Abstract: In a liquid crystal exposure apparatus, base pads are respectively placed on two surface plates, and one step board is supported by the base pads. A device main body of an empty-weight cancelling device moves from above one of the surface plates to above the other by moving on the step board, and therefore, a boundary section between the two adjacent surface plates that are separately placed does not function as a guide surface used when the empty-weight cancelling device moves. Accordingly, a fine movement stage that holds a substrate can be guided along an XY plane with high accuracy although the two surface plates are placed apart.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stage, an interferometric measurement device which is arranged to be able to measure a position of a surface of a mirror arranged on a side surface of the stage, and a driving unit configured to position the stage based on a measurement result of the interferometric measurement device. The interferometric measurement device includes: a varying unit configured to periodically vary an incident position where measurement light is incident on the mirror; and a detecting unit configured to detect rotation of the mirror based on a variation amount of the measurement result of the interferometric measurement device, which is generated upon a periodic variation of the incident position.

Abstract: A recovery method for recovering an exposure apparatus that exposes a pattern image onto a substrate in a case that certain processing has not normally ended is provided that includes the steps of registering a plurality of processing methods to the processing in advance; determining whether or not the processing has normally ended each time the processing is performed; associating and storing the number of times the processing has been performed and the number of times the processing has normally ended with the processing method employed when the processing has been performed, as history information; and selecting the processing method to be next employed from the plurality of processing methods based on the history information in a case that the processing has not normally ended.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a directed energy device configured to direct energy onto a remote target under control of a controller. The receives a distance measurement to the target using a rangefinder, determines whether the target is within an expected range; and modifies a power output of the directed energy device when the target is not within the expected range.

Abstract: A system for classifying moving materials in real time, the system including a laser pulse generator operative to generate at least first and second laser pulses which impinge on the same impingement location on the moving materials, the first and second laser pulses being separated in time by up to 10 microseconds; and an absorption detector operative to sense an absorption spectrum at the impingement location over a detection time duration of up to 20 nanoseconds following the second laser pulse.

Abstract: A system for determining the speed and position of objects comprises a beam source, a transmit reflection device, a beam receiver, a receive reflection device, and a controller. The beam source may generate a beam. The transmit reflection device may reflect the beam at the objects and may include a plurality of transmit faces with each transmit face oriented at a different angle and operable to reflect the beam at a different height. The beam receiver may detect the beam. The receive reflection device may include a plurality of receive faces with each receive face oriented at a different angle and operable to focus the beam reflected from objects at different heights onto the beam receiver. The controller may determine the position of the objects over time and calculate the speed of the objects based on a change in the position of the objects.

