Abstract: A system for laser shock peening includes a laser positioned to direct a laser pulse at a first side of a work piece and a coupler on a second side of the work piece. The system further includes a Doppler shift detector positioned to measure a velocity of the coupler. A method for laser shock peening includes depositing an amount of energy from a laser pulse into a first side of a work piece and transmitting a pulse having a first frequency at a second side of the work piece. The method further includes receiving a reflected pulse having a second frequency from the second side of the work piece and determining the velocity of the work piece based on the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for optically analyzing a sample are provided. The apparatus includes a first optical device that transmits a narrow waveband of light and has a first filter and a first monochromator that provide different paths for the narrow waveband of the light. The apparatus may also include a light source that generates the light as broadband excitation light, in which case the first optical device transmits a narrow waveband of the broadband excitation light through the first filter or the first monochromator. Further, the apparatus may include a second optical device that directs the narrow waveband of the broadband excitation light onto the sample and receives emission light from the sample, a third optical device that transmits a narrow waveband of the emission light, and a detector that converts the narrow waveband of the emission light into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A method of using multivariate optical computing in real-time to collect instantaneous data about a process stream includes installing an optical analysis system proximate a process line, the process line being configured to move a material past a window of the optical analysis system; illuminating a portion of the material with a light from the optical analysis system; directing the light carrying information about the portion through at least one multivariate optical element in the optical analysis system to produce an instantaneous measurement result about the portion; and continuously averaging the instantaneous measurement result over a period of time to determine an overall measurement signal of the material.

Abstract: This invention provides a new method for rapidly analyzing single bioparticles to assess their material condition and state of health. The method is enabled by use of a resonant cavity apparatus to measure an optical property related to the bioparticle size and refractive index. Measuring the refractive index is useful for determining material properties of the bioparticle. The material properties depend on the biomolecular composition of the bioparticle. The biomolecular composition is, in turn, dependent on the state of health of the bioparticle. Thus, measured optical properties can be used to differentiate normal (healthy) and abnormal (diseased) states of bioparticles derived from cells or tissues. The method is illustrated with data obtained from a resonator with a gain medium. The invention also provides new methods for making multiple measurements in a single device and detecting, analyzing, and manipulating bioparticles that are much smaller than the wavelength of light.

Abstract: A laser system provides harmonic generation in a laser beam pulse. In another aspect of the present invention, a laser operably remits a laser pulse, a gaseous optical medium operably creates third or greater harmonic generation in the pulse, and a controller characterizes and compensates for distortions in the pulse. A further aspect of the present invention employs multiple optical media arranged to cause cascading harmonic generations in a laser pulse.

Abstract: Provided is a laser ablation spectroscopy apparatus and method. A pulse laser is focused on the sample site to generate a plasma plume during a laser ablation process. The plasma plume is detected with a spectrometer and an intensified charge coupled device. A sample of material is coupled to a stage movable in the x, y and z directions using an array of x-y-z motors. A change in the height of the sample is detected using a triangulation sensor. The apparatus includes a system computer for synchronizing the movement of the stage in the x, y and z direction during the laser ablation process. The method includes a protocol of generating one or more laser ablations per sample site. The spectral data of the total number of laser ablations for each sample site are averaged together. The protocol includes laser ablating additional sample sites and averaging the spectral data of the total number of sample sites.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for measuring the concentrations of species present at one point of a separation unit functioning in simulated moving bed mode (SMB), using an immersing probe located at one point in the unit or on one of the streams entering or leaving said unit, and a thermocouple located in the vicinity of the immersing probe, in which a Raman spectrum obtained using a laser source functioning at a wavelength of 785 nm is utilized.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring materials using ultra fast laser pulses. Ultra fast laser pulses, such as femtosecond or attosecond laser pulses, are applied to the materials and laser pulses that result from interactions between the ultra fast laser pulses and the materials are collected. Spectral content of the resulting pulses is generated and presented. The elemental composition of the materials is determined using the spectral content.

