Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring a specimen while actively stabilizing an optical measurement beam subject to changes in polarization by a rotating polarizer element are described herein. Movement of a focused measurement beam spot induced by a rotating polarizer element is compensated by actively controlling the position of an optical element in the beam path based on measurements of the focused measurement beam spot. Both feedback and feedforward control schemes may be employed to reduce beam position error. In one aspect, a measurement system includes a rotating optical polarizer, a beam position sensor, and an active beam compensating element in the illumination beam path, the collection beam path, or both. Beam position errors are detected by the beam position sensor, and control commands are communicated to the active beam compensating element to reduce the measured beam position errors.

Abstract: A multi-aperture imaging device includes a one-line array of adjacently arranged optical channels and beam-deflecting unit for deflecting an optical path of the optical channels. The beam-deflecting unit includes a first position and a second position between which the beam-deflecting unit is translationally moveable along a line extension direction of the one-line array. The beam-deflecting unit is configured such that it deflects the optical path of each optical channel into mutually different directions depending on whether it is located in the first position or in the second position.

Abstract: A module circuit (11) comprises a sensor terminal (43) for feeding a sensor signal (SP) and a clock terminal (41) for feeding a pulse width-modulated clock signal (ST) having a first and a second clock phase (A, B). A signal processing circuit (40) of the module circuit (11) is coupled on the input side to the sensor terminal (43) and the clock terminal (41) and is designed to provide an output signal (SAL) dependent on the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the first clock phase (A) and independent of the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the second clock phase (B).

Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to porous polymer membranes, structures including porous polymer membranes, devices including porous polymer membranes, methods of using porous polymer membranes, methods of making porous polymer membranes, and the like.

Abstract: A system for generating an optical frequency standard is described. The system is based on a two-color approach and includes a first laser source that generates a first laser output at a first frequency and a second laser source that generates a second laser output at a second frequency corresponding. The first and second laser outputs are then respectively input into first and second harmonic generators to form frequency-doubled first and second laser outputs. The system also includes a two-color stabilization arrangement to stabilize the sum of the frequencies generated by first and second laser sources, including, for example, an interaction region incorporating a laser active material. The interaction region can be a gas reference cell and the laser active material can be Rubidium (in vapor form) having a two-photon transition.

Abstract: A line-scan imaging camera can scan an object at a near field and a far field using a low F-stop value by reading out different rows on an imager. A line LED provides a line illumination over an object. Additionally, the imaging camera captures the illumination portion of the object through an optical path that includes mirrors that allow folded optics. The optical path is longer than the distance between the object and the camera. A mirror is located close to or adjacent to the line LED to provide efficient illumination and to align the initial leg of the optical path with the line illumination.

Abstract: A height position of a surface of a wafer can be detected accurately and stably without being affected by variation in a thin film formed on the surface of the wafer. An AF (autofocus) device irradiates the surface of the wafer W with an AF laser beam, detects reflection light thereof for each wavelength with a detection optical system. An AF signal processing unit outputs a displacement signal indicating displacement of the surface of the wafer to a control unit on the basis of a detection result of the detection optical system. Moreover, the AF device includes a focus optical system disposed in an irradiation optical path which is an optical path from the light source unit to a light converging lens. The focus optical system adjusts a light converging point of the AF laser beam in a wafer thickness direction.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a user interface, and one or more processors operable with the user interface. At least one proximity sensor component is operable with the one or more processors and can include an infrared signal receiver to receive an infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The one or more processors can be operable to actuate one or more user interface devices when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission from an object external to the housing. The actuation can be a function of distance, in accordance with a prioritization, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for non-contact sample analysis using terahertz waves. The apparatus includes an emission unit radiating terahertz waves onto a sample provided with a conductive material layer, and a receiving unit receiving terahertz waves reflected from the sample or terahertz waves passing through the sample.

Abstract: An optical characterization system includes a camera assembly and a workstation. The camera assembly is configured to capture images of different portions of a structured light pattern emitted from a device under test in accordance with imaging instructions. In some embodiments, the device under test may be a diffractive optical element (DOE). The workstation provides the imaging instructions to the camera assembly, and stitch the captured images together to form a pattern image. The pattern image is a single image of the entire structured light pattern. The workstation also characterizes performance of the device under test using the pattern image and a performance metric.

Abstract: A method of forming a control parameter dependent on ambient light. The method comprises the steps of acquiring light values from an ambient light sensor and acquiring positional status values from a positional status sensor. The control parameter depends on the light values and is filtered in dependence on the positional status values.

