Abstract: This invention relates to luminescent markers for in vitro diagnostic applications, and kits using those markers. In some embodiments, those markers comprise luminescent carbon nanoparticles. Some embodiments provide a method for investigating an analyte comprising correlating a marker to the analyte and observing the luminescence from the marker, wherein the marker comprises a nanoparticle having a carbon core. In vitro kits, including those employing a marker comprising a nanoparticle having a carbon core, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to calibrating light emitters (4). In order to avoid blanking of a backlight and also to reduce the number of light sensors (14), it is possible to drive a plurality of light emitters to the pulsed initial driving condition (PWM1-PWM4), shift a start time (T0, T3) of the initial driving condition of a selected one of the light emitters temporally in front of start times (T1, T2) of remaining light emitters, detecting an illumination condition produced by the selected one of the light emitters at the beginning (T3) of a subsequent shifted driving condition of the selected one of the light emitters, determining an adjustment factor for the selected light emitter by comparing a detected illumination condition with a calibration illumination condition, and respectively supplying the selected light emitter with a modified driving condition comprising the initial driving condition modified by the adjustment factor.

Abstract: An ice level sensing system for an appliance having a cavity with a cavity wall. An ice storage bin and an ice maker are disposed within the cavity. The ice storage bin is configured to hold ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice level sensing system includes a transmitter for transmitting a light beam and a detector for detecting the light beam. The transmitter and the detector are disposed on the cavity wall. A reflector is disposed relatively remote from the transmitter. The transmitter is operative to project the light beam toward the reflector. The transmitter and the detector are angled relative to each other so that the light beam reflected by the reflector is directed toward the detector.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for determining calibration data for a light source is provided. The method may include determining at least one of a photometric quantity and a colorimetric quantity of the light source; determining a color stimulus specification using at least one of the photometric quantity and the colorimetric quantity; and determining the calibration data as a function of the color stimulus specification and a temperature of the light source.

Abstract: A method of determining the number of light sources is adapted to determine the number of each kind of light sources of an illumination device. The method includes following steps. A photon number of a single light source of each kind of the light sources is calculated. Next, a number ratio of each kind of the light sources is determined according to a power ratio of each kind of the light sources and the photon number of a single light source of each kind of the light sources. Finally, the number of each kind of the light sources is determined according to the number ratio and a total number of the light sources of the illumination device.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for determining a fill level of an inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir as a source for medicine, where the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir has a monotonically decreasing fill level. Some embodiments of a device include a stop surface designed and arranged such that the stop surface contacts the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir while the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir is filled above a predetermined level. Similarly, some embodiments of the device additionally include a release detector that generates an output signal indicative of contact between the stop surface and the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir being released and a processing unit for determining the fill level of the inflow-less flexible medicine reservoir from an output signal of the release detector.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire is coated with a chemical coating layer that selectively attaches to the semiconductor material and which forms a dye in a chemical reaction. The dye layer comprises a material that absorbs electromagnetic radiation. A portion of the absorbed energy induces electronic excitation in the chemical coating layer from which additional free charge carriers are temporarily donated into the semiconductor nanowire. Thus, the conductivity of the semiconductor nanowire increases upon illumination on the dye layer. The semiconductor nanowire, and the resulting dye layer collective operate as a detector for electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for viewing a subject. The method includes the steps of providing a predetermined visual contrast among image details of the subject and maintaining the visual contrast for a predetermined time period of less than 100 milliseconds.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for detecting the proper position of a substrate in a chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, a substrate position detection apparatus includes a substrate support having a plurality of lift pins for supporting a substrate in an elevated position thereover; a light source for directing a beam of light upon a reflective upper surface of the substrate; and a light sensor for detecting a reflected beam of light from the upper surface of the substrate upon the substrate being aligned in a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An optical tomography system for viewing an object of interest includes a microcapillary tube viewing area for positioning the object of interest in an optical path including a detector. A motor is located to attach to and rotate a microcapillary tube. A device is arranged for transmitting broadband light having wavelengths between 550 nm and 620 nm into the microcapillary tube viewing area. A hyperchromatic lens is located to receive light transmitted through the microcapillary tube viewing area. A tube lens is located to focus light rays transmitted through the hyperchromatic lens, such that light rays from multiple object planes in the microcapillary tube viewing area simultaneously focus on the at least one detector.