Abstract: An optical emission spectroscopic system contains multiple distinct light paths that provide increased light to a spectrometer, thereby increasing sensitivity and signal-to-noise of the system.

Abstract: A process for the quantitative optical analysis of fluorescently labeled biological cells involves contacting a cell layer on a transparent support at the bottom of a reaction vessel with a solution containing the fluorescent dye. This process can also be used for improving the sensitivity in the quantitative optical analysis of a luminescent biological cell layer. Analogously, these process principles can also be used in receptor studies for the masking of the interfering background radiation in the quantitative optical analysis of fluorescently or luminescently labelled reaction components. In this case, a receptor layer at the bottom of a reaction vessel is in contact with a solution in which a fluorescent or luminescent ligand is dissolved.

Abstract: A non-degenerate polarization-entangled photon pair generation device (1) that efficiently and easily generates non-degenerate polarization-entangled photon pairs includes: a quantum-entangled photon pair generator (2) including a single crystal in which periodically poled structures (3a, 3b) having different periods are formed; and a light radiating unit (4) for entering light into the quantum-entangled photon pair generator (2) such that the light passes through the periodically poled structure (3a) and then through the periodically poled structure (3b).

Abstract: To enable both observations of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering light and multiphoton fluorescence in a same apparatus so as to observe a specimen by various observation methods. There is provided a laser microscope apparatus comprising: two optical paths for guiding pulsed laser beams having two different frequencies whose frequency difference is approximately equal to a specific molecular vibration frequency in a specimen; a multiplexer for combining the pulsed laser beams guided through these two optical paths; and a frequency dispersion adjuster which is provided on at least one of these two optical paths, and is capable of adjustment to approximately equalize frequency dispersion quantities of the pulsed laser beams guided through the two optical paths.

Abstract: A method of measuring a gadolinia content using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry is provided. The method can include grinding sintered gadolinium using a percussion mortar to obtain a ground sample; warming the ground sample and then dissolving it with an acid solution to obtain dissolved gadolinia; diluting the dissolved gadolinia with distilled water to obtain a diluted gadolinia solution; measuring mass of each of a uranium element and a gadolinium element in the diluted gadolinia solution by a unit of ppm using the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry; and calculating a molar fraction of gadolinium from the diluted gadolinia solution and then calculating the gadolinia content using the molar fraction of gadolinium.

Abstract: In a method for the spectral analysis of a metal coating layer deposited on the surface of a steel strip, the strip is moved along an arc of the outer surface of a rotating roller with a cylindrical wall guiding the strip by contact. An ablation laser beam is guided into an internal cavity of the cylindrical wall to be placed in optical incidence under a normal axis on the outer surface of the roller on a targeted contact point of the strip and the roller. The beam passes through the wall via a wall opening, which is transparent to the beam. A plasma spectral emission distribution from the laser ablation to the contact point is collected by optical feedback in the direction of the normal axis on the outer surface of the roller and through the opening in order to be guided towards a spectral measurement unit. The normal axis on the outer surface for the optical incidence and feedback is placed in synchronous rotation with the roller.

Abstract: An optical signal analysis apparatus includes a photodetector and an analyzer. The photodetector is to detect light emitted from measurement points in a sample. The analyzer is to analyze a molecular interaction between two of the measurement points by using fluctuation signals corresponding to fluctuations of the light from the measurement points that are detected by the photodetector.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for analyzing particles or biomolecules in a liquid sample, including: detecting a signal and fluctuations in the signal from a detection volume in the sample; wherein the signal is generated from signal-generating molecules in the medium surrounding the particles or biomolecules and the fluctuations are transient reductions in the signal as the particles or biomolecules transit through the detection volume; and analyzing the detected fluctuations to obtain information about the particles or biomolecules in the liquid sample.

Abstract: A spectroscopic system is described that provides at least one of focus of an excitation beam onto a sample, automatic focus of an optical system of the spectroscopic system for collecting a spectroscopic signal, and/or averaging of excitation intensity over a surface area of the sample.

