Abstract: An optic device with a variable operating mode comprises a micromirror which can be obscured by means of an electrostatically controlled microshutter. In the operating condition of the microshutter, the petal of this adheres over a substrate to allow a beam of light to reach the mirror. In the condition at rest, the petal is curled up and one of its surfaces receives the beam of light and reflects it in all directions, at the same time preventing this from reaching the mirror.

Abstract: A multi-spectral detector for use in a passive/active system and a method for use in identifying an object in a field of view are disclosed. The multi-spectral detection system comprises an optically dispersive element, a detector array, and an integrated circuit. The optically dispersive element is capable of separating received LADAR radiation and radiation received from a scene into a plurality of spectral components and distributing the separated spectral components; and a detector array. The detector array includes a plurality of detectors capable of detecting the LADAR radiation; and a plurality of detectors capable of detecting the spectral components of the scene radiation. The integrated circuit is capable of generating a plurality of electrical signals representative of predetermined characteristics of the detected LADAR radiation and the detected spectral components.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operation of an image-generating optical system for detection of characteristic quantities of the wavelength-dependent behavior of an illuminated specimen, such as the emission behavior and/or absorption behavior and, in particular, the fluorescence and/or luminescence and/or phosphorescence and/or enzyme-active light emission and/or enzyme-active fluorescence, for the operation of a laser scanning microscope, comprising the steps of splitting the image point information of the specimen into spectral components in a spatially resolved manner on the detection side in dependence on wavelength and carrying out at least one summing for different spectral components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for non-dispersive analysis of gas mixtures for determining the concentration of such a first gas component in a gas mixture, whose absorbance may be influenced by other gas components of said gas mixture. The apparatus comprises a sample chamber (2) for containing the gas mixture, a radiation source (1) for transmitting radiation through the gas mixture, a first optical transmission band filter (5) with a first absorption transmission band of the first gas and a first radiation detector (4). The apparatus further comprises a second optical transmission band filter (8) with a second transmission band, which is outside the first transmission band, and a second detector (7). The concentration determining means (23) are arranged to determine the concentration of the first gas using a certain formula or formulas and using the detected intensities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring particulates in vehicle emissions. An ultraviolet light beam having a predetermined wavelength, and an infrared light beam having a predetermined wavelength are propagated through the exhaust plume of a vehicle that has passed on the road. The reduction in intensities of the light beams are measured. The reduction in intensity of the ultraviolet light is due to scattering of the light by particles in the exhaust. A portion of the reduction in intensity of the infrared light is due to absorption of the light by carbon dioxide in the exhaust and a portion of the reduction in intensity is due to the scattering of light by the particles in the exhaust. To distinguish between the two, a portion of the infrared light is run through a test cell with a known amount of carbon dioxide. The reduction in intensity is measured and compared with the reduction in intensity of the infrared light passing through the exhaust plume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic inspection of a surface is provided, the method including the steps of irradiating an area of the surface from at least two different directions using a different wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in each of the directions, and using a camera in order to recover an image of the irradiated surface, characterized in that the electromagnetic radiation is infra-red radiation.

Abstract: Radiation detectors are disclosed that include at least one element (pixel). In a pixel, a desired positional relationship between two “effecting” elements is maintained regardless of changes in temperature or other prevailing variable. The detectors can be “electrical capacitance” or “optical-readout” types. A pixel of the electrical capacitance type includes two electrodes (reference electrode and response electrode) that face each other and have a set gap therebetween. The electrodes are attached to respective displaceable members (configured as thermal bimorphs) having identical structures. A pixel of the optical readout type includes a half-mirror and a reflector that face each other and have a set gap therebetween. The half-mirror and reflector are attached to respective displaceable members. Radiation is absorbed by a radiation absorber that transfers the heat to certain displaceable members that bend to tilt accordingly.

Abstract: Ultrathin silicon oxide films thermally grown on Si(100) are characterized with Mirror-Enhanced Polarized Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (MEPR-FTIR). MEPR-FTIR is proposed to effectively probe properties of ultra-thin films. Using a mirror and a polarizer, MEPR-FTIR overcomes the difficulty of weak IR intensities normally encountered in ultrathin gate dielectrics such as SiO2 and the intensity of the silicon oxide longitudinal optical (LO) mode is found to increase by a factor of about 20. Therefore, FTIR spectrometers with sensitivity down to 0.01% may allow even sub-monolayer probing of silicon oxide on Si substrates.