Abstract: An actuator rod position indication device is described, where a unit having a separate enclosing housing on one surface of said housing has mounted a magnetic field sensor, such that a magnet provided on an actuator rod's free end will be moved substantially linearly closer to and further from said sensor during operation of the actuator, where the sensor detects the magnetic field strength between the magnet on the actuator rod and the sensor and uses this information as input in a processor, comprising a storage, in which storage pre-defined activation values are stored, such that when the input corresponds to one of the stored values, an output specific to that value is generated.

Abstract: A printing medium detecting device capable of accurately detecting an amount of printing media in a paper cassette, an image forming apparatus including the printing medium detecting device, and a method to detect a printing medium. The printing medium detecting device of the image forming apparatus includes a light source to emit a light beam to one side of a stack of printing media housed in a paper cassette, a scanning unit to scan the light beam reflected from the stack and generate a signal based on the light beam, and a computing unit to compute information related to the stack based on the signal, wherein the information includes a number of printing media sheets in the stack.

Abstract: Provided is a measurement method of Fourier coefficients using an integrating photometric detector, wherein, when measuring an exposure (Sj) with a predetermined time interval during a predetermined time period using an integrating photometric detector with respect to light of which amplitude varies with the time period, normalized Fourier coefficients (??2n, ??2n) for a waveform of an intensity of the light is determined by carrying out a discrete Fourier transform with respect to an equation for the measured exposure (Sj).

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus includes ferrule offset assemblies each having opposing ferrules with respective ends and respective fiber channels maintained in general relative and adjustable alignment. Offset adjusting devices adjust the relative alignment of the fiber channels to create at least one select fiber channel alignment offset. Respective multimode fibers are disposed in the fiber channels and have a fiber alignment corresponding to the fiber channel alignment. One of the multimode fibers has an end configured to optically couple to a launch multimode fiber, which is connected to a device having a light source. The multimode fiber receives light from the launch multimode fiber so that at least some of the light passes through to the other multimode fiber and then to a power meter. Power measurements for different fiber offsets are then compared to established attenuation values.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement includes an optical sensor, a non-optical sensor, a sensor holder, and main and flexible interconnect devices. The sensor arrangement can be fixed to a vehicle window by the sensor holder. The sensor holder is in the form of a sensor housing having a sensor housing cover and a second housing body attached to one another. The sensor housing cover and the sensor housing body each have corresponding bracket sections which form a bracket connected to the sensor housing. The main interconnect device is positioned within the sensor housing. The optical sensor is connected to the main interconnect device. The flexible interconnect device is connected to the main interconnect device and extends from the main interconnect device to the bracket connected to the sensor housing. The non-optical sensor is connected to the flexible interconnect device within the bracket and is held by the bracket.

Abstract: An optical axis inspection apparatus is provided with: a camera for capturing a light distribution pattern of a light source device projected on a screen; an image processing device for finding a cutoff line in the light distribution pattern; an acceptance reference cutoff line setting unit; and a shade having an oblong slit and arranged to be opposed to a projection lens of the projection type light source device. Whether or not an optical axis is proper is inspected based oh a shift of the cutoff line with respect to the acceptance reference cutoff line. Only a transmissive light passing through a substantially central portion in a vertical direction of a projection lens including an optical axis of the projection lens is guided onto the screen by the shade.

