Abstract: A method, system and apparatus are provided to measure magnetic characteristics of a comparatively thick magnetic sample in a magnetic field or nonmagnetic field by X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). In particular, the method, system and apparatus measure the magnetic characteristics of the thick magnetic sample by irradiating the sample with X-ray, and detecting transmissive X-ray passing through the sample.

Abstract: Provided are methods of using electromagnetic waves for detecting metal and/or dielectric objects. Methods include directing microwave and/or mm wave radiation in a predetermined direction using a transmission apparatus, including a transmission element; receiving radiation from an entity resulting from the transmitted radiation using a detection apparatus; and generating one or more detection signals in the frequency domain using the detection apparatus. Methods may include operating a controller, wherein operating the controller includes causing the transmitted radiation to be swept over a predetermined range of frequencies, performing a transform operation on the detection signal(s) to generate one or more transformed signals in the time domain, and determining, from one or more features of the transformed signal, one or more dimensions of a metallic or dielectric object upon which the transmitted radiation is incident.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.

Abstract: A surgical microscope system includes a camera that is rotatable around a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, the rotation axes being orthogonal to each other, so that a photographing direction of the camera is changeable at a given position. The first rotation axis is inclined with respect to a vertical axis, and therefore, a lower end of a first member is able to be set at a height that does not interfere with the photographing direction when the camera is horizontally oriented.

Abstract: A magnetic field measurement apparatus includes an irradiation portion, a gas cell, a measurement unit (polarization separation unit, light receiving portion, signal processing circuit), and a magnetic shield. The magnetic shield is formed in a elongated hollow shape having openings at both sides thereof. The gas cell, in which gaseous atoms are sealed, is disposed in a hollow area of the magnetic shield. The irradiation portion irradiates irradiation light including linearly polarized light adjusted so that the vibration direction of an electric field coincides with the axis direction of the magnetic shield onto the gaseous atoms sealed in the gas cell along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the magnetic shield. The measurement unit measures a rotational angle of a polarization plane of the irradiation light that has been irradiated by the irradiation portion and passed through the gaseous atoms.

Abstract: An optical arrangement in a microscope includes an illumination device configured to generate an illuminating light beam extending on an illumination side. A splitting device is configured to split the illuminating light beam into at least two partial beams. A mirror arrangement is configured to reflect the partial beams into an illumination region for plane illumination of a specimen. Detection optics are arranged on a side of the illumination region facing away from the illumination side.

Abstract: An intensity-independent optical computing device and method for performing multivariate optical computing based on changes in polarization of the reflected and/or transmitted electromagnetic radiation to thereby determine sample characteristics.

Abstract: A boroscope has a first end and a second end and the first end of the boroscope has an optical fiber, a light source, a lens, a beam expander and a transmissive diffractive optical element. The optical fiber extends from the first end of the boroscope to the second end of the boroscope. A laser optical fiber extends from the lens at the first end of the boroscope to the second end of the boroscope and a laser source is arranged to direct a laser beam into the laser optical fiber. The beam expander is provided between the laser optical fiber and the lens and the lens is provided between the beam expander and the transmissive diffractive optical element. The transmissive diffractive optical element is arranged to produce a laser beam with a predetermined shape and a focal length probe extends from the first end of the boroscope.

Abstract: A PV vector measuring apparatus includes: a light source 101configured to output probe light; a polarization switch 102 that can freely set a state of polarization of input light; a polarimeter 104; a PV-vector calculating device 105; and a rectangular wave generator 106. The polarization switch alternately switches between two orthogonal states of polarization in accordance with a rectangular wave modulation signal output from the rectangular wave generator. Output light from the polarization switch is input to a measurement object 103. The polarimeter 104 measures time dependency of an SOP vector of output light output from the measurement object. The PV-vector calculating device calculates a characteristic vector, which expresses a rate of polarization change in the measurement object, from the time dependency of the SOP vector.

