Abstract: An analytical assembly within a unified device structure for integration into an analytical system. The analytical assembly is scalable and includes a plurality of analytical devices, each of which includes a reaction cell, an optical sensor, and at least one optical element positioned in optical communication with both the reaction cell and the sensor and which delivers optical signals from the cell to the sensor. Additional elements are optionally integrated into the analytical assembly. Methods for forming and operating the analytical system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beam splitter and a 3D image acquisition apparatus including the beam splitter are provided. The beam splitter includes a light incident surface on which light having a first wavelength and light having a second wavelength are incident; a beam splitting surface which is inclined to the light incident surface and reflects the light having the first wavelength and transmits the light having the second wavelength; a first light exit surface through which the light having the first wavelength reflected from the beam splitting surface exits; a first reflective surface which reflects the light having the second wavelength transmitted by the beam splitting surface; a second reflective surface which reflects the light having the second wavelength reflected from the first reflective surface; and a second light exit surface through which the light having the second wavelength reflected from the second reflective surface exits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surveying apparatus adapted to be worn on the head of user. The surveying apparatus contains components for optical sighting, distance measurement, bearing determnination, position fixation, and signal processing. The distance measuring device is preferably a laser distance measuring device.

Abstract: A method for laser marking semiconductor wafers wherein marking errors attributable to the laser marking tool are measured for each of the anticipated marking fields. A weighted average error is then calculated, and a correction based thereon is entered into the control mechanism of the laser marking tool. The method of the invention reduces downtime between jobs by eliminating the need to recalibrate the laser marking tool between jobs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surveying apparatus adapted to be worn on the head of user. The surveying apparatus contains components for optical sighting, distance measurement, bearing determination, position fixation, and signal processing. The distance measuring device is preferably a laser distance measuring device.

Abstract: A laser system is provided for precisely locating points in space relative to a reference plane. The system includes at least one laser generator capable of sweeping a plurality of mutually perpendicular laser planes and/or one laser plane and one laser beam perpendicular thereto. The system further includes a plurality of laser sensitive targets. Three laser sensitive targets are positioned to lie in the first plane swept by the laser generator. These targets then define a reference plane. The laser generator may be moved periodically and bucked into the previously established reference plane. The second laser plane or the laser beam will be perpendicular to the reference plane at each optional position of the laser generator. Thus, each second laser plane or each second laser beam will be parallel to one another. The system may further include position sensors for precisely defining distances between the parallel laser planes or parallel laser beams.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses for detecting light from, for example, closely spaced detection sites. In one embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for measuring the amount of light emitted from or transmitted through two or more detection sites of a first set of detection sites on a planar substrate while spatially resolving the measurements for each detection site of the first set, the apparatus comprising: for each detection site of the first set, an addressable source of a light beam directed to that detection site at a first angle; and an array detector comprising a plurality of light responsive pixels, wherein for each detection site of the first set there is at least one light responsive pixel that receives light emitted from or transmitted through that detection site at a second angle that can be the same as the first angle.

Abstract: The invention resides in a method of measuring position and angle comprising the steps of providing a tooling telescope, a transparent target surface and an alignment target having a light reflecting face confronting the telescope. The light reflecting face being defined by a recess having a parabolic surface and a flat surface surrounding the parabolic recess. The method further includes using light reflected off the flat surface to create collimated light passing through the target surface to define an angle of measurement of the tooling telescope and using light reflected off the parabolic surface to focus a point on the transparent target surface to measure position.

Abstract: A system for measuring crazing in a transparency is described which comprises one or more light sources disposed near a first surface of the transparency for projecting light rays through the transparency at the portion thereof having a crazed condition, optical detectors corresponding in number to the number of light sources disposed on the opposite side of the transparency, each detector positioned to detect only light from a single corresponding source reflected from the crazed portion of the transparency, and a source of power for the sources and detectors. A sequencing circuit may be included to selectively activate selected light sources and corresponding optical detectors.

Abstract: The automated repeating sextant (ARS) is a navigational instrument suitable for air, sea and land use. The ARS uses an electronic artificial horizon, an A/D conversion board and either microchips or a computer, with software, to read a celestial body's altitude above the horizon repeatedly in a brief period of time, and then compute a line of position from a statistically enhanced mean altitude; after a second or any successive line of position has been obtained the instrument either provides the latitude and longitude of the navigator, or combines the latitude and longitude with a graphic portrayal of the position on a simplified grid map. The instrument averages numerous individual observations and is relatively small, light and fast. The ARS may be embodied in a fully automated, continually-operating mode with a micro-computer, or may be embodied in a handheld version that is switched on and off.

Abstract: Apparatus operable in accordance with the method of the present invention for measuring the angle of incidence of a light beam or plane relative to level comprises a photodetector array for sensing the light and a level mirror preferably comprising a pool of mercury. Optics are provided for transmitting the light to the photodetector array in alignment with the angle of incidence of the light (aligned light) and also after the light has been reflected from the mercury pool (reflected light). A shutter is provided for separating aligned light from reflected light such that distinct signals representative of the two are generated by the photodetector array. The distinct signals are processed by up-counting and down-counting a counter circuit to determine the average centers of light spots representative of the aligned light and the reflected light and the distance between those average centers which is representative of the deviation of the light beam or plane from level.

