Abstract: A nanowire molecular sensor, and a molecular detection system, comprising a nanowire waveguide (30), a nanowire sidewall (51) functionalized in order to attach a molecule (54), and light emissive point sources (52), wherein the amount of light emitted at an end (53) of the waveguide is dependent of the amount of specific molecules attached to the sidewall of the nanowire. A method employing said sensor may be used for single cell detection and analysis.

Abstract: A microfluidic device and a method of detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid. In one embodiment, the microfluidic device includes: (1) a substrate, (2) a waveguide supported by the substrate and configured to receive light and (3) a microfluidic channel contacting the waveguide and configured to convey a fluid, a characteristic of the light changing under influence of an analyte in the fluid.

Abstract: A method of determining a refractive index of a material sample comprises removably mounting the material sample into a sample holder having a thermal control mechanism, a thermal expansion compensation mechanism, and a rotation mechanism; projecting a laser beam into the material sample, wherein the material sample has a predetermined orientation and temperature, wherein the material sample has parallel sides defining parallel planes for entry and exit of the laser beam into and out of the material sample; collecting a refracted laser beam from the material sample, and determining the refractive index for the material sample at the predetermined temperature. The laser beam may be a visible laser and/or an infrared laser. The thermal control mechanism comprises a thermal controller coupled to an induction coil apparatus and a temperature sensor. The sample holder comprises a refractory metal consisting of one or more of a niobium/molybdenum alloy and a tantalum/tungsten alloy.

Abstract: An enclosure permits ingress of an infrared light beam and ultrasonic signal entering the enclosure from two different locations and facilitates their exit from the enclosure along a substantially similar egress path. The enclosure contains fluid which propagates the ultrasonic wave and a glass element which reflects the ultrasonic wave from its ingress direction onto an egress path. The fluid is an index matching fluid having a refractive index the same as the refractive index of the glass element, rendering the glass element transparent to the infrared light beam. Thus, the infrared light beam, having been induced into the enclosure on an entry path directed through the glass element, passes through the glass element without being reflected or refracted by it, placing the infrared light beam on a substantially similar path to that of the ultrasonic wave for egress of both waves from the enclosure at substantially the same point.

Abstract: An optical density measuring apparatus for measuring density of a gas or a liquid to be measured includes a light source capable of irradiating light into a core layer, a detector capable of receiving light propagated through the core layer, and an optical waveguide that includes a substrate and the core layer. The core layer includes a light propagation unit and a first diffraction grating unit that receives light from the light source and guides the light to the light propagation unit, which includes a propagation channel capable of propagating light in an extending direction of the light propagation unit. The first diffraction grating unit is disposed near to and facing a light-emitting surface of the light source. The first diffraction grating unit includes first diffraction gratings, at least two of which receive light emitted from the same light-emitting surface of the light source.

Abstract: The output profile of light from a multimode optical fiber is determined using a geometrical optics approach where the rays launched into the fiber conform to LP-modes of the fiber. This output profile can then be employed as an input to a second fiber to calculate the transmission losses of a coupler that introduces various coupling inaccuracies, such as lateral offset, axial offset, and angular offset.

Abstract: A spectrometer and a micro-total analysis system are provided. The spectrometer includes a waveguide structure, a light source, a collimating mirror, a reflection grating, and a light extraction structure. The collimating mirror is configured to convert light, which is emitted from the light source, passes through the waveguide structure, and is incident on the collimating mirror, into collimating light. The reflection grating is configured to allow emergency angles of light of different wavelength ranges among the collimating light incident on the reflection grating to be different, so that the light of different wavelength ranges has an offset in the total reflection propagation process. The light extraction structure is located on the reflection surface of the waveguide structure through which the light of different wavelength ranges passes in the total reflection propagation process, so that the light of different wavelength ranges emits from the light extraction structure.