Abstract: An open-path laser spectrometer (OPLS) for measuring a concentration of a trace gas, the OPLS including an open-path multi-pass analysis region including a first mirror, a second mirror at a distance and orientation from the first mirror, and a support structure for locating the mirrors, a laser coupled to the analysis region and configured to emit light of a wavelength range and to enable a plurality of reflections of the emitted light between the mirrors, a detector coupled to the analysis region and configured to detect a portion of the emitted light impinging on the detector and to generate a corresponding signal, and an electronic system coupled to the laser and the detector, and configured to adjust the wavelength range of the emitted light from the laser based on the generated signal, and to measure the concentration of the trace gas based on the generated signal.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for estimating air quality is provided. The portable apparatus includes a light source unit suitable for emitting incident light having a predetermined wavelength toward air to generate scattered light which is reflected by particles in the air, a light detection unit suitable for collecting information on the scattered light, and an arithmetic unit suitable for analyzing the information on the scattered light which is collected by the light detection unit. The arithmetic unit generates information on a size and a concentration of the particles in the air. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (8) for detecting a target position deviation of two bodies (10, 12), with a first measuring unit (14) for placement on the first body (10), a second measuring unit (18) for placement on the second body (12), and an evaluation unit (22). The first measuring unit (14) has means (24) to generate at least one bundle of light beams (28) and a scattering area (34) to scatter light (WV, PV) striking the scattering area, and the second measuring unit (18) has a reflector arrangement (38) to reflect the bundle of light beams (28) onto the scattering area (34). The second measuring unit (18) has a camera (36) to record images of the scattering area (34). The evaluation unit (22) is configured so as to detect from the images a deviation in target position of the bodies (10, 12). The invention additionally relates to a method to detect the deviation in target position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for detecting transmittance of a trench. The trench is located on an infrared-transmittable material, which can be a wafer. The wafer is obtained after a ditching process. An image of the wafer is fetched. The contrast of the image is greatly enhanced. The contrast-enhanced image is used for automated analysis of the transmittance of the trench. Accuracy of detecting the transmittance is improved. Hence, the present invention uses a simple structure to detect transmittance defects of the trench for ensuring goodness of the wafer.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including at least two photon emitters, each with a preselected polarization orientation, and configured to emit polarized photons onto a surface of an article, and a processing means configured to process photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article, and generate one or more surface features maps for the article from the photon-detector-array signals corresponding to the photons scattered from the surface features of the article.

Abstract: A sensing cable is provided which includes exposed and/or unexposed optical fibers or wires disposed through the length of the sensing cable. The sensing cable includes a slotted core which is a one-piece integral member having a plurality of channels formed on a perimeter of the slotted core and which extend along a length of the slotted core. The sensing cable includes at least one exposed component which is disposed in a first channel of the plurality of channels and which extends along a length of the first channel. The sensing cable includes at least one unexposed component which is encased by a protective member, and the unexposed component and the protective member are disposed in a second channel of the plurality of channels. The unexposed component and the protective member extend along a length of the second channel.

Abstract: An accurate and robust wavefront-division polarimetric analysis method and device, allows the quasi-instantaneous measurement of the polarization states of a luminous object. The device can be used to produce a plurality of light beams, all polarized according to different polarization states, from a single upstream light beam. The polarized light beams, which do not overlap and which carry information items that are complementary in terms of polarization, are analyzed simultaneously by a plurality of detectors that measure the luminous intensity of each beam. Processing elements digitally process the luminous intensity values obtained in order to determine the polarization state of the upstream light beam. The operations performed by the processing elements prevent luminous intensity variations in the split light beams during the division of the wavefront of the upstream light beam.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus using polarized lights according to one aspect of the present invention includes an irradiator configured to irradiate an inspection target with a first plurality of lights. The first plurality of lights have different polarization states and different wavelengths from each other. The inspection apparatus further includes a light receiver configured to perform a wavelength demultiplexing of a second plurality of lights obtained from the inspection target to generate a third plurality of lights, to separately receive the third plurality of lights, and to output at least one light-receiving signal associated with the third plurality of lights and a processor configured to calculate at least one of an ellipse azimuth, a degree of polarization, and a polarization component intensity using the light-receiving signal and to determine whether the inspection target is defective or non-defective.