Abstract: A rapid diagnosis method for organ specific disease state and an apparatus for carrying out the inventive method are based on obtaining an infrared absorbance spectra of a patient's blood at a frequency range from about 400 cm−1−1 to about 4000 cm.−1. Comparing it with the predetermined normal infrared absorbance spectra of known healthy subjects for the presence or absence of predetermined features such as increase or decrease of infrared absorbance, peaks at particular frequencies allows for accurate diagnosis of a disease of an organ, including most major organs such as a heart, lungs, stomach, liver, kidneys, brain, etc.

Abstract: A supporting beam line for supporting, afloat in a cavity on a semiconductor substrate, an infrared detection pixel comprising an infrared absorption portion for absorbing an incident infrared ray and converting it into heat and a thermoelectric conversion portion for converting a temperature change caused by the heat generated in the infrared absorption portion into an electric signal is formed by a damascene metal on the same layer as the gate of a damascene metal gate MOS transistor to be used in a peripheral circuit. The supporting beam line comprises a conductor line with U-shaped cross section inside which a metal is filled.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for quantitatively measuring nitrogen in Czochralski silicon based on the detection of one or more N—O complexes by means of low temperature Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (LT-FTIR) in the far infrared spectral range (FIR).

Abstract: An X-ray micoanalysis test system comprising a beam generator which induces X-rays to emanate from a semiconductor device containing film stacks. The charged particle beam will penetrate at least two layers of a film stack on a semiconductor device so that these layers may be tested. The X-rays will be detected using multiple X-ray detectors that detect X-ray photons having a specific energy level. The X-rays will then be used to analyze the characteristics of the semiconductor device. Each of the multiple X-ray detectors may be wavelength dispersive system (WDS) detectors. The present invention also provides a method for measuring film stack characteristics on a semiconductor device.

Abstract: An optical detector 1 wherein detection elements 11, 12, 13 and 14 are provided in a sealed case 4 whose opening portion 3 is blocked with a window material 2 for transmitting light such as an infrared and an ultraviolet ray therethrough, the detection elements being formed opposite to the window material; and optical filters 21, 22, 23 and 34 are disposed between the window material 2 and the detection elements 11, 12, 13 and 14 and used for selecting and causing only light composed of a predetermined band of wavelengths to be transmitted by thin optical films in connection with the detection elements 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting the durability of a composite structure, such as a composite polymeric coating. The method includes obtaining a sample of a first (reference) composite structure and analyzing at least one layer of the structure for indications of degradation. The sample can be obtained by low angle microtomy. Degradation values and a degradation slope of the first composite structure can be defined. One or more degradation values for a second composite structure can be obtained and the durability of the second composite structure can be predicted by comparing the degradation slope of the second composite structure to the degradation slope of the first composite structure.

Abstract: An extremely convenient apparatus for evaluating the inner quality of vegetables and fruits which is small and inexpensive, can be introduced easily even by small-scaled enterprisers, in which an installation place can be changed easily, and safety and promptness of the replacing work of light sources are fully taking into consideration is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arrangement for shielding electronic sensors from undesired microwave or millimeter wave radiation. In this arrangement, reflective element is disposed in the sensor path to intercept incoming signals. The reflective element has a pluraity of adjacent parallel ridges therein having sloped faces angled for reflecting incoming desired infrared radiation onto the sensor. The width of the ridges are selected so that desired signals will be reflected by the sloped ridge faces but undesired microwave or millimeter radiation will be reflected by the overall major surface of the mirror. Accordingly, undesired microwave or millimeter radiation will be reflected away from the sensor by the overall front major surface thereby preventing the sensor from being damaged.

Abstract: Amount of opaque coating on a substrate is determined. An infrared beam is transmitted into the opaque coating on the substrate. Infrared beams scattered by the opaque coating are collected and detected at a first wavelength and a second wavelength. Infrared energy Ic1 and Ic2 of the collected infrared beams at the first and second wavelengths, respectively, are compared with predetermined values of infrared energy Io1 and Io2 of collected infrared beams at the first and second wavelengths, respectively, that are scattered by a reference substrate without the opaque coating to determine absorbance values A1 and A2 for the opaque coating at the first and second wavelengths, respectively. Absorbance values A1 and A2 at the first and second wavelengths are given by equations A1=−log10(Ic1/Io1) and A2=−log10(IC2/Io2). A difference A1−A2 is correlated to an opaque coating amount.