Abstract: This optical receptacle includes: first, second, and third optical surfaces disposed on a first surface that faces a photoelectric conversion device; fourth and fifth optical surfaces that are disposed on a second surface that faces an optical transmission body; a first reflection surface that is disposed on an optical path between the first optical surface and the fifth optical surface; a second reflection surface that is disposed on an optical path between the second optical surface and the fourth optical surface; and an inclined surface that is disposed between the first reflection surface and the fifth optical surface on an optical path between the first optical surface and the fifth optical surface. The inclined surface functions as a transmissive surface when covered by a light-transmissive material, and functions as a reflective surface when not covered by a light-transmissive material.

Abstract: Provided is a microparticle measurement device including a light emission unit that emits light to a microparticle to be analyzed and a light detection unit that detects light generated from the microparticle at a predetermined detection position. The microparticle measurement device further includes an analysis unit that is connected to the light detection unit and analyzes a detection value of the light detected by the light detection unit. The light detection unit is movable from the detection position.

Abstract: Establishing a rancidity index table and allocating a rancidity index value to an absorption or reflection spectrum of oil fruits, nuts and seeds (2) comprises: irradiating a sample of an oil fruit, a nut or a seed (2) with a light source (3), projecting the reflected and/or transmitted light onto a photosensor (4), detecting the absorption or reflection spectrum by means of the photosensor (4), extracting ingredients of the sample by determining volatile compounds, separating volatile components of the sample by means of gas chromatography, identifying separated volatile components by mass spectroscopic detection of relevant ones, determining a rancidity index value of the sample from identified volatile components of the sample, allocating the detected absorption or reflection spectrum of the sample to the rancidity index value, repeating the previous steps for a representative number of samples and forming a rancidity table from the determined rancidity index values and allocated absorption or reflectio

Abstract: A method includes: generating a first comb optical signal; generating a second comb optical signal; exciting a sample using in combination the first comb optical signal and the second comb optical signal; and detecting at the sample an acoustic response of the sample.

Abstract: A micro-resonator and fiber taper based sensing system, which uses mode splitting or frequency shift methods and polarization measurements for particle sensing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: A concentration measurement device for measuring the concentration of a measured fluid within a measurement cell by detecting transmitted light that has passed through the measurement cell having a light incidence window and a light emission window disposed opposing to each other, comprising a reflected-light detector for detecting reflected light of the light incidence window.

Abstract: A method of focusing includes irradiating an object by directing radiation output by a radiating source through an objective lens, measuring a first intensity of reflected radiation that is reflected from the object, adjusting a distance between the objective lens and the object, measuring a second intensity of reflected radiation, and analyzing the first intensity of reflected radiation and the second intensity of reflected radiation to determine a focal distance between the objective lens and the object. The distance between the objective lens and the object is adjusted to the focal distance and the irradiating intensity is increased to mark the object. In another example, measuring the first intensity of reflected radiation is performed by directing reflected radiation from the object through the objective lens, a beam splitter, a focusing lens, and a pinhole and onto a sensor that outputs a signal indicative of sensed radiation intensity.

Abstract: There is provided an optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope system comprising optical power measurement capability, wherein optical power measurement is provided via an optical power meter device implemented within an extension unit positioned along an optical path between the inspected optical-fiber connector endface and the optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope, i.e. between the inspected optical-fiber connector endface and objective optics of the optical-fiber connector endface inspection microscope.

Abstract: The invention relates to analyzing a substance. An optical medium is arrange on a substance surface with at least one region of the optical medium surface in contact with the substance surface. An excitation light beam is emitted through the contacting region of the medium surface to the substance surface. A measurement light beam is emitted through the optical medium to the contacting region of the medium surface such that the measurement light beam and the excitation light beam overlap on the interface of the optical medium and of the substance surface, on which the measurement light beam is reflected. A deflection of the reflected measurement light beam is detected in dependence on the wavelength of the excitation light beam. The substance is then analyzed based on the detected deflection of the measurement light beam in dependence on the wavelength of the excitation light beam.