Abstract: An optical linear measurement system and method are provided that determine movement of a movable device based on the signal strength of an optical signal propagating in a first optical fiber that is attached to the movable device. As the linear position of the movable device changes, the radius of a coil of the first optical fiber changes. As the radius of the coil changes, the strength of the optical signal changes. A second static optical fiber is used for performing temperature compensation. Changes in signal strength of an optical signal carried on the second optical fiber due to temperature are used to adjust the measured strength of the signal carried on the first optical fiber. The movement of the movable device is then made based on the adjusted signal strength measurement.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive display for an electronic device may include a touch sensor comprising a low birefringence substrate, ultraviolet (UV) stabilizers, and a metal mesh disposed on at least a portion of the low birefringence substrate. The low birefringence characteristic of the touch sensor substrate causes the touch sensor to exhibit low haze, high transmittance, and substantially no color, which provides improved optical properties over conventional touch sensor substrate materials used with metal mesh film. In some embodiments, the retardation value of the touch sensor substrate may be no greater than about 15 nanometers (nm). Additionally, the UV stabilizers prevent the substrate from yellowing and becoming brittle from exposure to UV radiation.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes an irradiation system with a light source configured to emit linearly polarized light of a first polarization direction onto a sheet-like object, in a direction oblique to a direction orthogonal to a surface of the object, a first photodetector arranged on an optical path of light that is emitted from the irradiation system and then is reflected at the object by regular reflection, a first optical element, arranged on an optical path of light reflected by diffuse reflection from an incidence plane of the object, configured to transmit linearly polarized light of a second polarization direction that is orthogonal to the first polarization direction, a second photodetector configured to receive light that has passed through the first optical element, and a detection unit configured to detect at least one of basis weight and thickness of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the concentration of chiral molecules in a fluid includes a first polarizer configure to polarize light in substantially a first plane to provide initially polarized light. A second polarizer is capable of polarizing the initially polarized light in a plurality of planes, at least one of the plurality of planes being different from the first plane, to provide subsequently polarized light. One or more receivers are included for measuring an intensity of the subsequently polarized light in one or more of the plurality of planes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, compositions, and apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy are disclosed. A sample site position sensor, stage position motors operable to move the stage in three independent spatial coordinate directions, and a stage position control circuit can move an analysis sample site to selected coordinate positions for laser ablation. Light emitted from a plasma plume produced with laser ablation can be gathered into a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a broadband spectrometer operable to analyze a relatively wide spectral segment, and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to a high dispersion spectrometer operable to measure minor concentrations and/or trace elements. Emissions from a plasma plume can be simultaneously analyzed in various ways using a plurality of spectrometers having distinct and/or complementary capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method in a wireless communication system for determining whether an active eavesdropper is interfering in transmissions on a radio channel from a transmitter to a receiver, the method comprising the steps of: estimating, by said transmitter, a first effective channel gain of said radio channel at said receiver; estimating, by said receiver, a second effective channel gain of said radio channel at said receiver; and determining whether an active eavesdropper is interfering in the transmissions by comparing said first and second effective channel gains. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method in a receiver, a receiver device, a computer program, and a computer program product thereof.

Abstract: A transmissive optical encoder includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a rotatable disk provided with slits and rotatable together with an object of detection, and an optical waveguide having an inlet facing the light emitting element and an outlet facing the light receiving element. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on the same side in relation to the rotatable disk. The optical waveguide is fixed independently of rotational movement of the rotatable disk.

Abstract: A laser spark plug for an internal combustion engine, in particular for a gas engine, includes a laser crystal integrated into the laser spark plug and a combustion chamber optical unit. Laser light pulses issuing from the laser crystal can be coupled by way of the combustion chamber optical unit into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. An optical laser light sensor is integrated into the laser spark plug, and the combustion chamber optical unit is provided with a preferably curved reflection surface which faces towards the laser light sensor and has a reflective mirroring. At least a part of a laser light reflected at the reflection surface during the duration of a laser light pulse can be detected by the laser light sensor.

Abstract: An optical position-measuring device is adapted to detect the position of an object in several spatial degrees of freedom. The object is disposed in a manner allowing it to move at least along a first direction of movement and along a second direction of movement. The position-measuring device includes at least one light source and at least one first and second measuring standard which are located on the object, extend along a first extension direction and a second extension direction and include graduation regions disposed periodically along the first and second extension directions.

