration module (24).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a property of a fluid downhole by using a tunable optical grating to collect a fluid's spectrum over a wavelength region of interest. A property of the fluid is estimated from spectra that are obtained from light that has interacted with the fluid and then been reflected off of the tunable optical grating onto a photodetector.

Abstract: A method and a matching system for providing high resolution spectroscopy measurements. Input light beam is spread, forming two dimensional array of beams. These beams are further intercepted by two dimensional detecting means. A corresponding electronic system interprets the power collected by each detecting element subsequently producing spectral data.

Abstract: An invention is described which allows measurement of the concentration of fluorescent particles in a flowing (laminar) fluid by imaging the flow with a video camera. A beam of illumination is used to illuminate the target particles. Imaging optics are arranged to view the focal plane to form an image of the multiple fluorescent sample particles in the flow stream; a camera records the image formed by the imaging optics, and a counting algorithm enumerates the particles. Operational parameters of the system are adjusted according to an initial estimate of particle density, for example flow rate, exposure time, and sampling interval. In addition, the counting algorithm is selected according to the estimated particle density.

Abstract: Method for monitoring the velocity of growing polymer particles flowing in a two-phase stream during a polymerization process, said method comprising measuring the degree of attenuation in the propagation of light in said two-phase stream by means of a photometric instrument, said photometric instrument comprising: one or more transmitting optical waveguides connecting one or more light sources to said two-phase stream, one or more receiving optical waveguides connecting said two-phase stream to a light detector.

Abstract: A method for analyzing organic adsorbent layers (7) on a substrate (4) comprises the steps of providing a substrate (4) whose surface has an index of refraction equal or close to the index of refraction of the organic adsorbent to be analyzed. On the surface of the substrate (4) there is applied a layer system (5,6) with at least one layer (5) with index of refraction of the biological material and an organic adsorbent layer (7) on top of the layer system. When acting polarized light upon the substrate a change of polarization characteristics in reflection and/or transmission is detected.

Abstract: An optical inspection device includes a light source for generating a probe beam. The probe beam is focused onto a sample to create a spread of angles of incidence. After reflecting from the sample, the light is imaged onto a two dimensional array of photodetectors. Prior to reaching the detector array, the beam is passed through a rotating compensator. A processor functions to evaluate the sample by analyzing the output of the photodetectors lying along one or more azimuthal angles and at different compensator positions.

Abstract: A transparent wafer with optical alignment function is provided. The transparent wafer includes a transparent substrate with an alignment feature on the edge and an opaque layer at least disposed along the peripheral area on the surface of the transparent substrate. The opaque layer can absorb or reflect the detecting light, thus the transparent wafer can be aligned by detecting the alignment feature. The present invention also includes the fabricating method and alignment method of the transparent wafer with optical alignment function.

Abstract: To improve the throughput of the entire exposure process. [SOLUTION] While wafer stage WST moves from a loading position where wafer W on wafer stage WST is exchanged to an exposure starting position where exposure of a wafer begins, at least a part of alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2 are moved and marks on wafer W are detected using alignment systems ALG1 and ALG2. Accordingly, time for mark detection does not have to be arranged separately from the movement time of the stage from the loading position to the exposure starting position, as in the conventional apparatus. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the throughput of the entire exposure process.

Abstract: An improved surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is provided based on direct measurement of the Goos-Hänchen effect. Sensor sensitivity is enhanced by selecting the thickness of the metallic layer of the SPR sensor to be close to a critical thickness dcr where the effect of the surface plasmon resonance on the Goos-Hänchen shift is most pronounced. Overall sensor sensitivity is surprisingly found to improve with this approach, even though the measurement is based on a second order effect (i.e., the Goos-Hänchen shift) instead of the first order reflectance change measured in conventional SPR sensor approaches. The invention is also applicable to sensors based on measurements of other non-specular reflection parameters, such as temporal shifts, frequency shifts, and/or angular shifts.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economically feasible robust spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS) interferometer. A first type prior art monolithic SHS interferometer is exceedingly expensive, whereas a second type of prior art SHS interferometer is extremely large and has many components, which need to be tuned. The present invention is much less expensive than the first type of prior art SHS interferometer and is much smaller that the second type of prior art SHS interferometer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Fourier transform spectrometer comprising a binary grating with variable depth, the grating comprising a first set of mirrors and a second set of mirrors, the mirrors of the first set of mirrors and the mirrors of the second set of mirrors being arranged in an alternating order and at least one of the sets of mirrors being carried by fingers of a comb structure of a wafer, the spectrometer further comprising an actuator for prompting a motion of the second set of mirrors and a detector for detecting a radiation reflected by the grating, the mirrors being orientated in a plane defined by said wafer and said motion of the second set of mirrors being given by a translation in a direction vertical to said wafer plane.