Abstract: Embodiments of disclosure generally relate to corrosion sensors for storage tank applications, using corrosion responsive members and sensors to monitor corrosion in storage tanks, and methods for monitoring corrosion in a storage tank using the corrosion sensors. In one embodiment, a corrosion sensor for a storage tank comprises one or more sensors located on a non-process side of the storage tank and one or more corrosion responsive members located internal to the one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are configured to monitor a change in one or more physical properties of the one or more corrosion responsive members. Data from the corrosion sensor may be monitored locally or transmitted over a network and monitored remotely.

Abstract: An optical sensing system includes a planar optical waveguide having a first surface for detection and a second surface for coupling light. The optical sensing system includes a functional layer integral with the first surface of the planar optical waveguide, and a coupling layer in contact with the second surface of the planar optical waveguide, the coupling layer having a lower refractive index than the planar optical waveguide. The optical sensing system includes an optical source arranged to illuminate at least a portion of the second surface of the planar optical waveguide through the coupling layer with substantially critical optical coupling. The optical sensing system also includes an optical detector arranged to receive a portion of light from the optical source after being reflected from the first surface of the planar optical waveguide and passing through the coupling layer.

Abstract: A method including: generating a first comb optical signal; generating a second comb optical signal; exciting a sample using in combination the first comb optical signal and the second comb optical signal; and detecting at the sample an acoustic response of the sample.

Abstract: A spectrometer-equipped lighting device detects substances in an environment around the device. A fiber detector is optically coupled to receive light from a light source. The fiber detector has a bare area from which emanates an evanescent wave of light surrounding an exterior of the fiber detector to interact with the environment in which the fiber detector is exposed. The spectrometer, optically coupled to an opposite end of the fiber detector, detects the light output and in response, generates signals representative of the spectral power distribution of the light of the evanescent wave that has interacted with the surrounding environment. A controller analyzes the spectrometer generated signals and initiates action based on the analysis of the generated signals or outputs a report indicating an environmental condition detected by the spectrometer-equipped device.

Abstract: Disclosed is the detection of emulsions and microdispersions with an optical computing device. One disclosed method includes emitting electromagnetic radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source, optically interacting the electromagnetic radiation with a fluid and thereby generating fluid interacted radiation, detecting a portion of the fluid interacted radiation with a reference detector arranged within an optical channel of an optical computing device, generating a reference signal with the reference detector, and determining an emulsive state of the fluid based on the reference signal.

Abstract: A touch screen or touch screen appliance includes built-in UV LEDs. The LEDs sterilize the touch screen at start-up, and periodically during operation. The LEDs may be disposed at the edges of the glass display such that the UV light is completely internally reflected within the glass display to prevent damage or strain to the user's eyes. Alternatively, the LEDs may be disposed behind the glass display, potentially also behind a UV fluorescing or phosphorescing layer to sterilize the glass from behind. Alternatively, the LEDs may be disposed in a layer in front of the glass display, or at angles around the perimeter of the glass display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the osmolarity of a sample are provided. Aspects of the subject methods include contacting a sensing surface of a surface plasmon resonance based sensor with a sample, and generating one or more data sets at at least two wavelengths over a time interval, wherein the data sets are used to determine the osmolarity of the sample. The subject methods find use in determining the osmolarity of a sample, such as a biological sample (e.g., a tear fluid), and in the diagnosis and/or monitoring of various diseases and disorders, such as, e.g., dry eye disease.

Abstract: Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based sensing systems and methods for sensing rhythmic beating characteristics of living cells are provided. An SPR based sensing system can include: an SPR sensing surface capable of generating SPR upon stimulation by incident light and configured to sense contractions, expansions, and/or movements of a plurality of living cells on the SPR sensing surface; and a cell culture module for culturing the living cells on the SPR sensing surface. In addition, the SPR based sensing system can perform a real-time analysis of one or more analytes secreted from the living cells by including a coating on the SPR sensing surface.