Abstract: A system and method for locating and identifying unknown samples. A targeting mode may be utilized to scan regions of interest for potential unknown materials. This targeting mode may interrogate regions of interest using SWIR and/or fluorescence spectroscopic and imaging techniques. Unknown samples detected in regions of interest may be further interrogated using a combination of Raman and LIBS techniques to identify the unknown samples. Structured illumination may be used to interrogate an unknown sample. Data sets generated during interrogation may be compared to a reference database comprising a plurality of reference data sets, each associated with a known material. The system and method may be used to identify a variety of materials including: biological, chemical, explosive, hazardous, concealment, and non-hazardous materials.

Abstract: A backpack laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy LIBS system to provide rapid in-field elemental analysis of environmental samples important to the safeguarding of special nuclear materials.

Abstract: A molecular analysis light detection apparatus is formed by: a sample plate provided with an enhancing member which is disposed at a small predetermined area of a sample contact surface contacting with a sample containing a substance to be analyzed and which generates an enhancing field for enhancing light generated from the substance to be analyzed at the predetermined area relative to the light at other areas of the sample contact surface when predetermined excitation light is applied; an excitation-light applying optical system for applying the excitation light to an illumination area which contains the predetermined area of the sample contact surface provided with the enhancing member and which is larger than the predetermined area; and a signal detector unit for detecting fluctuation of the light, which is enhanced by the enhancing field, generated from the substance to be analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention has a laser and a second energy source act in combination to produce a plasma that emits characteristic radiation for a prolonged period of time. The laser energy is directed to a sample for a period of time to ignite a plasma containing the sample material and to either ablate or vaporize the sample. Energy from a second energy source is supplied to the plasma for a second period of time so that the characteristic radiation emitted by the plasma is maintained. The emitted radiation is used to identify chemical elements contained in the sample. The second period of time is typically larger than the first period of time and may be as long as many milliseconds. Supplying energy for this longer period of time allows the plasma to grow in size and contributes to the large enhancement in the detection sensitivity of the present invention.

Abstract: A detection system is used during irradiation of an interaction region of a structure with laser light. The structure includes embedded material. The detection system includes means for receiving light emitted from the interaction region. The detection system further includes means for separating the received light into a spectrum of wavelengths. The detection system further includes means for analyzing at least a portion of the spectrum for indications of embedded material within the interaction region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spectrophotometer. The spectrophotometer includes a CPU having a signal prediction part and a comparison/calculation part. The signal prediction part predicts the strength of an output signal from a photodetection unit during the next period based on the strength of the output signal from the photodetection unit. The comparison/calculation part compares a reference value, which defines the limit value of electrical current passing through a photomultiplier tube, of the strength of an output signal from an AD converter with a predicted value predicted by the signal prediction part. In a case where the predicted value exceeds the reference value, a voltage applied to the photomultiplier tube is calculated so that the strength of an output signal from the photodetection unit during the next period does not exceed the reference value.

Abstract: A microscope for generating an image of a sample, the microscope includes a light source for generating a pulsed light; an optical scanner receiving the pulsed light and transmitting the pulsed light to the sample to be imaged causing the sample to emit energy; a dispersive element that receives the emitted energy from the sample, disperses the energy into its spectral elements and transmits the spectrally dispersed energy; and a camera that generates a spectrally resolved image of the sample based on the spectrally dispersed energy from the dispersive element. Also described is a method of generating spectrally resolved images of the sample.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that characterizes a biological sample by analyzing light emissions from the biological sample in response to an excitation. The system first radiates the biological sample with a laser impulse to cause the biological sample to produce a responsive light emission. Next, the system uses a wavelength splitting device to split the responsive light emission into a set of spectral bands of different central wavelengths. The system applies temporal delays to the set of spectral bands so that each spectral band arrives at an optical detector at a different time, thereby allowing the optical detector to temporally resolve the responsive light emission for each spectral band separately. Next, the system captures the delayed spectral bands within a single detection window of the optical detector. The system then processes the captured spectral bands.