Abstract: Within area where of four heads installed on a wafer stage, heads included in the first head group and the second head group to which three heads each belong that include one head different from each other face the corresponding areas on a scale plate, the wafer stage is driven based on positional information which is obtained using the first head group, as well as obtain the displacement (displacement of position, rotation, and scaling) between the first and second reference coordinate systems corresponding to the first and second head groups using the positional information obtained using the first and second head groups. By using the results and correcting measurement results obtained using the second head group, the displacement between the first and second reference coordinate systems is calibrated, which allows the measurement errors that come with the displacement between areas on scale plates where each of the four heads face.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for shielding an operator of a vehicle from light, including determining a position of a light source based on the location of the vehicle and the current date and time. A line of sight between the light source and the eyes of the operator is determined, where the line of sight goes through a windshield of the vehicle that includes a plurality of pixels. One or more pixels in the line of sight are identified; and, one or more physical properties of the pixel(s) in the line of sight are modified.

Abstract: In a work machine including an articulated robot which is provided with a work head and moves the work head, imaging devices which image at least part of a workpiece or part of the work machine are attached to a distal end of the robot, and a target operation position of the robot is corrected on the basis of position data regarding a plurality of feature points of the workpiece, created on the basis of imaging data obtained through imaging performed by the imaging devices and design data of the workpiece, or position data regarding a plurality of feature points set for the work machine.

Abstract: A position of a substrate-holding movable body is controlled based on positional information measured with a measurement system, and correction information of the positional information of the movable body also is measured with the measurement system. The correction information is measured within a first area in which position measurement of the movable body can be performed with each of a second number of heads provided on the movable body, the first area being of a predetermined area, in the predetermined area the movable body being moved in an exposure operation of the substrate, and the second number of heads being larger in number than a first number of heads used in position control of the movable body.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light generating apparatus may include: a chamber, in which extreme ultraviolet light is generated; a target supply unit that outputs a target into the chamber as droplets to supply the target to a plasma generating region; a stage that moves the target supply unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the trajectory of droplets output from the target supply unit; a droplet detector provided between the target supply unit and the plasma generating region at an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to a substantially vertical direction, that detects the droplets from a direction inclined at the predetermined angle; and a calculation control unit that controls the irradiation timings of the laser beam at which the laser beam is irradiated onto the droplets within the plasm generating region, by adding delay times to the timings at which the droplets are detected by the droplet detector.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a body, at least one drive wheel coupled with the body, a control structure configured to automatically control rotational movements of the at least one drive wheel so as to selectively control movement of the body, and a motion detection system coupled with the control structure and configured to detect a plurality of different movements of a user. The control structure controls rotational movements of the at least one drive wheel to effect different movements of the body based upon different detected movements of the user.

Abstract: A workpiece alignment system has a workpiece support to support a workpiece. A first light emitter directs a first light beam toward the workpiece. A first light receiver receives the first light beam. A rotation device rotates the workpiece support about a support axis. A second light emitter directs a second light beam toward a peripheral region of the workpiece. A second light receiver receives the second light beam concurrent with the rotation of the workpiece. A controller determines a transmissivity of the workpiece based on a total initial emittance of the first light beam a transmission of the first light beam through the workpiece. The controller determines a position of the workpiece with respect to the support axis based, at least in part, on a rotational position of the workpiece, a portion of the second light beam received, and the determined transmissivity.

Abstract: A communication system includes a transparent refractive optical wedge, a steerable mirror, a position feedback device, and a transceiver. The transparent refractive optical wedge has first and second faces angled with respect to each other and receives first and second optical signals through both the first and second faces. The first and second optical signals travel along parallel or common paths through the first face and diverge at a deflection angle with respect to each other through the second face. The steerable mirror is in optical communication with the first face of the optical wedge, the position feedback device, and the transceiver. The position feedback device adjusts a position of the steerable mirror to maintain the alignment of the reflected signal with the position feedback device. The transceiver has an optical transmitter transmitting one of the optical signals and an optical receiver receiving the other optical signal.

Abstract: The bias error in a fiber optic system comprising a fiber optic gyroscope can be determined by determining of at least two different values for rotation rate by an evaluation unit of the fiber optic gyroscope for almost constant rotation rate applied to the fiber optic gyroscope and/or can be reduced by a linear combination of the at least two different values for the rotation rate. A fiber optic system that is suitable for carrying out this method comprises besides the fiber optic gyroscope a control device that is configured to control at least one element of the fiber optic gyroscope such that at least two different values for the rotation rate are determined by the evaluation unit of the fiber optic gyroscope for almost constant rotation rate applied to the fiber optic gyroscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a wavefront-corrected optical arrangement comprising at least two optical elements. Using the method, a total wavefront error in the optical arrangement is determined and compared to a permissible tolerance range for the total wavefront error. To perform the method, the optical elements are individualized by assigning an individual identifier to each of them, such that individualized optical elements are obtained, individual surface defects are measured with correct coordinates on all the individualized optical elements and the measured individual surface defects are stored with correct coordinates assigned to the appropriate individualized optical element. The optical arrangement comprising the individualized optical elements is produced virtually as a virtual optical arrangement and a total wavefront error is calculated for the virtual optical arrangement.

