Abstract: This invention relates to a method for immunoassays based on infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy that utilizes proteins such as antigen and antibody that have specific absorptions in infrared absorption spectrum under 1550 cm?1. A chip is made from infrared reflective substrates such as a gold or silver plate, whereon the antibodies or antigens are immobilized by the specific bonding action between metal surfaces of the chip and proteins, and the protein signals are then detected by infrared reflection-absorption and infrared microscopy. Since infrared radiation is capable of interacting with any organic molecules, there is no need to label the samples with fluorescent reagents or nucleic irradiation reagent. This invention thus provides a label-free process that can avoid the inconvenience of labeling common biochemical material for detection in the prior art, thus achieving the purpose of higher speed of detection.

Abstract: A portable system for non-destructively measuring amount of coating on a metallic substrate based upon infrared absorbance includes a portable, hand-held measurement unit housed in a pistol-gripped case and an optical sensing unit that has an infrared source and a detector. The infrared source is configured to transmit infrared energy toward a metallic substrate having a coating thereon. The infrared energy passes through the coating, reflects off a surface of the substrate, passes back through the coating, and is detected by the detector. A processor correlates amount of infrared absorbance in the coating to amount of the coating. A base unit holds the hand-held measurement when not in use and charges a battery of the hand-held measurement unit. The base unit includes connectors for uploading and downloading data from and to the hand-held measurement unit and for communicating with an optional host computer.

Abstract: A single vane shutter flag is asynchronously controlled so that a measuring system light source is interrupted for a minimum necessary amount of time for standardization/calibration and normalization of InGaAs system detectors. Source/detector hemispheres or serially connected randomly oriented fiber bundles homogenize light passing to the detectors. Light source testing is performed by measuring spectral power distributions at a plurality of light source power levels and comparing the measurements to baseline characteristics established for the light source. Calibration sample life is extended indefinitely by controlling the shutter flag to block source light except for short calibration time periods during which standard light levels are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the flow of a liquid along a conduit are disclosed. A heat source applies thermal energy to a portion of a liquid flowing along a conduit thereby elevating its temperature. An optical sensing means comprising a light source illuminating the liquid in the conduit downstream from the position of application of the thermal energy and an optical detector receiving a portion of this illumination senses the heated portion of liquid by measures a change in an optical property of the illumination caused by a change in the index of refraction of the heated portion of liquid. The time required for the heated portion of the liquid to move from the point of application of thermal energy to the point of optical sensing is measured. This measured time, along with the distance of separation of the heat source and the optical sensing means permits calculation of the velocity of the liquid in the conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for in situ monitoring and analyzing of process parameters for semiconductor fabrication processes including cleaning semiconductor wafers utilizing a supercritical fluid or a high pressure liquid such as CO2. The method and apparatus utilize a spectrometer having a reflective mirror proximate the vessel holding the high pressure fluid. NIR radiation transmitted into the vessel through a window and out of the vessel through an opposed window is reflected and detected and measured and the composition of the fluid in the pressure vessel is determined allowing the user to control process parameters based on the measured composition.

Abstract: An object being inspected that contains a liquid product is irradiated with light from a first side face thereof and with light given with a tilt from either side of a second side face opposite to the first side face with respect to the object being inspected, transmitted light and reflected light from the object being inspected are received by imaging means provided at the second side face, and an image signal from the imaging means is processed, whereby a foreign matter got entered the liquid product is detected based on the image processing. Consequently, it is possible to provide inspecting method and apparatus for a foreign matter for use in a production line for manufacturing liquid products, such as drinks and liquid drugs, which can detect, at a high speed in a reliable manner, whether a foreign matter has entered a liquid inside a container, such as a bottle or a PET bottle, and a foreign matter got entered a colored bottle or PET bottle or a colored liquid as well.

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: It is an object of the present invention to provide a data acquiring method in an infrared imaging apparatus comprising an FTIR device of a continuous scan type for detecting a signal by a multi-element detector. A method of acquiring data from a multi-element detector in an infrared imaging apparatus comprising the steps of scanning each element of the multi-element detector in order synchronously with a sampling signal (12) generated by a reference signal (10) of an interferometer and repeating a series of scanning operations after completely scanning all the elements, thereby carrying out scan, shifting a starting point of sampling in next scan by one element from the starting point of the previous scan, thereby carrying out the same scanning, and repeating the scan at the number of times corresponding to the number of all the elements and then extracting data for each element from storing sampling data, thereby acquiring a data sequence of all the sampling points for each element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a FT-IR spectroscopy method for the determination of the wax precipitation temperature, and the estimation of the amount of precipitated solid wax material (both crystalline and amorphous) present in a liquid hydrocarbon, such as a petroleum crude oil.