Abstract: A detecting element used for a detecting device for detecting a target substance in a sample by utilizing plasmon resonance. The detecting element includes a substrate and a plurality of metal members provided on the substrate, the metal member constituting a columnar structure and being oriented in a long axis direction thereof. The detecting element can improve sensitivity of the detecting device for detecting a target substance utilizing plasmon resonance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples by optical emission spectroscopy with laser excitation (18), using a database created on single-element aqueous solutions all having the same pure element concentration, this database containing, for each element, the wavelengths of the emission lines and their respective intensities.

Abstract: An optical microscope applies laser light to a sample through the an objective lens, detects reflected light reflected by the sample through the objective lens, changes a focal position of the laser light in an optical axis direction, extracts a focal position for spectrum measurement based on a detection result of the reflected light when the focal position of the laser light is changed, adjusts the focal position to coincide with the extracted focal position, separates outgoing light exiting from the sample by application of the laser light with the adjusted focal position from the laser light, and measures a spectrum of the outgoing light separated from the laser light with a spectroscope.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and a method for capturing multi source excitations from a single location on a flow channel. The system preferably includes a light subsystem that emits light onto a single location on a flow channel, a detector subsystem to detect light emitted from the single location on the flow channel, and a processor to separate the detected light. The method preferably includes emitting light onto a single location on a flow channel, detecting light emitted from the single location on the flow channel, and separating the detected light.

Abstract: A method of monitoring laser shock peening of a material includes forming an ablative layer on the material, directing the laser beam at the ablative layer to produce an acoustic wave in the material, converting the acoustic wave in the material to thermal energy external to the material and measuring the thermal energy.

Abstract: A system and method for standoff detection of explosives and explosive residue. A laser light source illuminates a target area having an unknown sample producing luminescence emitted photons, scattered photons and plasma emitted photons. A first optical system directs light to the target area. A video capture device outputs a dynamic image of the target area. A second optical system collects photons, and directs collected photons to a first two-dimensional array of detection elements and/or to a fiber array spectral translator device which device includes a two-dimensional array of optical fibers drawn into a one-dimensional fiber stack. A spectrograph is coupled to the one-dimensional fiber stack of the fiber array spectral translator device, wherein the entrance slit of the spectrograph is coupled to the one dimensional fiber stack.

Abstract: A method of arranging and utilizing a multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes transmitting light from a light source; reflecting the light from the sample; directing a portion of the light reflected from the sample with a beamsplitter; and arranging an optical filter mechanism in a normal incidence orientation to receive the light reflected from the sample, the optical filter mechanism configured to filter and measure data carried by the light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: A sentinel lymph node detecting apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source unit 2, illuminating an excitation light 10 and an illumination light 11 onto a biological observation location 20 that includes a sentinel lymph node 21 near a tumor, into which a fluorescent dye that emits fluorescence is injected; an optical filter 3, transmitting a fluorescence image 11 and a normal image 13; an image pickup device 5, disposed integral to the light source unit 2 and picking up the fluorescence image 11 and the normal image 13 transmitted through the optical filter 3; and an image display device 7, displaying the observation images that have been picked up. The wavelength of the illumination light 11 is set to a value close to the wavelength of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye.

Abstract: The apparatus for measuring concentrations of fuel mixtures using depth-resolved laser-induced fluorescence is a fluorometer equipped with a sample container holder that is movable in the path of the beam from the light source. Fluorescent emissions from the sample mixture pass at 90° to the excitation light path through a slit that is narrow enough that the emission intensity is effectively produced by a thin layer of the sample and focused on a monochromator, with successive thin layers receiving nonuniform excitation radiation due to reduction of intensity along the excitation light source path with increasing depth penetration and due to reabsorption of emitted fluorescence from adjacent layers. The method has a first mode in which the emission spectrum is scanned at a fixed depth, and a second mode in which the sample is moved relative to the emission monochromator slit to vary the depth while keeping the emission wavelength fixed.