Abstract: A printer deposits material onto a substrate as part of a manufacturing process for an electronic product; at least one transported component experiences error, which affects the deposition. This error is mitigated using transducers that equalize position of the component, e.g., to provide an “ideal” conveyance path, thereby permitting precise droplet placement notwithstanding the error. In one embodiment, an optical guide (e.g., using a laser) is used to define a desired path; sensors mounted to the component dynamically detect deviation from this path, with this deviation then being used to drive the transducers to immediately counteract the deviation. This error correction scheme can be applied to correct for more than type of transport error, for example, to correct for error in a substrate transport path, a printhead transport path and/or split-axis transport non-orthogonality.

Abstract: A system for improving safety while providing privacy for a vehicle. The system includes a display screen located within the vehicle, configured to alternate between a displaying state and a non-displaying state. The system includes a window configured to alternate between an opaque state and a transparent state. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine whether the display screen is powered on. The ECU is configured to alternate the display screen between the displaying state and the non-displaying state at a predetermined frequency when the display screen is powered on. The ECU is configured to alternate the window between the opaque state and the transparent state at the predetermined frequency, the display screen being in the displaying state when the window is in the opaque state and the display screen being in the non-displaying state when the window is in the transparent state.

Abstract: A bias point of an external modulator is set to different values according to on and off of a burst control signal and an optical source is driven continuously in a burst optical signal transmission device. The burst optical signal transmission device avoid generation of transient fluctuation of a wavelength and a light amount at the time of burst signal rising.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a bobbin including a first coil disposed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, a housing provided with first and second magnets for moving the bobbin by interaction with the first coil, upper and lower elastic members each coupled to both the bobbin and the housing, and a first position sensor for detecting a sum of intensities of magnetic fields of the first and second magnets, wherein the first position sensor is disposed in a space between the first magnet and the second magnet when the bobbin is disposed at an initial position.

Abstract: A low-cost laser power sensor having sufficient measurement accuracy with respect to received light intensity of the power sensor. The power sensor has a sensor substrate which receives monitor light, and a filter which attenuates the intensity of the laser beam before being received by the sensor substrate. The filter is constituted from a material having a laser transmissivity equal to zero, and has a plurality of openings within an irradiation range where the monitor light is irradiated. A summation of opening areas of the openings is equal to or more than 50% of the irradiation range. A part of the laser beam, which is irradiated to the filter and passes through the openings, is directly received by the sensor substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interface device including an array of pixels and an insulating, transparent substrate, the pixels being connected to the substrate by linking elements, the contact surface between the linking elements and the pixels being strictly smaller than the surface of the pixels facing the substrate.

Abstract: Fiducial localization methods and apparatus are described.

Abstract: A light-emitting device is provided. The light-emitting device is configured to emit a radiation and comprises: a substrate; an epitaxial structure on the substrate and comprising a first DBR stack, a light-emitting stack and a second DBR stack and a contact layer in sequence; an electrode; a current blocking layer between the contact layer and the electrode; a first opening formed in the current blocking layer; and a second opening formed in the electrode and within the first opening; wherein a part of the electrode fills in the first opening and contacts the contact layer; and the light-emitting device is devoid of an oxidized layer and an ion implanted layer in the second DBR stack.

Abstract: A control system includes a plurality of subscriber devices of a communications network, these subscriber devices communicating with one another by optical signals. A subscriber device includes two opposing faces, an optical shutter controllable between an at least partially transparent state and an opaque state, the optical shutter traversing a part of the subscriber device between the two opposing faces; a control circuit configured for controlling the controllable optical shutter; an optical signal emitter on a first of the two opposing faces, disposed in such a manner as to allow the emission of optical signals toward a first neighboring subscriber device; and an optical signal receiver on a second of the two opposing faces, disposed in such a manner as to allow optical signals to be received that originate from a second neighboring subscriber device.