Abstract: An exemplary 3D image shooting apparatus comprises: a polarized light source; an image capturing section that sequentially captures an image of the object that is being illuminated with each of plane polarized light rays, and an image processor. The image capturing section includes: a lens; an image sensor; and an incoming light transmitting section which has a transparent area and a plurality of polarization filter areas. The polarization filter areas are arranged outside of the transparent area, generally have a concentric ring shape, and include left and right filter areas so that their polarization transmission axis directions define an angle ? (0<?<90 degrees). The image processing section generates a plurality of images from light that has been transmitted through the transparent area and light that has been transmitted through the plurality of polarization filter areas.

Abstract: A terahertz temporal and spatial resolution imaging system is provided. The system includes: a sample placing rack; a detection crystal, located on the exit side of the sample placing rack; a pump light generating device, for generating a pump light to irradiate the test sample; a terahertz light generating device, for generating a terahertz light to irradiate the test sample, irradiate the detection crystal after obtaining information about the test sample, and modulate an index ellipsoid of the detection crystal; a detection light generating device, for generating a detection light to irradiate the detection crystal to detect the index ellipsoid of the detection crystal, thereby indirectly obtaining the information about the test sample; and an imaging apparatus, located in an optical path after the detection light passes through the detection crystal, for collecting terahertz images of the test sample.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an element 106 transform, with a voltage, non-polarized light into plane polarized light with an arbitrary plane of polarization. A synchronizer 112 gives the plane of polarization control element 106 an instruction to rotate the plane of polarization, thereby getting the plane of polarization of the illumination rotated and casting that polarized light toward the object. At the same time, the synchronizer 112 sends a shooting start signal to an image sensor 110, thereby getting video. The synchronizer 112 performs these processing steps multiple times. A captured video signal is sent to an image processing processor 108, where LL, RR and CC images are separately generated as images of light rays that have passed through left and right polarizing areas and the central non-polarizing area and left and right parallax signals are generated and sent to a 3D display section 122.

Abstract: An encoder system includes an encoder scale and an encoder head, in which the encoder head is configured to combine each twice-diffracted measurement beam of multiple twice-diffracted measurement beams with a corresponding reference beam to form multiple output beams, where the encoder head includes a monolithic optical component having multiple facets, the multiple facets being arranged to: receive multiple once-diffracted measurement beams from a surface of the encoder scale; and redirect the multiple once-diffracted measurement beams back towards the surface of the encoder scale, the encoder scale being positioned in a path of the once-diffracted measurement beams to produce the twice-diffracted measurement beams.

Abstract: A kind of normal incidence broadband spectroscopic polarimeter which is easy to adjust the focus, has no chromatic aberration, maintains the polarization and has simple structure. The normal incidence broadband spectroscopic polarimeter can make the probe beam normal incidence and focus on the sample surface by using at least one flat reflector element to change propagation direction of the focused beam. Moreover, the normal incidence broadband spectroscopic polarimeter contains at least one polarizer as to measure the anisotropy or non-uniform samples, such as three-dimensional profile and material optical constants of thin films consisting of the periodic structure. An optical measurement system including the normal incidence broadband spectroscopic polarimeter is also provided.

Abstract: A recording medium determination apparatus includes a light radiation unit which radiates light toward a recording medium; a light receiving unit which receives diffuse reflection light, which is light radiated from the light radiation unit and diffuse reflected by the recording medium; a reflection portion which can reflect transmitted light, which is radiated from the light radiation unit and transmitted through the recording medium, to cause the transmitted light to be incident to the recording medium again; a switching unit which switches a reflectance state such that a reflectance of the reflection portion changes; and a determination unit which determines a thickness of the recording medium on a basis of a value of a ratio between light amounts of a plurality of the diffuse reflection lights which are reflected by the reflection portion in different reflectance states and are received by the light receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling optical signals into silicon optoelectronic chips are disclosed and may include coupling one or more optical signals into a back surface of a CMOS photonic chip in a photonic transceiver, wherein photonic, electronic, or optoelectronic devices may be integrated in layers on a front surface of the CMOS photonic chip. Optical couplers, such as grating couplers, may receive the optical signals in the front surface. The optical signals may be coupled into the back surface of the chips via optical fibers and/or optical source assemblies. The optical signals may be coupled to the optical couplers via a light path etched in the chips, which may be refilled with silicon dioxide. The chips may be bonded to a second chip. Optical signals may be reflected back to the optical couplers via metal reflectors, which may be integrated in dielectric layers on the chips.