Abstract: Amount of coating cure or contamination is determined. An infrared beam is transmitted into a crystal. The beam reflects off an internal face at an angle higher than critical reflection angle to generate total reflection at the crystal face. The beam exits the crystal, is filtered at two wavelengths, and is detected to give values Io1 and Io2 of infrared energy reflected without coating. A coated sample contacts an outside face of the crystal. An evanescent wave penetrates the sample where the beam reflects from internal crystal face. The beam is partially absorbed by sample, exits the crystal, is filtered at two wavelengths, and is detected to give values Ic1 and Ic2 of infrared energy reflected with coating. Absorbance values A1 and A2 at two wavelengths are A1=−log10(Ic1/Io1) and A2=−log10(Ic2/Io2). Amount of cure or contamination is proportional to ratio or difference between A1 and A2.

Abstract: In an infrared analysis instrument, a fiber optic probe, designed to be inserted into a particulate sample, is formed from distal ends of transmitting and receiving optic fibers. The distal ends of the transmitting fibers are located centrally in the probe and the distal ends of the receiving fibers are formed in a ring around the distal ends of the transmitting fibers. The distal ends of the receiving fibers are set back from the distal ends of the transmitting fibers. The receiving fibers carrying diffusely scattered light reflected from and transmitted through the particulate sample to a spectrophotometer housing containing fixed grating and an array of silicon photodetectors arranged to detect the spectrum dispersed by the grating in the range of 500 to 1100 nm.

Abstract: A bill discriminating method of discriminating a paper material independent of a light/dense pattern caused by a difference of manufacturing steps and discriminating a paper material of paper without being influenced by humidity or deterioration of the paper material is provided, Two kinds of infrared rays of different kinds of wavelengths are irradiated onto the paper, thereby discriminating the paper material of the paper by using an absorbance difference between photometric values.

Abstract: An optical system for a gas component analysis includes an emitter for emitting first light beam having a first spectrum, a second emitter for emitting a second light beam at a second spectrum, a first receiver for receiving the first light beam, and a second receiver for receiving the second light beam.

Abstract: A robust two spectral band radiometer for long-term stand-alone spectral radiance measurements in the field is provided. The instrument can be used to monitor various surface parameters over prolonged periods of time by automatically collecting spectral radiance measurements at a user selected time interval (minutes to days). Two main applications are the monitoring of water surface parameters, such as total SSC and turbidity, and on-land vegetation by collecting spectral radiance measurements in a broad visible red and near-infrared spectral bands. Use for other application is possible using different spectral bands and multiple radiometers. Also included is the use of a ratioing technique to correlate the spectral radiance values rather than spectral reflectance values to the surface parameters of interest; this simplifies both the filed instrumentation requirements and post processing procedures.

Abstract: A water detecting apparatus includes a source of infra-red radiation which is reflected off an inner surface of a pipe wall onto a mirror directing the infra-red signal along a path to an infra-red detector connected by an electrical signal path to an electronic control. The path is interrupted by a rotating chopper having windows occupied by two optical filters. The first optical filter only passes an infra-red signal of wavelength 1900 nm which is absorbed by water, while the second optical filter only passes an infra-red signal of wavelength 2200 nm, another wavelength absorbed by water, but not to the same extent as the 1900 nm wavelength. The 2200 nm wavelength serves as a reference signal.

Abstract: A quantum well infrared photodetector focal plane array is disclosed wherein each detector structure of the array comprises two vertically stacked quantum well layers. Each of the quantum well layers are individually biased by separate bias voltages and the separate bias voltages are modulated to produce two or more measurements at different spectral bands. Each detector structure of the array can therefore perform measurements of incident infrared energy in at least four separate spectral bands. This technique of measuring incident infrared energy in four separate spectral bands can advantageously be applied to the discrimination of hot gas sources from background infrared clutter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sorting plastic materials on a recycling operation wherein near and infrared energy illuminates particles of flake plastic including such as PET, PVC and PS transported along a conveyer line and the contaminant ingredients are identified and ejected from the stream of preferred particles. More accurate sorting, and thus a higher quality sort may be performed where the contaminant materials and the preferred materials are identified by comparing ratios of levels of signals of energy transmitted through or reflected from the particles, the levels of signal being obtained by filtering the energy from the particles through bandpass filters, one filter of which is centered on the absorptive peak of a contaminant and another filter is centered on a frequency exhibiting the energy level of the preferred material equal to that occurring at the center of the filter for the contaminant absorptive peak.