Abstract: A radiometer the calibration of collimated pulsed laser sources. In one embodiment the laser sources have wavelengths of 1064 nm and 1540-1570 nm wavelengths at irradiance levels of 7×10?5 to 5×1010 Watts/cm2, with pulse widths of 5-400 ns. A lens system used to focus beams from the laser sources includes two piano convex lenses and one aspheric lens, all with 1.5 micron and 1.06 micron anti-reflection coatings. An InGaAs avalanche photodiode (APD) detector and a linear amplifier generate an output voltage which represents the pulse and power of the input laser. The output voltage is captured on a fast oscilloscope and converted to irradiance through NIST calibration factors. The detector is kept at a constant predetermined temperature with a heater ring and feedback circuit. The detector is mounted on a translation stage for placing the detector at the proper position for the 1064 nm and 1540-1570 nm wavelengths.

Abstract: A system having a multiple-mirror ring-down cavity with one mirror where light may be input into the cavity and light from the cavity may be detected. A valve may permit light to enter or not to enter the cavity. An amplifier may be connected to a detector for detecting light from the cavity. The amplifier may be off or set at a low gain when light is entering the cavity and be on at a medium or high gain at a time when light is not entering the cavity.

Abstract: This invention is to make the detection sensitivities as even as possible among a plurality of specimens to be inspected in an analyzer that leads light transmitted from the plurality of specimens to be inspected to a single spectrometer via optical fibers, the analyzer includes first and second light guide members provided for every first and second specimen to be inspected so as to lead the light obtained from each of the specimens to be inspected to a photo-detecting part, and light projection side end portions of a plurality of optical fiber elements composing the first and second light guide members are arranged in mixture.

Abstract: A light source estimating device includes a light receiving section for receiving visible light and invisible light radiated from a light source, and a light source estimating section for estimating a type of the light source on the basis of an intensity of the received visible light and an intensity of the received invisible light.

Abstract: A method of performing a wafer level burn-in test for a plurality of surface-emitting laser devices formed on a wafer includes causing a plurality of contact electrodes arranged in a same plane with a pitch same as that of the surface-emitting laser devices being electrically connected to each other to have contact with pad electrodes of the surface-emitting laser devices, respectively, and applying a current to second electrodes of the surface-emitting laser devices and the contact electrodes. The wafer level burn-in test is performed while heating the wafer at a predetermined temperature. Laser lights emitted from the surface-emitting laser devices are monitored during the wafer level burn-in test.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring a flux of a selected individual lightsource among a plurality of lightsources, wherein each lightsource is controlled by an associated pulse width modulated signal, and each pulse width modulated signal has a first logic level interval at a first extremity of a timecycle wherein the associated lightsource is to be lit, and a second level interval during the remainder of said timecycle. The method according to the present invention comprises time inverting the pulse width modulated signal of all lightsources that have a first logic level interval at the same extremity as the first logic level interval as the individual lightsource to be measured (usually this applies for the pulse width modulated signals for all lightsources), by shifting their high level interval to a second extremity of a timecycle and measuring the flux of the selected individual lightsource at the first extremity of the timecycle.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a circuit for detecting a malfunction generation attack, including: at least one sensor circuit adapted to detect a radiation of a light; and a detection circuit for detecting an intermediate voltage between a voltage corresponding to a High level and a voltage corresponding to a Low level in accordance with an output from the at least one sensor circuit, and outputting a detection signal. At least one sensor circuit has an output node a level at which is changed in accordance with the radiation of the light, and outputs a signal corresponding to the level at the output node which is changed in accordance with the radiation of the light. The detection circuit outputs the detection signal when a level of the output signal from the at least one sensor circuit reaches a level previously set.

Abstract: An illumination system (1) is based on a window (21) having controllable transmittance and a light guide system (31) arranged for transferring light from a light guide input (33) to a light guide output (34). The light guide output is located in a same space (50) as the window (21), but at a distance therefrom (21). The illumination system includes elements for balancing (40) the transmittance of the window and a throughput of the light guide system. Preferably, the window is an outer window, the light guide input (33) is arranged for gathering day light and the light guide output (34) is arranged to illuminate an area (52) within sight from the window (21). Preferably the transmittance of the window (21) and/or the light throughput of the light guide system (31) are controlled. A method for illuminating a space (50) having a window (21) with controllable transmittance is presented.