Abstract: A probe (1) for quantitatively measuring volatile components of a liquid (2) includes a measurement gas space (3) separated from the liquid (4) by a permeation membrane (5). The membrane (5) is permeable for the volatile component, however nonpermeable for liquid. A selective gas detection system is arranged in the measurement gas space (3) for a defined volatile component. The gas detection system has an IR light source (6), an IR filter (7), (7′) and an IR-sensitive light sensor (8), (8′). Light falls through the IR filter on the light sensor (8), (8′). The IR filter (7), (7′) comprises a transmission window in the range of an alcohol-specific absorption band.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a materials library includes at least one radiation source for electromagnetic radiation, which is positioned in front of the materials library, and at least two flat detectors operating in parallel, which are operable using high-sensitivity resolution and of which one is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation of a first wavelength range and the other is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength range. Moreover, a method for analyzing a materials library in which the materials library is simultaneously tested using at least two methods in which electromagnetic radiation of different wavelength ranges is used. The beam is split behind the materials library as a function of wavelength and is deflected in the direction of at least two flat sensors operating using high-sensitivity resolution.

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 night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes a detector for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a signal responsive to the received light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container in which a plurality of imaging devices each comprising a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided. Light from each light emitting unit is irradiated onto a liquid-filling container and this light transmitted through the container is received by each light receiving unit. The object of the present invention is to provide such method and an apparatus for imaging a liquid-filling container. This method or apparatus allows for simultaneous and highly reliable imaging of two or more kinds of condition of the container. For accomplishing this object, according to the present invention, wavelengths of the lights emitted by the respective light emitting units and received by the respective light receiving units of the imaging devices for imaging the liquid-filling containers are different from each other.

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 invention includes a particle detection system that detects bioparticles in a sample utilizing a sensor device that receives photoacoustic signals from a sample. The invention includes a system for distinguishing biologically active particles from non-biologically active particles in a sample utilizing a transducer to receive a laser induced photoacoustic signal from the sample and a fluorescence detector to receive laser induced fluorescence. The invention includes a method of screening a sample for the presence of one or more particle types by subjecting a sample to laser light and measuring at least one photonic response and at least one acoustic response are measured from the sample to produce a sample composite data set which is compared to a signature data set from a control sample. The invention also includes methods for detecting a change in the particle composition within a test area.

Abstract: A fixed visible input and tunable visible input are directed to a location on a surface to be interrogated. The fixed visible input and the tunable visible inputs are aligned so that their surface locations of optical illumination overlap on the interrogated location. An output wavelength discriminator receives the reflected difference-frequency generated on the interrogated location. The output wavelength discriminator is substantially non-transmissive at frequencies higher than the difference-frequency, but substantially transmissive at the difference-frequency of the fixed visible input and the tunable visible input. Signal collection optics receives an output of the output wavelength discriminator and directs the propagation of the output thereof so that a collected optical light signal is formed after propagation through the signal collection optics. The collected optical light signal is converted to an electronic signal.

Abstract: An infrared beam is applied into an infrared transmitting substrate 10 disposed in an environment to be measured; the infrared beam which has undergone multiple internal reflections in the infrared transmitting substrate 10 and exited from the infrared transmitting substrate 10 is detected; the detected infrared beam is spectroscopically analyzed to measure a species and/or a quantity of the substance in the environment present near the infrared transmitting substrate 10; and a species and/or a concentration of the substance in the environment to be measured are measured based on the species and/or the quantity of the substance in the environment present near the infrared transmitting substrate 10. Thus, the substances in the environment, such as organic contaminants, etc., present in the atmosphere can be identified, or their concentrations can be measured, with high sensitivity and realtime.