Abstract: A spectral image processing system and method of performing robust unmixing on measurement noise. Based on an observed spectral image acquired from a specimen and emission spectral data of each of plural materials contained in the specimen, a contribution of each of the plural materials to the observed spectral image is unmixed by a process, including an evaluating step of evaluating reliability of each component of the observed spectral image based on a predicted spectral image of the observed spectral image, and a reflecting step of reflecting a result of the evaluation in a content of the unmixing.

Abstract: An optical system for a flow cytometer having a flow channel with an interrogation zone and an illumination source that impinges the flow channel in the interrogation zone includes a lens system and a detection system. The lens system preferably includes at least two lens surfaces located on opposite sides of the flow channel and configured to collect and collimate light from the interrogation zone. The detection system, configured to detect light from the lens system, preferably includes first and second detectors, a first filter that passes a first wavelength of light and reflects a second wavelength of light, and a second filter that reflects the first wavelength of light and passes the second wavelength of light, wherein the first and second filters are aligned such that light reflected from the first filter passes into the second detector and light reflected from the second filter passes into the first detector.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a sorting flow cytometer include an objective lens having an optical axis coaxially aligned with the flow path at the focal point. A controllable energy source selectively alters an analyte according to a determination of whether the analyte is in a desired sub-population. In various embodiments, one or both of the emission from the controllable energy source and/or the emission from an illumination energy source passes through the objective lens. In some embodiments in which the emission from the controllable energy source passes through the objective lens, the objective lens may focus the emission from the controllable energy source at a different point than the focal point of a signal detected from the analyte and, in particular, at a point closer to the objective lens.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluorescence microscope and a method for using this to measure fluorescence. The microscope comprises a silicon wafer filter membrane which is highly-planar and does not fluoresce. Moreover, it has a very high perforation density, so that a small surface area is sufficient for effective measurement. Using a camera as the location-sensitive detector moreover makes it possible to take advantage of better optical resolution, which means that optics having a smaller numerical aperture and a smaller magnification factor can be employed, with a greater working distance. All these factors together provide a fluorescence microscope capable of much more rapid measurements than the existing fluorescence microscopes.

Abstract: A method and a sensor for detecting a target gas by laser spectroscopy using a laser or a laser diode having a monochrome emission wavelength that can be modulated by varying the operating temperature or the operating current. The wavelength range of the target gas comprises a first modulation of the laser or the laser diode over a first large modulation width, in addition to at least two absorption lines of a reference gas and at least one absorption line of the target gas. The absorption lines are used to calibrate the wavelength scale of the laser or the laser diode in relation to the varied operating temperature or operating current, a second modulation of the laser or the laser diode being performed over a second small modulation width, with the at least one absorption line of the target gas, for detecting the target gas.

Abstract: A device having an air sampler, an electrospray apparatus, and a fluorescence excitation and detection system. The air sampler is capable of moving air suspected of containing a biological or chemical aerosol particle into a chamber. The electrospray apparatus is capable of spraying a charged solution into the chamber to coat the aerosol particles with a coating. The solution has a fluorescent-labeled biological or chemical marker capable of specific binding to the aerosol particle. The fluorescence system is capable of detecting fluorescence of the fluorescent label in the coating. A method of detecting the aerosol particle by: moving air suspected of containing the aerosol particle into a chamber; spraying the charged solution into the chamber with an electrospray apparatus, such that a coating of the solution is formed around the particle; exciting the fluorescent label; and detecting fluorescence of the fluorescent label.

Abstract: Methods for tagging an object with an element-coded particle and identifying the object based on the element code are described. LIBS analysis can be used with the methods to provide a high resolution system for identifying and quantifying objects with great specificity. Objects can include biological and chemical molecules.