Abstract: The fabrication and use of a multifunctional micropipette biological sensor for in-situ detection of temperature changes, ion conductivity, and light is described herein.

Abstract: An optofluidic device forming a liquid grating, a liquid detector or a liquid emitter and method(s) of operation.

Abstract: Portable electronic devices are provided. A device may include cover glass with a light mask. The light mask may be microperforated to allow light to pass through the light mask. The microperforations may allow light to pass through the light mask. The devices may include sensors and light emitters that receive and transmit light through the microperforations. The devices may include a variable cantilever spring as part of a button assembly. The spring may be flattened against itself without exceeding its elastic limit. The devices may include display modules. The display module may include structures that block light from leaking out of the module. The structures may include opaque tapes, opaque enclosures for the display module, and other suitable structures.

Abstract: A test strip analysis apparatus comprising a housing, an insertion station for receiving a test strip to be inspected, an optical measuring unit for measuring the test strip, a transport device for transporting the test strip from said insertion station to the optical measuring unit within the reaction period required for the test strip, and an analyzing unit for evaluating the measurement of the strip, wherein the transport device comprises first and second transport sections which are interconnected through a connecting region and can be driven independently of one another, with the first transport section being capable of transporting the test strip at a higher first transport speed from the insertion station to the connecting region, and the second transport section being capable of transporting the test strip at a slower second transport speed from the connecting region to the optical measuring unit.

Abstract: A system for receiving an optical communication signal includes a first array of light responsive devices defining a first target area and a second light responsive device defining a second target area. The second target area is smaller than the first target area. A detection device is coupled to the first array of light responsive devices and configured to identify at least one individual light responsive device in the first array of light responsive devices receiving the greatest light input relative to other light responsive devices in the first array of light responsive devices. A positioning device is configured to position the second light responsive device relative to the at least one individual light responsive device, such that the second light responsive device receives the optical communication signal.

Abstract: A sample detector B includes a member 6 provided with an aperture 60, as well as a light receiving element 5 which receives two light beams directed from a pair of light sources 40, 41 to a detection area AR and having passed through the detection area and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light received, and a determination means 8 for determining whether or not a sample is properly supplied to the detection area AR based on the signal. Two light beams emitted from the paired light sources 40, 41 travel through paths defined by the aperture 60 to regions ARr, ARf of the detection area AR which are positionally deviated from each other. With this arrangement, whether or not a sample is properly supplied to the detection area AR is precisely determined without using an expensive component such as an optical lens.

Abstract: A method for testing light-emitting devices in a batch-wise, associated with a system for the same purpose, comprises the steps of: preparing the light-emitting devices on a moving carrier unit in a manner of aligning a predetermined longitudinal direction of the light-emitting devices with a predetermined transportation direction of the moving carrier unit, each of the light-emitting devices further having plural light-emitting elements; transporting orderly the light-emitting devices to pass a test area on a base of the system, in which the base energizes only the light-emitting elements within the test area; and, a solar cell module detecting continuously the energized light-emitting elements within the test area and further forming signals with respect to photo energy received in the test area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing integrated circuits includes measuring a reflectivity value of a wafer. An optimum energy level for laser marking the wafer is determined using the reflectivity value. A laser beam having the optimum energy level is then emitted to make laser marks on the wafer.

Abstract: A goniophotometer includes two independent towers: a main support tower and an upright mirror tower. A swing arm is connected to the main support tower and can be rotated around a main horizontal axis. An elliptic flat rotation mirror, a first detector and a second detector are fixed to the swing arm. A test light source that is also connected to the main support tower can be rotated around a vertical axis. An upright round mirror is connected to the upright mirror tower. A far-field measurement can be achieved when a light beam from the test light source travels into the rotation mirror then is reflected to the upright mirror, and then is reflected by the upright mirror to the first detector. A near field measurement is achieved when the second detector receives a test light beam directly form the test light source.