Abstract: A gas analyzer includes: a first signal processing section for synchronously detecting a light detection signal at a frequency being an integral multiple of a modulation frequency fa of a laser light, to detect a harmonic signal intensity Signal(?) by a harmonic synchronous detection method; a second signal processing section for capturing a light detection signal and cutting off a frequency component not smaller than the frequency fa to detect a light intensity signal I(?) at a specific light frequency absorbed by a component to be measured in a sample gas; and an operation section. The operation section includes a first operation means for calculating a density c of the component from the harmonic signal intensity Signal(?) and a reference light intensity signal I0(?) and a second operation means for calculating the density c from the light intensity signal I(?) and the reference light intensity signal I0(?).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for checking value documents by which the similarity of the intensity spectrum of a value document to be checked to a reference spectrum can be tested. To check the similarity of the intensity spectrum recorded from the value document to be checked to the reference spectrum, not the recorded intensity spectrum itself is compared with the reference spectrum, but rather a corrected intensity spectrum adapted to the reference spectrum, which arises from the recorded intensity spectrum by a linear correction. The correction parameters of the linear correction function are ascertained by adapting the linearly corrected intensity spectrum to the reference spectrum. Through the adapting it is achieved that fluctuations of the recorded intensity spectrum that are due to measuring technology are compensated at least partly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing tomography are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes an emitter for scanning an object with a detection beam, a diffuser for scattering a transmitted portion of the detection beam that passes through the object in order to generate a scattered signal, and at least one detector for detecting a portion of the scattered signal. The diffuser has a diffusive surface area, and the detector has a total detection area that is smaller than the diffusive surface area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for assessment of a sealed package. Light is emitted from a narrow-band laser source towards said package from outside of said package. An absorption signal of said light scattered in said package is measured, wherein said absorption is caused by said at least one gas when said light is scattered and travels in said sealed package. Measuring is made outside of said package, whereby said assessment is non-intrusive with regard to said package. It is determined if a deviation exists from a predetermined, expected gas composition and/or concentration of said at least one gas within said sealed package based on said measured absorption signal. Thus sealing of said package for said gas is detected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of simultaneously measuring a parameter of a plurality of cores in at least one optical fiber. An input tester at a first end of the test fiber has a plurality of tester signal inputs with a geometry substantially matching at least a portion of the core geometry of the fiber. At least one test input signal source coupled to the plurality of tester signal inputs. A signal measuring device is alignable at a second end of the fiber to measure the output of the test input signal. The input tester may include a tapered multicore coupler or a laser having a shield with apertures disposable between the laser and the fiber. In the latter case, a lens may be disposed between the shield and the fiber to project light from the laser that passes through the apertures onto the end of the fiber.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an exposure control unit, a determination unit, and an illuminance calculation unit. The exposure control unit is configured to control a plurality of exposure times. The determination unit is configured to determine whether or not saturation occurs using at least one data item of a plurality of data items obtained during the plurality of exposure times. The illuminance calculation unit is configured to calculate, if the determination unit determines that the saturation occurs, an illuminance using a data item different from the at least one data item used in the determination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electronic target for use with a pulsed beam of laser light. The electronic target may include a housing, which includes a window and a solar cell. The solar cell may be disposed in the window for receiving a pulsed beam of light that may be emitted from a gun barrel or simulated weapon. The beam of light may have a predominant wavelength of between approximately 635 nm and 650 nm, as well as a pulse duration of between 1 ms and 50 ms, and a pulse modulation frequency of approximately 2 KHz. The electronic target may be tuned to the emission characteristics of the beam of light. The electronic target may be used to count a user's consecutive hits, drill how quickly a user can place a shot of laser light on the electronic target, and simulate a magazine change or burst shooting.

Abstract: A spectroscopic instrument (1) comprising at least one load bearing anti-vibration foot portion (3) for supporting the instrument on a surface. Each foot portion (3) comprises a load bearing elastomeric portion (5) and an internal stub portion (4) which is provided within the elastomeric portion and which is rigid compared to the elastomeric portion. An internal wall of the elastomeric portion (5) is spaced from an external wall of the stub portion (4) such that the elastomeric portion (5) is moveable relative to the stub portion (4) to absorb vibration. Liquid is provided in the spacing between the internal wall of the elastomeric portion (5) and the external wall of the stub portion (4) to damp such movement.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer is implemented with a detector combined with a tunable filter mounted on a stage capable of 360-degree rotation at a constant velocity. Because of the constant rate of angular change, different portions of the input spectrum are detected at each increment of time as a function of filter position, which can be easily measured with an encoder for synchronization purposes. The unidirectional motion of the mirror permits operation at very high speeds with great mechanical reliability. The same improvements may be obtained using a diffraction grating or a prism, in which case the detector or an intervening mirror may be rotated instead of the grating or prism.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor, system and method employ nanorods and independent nanoparticles that interact. The sensor includes at least two spaced apart nanorods attached at first ends to a substrate and an independent nanoparticle. Second ends of the nanorods are movable into close proximity to one another and include a Raman active surface. The nanoparticle has a functionalized surface that includes a Raman signal generator. An interaction between the nanoparticle and the nanorod second ends in close proximity is detectable. The system includes the SERS sensor, an illumination source and a Raman signal detector. The method includes illuminating the interaction of the nanoparticle and the nanorods with an analyte, and detecting an effect on a Raman signal caused by the analyte.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing Raman spectroscopy may include a first laser source having a first emission wavelength and a second laser source having a second emission wavelength. A separation between the first and second emission wavelengths may correspond to a width of a Raman band of a substance of interest. A switch may provide switching between the first and second laser sources. An ensemble of individually addressable laser emitters may be provided. A Bragg grating element may receive laser light from the ensemble. An optical system may direct light from the Bragg grating element into an optical fiber. A combined beam through the optical fiber may contain light from each of the emitters.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for inspecting a wafer, the wafer including a film deposited on a surface of the wafer. The film may have a thickness that varies over the surface of the wafer. The method includes the step of measuring the thickness, refractive index, and extinction coefficient of the film across the surface of the wafer. With this data a film curve is created in real time. The method also includes the step of determining a size of a defect on the surface based on at least the film curve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prism. The prism includes a lower surface, an upper surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side surface and the second side surface of the prism are one-dimensional parabolic surfaces. The lower surface is used to receive light. The first side surface is used to reflect the light from the lower surface to the upper surface. The second side surface is used to reflect the light from the upper surface to the lower surface for further analysis in the process unit afterwards.