Abstract: Methodology of characterizing surface properties and determining refractive index and extinction coefficient of a prism shaped material, including simultaneously for a multiplicity of wavelengths, using an easy to practice technique.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for measuring a property of a transparent tubular object, a laser beam scans the object, and laser light originating from the object is detected in a first detection direction parallel to the laser beam direction, or in the first and in a second detection direction at an angle thereto, in particular at 90°. The inner radius of the object may be calculated from the refractive index, scanning speed, outer diameter detected in the first detection direction, and, in the second detection direction, the time difference between laser light reflected from the outer surface of the object and laser light refracted into the object and reflected at the inner surface thereof. If the time of detecting laser light refracted into the object and reflected at the inner surface thereof in the first detection direction is known, the refractive index is not required.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical test apparatus includes a photodetector and a processing circuit. The photodetector outputs, as a light receiving signal, information concerning a light direction of received light. The processing circuit processes the light receiving signal to acquire information concerning a standard light direction as a standard and information concerning a passing light direction of passed light which has passed through an object; compares the information concerning the passing light direction with the information concerning the standard light direction, and on the basis of results of the comparison, acquires information concerning internal physical quantities of the object.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a camera with a solid-state sensor and an illumination selector. The illumination selector is arranged for optical coupling with the sensor and arranged for communicating electromagnetic radiation within a shortwave infrared narrowband to the sensor. The shortwave infrared narrowband includes a peak absorption or peak reflection wavelength of moisture to infrared illumination to image moisture disposed within a solar cell array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for evaluating the geometric properties of optical fiber preforms, which methods include: providing an optical fiber preform having a longitudinal axis, an outer diameter and a circumference; providing a two-dimensional pattern having a length parallel to the longitudinal axis of the preform and a width greater than the outer diameter of the preform; providing an image capturing device disposed such that the preform is aligned between the pattern and the image capturing device; rotating the preform about its longitudinal axis and acquiring a first plurality of images of the pattern viewed through the preform at at least two different points along the circumference of the preform; and determining at least one geometric property of the preform from the first plurality of images.

Abstract: A method for detecting a degree of hydrogenation of a liquid comprises one or more liquid hydrogen carriers, which can be hydrogenated, comprising: detecting a material property of the liquid and determining the degree of hydrogenation of the liquid on the basis of the detected material property of the liquid.

Abstract: A method of estimating land surface temperature lapse rate using an infrared image is disclosed. In the method of estimating land surface temperature lapse rate using an infrared image, a target area for the estimation of land surface temperature lapse rate is selected. The atmospheric transmittance of the target area is calculated. Reference temperature is estimated at a reference location set in the target area as desired. A temperature difference is calculated from the atmospheric transmittance and the estimated reference temperature, and then a temperature difference image is generated. Land surface temperature lapse rate is estimated from the temperature difference image and a Digital Elevation Map (DEM) in an identical area using an elevation-based temperature difference distribution.

Abstract: An optical system and method for quantifying total protein in whole blood or other multi-phase liquids and colloidal suspensions uses refractometry without preliminary steps such as cell separation or centrifugation. A refractometer is integrated with a flow cell to enable the refractive index of a flowing sample to be measured based on a substantially cell free boundary layer of the sample that is present under certain flow conditions. Dimensions of the flow cell are selected to produce a cell-free layer in a flow of whole blood in which the cell free layer is thick enough to reduce scattering of light from the refractometer light source. A numerical method is used to compensate for scattering artifacts. The numerical compensation method is based on the slope and width of a peak in the derivative curve of an angular spectrum image of the flowing sample produced by refractometry.

Abstract: A system is provided for observing objects on a substrate which includes a light source that emits polarized light rectilinearly along a first direction, a holder that receives said substrate having a surface and includes objects, wherein at least one of the holder or the substrate are translucent or opaque, a detector that collects the backscattered light from the interaction between the light emitting by the light source and the objects, a polarization splitter and a quarter-wave plate wherein the polarization splitter and the quarter-wave plate are arranged so that the polarization splitter directs light towards the substrate through the quarter-wave plate, and wherein the light forms a beam and the system modifies the size of the beam. The system thus allows one to observe objects on a non-transparent substrate.