Abstract: A method for measuring trace quantities of OH groups in quartz glass comprises preparing a set of test pieces comprising a reference test piece from a blank of a quartz glass body whose OH group content is known and a sample test piece from a quartz glass body whose OH group content is to be measured, having two planar planes faced to each other, setting the sample test piece and the reference test piece in an infrared spectrophotometer; successively irradiating perpendicular to one of the two planar planes an incident infrared radiation in a wavelength region of approximately 2500 nm to approximately 2950 nm, while simultaneously detecting the outgoing radiation spectrum from the other plane; obtaining the difference of the outgoing radiation spectrum of each of the test pieces; selecting the absorbance peak assigned to OH groups at a wavelength of 2720 nm to obtain the peak height thereof; and calculating the concentration of OH groups from the peak height in the sample test piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the distribution of a chemical species within a defined space, for example a vessel such as an internal combustion engine cylinder. A plurality of radiation sources and radiation detectors are distributed around the perimeter of the vessel. The radiation sources are distributed to emit beams of radiation across the interior of the vessel, the wavelength of the radiation being selected such that an interaction such as fluorescence or absorption occurs between the radiation and the chemical species which can be detected by the detectors. A representation of the distribution of the chemical species within the vessel can then be derived from the detected interactions by conventional tomography techniques.

Abstract: A photometric device and method for determining the gross calorific value of a test gas, especially natural gas having a radiation source that produces a measuring beam and a modulation unit to modulate the measuring beam. A test cell with test gas and a receiver for the beam are arranged successively in the path of the measuring beam. The measuring signals of the receiver are supplied to an evaluation unit that includes at least one signal amplifier for the amplification of the signals. The signal amplifier is provided with adjustment devices to adjust the signal amplifier according the spectral properties of the measuring beam. The gross calorific value of the gas is indicated by the sum of the amplified measuring signals produced in a computing machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an object-to-be-printed and aims at providing an apparatus for detecting an object-to-be-printed which is capable of discriminating whether the object-to-be-printed is plain paper or special paper. The apparatus includes an infrared sensor for detecting infrared rays 4 radiated by heating the object-to-be-printed 1 with heating means 2 and is capable of discriminating whether the object-to-be-printed is plain paper or special paper.

Abstract: A device for detecting properties of a web of material has a crossbar extending across the web of material. An infrared spectrometer having a holographic grating is provided an has an input side and an output side. Infrared detectors are arranged at the output side of the infrared spectrometer and are formed by a detector matrix having n lines and m rows of infrared sensitive individual sensors. A plurality of optical waveguides are provided, each waveguide having an entrance area and an exit area. The entrance area is fastened to said crossbar, located in vicinity of the surface of the web of material and is oriented towards said surface. The exit areas of the optical waveguides are connected to the input side of the infrared spectrometer.

Abstract: A flame-sensing element and supporting circuitry is disguised by installing it in an object normally found within the type of room in which it is to monitor. In the best example, a lavatory is monitored by installing a mock fire-safety sprinkler head on the ceiling; the glass-bulb trigger element of a sprinkler head is replaced with a glass bulb flame-sensing element. Alternatively, the glass bulb flame-sensing element and associated electronics may be concealed in a housing designed to house a room deodorant, an air purifier of the ultraviolet or ozone-generating type, a reservoir for a liquid toilet bowl or urinal deodorant, behind the grille of a ventilating air vent, behind the grille of a loudspeaker housing, or within the housing of a smoke detector. The disguise or concealment is meant to hide the apparatus from notice by a surreptitious smoker who would smoke tobacco in an area wherein smoking is prohibited, especially in school lavatories.

Abstract: A quantum well infrared focal plane array achieves hyper-spectral measurements of incident infrared radiation using a voltage dividing network that applies different and adjustable biasing voltages to each line of the line by column array. The peak wavelengths of each quantum well layer of each detector structure in the array is set to a specified nominal value by appropriate fabrication of the depths of the quantum wells of the layers. The nominal peak wavelength value of each quantum well layer can further be varied by modulating the bias voltage applied to the gate of the direct injection transistor associated with each detector structure of the array. A read out integrated circuit (ROIC) containing the direct injection transistor processes the photo-current from each quantum well layer of each detector structure.