Abstract: A tunable laser according to the present invention includes a plurality of Fabry-Perot semiconductor lasers comprising a plurality of semiconductor gain medium compositions disposed on a common sub-carrier with means for thermal tuning, and coupled to a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the lasers are coupled to a common multi-mode optical fiber, and an output radiation from the multi-mode fiber is tunable by switching the drive current amongst the lasers, and by thermal tuning of each laser in the array. In one preferred embodiment of this invention the plurality of Fabry-Perot semiconductor lasers are arranged around the perimeter of a cylindrical submount with a substantially circular cross-section. In another preferred embodiment a linear array of Fabry-Perot edge-emitting lasers is directly coupled to a multi-mode fiber. In still another preferred embodiment, an array of Fabry-Perot lasers is coupled to a fiber bundle.

Abstract: In an optical tomography system, interference light is detected and a controller switches between a measurement initiating position adjusting mode and a tomographic image obtaining mode. The interference light is detected by an interference light detecting system including a spectral system which spectrally divides the interference light, a first optical system formed of a plurality of photo-sensors which detects the interference light by the wavelength band and a second optical system detecting a part interference light at a wavelength band which is a part of the whole wavelength band of the spectrally divided interference light in the measurement initiating position adjusting mode. The controller controls the interference light detecting system to detect the interference light with the first optical system in the image obtaining mode and with the second optical system in the measurement initiating position adjusting mode.

Abstract: An optical signal measurement system provides a tunable optical filter. An unknown optical signal is scanned through the tunable optical filter. The wavelength and chromatic dispersion values of the unknown optical signal scanned through the tunable optical filter are measured by operating the tunable optical filter in a scanning mode for at least one of OSA and PMD measurements, and in a stepping mode for CD measurements. The wavelength and the dispersion values in the unknown optical signal are specified.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is equipped with at least three light sources each having a predetermined wavelength interval and different central wavelengths. At least one multiplexing means having wavelength selectivity, for multiplexing light emitted from each of a first group and a second group of the light sources is provided, the first group of light sources including odd ordered light sources and the second group of light sources including even ordered light sources when counted in order of lengths of the central wavelengths thereof. Multiplexing means not having wavelength selectivity, for multiplexing light emitted from the first group of light sources and the second group of light sources is also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for three-dimensional (3-D) image acquisition can include: (i) first and second lenses configured to receive light from a scene; (ii) first, second, third, and fourth sensors; (iii) a first beam splitter arranged proximate to the first lens, where the first beam splitter can provide a first split beam to the first sensor, and a second split beam to the second sensor; and (iv) a second beam splitter arranged proximate to the second lens, where the second beam splitter can provide a third split beam to the third sensor, and a fourth and split beam to the fourth sensor. For example, the sensors can include charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or CMOS sensors.

Abstract: A method for customizing a printed document. The method includes determining the scent application capabilities of a finishing system. If the finishing system can produce a scent, the next step is to determine whether to apply a scent to the document based at least in part upon information associated with the intended recipient of the document. The document is then printed and a scent is applied to the document if it is determined that a scent should be applied to the document. Adding variable scents to variable documents can help increase the power of targeted advertising.

Abstract: An image signal processor for processing an input image signal to output an output image signal includes an input unit receiving the input image signal, a noise removal unit removing noise from the input image signal, and a scaler reducing, maintaining or magnifying the image size of the input image signal. The scaler directly receives the input image signal from the input unit or the noise removal unit in response to a route control signal, reduces the image size of the input image signal when the image size of the input image signal is larger than the image size of the output image signal and stores the image signal with a reduced image size in a memory. The scaler maintains or magnifies the image size of the image signal stored in the memory and outputs the image signal with a maintained or magnified image size as the output image signal.

Abstract: Automated multiple step tasks are executed on a computing device to analyze a computer system. A step engine performs a complex task such as troubleshooting, performance analysis, or disaster recovery as defined by an input file. The step engine parses the input file into individual steps and dispatches actions of the steps to another device for execution. The device returns a file with the results of the action. The step engine progresses through the list of steps and generates a log file representative of the actions taken and data collected during performance of the task.