Abstract: A probe for a medical device with source and detector sensors is used to monitor or measure, or both, oxygen saturation levels in a tissue. In various specific implementations, the probe has at least two sources and at least one detector, at least one source and at least two detectors, and at least two sources and at least four detectors. A source of the probe is connected to at least one radiation source, which is external to the probe. A detector of the probe is connected to a photodetector, which is external to the probe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nitrogen analyzing apparatus comprising: a nitrogen concentration measuring device configured to measure the concentration of an nitrogen impurities in a mixed gas including argon and oxygen as main components on the basis of emission intensity of a light emitted from the nitrogen impurities by an electric discharge in a discharge tube and an oxygen concentration of a sample gas introduced into the discharge tube, and a diluting oxygen-introducing device configured to add a diluting oxygen in the sample gas sampled from the mixed gas according to the oxygen concentration of the mixed gas.

Abstract: An optical projection tomography system is illuminated with a light source. An object-containing tube, a portion of which is located within the region illuminated by the light source, contains an object of interest that has a feature of interest. A detector is located to receive emerging radiation from the object of interest. A lens, including optical field extension elements, is located in the optical path between the object region and the detector, such that light rays from multiple object planes in the object-containing tube simultaneously focus on the detector. The object-containing tube moves relatively to the detector and the lens operate to provide multiple views of the object region for producing an image of the feature of interest at each view.

Abstract: The present invention involves a light system for stimulating or regulating neuroendocrine, circadian, and photoneural systems in mammals based upon the discovery of peak sensitivity ranging from 425-505 nm; a light meter system for quantifying light which stimulates or regulates mammalian circadian, photoneural, and neuroendocrine systems. The present invention also relates to translucent and transparent materials, and lamps or other light sources with or without filters capable of stimulating or regulating neuroendocrine, circadian, and photoneural systems in mammals. Additionally, the present invention involves treatment of mammals with a wide variety of disorders or deficits, including light responsive disorders, eating disorders, menstrual cycle disorders, non-specific alerting and performance deficits, hormone-sensitive cancers, and cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract: A testing system includes a computer (10), a motherboard (31) of a mobile phone, a photosensitive component (33) and a measuring device. The motherboard of the mobile phone is connected to the computer. The motherboard of the mobile phone includes a keyboard light (313) disposed thereon. The photosensitive component is capable of sensing the brightness of the keyboard light. The measuring device is connected to the photosensitive component. The measuring device is capable of measuring the resistance of the photosensitive component and transmitting the resistance to the computer. The computer is capable of comparing the resistance with a pre-determined range of values to determine whether the keyboard light of the motherboard meets a standard.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for measuring power for an optical user signal transmitted via an optical fiber by converting the transmitted optical user signal into a pulsed optical measurement signal, the pulse repetition rate of which is dependent on the power of the transmitted optical user signal, and evaluating the pulse repetition rate of the converted optical measurement signal in order to ascertain the power of the optical user signal transmitted via the optical fiber.

Abstract: Inspection systems, circuits and methods are provided to enhance defect detection by addressing anode saturation as a limiting factor of the measurement detection range of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) detector. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method for inspecting a specimen includes directing light to the specimen and detecting light scattered from the specimen. The step of detecting may include monitoring an anode current of the PMT detector, and detecting features, defects or light scattering properties of the specimen using the anode current until the anode current reaches a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, the method may use a dynode current of the PMT for detecting the features, defects or light scattering properties of the specimen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for analyzing a dry-chemical test element, in particular an immunological test element, wherein, in the method, a dry-chemical test element is analyzed by optical scanning, whereby measurement light beams leaving assay regions of the test element, which are loaded with one or more immobilized optically active substances, with a respective measurement light intensity are detected by a detector device.

Abstract: A device for measuring the illumination of a light bulb wherein it has a sensor for measuring the illumination of the bulb and a device for measurement and comparison of the value of illumination of the bulb to at least one threshold.