Abstract: A bill discriminating method of discriminating a paper material independent of a light/dense pattern caused by a difference of manufacturing steps and discriminating a paper material of paper without being influenced by humidity or deterioration of the paper material is provided, Two kinds of infrared rays of different kinds of wavelengths are irradiated onto the paper, thereby discriminating the paper material of the paper by using an absorbance difference between photometric values.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the infrared detection of hydrocarbon gases; infrared light from a source (10) is passed through a filter (12) to produce a beam (14) passing through a space (16), which can potentially contain hydrocarbon gases. The wavelength of the beam (14) contains a wavelength that is absorbed by hydrocarbon gases (sample wavelength) and a wavelength that is not absorbed by hydrocarbon gases (reference wavelength). The beam (14) falls on a detector that contains sensors (22, 24) that receive light that has passed through respective filters (18, 20). Sample filter (20) allows a single wavelength to be transmitted; reference filter (18) allows two wavelength bands to be transmitted, the bands having wavelengths located on either side of the sample wavelength in order to eliminate the effects of atmospheric conditions that are unconnected with hydrocarbon gases.

Abstract: A method for controlling the production of formaldehyde resin compositions in which formaldehyde takes part in a reaction with one or a combination of co resin forming material (of the type phenol, urea, melamine) the method includes monitoring at least one of the formation of the reaction mixture and the course of the reaction by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and adjusting the course of the reaction (when necessary) in accordance with the results of the spectroscopy to obtain optimum conditions for the reaction.

Abstract: An optical filter system is described wherein a fluid, such as gaseous phases of water or carbon dioxide, is frozen onto a transmissive substrate positioned in the optical path of an infrared sensor system. The frozen material, which is preferably maintained at cryogenic temperatures, acts as a natural optical filter, absorbing certain undesirable wavelength bands of atmospheric infrared radiation, thus preventing them from reaching the detector of the sensor system. Simultaneously, the optical filter system allows certain desirable wavelength bands of infrared radiation to be transmitted, thus permitting them to reach the detector of the sensor system. The overall effect is to reduce the amount of noise and clutter generated by the undesirable atmospheric infrared radiation from reaching the detector of the sensor system, thus increasing the resolution and effectiveness of the sensor system.

Abstract: An infrared refractive lens triplet having color correction properties for radiation within the 3 to 12 micrometer spectral band for use with a quantum well detector for simultaneous dual band imagery. In certain embodiments of the invention, two widely spaced triplets form a Petzval-type objective lens. Each lens triplet is made up of a negative zinc sulfide lens, a positive zinc selenide lens, and a negative gallium arsenide lens coaxially positioned along a chief ray of the lens system.

Abstract: A novel near infrared spectroscopic technique was used to characterize the joints in arthritis with comparison against normal joints. A beam of near infrared light was passed to joints through a fibre optic cable. Scattered light was collected by the same fibre bundle and a spectrum of the joint computed. Multivariate pattern recognition techniques identified regions of the spectrum which allowed discrimination between healthy and affected joints. Linear discriminant analysis resulted in correct classification of 74% of the joints. The high degree of similarity between mean spectra representing the early, late and control groups along with the significant between—subject variability in the data make diagnosis based on visual assessment of the spectra impossible. Linear discriminant analysis was therefore applied to spectra to determine if spectra could be classified by statistical methods as arising from early or late RA. Application of LDA resulted in correct classification of 74% of the joints.

Abstract: An advance in a passive, remote sensing device for measurement of atmospheric temperature utilizes an actuated modulator for periodically alternating the radiation detected by a detector at a selected infrared wavelength between the infrared radiation from the atmosphere and that from the infrared reference radiation emitted from a reference material such that the detector compares the radiation emitted from the atmosphere to that emitted by the reference material at the selected infrared wavelength in order to determine the atmosphere temperature. Preferably, the modulator is a MEMS based modulator having a movable grating formed by MEMS based fabrication techniques.

Abstract: An infrared optical gas sensor is improved with respect to the quality of the measured signal. The infrared radiation detectors (4, 6) used as the reference radiation and measuring radiation detectors include thin layers of a partially transparent material, which sends an electric measured signal that depends on the radiation intensity received. The infrared radiation detectors are arranged stacked one over the other and with an interposed narrow-band filter (3, 5) each, which are transparent at the measuring wavelength. The infrared radiation detectors have an electrically conductive coating on the top side and the underside and are contacted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion temperature sensor, and, more particularly, to a combustion temperature sensor that measures infrared energy emitted at several preselected wavelengths from a flame and/or a flame's hot gas at a turbine inlet location and applies the energy signals to a calculation model to yield temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion temperature sensor, and, more particularly, to a combustion temperature sensor that measures infrared energy emitted at several preselected wavelengths from a flame and/or a flame's hot gas at a turbine inlet location and applies the energy signals to a calculation model to yield temperature.