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 improved gas-measuring device and a gas-measuring process is provided for determining the concentration of a gas by infrared absorption. The improvement is the compact design of the gas-measuring device and the higher reliability of the measurement results furnished by the gas-measuring device and the gas-measuring process. The gas-measuring device has an infrared radiation source (1), a pyramid-like beam splitter (7), and a quadrant detector, which has two measuring detectors (3, 4) and two reference detectors (5, 6). This guarantees a compact design of the gas-measuring device and, as a consequence, low fault liability of the measurement. The gas-measuring process includes an advantageous evaluation of the measuring signals (M1, M2) received by the two measuring detectors (3, 4) and of the measuring signals (R1, R2) received by the two reference detectors (5, 6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification of plastic materials of interest by optical measurements, preferably spectroscopic measurements, comprising the steps of measuring a sample and providing a sample spectrum, providing reference spectra for a given group of reference materials of interest, determining spectral distances between sample spectrum and reference spectra, material identification by associating the sample to the material having the reference spectrum with the smallest spectral distance to the sample spectrum. In this method at least one identification frequency range having a high absolute deviation ratio D and/or a high smoothed deviation ratio D′ between all pairs of possible plastic materials of interest is determined, and that said spectral distance is only determined within said at least one identification frequency range.

Abstract: A radiation source assembly and transducer incorporating same are suitable for use in measuring spectral absorption properties of a substance to be analyzed, such as a gas. The radiation source assembly has an optical axis. A measuring radiation source provides radiation in the direction of the axis and a reference radiation source provides radiation in the direction of the axis. An optical diffuser is spaced from the radiation sources along the axis. Radiation from the measuring radiation source and radiation from the reference radiation source are applied to the diffuser and the diffuser forms an exiting radiation beam for the assembly from the radiation of the measuring radiation source and reference radiation source. The exiting radiation beam extends along the axis.

Abstract: An optical apparatus (10) is provided for non-destructive examination of characteristics of an object (102). The apparatus has a light source (28) for directing a beam of NIR Light towards the object (102), an aperture (24) for diverging the NIR beam through or reflected from the object, a collimating lens (30) for collimating the divergent beam, a diffraction device (32) for separating the collimated beam into wavelength components and focusing lens (36) for focusing the wavelength components onto a matrix of photodetectors (34) which in turn produce electrical output signals proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components. The apparatus (10) can be made compact so that it can be used to examine objects in fields. In one example the apparatus (10) has a pistol-shaped housing with a slot (12) in its turret (18) and a body (16) with a display monitor (14). The body (16) also has an opening through which a correlation device (26) in the form of a PCMCIA card can be connected to the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A non-destructive sugar content measuring apparatus having a plurality of trays on which vegetables and fruits are to be placed, a transport device for successively delivering the trays at appropriate intervals, and first, second and third measuring sections provided in the course of a transport path and at which laser beams having wavelengths &lgr;1, &lgr;2 and &lgr;3 are respectively made incident on each vegetable or fruit and the amount of light of each laser beam emergent from the vegetable or fruit is measured with a detector provided at each measuring section and the absorbance of each laser beam is determined from the amount of incident light made incident on the vegetable or fruit and the amount of detected light which has been measured with the detector, to measure the sugar content of the vegetables and fruits on the basis of each absorbance.

Abstract: A system for the remote detection and analysis of trace chemical agents in the air. A beam of electromagnetic radiation is used to radiate a cloud. The radiation energy that is absorbed by the cloud is thermalized by collisional energy transfer between the molecules that absorb the radiation. Increases in the cloud temperature increase the emission intensity of the molecules against the background, resulting in improved detection of the target molecules. A tracking telescope is used to collect the thermal emissions generated by the radiation beam. A spectrometer is used to resolve the emissions from the cloud and generate an emissions spectrum. The wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation can be selected to be in resonance with the absorption lines of water or oxygen molecules in the cloud, or to be in resonance with absorption lines of known target molecules in the cloud to generate the heat.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for analyzing lubricant oils and functional fluids includes an optical emission spectrometer (OES) (26) having a substantially continuously valued wavelength versus intensity output (140). The OES (26) analyzes light captured from a spark emission stand (58) through which the fluid sample is flowed. An expert system (160-172) operates according to a set of Rules, and generates diagnostic text (174) for an operator based on the information about the fluid sample provided by the OES (26) and other measurement devices. The apparatus (10) includes an airflow passage (154) in the OES (26) spark enclosure that is characterized by airflow substantially parallel to the spark electrodes (128, 130) promoting even-wear of the electrodes.

Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes an infrared light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the infrared light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes an infrared camera for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.

Abstract: In a respiratory air flow measuring monitor, a subassembly for analyzing certain respiratory gases through infrared spectroscopy includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector, the amount of energy detected by the detector corresponding to the concentration of the gas selected for analysis. The subassembly includes a gas sample chamber that utilizes an elliptical reflecting surface for the infrared light source. The light source and detector are both oriented longitudinally along the axis of the ellipse and the light source and detector are each located at the two focal points of the ellipse in order to optimize the light absorption reading. The gas content analyzer subassembly additionally incorporates various compensatory features, allowing for automatic temperature and pressure compensation.

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: In a respiratory air flow measuring monitor, a subassembly for analyzing certain respiratory gases through infrared spectroscopy includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector, the amount of energy detected by the detector corresponding to the concentration of the gas selected for analysis. The subassembly includes a gas sample chamber that utilizes an elliptical reflecting surface for the infrared light source. The light source and detector are both oriented longitudinally along the axis of the ellipse and the light source and detector are each located at the two focal points of the ellipse in order to optimize the light absorption reading. The gas content analyzer subassembly additionally incorporates various compensatory features, allowing for automatic temperature and pressure compensation.

Abstract: A method an apparatus uses the narrow-band measurement of the absorption of given spectral lines of a gas using laser light sources, so that the spectrally resolved measurement of individual absorption lines, and thus the selection of an individual gas component, is possible. A laser diode which is operated at a higher temperature is correspondingly varied over a certain temperature region, wherein the selected spectral line is crossed. On the basis of absorption measurements, the method and sensor deliver the gas concentration, with a high selectivity.

Abstract: Measurement device for quantitatively detecting constituents of a pulp/fluid mixture for paper and/or cardboard production. The device includes at least one radiation source for irradiating the mixture in a number of definite, different wavelength ranges. The device also includes at least one sensor for measuring the intensity of radiation that has been influenced by the mixture, and at least one set of measurement electronics. Each sensor detects only one of the definite, different wavelength ranges of the radiation at a particular time.

Abstract: The present invention is a photo-acoustic leak detection system that detects whether gas is leaking from a component. The system includes multiple beams wherein one beam is not absorbed by the gas and is used as a baseline measurement, while another beam absorbs the gas and emits an increased signal. Upon contact with the gas, an acoustic sensor senses the reaction or lack thereof between the gas and the beams, thereby allowing a signal processor to receive the respective alternating sensor signals after which the processor calculates the difference between the first and second signals to determine whether a leak exists. The photo-acoustic leak detection system also includes a beam combining means which forces the multiple beams to enter an acousto-optic cell at the same location. The acousto-optic cell, in turn, which is controlled by a signal controlling apparatus, sequentially and alternately diffracts the multiple beams at the same predetermined angle.

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: 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 non-destructive sugar content measuring apparatus comprising a plurality of trays on which vegetables and fruits are to be placed, a transport means for successively delivering the trays at appropriate intervals, and first, second and third measuring sections provided in the course of a transport path and at which laser beams having wavelengths &lgr;1, &lgr;2 and &lgr;3 are respectively made incident on each vegetable or fruit and the amount of light of each laser beam emergent from the vegetable or fruit is measured with a detector provided at each measuring section and the absorbance of each laser beam is determined from the amount of incident light made incident on the vegetable or fruit and the amount of detected light which has been measured with the detector, to measure the sugar content of the vegetables and fruits on the basis of each absorbance.

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

Abstract: In a process for recognizing organic substances in solids by measuring the spectram of the radiation which is reflected or transmitted, radiation with a wavelength between 2-4 &mgr;m is used and, for radiation of solids, unmodulated radiation is used. The radiation source should have an output of at least 50 W and the distance between the illumination optics from the solid being investigated should be at least 10 cm. Recognition is based on absorption bands of the extended oscillations of C—H bonds and sometimes the presence of absorption bands of N—H bonds. Broad band radiation is preferable for radiation of the solids, and the reflected or transmitted radiation is directed through a narrow band filter with adjustable transmission frequency. This can be advantageously formed with an acousto-optical filter.