Abstract: The invention comprises a real-time stroboscopic acquisition protocol for a measurement of the fluorescence decay and a method and apparatus for real-time calculation of the fluorescence lifetime from that measurement.

Abstract: A method for measuring optical power of a light beam produced in a microscope, the microscope being equipped in standard with a slot intended to receive interposition slides; the method including the step of measuring the optical power by inserting a removable measuring probe in said slot, near a back pupil of a microscope objective.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire is coated with a chemical coating layer that selectively attaches to the semiconductor material and which forms a dye in a chemical reaction. The dye layer comprises a material that absorbs electromagnetic radiation. A portion of the absorbed energy induces electronic excitation in the chemical coating layer from which additional free charge carriers are temporarily donated into the semiconductor nanowire. Thus, the conductivity of the semiconductor nanowire increases upon illumination on the dye layer. The semiconductor nanowire, and the resulting dye layer collective operate as a detector for electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An optical sensor chip, especially for an optical jamming protection device has a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of photo-sensitive elements, especially photodiodes, a number of pre-processing switching circuits for respectively processing a detection signal of each element, and a programmable interface between the array and the pre-processing switching circuits, a pre-processing switching circuit being associable with each element by the interface. An optical jamming protection device has an emitter unit which is designed in such a way as to emit radiation in a spatial area, a detector unit for detecting a radiation field from the spatial area, and a control unit designed to identify an obstacle in a pre-determined monitoring region in the spatial area, by evaluating output signals of the detector unit. To this end, the detector unit comprises an above-mentioned sensor chip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the operation of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) sources used in semiconductor fabrication are disclosed. A method comprises providing a semiconductor fabrication apparatus having a light source that emits in-band and out-of-band radiation, taking a first out-of-band radiation measurement, taking a second out-of-band radiation measurement, and controlling the in-band radiation of the light source, at least in part, based upon a comparison of the first and second out-of-band measurements. An apparatus comprises a detector operable to detect out-of-band EUV radiation emitted by an EUV plasma source, a spectrometer coupled to the electromagnetic detector and operable to measure at least one out-of-band radiation parameter based upon the detected out-of-band EUV radiation, and a controller coupled to the spectrometer and operable to monitor and control the operation of the EUV plasma source based upon the out-of-band measurements.

Abstract: A method of controlling an optical package is provided where the average power density of the output beam of the semiconductor laser on the input facet of the wavelength conversion device in a relatively high power wavelength conversion mode exceeds the power density of the output beam of the semiconductor laser on the input facet of the wavelength conversion device in a relatively low power contaminant removal mode. In the relatively high power wavelength conversion mode, the adjustable optical components are utilized to correlate an optimum intensity value of a wavelength-converted output of the wavelength conversion device with optimum coordinates representing the position of the output beam of the semiconductor laser on the waveguide portion of the input facet of the wavelength conversion device.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring stray light in a lens module includes a light source, an image sensor, an object distance adjusting unit, and an object distance measuring device. The light source is disposed at an object side of the lens module for emitting light to the lens module. The image sensor is disposed at an image side of the lens module for measuring an intensity of stray light coming into the lens module. The object distance adjusting unit includes an opaque barrier defining a slit therein, and a laser aligned with the slit, the laser being configured for emitting a laser light beam through the slit thereby forming a light spot serving as an object. The object distance measuring device is configured for measuring an object distance. The opaque barrier of the object distance adjusting unit is movable relative to the wavefront sensor so as to adjust the object distance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensed dataset includes data produced by a plurality of light sensors that have been exposed to a light environment. The data of the sensed dataset corresponds to different ranges of light, and at least a portion of one of the ranges of light is outside the visible (VIS) light spectrum. The sensed dataset is compared to a plurality of known datasets representative of known light environments, and at least one known dataset that is similar to the sensed dataset is identified. In response thereto, an indication of the sensed light environment is provided. Apparatus for implementing this and related methods is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the light sensors are ultraviolet, visible and infrared sensors, and the indication of the sensed light environment is used to control the color of data acquired by an image sensor, or the color of a display backlight.