Abstract: An infrared detector array includes a plurality of detector pixel structures, each having a plurality of coplanar sections responsive to different bands of infrared radiations. Each section of a pixel structure comprises a plurality of elongate quantum well infrared radiation absorbing photoconductor (QWIP) elements. The group of QWIP elements are spaced such that they comprise a diffraction grating for the received infrared radiation. Top and bottom longitudinal contacts are provided on opposite surfaces of the QWIP elongate elements to provide current flow transverse to the axis of the element to provide the required bias voltage. An infrared radiation reflector is provided to form an optical cavity for receiving infrared radiation. A plurality of detector pixel structures are combined to form a focal plane array. Each pixel structure section produces a signal that is transmitted through a conductive bump to a terminal of a read out integrated circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing the chemical composition of vulnerable plaques with an intravascular catheter having a near-infrared light source, a fiber-optic probe, a mechanism for directing the light from the light source into a blood vessel, and detectors for detecting light reflected or scattered by the tissue. The light source may be a tunable laser, and may transmit an incident beam having a wavelength ranging from 1400 to 4100 nm. A computer may be included to receive and process the spectral data in the analysis of the vulnerable plaques. A catheter system may be configured to provide near-IR spectrometric imaging of arteries to non-destructively locate and determine lipid pool and fibrous cap size and composition. Additionally, mediators and cellular components may be also determined that are typically associated with vulnerable plaques which have an increased risk of rupture.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detector system is disclosed which includes a detector of semiconductor material in the form of a superlattice having a plurality of layers of a first conductivity type spaced by alternate layers of a second conductivity type forming a layered structure having distinct natural energy band gap responsive to a narrow band of electromagnetic wavelengths, but which can be tuned by physical or electromagnetic devices to alter the band of wavelengths to which the detector responds. The system includes electrodes connecting the sensor to an output device.

Abstract: A method is presented for calibrating an infrared sensing device while in an orbit above a celestial body. The infrared sensing device measures a signal profile proportional to radiance emission from the atmospheric limb region in each of a plurality of spectral bandpass regions. The radiance emission from each of the spectral bandpass regions is primarily due to a gas in the atmospheric limb region. The gas must 1) have a known mixing ratio as a function of pressure, 2) cause spectral opacity to be different for each spectral bandpass region, and 3) cause spectral opacity to be non-linearly proportional to concentration of the gas in the atmospheric limb region over at least a portion of the signal profile. A temperature/pressure profile that is indicative of the signal profiles is determined. The temperature/pressure profile is indicative of absolute radiance emission which is then used to calibrate the infrared sensing device.

Abstract: An infrared gauge for, and a method of, measuring a parameter of a sample, e.g.

Abstract: The refraction type non-destruction measuring apparatus of the present invention has a prism having a predetermined refractive index, projecting means for projecting near infrared light onto an object to be examined through the prism, a contact material filling the space between the object to be examined and the prism and having a refractive index set in conformity with the characteristic of the object to be examined, and light receiving means for receiving the internal reflected light of the light having entered the interior of the object to be examined through the contact material and the prism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multicolor detection employing the natural chromatic aberration of a diffractive microlens to detect two or more colors or light. In the preferred embodiment the diffractive microlens detects two colors in the VLWIR spectral region and is focused on a two-part detector having a central region to detect the shorter bandwidth and a concentrically disposed region to detect the long band, VLWIR radiation. These detectors are arranged in a multicolor focal plane array to allow imaging.

Abstract: A thermopile radiation detector (10) has an optical filter layer (16) that supports a thermopile detector (22) and, in addition, filters undesired wavelengths. The filtering is accomplished by selectively absorbing electromagnetic radiation at predetermined wavelengths. The use of the thermopile radiation detector simplifies the overall construction of a system that incorporates the detector by eliminating one focal point in the optical system. By altering the filter material, the number of layers of filter material, etc., a plurality of detectors can be constructed, each responsive to a different wavelength. In forming the detector, the filter can be deposited on a thin backing material such as aluminum. Examples of suitable filter materials include alternating layers of zinc selenide/magnesium fluoride or germanium/magnesium fluoride. After the filter is deposited, the backing is etched away and suitable thermocouples, such as bismuth/antimony, are deposited on one side of the filter.