Abstract: A PDL compensation technique is provided that reduces the number of and the number of types of the PDL compensators even if it is uncertain to determine which of the two polarization principal axes of an optical device has a larger loss. The PDL compensator according to the present invention is configured to, before an optical signal input from a first or a second input/output terminal enters a PDL compensation device, switch between the first polarization principal axis and the second polarization principal axis of the optical signal depending on which of the first and the second polarization principal axes has a larger loss or gain.

Abstract: Measurement of the rotating angle of two objects rotating in relation to each other is achieved with a transmitter assigned to one of the objects. The transmitter emits light that is either polarized or becomes polarized by means of a polarization filter, and with a polarization-sensitive polarizer such that the transmitter and the polarizer rotate relative to each other as dependent on the rotating angle. A receiver measures the luminosity of light passing through the polarizer in order to create a signal that is dependent on the rotating angle, and where the receiver has at least two receiver elements which detect light of differing polarization.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a transparent surface, a light emitting device that emits light through the transparent surface, and a light sensor for receiving ambient light and providing an ambient light value. A retarder and a linear polarizer are placed between the transparent surface and the light emitting device. The retarder and linear polarizer may attenuate internal reflections from the transparent surface. The light sensor may have two channels and a second linear polarizer may attenuate the ambient light directed toward a second channel. A second retarder may be used with the second linear polarizer to attenuate the ambient light directed toward the second channel. A light detection circuit may use the difference between the two channels of the light sensor to provide the ambient light value.

Abstract: The present invention relates conductive nanostructured copolymer materials, such as thin film. In particular, the nanostructured copolymer material comprises plurality of chains substantially parallel to each other, each conductive chain comprising a plurality of conductive polyacetylene polymer blocks positioned along the chain and a plurality of polar poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer blocks in between the polyacetylene polymer blocks to form a pattern of alternatively repeating polyacetylene polymer blocks and poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer blocks and a ratio of polyacetylene polymer to poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer to provide the nanostructured copolymer material with conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. In some aspects, the invention relates to photoelectric devices comprising a nanostructured copolymer material and capable to convert light to electrical current.

Abstract: A super-resolution microscope includes a modulation optical element (10) that is disposed in an illumination optical system along a light path traveled by first illumination light and second illumination light and spatially modulates the second illumination light. In the modulation optical element (10), a plurality of optical substrates exhibiting anisotropy in a refractive index distribution are joined in a coplanar manner, and at least two of the optical substrates have a different refractive index with respect to a polarization direction of the second illumination light.

Abstract: The present invention relates conductive nanostructured copolymer materials, such as thin film. In particular, the nanostructured copolymer material comprises plurality of chains substantially parallel to each other, each conductive chain comprising a plurality of conductive polyacetylene polymer blocks positioned along the chain and a plurality of polar poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer blocks in between the polyacetylene polymer blocks to form a pattern of alternatively repeating polyacetylene polymer blocks and poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer blocks and a ratio of polyacetylene polymer to poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer to provide the nanostructured copolymer material with conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. In some aspects, the invention relates to photoelectric devices comprising a nanostructured copolymer material and capable to convert light to electrical current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the optical analysis of a sample, also referred to as microscope, which is configured for an optical analysis process having high resolution for the detection of fluorescent molecules. The apparatus and the process applied when using the apparatus are configured for excitation light generated by an excitation light source to be directed onto a sample and the light emitted by the probe is detected. The apparatus and the process are characterized in that the excitation light is synchronized with the detection. The apparatus is characterized in that it has a polarization device which is configured to modulate the polarization of the excitation light with a modulation signal, wherein the modulation signal has or consists of at least one frequency, in particular a pre-determined frequency or several pre-determined superimposed frequencies, or the modulation signal consists of a sequence of signals that has no repetition.

Abstract: A polarization control device includes a first wave plate having a first surface profile and a second wave plate having a second surface profile complimentary to the first surface profile. The optical axis of the first wave plate is orthogonal to the optical axis of the second wave plate. The first wave plate and the second wave plate are positioned to align the first surface profile with the second surface profile and maintain a constant thickness across the polarization control device. The first wave plate and the second wave plate may control polarization rotation as a continuous function of transverse position across a pupil plane of an optical system. The first wave plate and the second wave plate are separated by a sufficiently small distance so as to limit wave front distortion below a selected level.