Abstract: A defect inspecting method and apparatus for inspecting a surface state including a defect on a wafer surface, in which a polarization state of a laser beam irradiated onto the wafer surface is connected into a specified polarization state, the converted laser beam having the specified polarization state is inserted onto the wafer surface, and a scattering light occurring from an irradiated region where the laser beam having the specified polarization state is irradiated, is separated into a first scattering light occurring due to a defect on the wafer and a second scattering light occurring due to a surface roughness on the wafer. An optical element for optical path division separates the first and second scattering lights approximately at the same time.

Abstract: A spectroscopic apparatus includes an optical system configured to transmit output light from a sample irradiated with irradiation light from a light source, a two-dimensional array light detector configured to photograph light transmitted through the optical system, and a control unit. The optical system includes a first optical device disposed between the sample and the two-dimensional array light detector, a second optical device disposed between the two-dimensional array light detector and the first optical device, and a variable band-pass filter disposed in at least one of spaces between the first optical device and the sample and between the second optical device and the two-dimensional array light detector. The control unit changes a light transmission wavelength band of the variable band-pass filter in accordance with a photographing timing of the two-dimensional array light detector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form a measurement image on a sheet, a measurement unit configured to emit light to the measurement image, and measure light reflected from the measurement image, a selection unit configured to select one of a first mode for feeding a sheet, forming a measurement image on the sheet with the image forming unit, and measuring the measurement image on the sheet with the measurement unit, and a second mode for feeding a chart on which a measurement image has already been formed, and measuring the measurement image on the chart with the measurement unit without performing image formation with the image forming unit, and a control unit configured to control the measurement unit to perform measurement of the measurement image according to the mode selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: An interferometer comprising a planar substrate is provided. The interferometer has a splitter formed on the planar substrate to split a received optical signal, a sample arm formed on the planar substrate to receive a first portion of the split optical signal and direct the first portion toward a sample, a reference arm formed on the planar substrate to receive a second portion of the split optical signal, and a detector element to receive an interferogram generated by interfering the second portion of the split optical signal with a received sample signal generated by the first portion of the split signal interacting with the sample.

Abstract: An optical wavelength meter includes: an interferometer; a reference optical source unit with a laser configured to oscillate in a multi-longitudinal mode; and a signal processor configured to calculate a wavelength of a input beam with reference to interference fringe information of reference beam and interference fringe information of the input beam obtained from the interferometer.

Abstract: A sensor suite comprising a first electronic imaging element such as an LWIR imager element and a second imaging element such as a visible imager element. The transmitter operates with a plurality of selectable beam-forming optics or a tilt-tip element. The optics for the system may be configured in a Cassegrain-type configuration in cooperation with a plurality of beam-splitting elements to permit different ranges of the received optical input to be provided respectively to the first and second electronic imagers. One or a plurality of laser illuminator analysis spectrometers are provided for the detection and characterizing of incoming laser illumination from an external source which may be in the form of a micro-lamellar spectrometer element.