Abstract: In a copying machine having an image memory that stores image data, a DRAM control IC that repetitively reads out image data from the image memory, and an image forming section that forms the images for the specified number of copies, a write processing section having a number of pixels counter that counts the number of pixels included in the image data for the predetermined number of pages at the time of reading, a first memory that stores the count value for the nth copy, a second memory that stores the count value for the (n+1)th copy, and an image control CPU that compares the count value stored in the first memory with the count value stored in the second memory and thereby judges the occurrence of errors in the print process if the two counts are not equal to each other and carries out error processing.

Abstract: A patch image generating section 101 generates a patch image by resolving the RGB space into an arbitrary number of steps, and by converting into a CMYK space via an LUT. A patch image calorimetric section 102 outputs the patch image onto a recording medium via a printer, and carries out colorimetry of the output image with a calorimeter. As calorimetric values, calorimetric values represented in an L*a*b* space independent of the RGB space and CMYK space are obtained. A linear space generating section 104 calculates ideal spatial distribution in the color space of the LUT according to the calorimetric values supplied. A color separation evaluation value calculating section 105 compares the ideal spatial distribution in the color space of the LUT with actual measurement data of the LUT. According to the compared results, color separation evaluation values are calculated from differences between the ideal value and actual measurement values.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing font subsetting. One or more font subsetting parameters are received. The one or more font subsetting parameters indicate a granularity level for which font subsetting is performed for portions of a data container. The font subsetting parameters indicate a font subsetting granularity level other than an entire document associated with the data container. A first portion of the data container is determined in accordance with the font subsetting granularity level. A subset of font data for at least one font family is determined in accordance with what font data for the at least one font family is actually used by the first portion. The subset of font data is embedded in an output for a consumer.

Abstract: Automatically determining the cost of a printed job on a digital printing press before the job is run. A job control component in the digital front end of the printing press, collects and stores the processing information from the job processing components from prior runs. A job-reporting component displays the stored and estimated processing information and automatically computes and displays the estimated cost of the job. The method includes determining a future toner cost using a toner cost, a future press usage cost, and a substrate cost based on historical toner consumption and then rasterizing the job to determine the total job cost.

Abstract: An information processing device for executing content reproduction processing includes: a content reproduction processing unit for executing data transformation processing for replacing a part of configuration data of input content to be reproduced with transformation data, and executing processing for reproducing the reproduction content; and a parameter generating unit for providing the content reproduction processing unit with a parameter to be applied in the data transformation processing; wherein the content reproduction processing unit has a configuration for obtaining a parameter identifier that is different for each segment set as a sectioning region of reproduction content, and outputting a parameter calculation request accompanied by the parameter identifier to the parameter generating unit; and wherein the parameter generating unit has a configuration for providing the content reproducing unit with a parameter corresponding to a segment, in response to the parameter calculation request from the co

Abstract: An image detecting method is provided that permits the specific image information to be present within image data of a document and is capable of detecting the specific image information within a relatively short period of time and accurately, with little effect of interference with the image data of the document and without regard to an angle at which the document is placed. The specific pattern image comprises a plurality of dot images Sa and Sb arranged in a straight line, and by positioning one of the plurality of dot images Sa and Sb at the center O of a plurality of concentric circles of different diameters and detecting that other dot images are on the plurality of concentric circles R1 to R4 and are on a straight line L running through the center O of the concentric circles, the pattern image is detected.

Abstract: The present invention has an objective to provide a printing apparatus capable of updating firmware. The printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus connected to an external device that can instruct printing of image data, said printing apparatus includes: an obtainment unit which obtains at least one of image data and firmware data, the firmware data being required for updating firmware; a judgment unit which judges whether to update firmware or to print image data; and an execution unit which updates the firmware using the firmware data obtained by said obtainment unit, in the case where said judgment unit judges that the firmware should be updated, and which prints the image data obtained by said obtainment unit, in the case where said judgment unit judges that the image data should be printed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for publishing digital image feeds, where the feeds are automatically created and uploaded to a server along with the images described in the feed, along with techniques for subscribing to digital image feeds, where the feed is downloaded and the images described therein are automatically downloaded and organized. The feeds may be subscribed to and automatically updated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communication between an apparatus and at least one other apparatus, the apparatus and method including inputting data to be transmitted to the at least one other apparatus, transmitting, to the at least one other apparatus, a program for producing a storage destination in the at least one other apparatus that stores the inputted data, receiving, from the at least one other apparatus, information indicating the storage destination created based on the program and, designating the created storage destination based on the received information and transmitting the inputted data to the at least one other apparatus.