Abstract: A precision optical square instrument for accurately determining lines and planes respectively perpendicular to reference lines and planes comprising, a substantially hollow housing containing first and second reflectors arranged at different vertical positions for viewing first and second marker positions outside the housing which are substantially at right angles to each other. The images of the two marker positions are projected onto a third reflector which is viewed by a user, such that the user can determine when the two marker positions are located perpendicularly, by the alignment of the images viewed in the third reflector.

Abstract: Single wheel celestial navigational instrument and method of determination of local latitude and local hour angle of Aries by a single sighting on the night sky. Greenwich hour angle of Aries and latitude are obtained by simple reference to the instrument's scales and to a watch and Nautical Almanac; sight reduction tables, plotting boards and charts are not required. The instrument comprises a sky assembly and a horizon assembly. The sky assembly includes a closed central axial tube on which are rotatably mounted a combined periscope/telescope tube for sighting a first star and a periscope tube for sighting a second star, the sidereal hour angular positions of both of which are set with respect to a single graduated wheel and the polar distances of each periscope turret with respect to protractor scales.

Abstract: Celestial navigational instrument and method of determination of local latitude and local hour angle of Aries by a single sighting on the night sky. Greenwich hour angle of Aries and latitude are obtained by simple reference to the instrument's scales and to a watch and Nautical Almanac; sight reduction tables, plotting boards and charts are not required. The instrument comprises a sky assembly and a horizon assembly. The sky assembly includes a closed central axial tube on which are rotatably mounted a combined periscope/telescope tube for sighting a first star and a periscope tube for sighting a second star, the siderial hour angular positions of both of which are set with respect to a single sky wheel and the polar distances of each periscope turret with respect to protractor scales. The horizon assembly comprises a periscope/telescope assemby mounted on the central axial tube and indexed to a horizon wheel and protractor scale to read the local hour angle of Aries and local latitude.

Abstract: Uniquely integrating a search mirror and a deflection mirror with a passive ptical rangefinder and a remote sextant, enhances the operation of both devices. The improved rangefinder/sextant provides day/night 360.degree. azimuthal and at least -5.degree. to about 60.degree. elevational search capability with the additional capability of pointing the search mirror at a navigational star in a direction different from that of an imaging camera. Thus, the imaging camera, can be pointed at the sea horizon that is least obscured by haze and/or sea clutter, thereby allowing altitude readings under adverse conditions.

Abstract: A reflector for electrooptical measurement of the distance between a first (3) and a second point (4) is arranged with a right angle sighting device (13) in a common case (8). The reflector (6) may thus be set up at a point (5) where the directions to the first (3) and second points (4) form a right angle. This facilitates the distance measurement between points (3, 4) that are not suited for the set up of reflectors or where visual contact between the points (3, 4) is impaired by an obstacle (1).

Abstract: An instrument having an annular body and a pair of independently and selectively-adjustable periscopes for transmitting the superimposed images of two reference stars (or other selected celestial objects) to a viewer for the purpose of directing orientation of the instrument so that its central axis will be parallel with the polar axis and an identifiable point on the perimeter of its scaled annular body will be directed towards Aries. From such a single sighting, the user obtains nearly all of the information required to compute his own longitude and latitude, the only other information being readily obtainable from an almanac and a timepiece.

Abstract: An instrument for taking bearings of objects, particularly for use in coastal navigation, has a main body with one or two arms pivoted to the body. A first object is sighted through the main body, over the top of a plane mirror. Once a zero line of the main body is lined up on one object, the or one of the pivoted arms is swung out from the main body to point at a second object. The arm which is swung out is coupled to a second mirror arranged in the main body, so that as the arm is swung out, the second mirror rotates in the same direction and through half the angle that the arm turns through. Light rays from the second object are reflected from this second mirror to the first mirror in the main body, and then back to the eye of the observer. When the instrument is correctly adjusted, the observer will see the first object over the top of the first mirror and the second object in the first mirror, just below the first object.

Abstract: A passive opto-electric rangefinder with remotely controllable index mirr independently rotatable about normal axes, each axis perpendicular to the line-of-sight.

Abstract: The present invention provides within a ship, a passive electro-optic dev for providing a measurement of the range, together with a positively identifiable image of an approaching ship or object day or night on a CRT, with the range displayed digitally on the CRT. The rangefinder capability provides a substitute or supplement to radar or active-gated laser beam rangefinders for collision avoidance and station-keeping.

Abstract: An attitude determining system for vehicles, such as spacecraft or for ground-based environments measures the angle between a reference and the line-of-sight to a star or other celestial object of known position or to aircraft and missiles. The system includes a rotating scanning telescopic sensor, and a fixed mirror positioned so that the sensor scans both the direct and the reflected line-of-sight of the celestial object in the course of each rotation. Associated transducers and electronic circuits determine the relative angular positions of the telescopic sensor at the instants it detects the direct and the reflected radiation from the celestial object. A computation based on the two angles gives the angular position of the celestial object relative to the vehicle reference. The system cancels or substantially reduces errors due to optical or electronic inaccuracies which identically affect the direct and the reflected angular position measurements.