Abstract: An OCT system and particularly its clock system generates a k-clock signal but also generates an optical frequency reference sweep signal that, for example, indicates the start of the sweep or an absolute frequency reference associated with the sweep at least for the purposes of sampling of the interference signal and/or processing of that interference signal into the OCT images. The clock system is also tunable to allow the control or flexibility over the relationship between the scanning of the swept optical signal and the sampling of the interference signal by the data acquisition system. Specifically, the absolute frequencies of the swept optical signal at which the k-clock signals are generated can be adjusted. Also, the absolute frequency of the swept optical signal at which sampling of the interference signal is initiated can also be changed or stabilized. Moreover, optical frequency sampling interval defined by the k-clock signal can be changed under user control or simply stabilized.

Abstract: An optical detector system comprises a hermetic optoelectronic package, an optical bench installed within the optoelectronic package, a balanced detector system installed on the optical bench. The balanced detector system includes at least two optical detectors that receive interference signals. An electronic amplifier system installed within the optoelectronic package amplifies an output of at least two optical detectors. Also disclosed is an integrated optical coherence tomography system. Embodiments are provided in which the amplifiers, typically transimpedance amplifiers, are closely integrated with the optical detectors that detect the interference signals from the interferometer. Further embodiments are provided in which the interferometer but also preferably its detectors are integrated together on a common optical bench. Systems that have little or no optical fiber can thus be implemented.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method for setting the characteristics of the light to be output from a light source unit for optical coherence tomography, using a computer. This method is performed by using relation information in which a representative wavelength, a wavelength range including said representative wavelength, and the light loss amount due to absorption by a medium are related to each other. This method includes the following steps: setting each value of a first parameter and a second parameter among the representative wavelength, the wavelength range, and the light loss amount; acquiring a value of a third parameter among the representative wavelength, the wavelength range, and the light loss amount other than said first parameter and said second parameter based on the set two values and said relation information; and outputting a value of said acquired third parameter.

Abstract: Six-axis four-subdividing interferometer comprising a six-axis light splitting system and an interference module which are sequentially arranged along the incident direction of polarization orthogonal double-frequency laser, wherein the six-axis light splitting system comprises five 45-degree plane beam splitters and four 45-degree full-reflecting minors.

Abstract: An optical measuring system determines coordinates of points for distance measurement. The measuring system includes a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a receiving unit having a filter unit for extracting electromagnetic radiation in a defined wavelength range and having, a detector, such that the radiation extracted by the filter unit is detectable by the detector. The filter unit includes at least two mirror elements which are at least partly reflective and constructed in a multilayered fashion. The mirror elements are substantially parallel to one another. Two adjacent mirror elements in each case enclose a cavity and are arranged at a specific distance from one another. An optical thickness is defined by a refractive index of the cavity and by the distance between the mirror elements. Optical thickness varying means operate to varying the optical thickness, such that an extractable wavelength range of the filter unit is varied.

Abstract: An OCT system and particularly its clock system generates a k-clock signal but also generates an optical frequency reference sweep signal that, for example, indicates the start of the sweep or an absolute frequency reference associated with the sweep at least for the purposes of sampling of the interference signal and/or processing of that interference signal into the OCT images. This optical frequency reference sweep signal is generated at exactly the same frequency of the swept optical signal from sweep to sweep of that signal. This ensures that the sampling of the interference signal occurs at the same frequencies, sweep to sweep. Such a system is relevant to a number of applications in which it is important that successive sweeps of the swept optical signal be very stable with respect to each other. One specific example is phase sensitive OCT. This requires that the sampling of the interference signal occurs at exactly the same frequency/wavelength on every axial line (A-line).

Abstract: The optical coherence tomography apparatus includes: a light source unit; a branch unit for branching light output from the light source unit into measurement light and reference light; an interference unit for causing reflection, the reflection being light returned from an object, which is illuminated with the measurement light, to interfere with the reference light; and a detection unit for receiving interference light from the interference unit so as to detect an intensity of the interference light. The optical coherence tomography apparatus acquires a tomographic image of the object based on the intensity of the interference light detected by the detection unit. The interference unit outputs first and second interference light having interference components having phases mutually different by ?. The first and second interference light output from the interference unit reaches the detection unit so that a time gap is generated between the first and second interference light.