Abstract: An avalanche photodiode device operated in Geiger-mode, the device comprising a P-N junction formed on a substrate with a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region with an anode and cathode. The device further comprising a third semiconductor region, the third semiconductor region in physical contact with the second region, not in physical contact with the first region, and being the same semiconductor-type as the first semiconductor region. Additionally comprising a diode on the second semiconductor region and having a turn-on voltage than the P-N junction.

Abstract: A projection exposure apparatus (10) for microlithography has a measuring system (50) for measuring an optical element of the projection exposure apparatus. The measuring system (50) includes an irradiation device (54), which is configured to radiate measuring radiation (62) in different directions (64) onto the optical element (20), such that the measuring radiation (62) covers respective optical path lengths (68) within the optical element (20) for the different directions (64) of incidence, a detection device (56), which is configured to measure, for the respective directions (64) of incidence, the respective optical path lengths covered by the measuring radiation (62) in the optical element (20), and an evaluation device, which is configured to determine a spatially resolved distribution of refractive indices in the optical element (20) by computed-tomographic back projection of the respective measured path lengths with respect to the respective directions of incidence.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the measurement of the refractive index of a medium, such as a fluid, through the wall of its container. The essential characteristic of the invention is that, by using at least two separate light paths that are of unequal length and that reflect from the wall/medium interface, it is possible to perform the measurement of the refractive index of the medium so that the result is insensitive to the color and thickness of the wall.

Abstract: A mudlogging device may consist of a housing that is positioned above a ground level and proximal a wellbore. The housing can have a first interferometer and a second interferometer that are connected to a common pathway. The duel interferometer configuration may allow a gas sample to be concurrently tested by the respective interferometers.

Abstract: An example assembly includes a target holder that retains a target in a detection region. A reflective surface reflects at least part of a focused spot of light to provide resultant light. An irradiation system irradiates at least part of the detection region with the focused spot of light. A motion system causes motion of the focused spot of light relative to the reflective surface. A detection system detects the resultant light. An example device, e.g., a lab-on-chip, includes a substrate, a sample inlet, and a reflective grating. The grating is retains a fluidic sample in a detection region fluidically connected to the sample inlet. The detection region is operatively arranged with respect to the reflective grating so that at least a portion of light passing through the detection region towards the reflective grating also passes through the detection region after reflecting off the reflective grating.

Abstract: A device (1) for use in the detection of binding affinities comprises a planar waveguide (2) arranged on a substrate (22). The waveguide (2) has an outer surface (21) and a plurality of incoupling lines (31) for coupling a beam of coherent light into the waveguide (2) such that a parallel beam of coherent light (62) propagates along the waveguide (2). The incoupling lines (31) are curved and have an increasing distance between adjacent incoupling lines (31). A divergent beam of coherent light (61) of a predetermined wavelength is coupled into the waveguide (2) such that it propagates along the waveguide (2). A plurality of binding sites (51) is attached to the outer surface (21) along at least one further plurality of diffraction lines arranged in an outcoupling section of the waveguide (2). These diffraction lines comprise a plurality of curved outcoupling lines (41) having a decreasing distance between adjacent outcoupling lines.

Abstract: A device includes a driver laser arrangement including a beam source for generating a laser beam and an amplifier arrangement for amplifying the laser beam. The device also includes an apparatus for monitoring the laser beam that includes a transmissive optical element having a normal direction oriented at a tilt angle with respect to a beam axis of the laser beam. The apparatus also includes a spatially resolving detector for registering laser radiation reflected backwards by the transmissive optical element. The transmissive optical element has first and second sides that are oriented at a wedge angle with respect to one another and through which the laser beam passes. The first and second sides reflect first and second partial beams of the incident laser beam. The apparatus has an optical filter that prevents one of the reflected first and second partial beams from reaching the detector.

Abstract: A spectroscopic device, which may be a handheld spectroscopic light source, which uses ambient light as a primary broadband light source, but which may be supplemented with an auxiliary light source to supplement band regions which may be deficient in the broad band source. The spectroscopic device makes use of a number of parallel control channels to monitor for sufficient light and to compensate for variations in the input light levels.