Abstract: A method for differentiating malignant in vivo liver tissues from normal in vivo liver tissues of a living subject includes the steps of: (a) illuminating a first area and a second area of in vivo liver tissues of the living subject with a first excitation light, (b) measuring an intensity of fluorescent light emitted from each of the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues in response to the first excitation light as a function of wavelength so as to obtain a first and a second fluorescent spectra, respectively, (c) illuminating the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues with a second excitation light, (d) measuring an intensity of diffuse light reflected by each of the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues in response to the second excitation light as a function of wavelength so as to obtain a first and a second diffused reflectance spectra, respectively, and (e) identifying one of the first area and the second area of in vivo liver tissues as malignant liv

Abstract: System and method for detecting and/or predicting in a field the leakage of nuclear reactor coolant that may occur at the pressure boundary of the primary system of a nuclear reactor. The system and method for detecting the leakage of nuclear reactor coolant uses a laser induced emission spectrum. The leakage of coolant is detected by detecting boron (B), a main component of the coolant, in corrosive products generated at the nuclear reactor pressure boundary on the basis of laser spectroscopy. An embodiment of the system for detecting leakage of nuclear reactor coolant may include a laser generator, a laser focusing lens, an emission collector, and emission spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: A system and process are disclosed that provide high accuracy and high precision destructive analysis measurements for isotope ratio determination of relative isotope abundance distributions in liquids, solids, and particulate samples. The invention utilizes a collinear probe beam to interrogate a laser ablated plume. This invention provides enhanced single-shot detection sensitivity approaching the femtogram range, and isotope ratios that can be determined at approximately 1% or better precision and accuracy (relative standard deviation).

Abstract: A microscope for generating an image of a sample, the microscope includes a light source for generating a pulsed light; a scanning mirror receiving the pulsed light and transmitting the pulsed light to the sample to be imaged causing the sample to emit energy; a dispersive element that receives the emitted energy from the sample, disperses the energy into its spectral elements and transmits the spectrally dispersed energy; and a camera that generates a spectrally resolved image of the sample based on the spectrally dispersed energy from the dispersive element. Also described is a method of generating spectrally resolved images of the sample.

Abstract: An illumination and detection architecture that illuminates a target for detecting a material of interest. The architecture includes an illumination component that illuminates the target using a predetermined light wavelength known to energize and thereby cause a detectable change in the desired chemical and/or compounds associated with the target in a particular way. The change is then captured by an image capture system and processed to determine the presence or absence detected of the desired material of interest at the target.

Abstract: A method for reducing resources for selecting seed to be produced in commercial quantities or for research is disclosed. Samples of seed which are candidates for selection are collected and given an identifier. Specific tissue or structure from candidate seed is removed. A test or analysis is performed on the candidate seed or the removed tissue or structure. Results of the test or analysis are recorded and correlated to the seed's identifier. The results are evaluated and a decision is made whether to select a candidate seed for commercial production or for research. Time, space, and labor associated with growing plants in an experimental plot or greenhouse and taking tissue samples from growing plants is saved.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and measuring light emitted from a sample and having a large dynamic range, e.g., a range of luminous intensity covering six or more orders of magnitude, that may be difficult to fully detect using a single detector with a limited detection range. Simultaneous measurements of the emitted light in two intensity ranges are performed using two detectors, e.g., one including a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and the other including a solid state detector such as a photodiode. A beam splitting element directs light emitted from a sample under investigation to both detectors simultaneously such that a portion of the light impinges on the first detector and a second portion of the light impinges on the second detector.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method of real time determination of particle size and optionally chemical composition or both. An aerosol beam generator focuses a beam containing sample particles that passes through a sizing laser beam of approximately constant width to produce light scattering that is detected by a light detection means, allowing generation of electrical pulses that may be used to compute particle velocity. In being formed into a beam, the particles are accelerated to terminal velocities that are functions of their sizes. The duration of time elapsed while a particle passes through the width of the sizing laser beam is a function of its velocity which, in turn, is a function of its size. Chemical composition of the particle is determined by suitable analytical means included in the apparatus, such as mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A method for physicochemical analysis of a material during its ablation with a pulsed laser. The method uses the ratio of intensity levels of two emission lines of a tracer element derived from plasma generated by the laser beam to characterize the plasma excitation temperature. The method determines concentration of an element to be measured in the plasma using standard measurements indicating correspondence between a concentration of the element to measured and a variation of intensity of an emission line and different ratios between intensity levels of two emission lines of the tracer element, the ratios representing the plasma temperature.