Abstract: Cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy systems and methods for detecting trace gases using a resonance optical cavity, which contains a gas mixture to be analyzed, and a laser coupled to the cavity by optical feedback. The cavity has any of a variety of configurations with two or more mirrors, including for example a linear cavity, a v-shaped cavity and a ring optical cavity. The cavity will have multiple cavity resonant modes, or a comb of frequencies spaced apart, as determined by the parameters of the cavity, including the length of the cavity, as is well known. Systems and methods herein also allow for optimization of the cavity modes excited during a scan and/or the repetition rate.

Abstract: In one example of the inventive concepts, a motion sensor array device includes a wafer and at least two motion sensors implemented on the wafer, each of the at least two motion sensors including a plurality of motion sensor pixels to sense a motion of an object and generate motion image data. The motion sensor array device further includes at least two lenses respectively arranged on the at least two motion sensors, wherein the motion sensor array is implemented in one of a chip and a package.

Abstract: An optical module, in particular for microlithography, with an optical element unit, a support device, a deformation device and a measuring device is disclosed. The support device is supported on the optical element unit, whereas for deforming an optical surface of the optical element unit, the deformation device engages a deformation section of the optical element unit comprising the optical surface. For determining the position and/or the orientation of the optical element unit with respect to an external reference in at least one degree of freedom, the measuring device comprises at least one measuring element, wherein the measuring element is arranged on a reference section of the optical element unit.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a lens device is shifted is applied to an optical touch system including a screen, a first light source and a first lens device respectively disposed corresponding to a first corner of a touch surface of the screen, and first and second optical strips respectively disposed at first and second sides of the touch surface. The method includes the first lens device setting a first brightness threshold according to a first original image captured by the first lens device toward the touch surface, disposing first and second reflection members at one end of the first optical strip and one end of the second optical strip respectively, and the first lens device determining whether a first optical axis of the first lens device is shifted according to the first brightness threshold and a first actual image captured by the first lens device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for calibrating the direction of a polar measurement device, in particular of a laser scanner, which includes a reference element which can be or is rotationally fixed to a holding device of a polar measurement device, in particular to a stand, by means of which element a reference direction is defined in a horizontal plane, and which includes a rotating element which is rotationally fixed to the polar measurement device and which can rotate together with the polar measurement device relative to the reference element about a vertical axle, and at least one optical measurement device is provided, by means of which the agreement between an orientation of the rotating element and the reference direction of the reference element can be measured, and in particular signaled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a color separation condition determination device, method and storage medium. A pixel of interest is extracted from multiple pixels, and the influence of visual effect applied to the pixel of interest is estimated on the basis of the positional relationship between the color of the pixel of interest and each color of at least one surrounding pixel. Also, the total usage of color materials in the pixel of interest is estimated. The color separation condition in the pixel of interest is determined on the basis of the respectively estimated influence of visual effect and total usage of color materials.

Abstract: A method of operating an image reader typically includes: searching a digital image for nominally straight edges; characterizing the nominally straight edges in terms of length and/or direction; determining a predominant orientation of the nominally straight edges; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to the center of the image; establishing a group of edges as a function of their proximity to other remaining edge positions; and transmuting a rectangle bounding those edges into a rectified image. The rectified image is typically an image that is cropped or rotated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining characteristics of a printer, the method comprising the steps of receiving print data, defining dot locations to be printed on a print medium, determining from the dot locations a dot frequency measure reflecting the number of dots to be printed on at least a part of the print medium, forming a simulated reference image of the print data comprising simulated dots corresponding to the dot locations in the print data, determining a size of the simulated dots in the reference image, this size being inversely related to the dot frequency measure, printing the print data on the print medium using the image forming apparatus to form a printed image, and determining characteristics of the image forming apparatus by comparing the printed image and the simulated reference image

Abstract: Techniques are provided that include an algorithm and a computing device using such algorithm to compute a white ink separation channel from the CMYK or RGB data from a print pipeline as an input. This input originally corresponds to print data on a media with standard whiteness, e.g. standard whiteness corresponding to a diffuser used by the Comission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 1964 media whiteness formula. In an example implementation, the white ink channel computed by the computing device using such algorithm may be printed as a pre-coat on a colorimetrically different media which does not comply with definitions and formulae of CIE's whiteness and tint.