Abstract: According to some embodiments a method of measuring the refractive index profile of a consolidated glass body having a cylindrical surface comprises the steps of: (a) forming an image of a slit behind the glass body; (b) optionally pre-scanning the cylindrical surface of the test glass body or a reference glass body and analyzing the data within a fixed window to determine the likely location of the zero-order, un-diffracted beam while ignoring other diffracted beams; (c) optionally adjusting the optical power to improve the intensity of the data within the fixed window in order to improve the analysis; (d) predicting the trajectory of the zero-order beam through the preform based on the sampling location xi (incidence position) of the light impinging on the cylindrical surface and the location at which the zero-order beam impinges on the detector; (e) measuring the cylindrical surface of a glass body while using the estimated location of the zero-order beam and adjusted optical power to set the center of a f

Abstract: A guided mode resonance device, comprising—a substrate,—a waveguide,—a grating structure associated with said waveguide, said grating structure being arranged to an incident surface of said substrate, said incident surface being intended to receive an incident light beam provided by at least one light source, said incident light beam having an incident angle, defined relative to the normal of said waveguide, said grating structure comprising at least one elementary structure comprising at least a first-type grating structure and at least a second-type grating structure,—wherein:—said waveguide is arranged to transfer light from the first-type grating structures to the second-type grating structure and also to transfer light from the second-type grating structures to the first-type grating structure,—said first-type grating structure is arranged to couple out a first light beam,—said second-type grating structure is arranged to couple out a second light beam,—said first light beam having a different spectral d

Abstract: Calibration device for calibrating an operation wavelength characteristic of a refractometer for determining an information which is indicative for a refractive index of the sample, wherein the calibration device comprises an itself traceably calibratable determination unit, which is preferably at least partially external of the refractometer, which is adapted for determining an information which is indicative for a discrepancy between a pre-givable set-point-operation wavelength characteristic and an actual-operation wavelength characteristic of the refractometer, on whose basis the refractometer is calibratable.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods of generating multi combs can be used in a variety of applications. In various embodiments, a passive resonator can be disposed in the laser cavity of a mode-locked laser to generate a nested frequency comb. The passive resonator can be a sample under investigation, where a characteristic of the sample is determined using the generated nested frequency comb. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A miniature optical biosensor and biosensor array where high sensitivity for detection of biomolecular interaction does not require a fluorescent label. Non-linear frequency-shifts of optical resonators (‘nanobeams’) provide a digital all-or-nothing response to equilibrium binding of a biomarker to surface-immobilized bio-recognition elements, a signal suitable to identify active components in genetic and proteomic circuits, as well as toxic substances. The threshold level for the digital response is adjustable to accommodate for varying receptor affinities. A bistable cavity sensing (BCS) method can be used to track the shift of the resonance induced by the analyte more precisely than the conventional cavity sensing method, where the resolution is limited by the cavity linewidth. BCS method can be used to quantitate the concentration of the analyte, and their binding kinetics, affinities and etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring panes. The device comprises a light source and a light sensor which are arranged in such a way that a light beam emitted from the light source passes through the pane and impinges on the light sensor. According to the invention, the light beam has a linear polarization, wherein the polarization direction forms an angle of between 50° and 130° with an incidence plane stretching between the axis of the light beam and the pane normal at the point at which the light beam impinges on the pane. The light sensor is dimensioned such that both a primary beam and a secondary beam of the light beam impinge on the light sensor. The invention also relates to a corresponding method. According to the invention, the second beam has an increased brightness, so that it is easier to measure both beams.

Abstract: An avalanche diode includes an absorption region in a germanium body epitaxially grown on a silicon body including a multiplication region. Aspect-ratio trapping is used to suppress dislocation growth in the vicinity of the absorption region.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to determine a characteristic of glasses based on a first contour position and a second contour position, the first contour position indicating a contour position of a face that appears without the glasses and being detected from an obtained face image data of a user, and the second contour position indicating a contour position of the face that appears through the glasses and being detected from the obtained face image data of the user.