Abstract: A system and a method for analyzing a light beam guided by a beam guiding optical unit. The system has a graduated neutral density filter arrangement (120, 520), which is arranged in a far field plane of the beam guiding optical unit and has at least one graduated neutral density filter (121, 521, 522, 523) having a spatially varying transmission, and a light intensity sensor arrangement having at least one light intensity sensor (140, 540), which is arranged in a near field plane of the beam guiding optical unit and is configured to measure (141, 541, 542, 543), for each graduated neutral density filter (121, 521, 522, 523) of the graduated neutral density filter arrangement (120, 520), a light intensity transmitted by each graduated neutral density filter.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a method of advancing a probe tip of a probe of a scanning microscopy device towards a sample surface. The scanning microscopy device comprises the probe for scanning the sample surface for mapping nanostructures on the sample surface. The probe tip of the probe is mounted on a cantilever arranged for bringing the probe tip in contact with the sample surface. The method comprises controlling, by a controller, an actuator system of the device for moving the probe to the sample surface, and receiving, by the controller, a sensor signal indicative of at least one operational parameter of the probe for providing feedback to perform said controlling.

Abstract: A depth image measuring camera includes an illumination device configured to irradiate an object with light, and a light-modulating optical system configured to receive the light reflected from the object. The depth image measuring camera includes an image sensor configured to generate an image of the object by receiving light incident on the image sensor that passes through the light-modulating optical system. The light-modulating optical system includes a plurality of lenses having a same optical axis, and an optical modulator configured to operate in two modes for measuring a depth of the object.

Abstract: A method of controlling a height of an electron beam gun and wire feeder during an electron freeform fabrication process includes utilizing a camera to generate an image of the molten pool of material. The image generated by the camera is utilized to determine a measured height of the electron beam gun relative to the surface of the molten pool. The method further includes ensuring that the measured height is within the range of acceptable heights of the electron beam gun relative to the surface of the molten pool. The present invention also provides for measuring a height of a solid metal deposit formed upon cooling of a molten pool. The height of a single point can be measured, or a plurality of points can be measured to provide 2D or 3D surface height measurements.

Abstract: A radiation-scattering composition, comprising a plurality of colloidal crystals or aggregates of colloidal crystals, each said crystal comprising radiation reflecting particles in a colloidal array and radiation absorbing particles dispersed in the crystals. The composition scatters radiation in a wavelength band in substantially all directions and absorbs radiation.

Abstract: An optical modulation unit included in an optical transmitter includes two optical modulators that modulate each of two light beams based on applied bias voltages and input modulation signals, and an optical phase regulator that is connected to either of the two optical modulators, and regulates a phase of the light beam incident on the optical modulator. In a state where no modulation signal is input to the two optical modulators, while keeping bias voltages to be applied to one optical modulator and the optical phase regulator constant, the controller determines a first initial bias voltage such that an output light beam from the other optical modulator becomes zero. Thereafter, the controller determines a second initial bias voltage such that an output light beam from the one optical modulator becomes zero, while applying the first initial bias voltage to the other optical modulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an electro-optic modulator is disclosed. A first intensity of light is obtained at an input to the electro-optic modulator. A second intensity of light is obtained at an output of the electro-optic modulator. A difference between the obtained first intensity and the obtained second intensity is used to control a biasing of a modulator transfer function of the electro-optic modulator to control the electro-optic modulator.

Abstract: A communication system includes a transparent refractive optical wedge, a steerable mirror, a position feedback device, and a transceiver. The transparent refractive optical wedge has first and second faces angled with respect to each other and receives first and second optical signals through both the first and second faces. The first and second optical signals travel along parallel or common paths through the first face and diverge at a deflection angle with respect to each other through the second face. The steerable mirror is in optical communication with the first face of the optical wedge, the position feedback device, and the transceiver. The position feedback device adjusts a position of the steerable mirror to maintain the alignment of the reflected signal with the position feedback device. The transceiver has an optical transmitter transmitting one of the optical signals and an optical receiver receiving the other optical signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an electro-optic modulator is disclosed. A first intensity of light is obtained at an input to the electro-optic modulator. A second intensity of light is obtained at an output of the electro-optic modulator. A difference between the obtained first intensity and the obtained second intensity is used to control a biasing of a modulator transfer function of the electro-optic modulator to control the electro-optic modulator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image processing method and an image processing system adopting the same. The method includes the steps of: (a) obtaining a pixel array representing an image; (b) segmenting the pixel array into two or more non-overlapping regions; (c) identifying a capacitor discharging rate of each of the regions; (d) generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal when a voltage level dropping of a capacitor exceeds a predetermined threshold; and (e) applying exposure parameters to the regions according to the capacitor discharging rate of the regions, respectively, wherein the exposure parameter applied to one of the regions is different from the exposure parameter applied to at least another one of the regions.