Abstract: There is provided a novel optical sensor utilizing a surface plasmon resonance technique which is capable of detecting a substance to be detected with high sensitivity independently of a wavelength of irradiated light and is capable of obtaining information, other than a refraction index, on the substance to be detected. At the center of a surface of a metallic film 2 which is formed on a substrate and has no aperture, a circular depression 4 with a diameter of 0.1 to 250 nm is formed and with the depression 4 defined as a center, a plurality of depressions 3 are concentrically formed at intervals of 450 to 530 nm.

Abstract: An extended depth of field three-dimensional nano-resolution imaging method includes: creating an optical module with a double helix point spread function and multi-stage imaging properties of a defocus optical grating; obtaining double helix image of a molecule by imaging a molecule using the optical module; determining a lateral position of the molecule according to a position of a midpoint of double helix sidelobes on the imaging plane in the double helix image; determining an axial position of the molecule according to a rotation angle of a line of centers of the double helix sidelobes on the imaging plane and the position of the midpoint of the double helix sidelobes on the imaging plane in the double helix image. The double helix point spread function and the defocus optical grating multi-stage imaging are combined to implement three-dimensional imaging to extended the depth of field and to improve the resolution.

Abstract: A microplate reader includes a pair of linear variable filters (LVFs) that together form a wavelength selector. Movement of one or both of the LVFs enables selection of the desired center wavelength and/or passband used to analyze a sample on a microplate inserted into the microplate reader. The microplate reader may also include a similar second wavelength selector. The LVFs are located on movable frames, with each frame also advantageously including least one of an aperture, a fixed optical filter, and an optical polarization filter. In some cases, different types of measurements may be taken without changing the geometry of the optical path between the wavelength selectors. The microplate reader may additionally use a LVF to form a continuously adjustable dichroic for sample analysis.

Abstract: An optical sensor, an optical encoder, a torque detection apparatus, and an electric power steering apparatus less affected by fluctuations in the amount of detected light and with an improved resolution are provided. The optical sensor includes a first polarizing layer that splits incident light to light with a first polarization direction, a first photoreceiver that receives first polarized light split by the first polarizing layer, a second polarizing layer that splits the incident light to light with a second polarization direction, and a second photoreceiver that receives second polarized light split by the second polarizing layer. The first photoreceiver and the second photoreceiver are positioned alternatingly and spaced uniformly with each other.

Abstract: An optical scale, a method for manufacturing an optical scale, and an optical encoder less affected by fluctuations in the amount of detected light and with an improved resolution are provided. The optical scale includes a plurality of wires provided thereon so that the plurality of wires do not intersect each other and each of the tangential directions of the respective wires changes continuously. The optical encoder includes the optical scale, a light source, an optical sensor, and a computing unit.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module includes a beam transmitter, which emits at least one beam of light along a beam axis, and a receiver, which senses the light received by the module along a collection axis of the receiver, which is parallel to the beam axis within the module. Beam-combining optics direct the beam and the received light so that the beam axis is aligned with the collection axis outside the module. The beam-combining optics include multiple faces, including at least a first face configured for internal reflection and a second face comprising a beamsplitter, which is intercepted by both the beam axis and the collection axis.

Abstract: A dual-mode includes a light source configured to project a structured illumination from which visible light can be filtered. The dual-mode imager also includes a detector configured to capture both the structured illumination and visible light from the scene. A temporal or spatial filter is used to selectively block visible light from one or more portions of the detector while passing the structured illumination to the one or more portions of the detector.

Abstract: Described herein is a device operable to detect polarized light comprising: a substrate; a first subpixel; a second subpixel adjacent to the first subpixel; a first plurality of features in the first subpixel and a second plurality of features in the second subpixel, wherein the first plurality of features extend essentially perpendicularly from the substrate and extend essentially in parallel in a first direction parallel to the substrate and the second plurality of features extend essentially perpendicularly from the substrate and extend essentially in parallel in a second direction parallel to the substrate; wherein the first direction and the second direction are different; the first plurality of features and the second plurality of features react differently to the polarized light.

Abstract: A photodiode includes a photosensitive area and a polarizing grating located in front of the photosensitive area. The polarizing grating is formed by a plurality of galvanically conducting filaments.