Abstract: A method for processing black point compensation parameters for a color image to be printed so as to enhance image quality of the color image is provided. The method includes converting a received color image to a gray scale image; determining, using the received color image and the gray scale image, a performance attribute to estimate the effect of the black point compensation parameters on the image quality of the received color image, respectively; deriving a model to estimate relationships between the black point compensation parameters and the determined performance attribute; maximizing the performance attribute of the derived model so as to process the black point compensation parameters for the color image; and using the processed black point compensation parameters to construct output device profiles.

Abstract: A method for processing black point compensation parameters for a color image to be printed so as to enhance image quality of the color image is provided.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a color standard storage unit that stores multiple color standards that output apparatuses having a shared output method specify range of color reproduction, a virtual color gamut information unit stored associated with the color standard, associated with the color standard, and processed statistically, a color space converter that converts image data input from a network into image data in color space of the color standard, and a preview image generator that color-compresses the image data in the color standard within range of color reproduction of the output apparatus and generates a preview image from the image data generated after color-compression.

Abstract: A multifunction printer, which generates first image data of a document by reading the document, generates second image data in which a background color of the document is removed by conducting a color conversion process to the first image data, and prints an image based on the second image data, has a background color density computing section which computes background color density of the document from the first image data, a color conversion table generating section which generates a first color conversion table and a second color conversion table based on the background color density, and an image processing section which separates an image shown by the first image data into a letter region and a non-letter region, converts the color by applying the first color conversion table to the letter region, and converts the color by applying the second color conversion table to the non-letter region.

Abstract: A display apparatus that displays a preview of print data includes an input unit that receives input of a sheet handling method of a sheet on which the print data is printed from a user, a generating unit that dynamically generates a three-dimensional image representing a behavior, which is a continuous change in a form of the sheet on which the print data is printed, according to the input sheet handling method, and a display unit that displays, as a moving image, the three-dimensional image that is dynamically generated.

Abstract: A method of processing an extensible markup language (XML) Paper Specification (XPS) document according to the present general inventive concept includes receiving a request to print an XPS document at an image forming apparatus, confirming namespaces declared in a PrintTicket of the XPS document, selecting a namespace of which information for processing is not stored in the image forming apparatus from among the confirmed namespaces, processing an option set for the selected namespace on the basis of a user's input or current setting value and interpreting the PrintTicket and printing the XPS document.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium stores a program causing a computer to function as a determination unit and a controller. The determination unit determines an amount of hardware computational resources of the computer to determine the number of interpretation units capable of being implemented by the determined amount of hardware computational resources. The controller controls which of a first print data processing device and a second print data processing device the computer is caused to function as, in accordance with the number determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: It aims to improve user's convenience by, while keeping a printing electricity charge low by executing a print job under a low electricity charge, executing a print job for a user aiming at certain print job execution without waiting until time of the low electricity charge. In order to do so, an image forming apparatus acquires information related to the electricity charge, and restricts execution of the input print job based on the acquired information. Thus, in case of restricting the execution of the input print job based on the information related to the electricity charge, if the input print job is a first print job configured to be executed on a priority basis, the first print job is executed, and, if the input print job is a second print job not configured to be executed on a priority basis, the execution of the second print job is restricted.

Abstract: A system and method for wirelessly activating or deactivating features that are safety issues associated with a mobile multi-function device user interface based on user proximity. A mobile telecommunication device configured with a mobile multifunction device user interface can be paired with a multifunction device utilizing a wireless communication link (e.g., Bluetooth). A proximity detection mechanism with respect to the wireless communication link can be configured in association with the mobile telecommunication device to set a user proximity range. A permanently disabled feature due to safety concerns can be automatically enabled when the mobile user interface device is within the programmed range. The features can be automatically disabled if the mobile user interface device is out of range. Such an approach controls the device functionality based on the user proximity for correct and safe operation of the device.