Abstract: An electronic device including an image sensor, a phase difference autofocus (AF) sensor module, a reflection-type infrared (IR) cut-off filter, and an absorption-type IR cut-off filter, wherein the reflection-type IR cut-off filter is disposed on an optical axis to reflect a first portion of light incident thereon through an imaging lens to the phase difference AF sensor module and to allow a second portion of the light to be transmitted therethrough, the absorption-type IR cut-off filter is disposed between the image sensor and the reflection-type IR cut-off filter on the optical axis to filter the second portion of the light transmitted through the reflection-type IR cut-off filter, and the phase difference AF sensor module performs auto-focusing on a subject using the first portion of the light reflected from the reflection-type IR cut-off filter.

Abstract: A scanner system and method for acquisition of position-based ultrasonic inspection data are described. The scanner system includes an inspection probe and a first non-contact linear encoder having a first sensor and a first scale to track inspection probe position. The first sensor is positioned to maintain a continuous non-contact interface between the first sensor and the first scale and to maintain a continuous alignment of the first sensor with the inspection probe. The scanner system may be used to acquire two-dimensional inspection probe position data by including a second non-contact linear encoder having a second sensor and a second scale, the second sensor positioned to maintain a continuous non-contact interface between the second sensor and the second scale and to maintain a continuous alignment of the second sensor with the first sensor.

Abstract: A system includes: a projection unit that projects an image on a projection object; an image capturing unit that captures an image of a target object present in an optical path of projection light projected from the projection unit; a detection unit that detects light reflected from the target object, based on a captured image captured by the image capturing unit; a judging unit that judges position information of the target object in target space that corresponds to the image projected by the projection unit, based on the captured image; and an identification unit that identifies a projection area on the projection object in which the image is projected, based on the light reflected from the target object detected by the detection unit and the position information judged by the judging unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a high resolution, wide dynamic range, multi-color detection platform for microfluidic analyzers/instruments and methods. The detection platform uses multiple high gain semiconductor optical sensors for the detection of luminescence from cellular or biological samples. The digitized outputs from these sensors are combined and weighted in a signal processing unit, using pre-determined algorithms for each color, which optimize the resolution in each of these high gain semiconductor optical sensors while extending the dynamic range of the detection platform.

Abstract: There is provided an optical disc device that performs recording on a land and a groove, including an optical path splitter configured to split a luminous flux returning from an optical disc into first and second optical paths, a first detector configured to receive a whole of the luminous flux that has passed through the first optical path, a second detector configured to receive a luminous flux of an inside part of the luminous flux that has passed through the second optical path, a spherical aberration error signal generation unit configured to generate a spherical aberration error signal on the basis of a difference between a first focus error signal obtained on the basis of a detection signal of the first detector and a second focus error signal obtained on the basis of a detection signal of the second detector, a spherical aberration correction unit, and an adjustment unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bidirectional display having a two-dimensional display array comprising a plurality of light-generating pixels and a two-dimensional camera array comprising a plurality of light-detecting elements, wherein the two arrays can each be electrically triggered line by line and are preferably interleaved in at least in some sections, featuring electrical triggering of the display array and of the camera array wherein, during light generation in a line of the display array, light detection with that line of the camera array which is closest to said line is deactivated, i.e. line-sequential electrical triggering of the bidirectional display.

Abstract: Color filter for a digital sensor formed of a two-dimensional array of pixels, each pixel corresponding to a given color. The pixels are arranged in at least one base pattern repeated over a given surface, which has at least three pixels of three different colors. The color filter is characterized in that it includes a plurality of distinct base patterns, each of these patterns having predefined optical properties of sensitivity, of color quality and of resolution, and in that it is subdivided into a plurality of distinct areas, each corresponding to a two-dimensional sub-array of pixels. Each of the base patterns is repeated several times along each dimension of the two-dimensional sub-array, respectively over the entirety of a corresponding area.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including a proximity sensing device having an emitter and a detector. The electronic device further including a housing for containing the proximity sensing device which includes an optical interface forming a face of the housing through which radiation between the emitter and the detector pass. The optical interface may include an oleophobic coating which is selectively modified such that optical interference from an optical interface near-field object on the proximity sensing device is reduced without reducing a sensitivity of the proximity sensing device to a target near-field object.

Abstract: An apparatus used with a laser apparatus may include a chamber, a target supply for supplying a target material to a region inside the chamber, a laser beam focusing optical system for focusing a laser beam from the laser apparatus in the region, and an optical system for controlling a beam intensity distribution of the laser beam.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.