Having Diffraction Grating Means Patents (Class 356/328)
  • Patent number: 9891109
    Abstract: The present concept is a portable color sensor for measuring color of a substrate that includes a single flat printed circuit board with a top and bottom side which includes at least one LED light and one color sensor and at least one light pipe receiving light from the LED and transmitting it onto a substrate at an angle theta. It also includes a tube frame including an optical tube for receiving light reflections from the substrate and directing the reflections to the color sensor. The light pipes and the tube frame, are mounted and compression fit between the printed circuit board and a lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9885606
    Abstract: A spectrometer having slit and detector elements located on the optical axis of the spectrometer, resulting in substantially increased spectral and spatial fields of the spectrometer. The spectrometer being more compact than current designs, while providing superior spatial and spectral image quality and resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: WAVEFRONT RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9880054
    Abstract: A method for designing a spectral sensing device. The method includes: (1) performing computational operations on a computer, wherein the computational operations determine the positions of diffracted orders of an optical system model that models at least an array of light modulating elements and a diffraction grating, wherein the diffracted orders correspond to respective spectral components of input light to the optical system model, wherein the positions of the diffracted orders are determined at a target plane of the optical system model; and (2) storing the positions of the diffracted orders in a memory, wherein the positions determine corresponding locations for light detectors in the spectral sensing device. The spectral sensing device may be assembled by modifying an existing single pixel camera, i.e., by adding the diffraction grating and adding the light detectors respectively at said positions of the diffracted orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: InView Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lenore McMackin
  • Patent number: 9878842
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for imaging and scanning a plurality of plants to capture information related to plant performance. Plants move through the system on a conveyor belt in specialized plant container pot holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Kirsti A. Golgotiu, Brent Allen Gibson, Cory A. Christensen
  • Patent number: 9874476
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for colour recipe calculation for matt colour standards with the steps: A) experimentally determining reflection spectra R(exp) of the color standard, comprising a first reflection spectrum (SPIN) and a second reflection spectrum (SPEX), with an integrating sphere color measurement instrument, wherein said first reflection spectrum (SPIN) is obtained at (A1) d/8°—geometry with the specular component included, and said second reflection spectrum (SPEX) is obtained at (A2) d/8°—geometry with the specular component excluded; B1) calculating a recipe for the matt color standard based on the experimentally determined reflection spectrum R(exp) with the specular component included, which has been corrected for the specular component, or B2) comparing the experimentally determined reflection spectrum R(exp) with the specular component included, which has been corrected for the specular component, with reflection spectra associated to color recipes of a color recipe database for glos
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: AXALTA COATING SYSTERMS IP CO., LLC
    Inventors: Wilhelm Kettler, Peter Jelen, Oliver Korten
  • Patent number: 9863756
    Abstract: A device and method for surface height profiling are presented. The device has a source with a source slit through which light is provided. The device includes an objective lens having a reference surface. The objective lens is configured to illuminate a sample with test light from the source and to combine test light reflected from the sample with reference light reflected from the reference surface to form combined light. A spectrometer is positioned to receive the combined light at an entrance slit. The spectrometer is configured to image the combined light as a 2D image with a wavelength dimension and a spatial position dimension. A processor in electrical communication with the spectrometer is programmed to receive a signal representing the 2D image and to determine a surface height profile of the sample based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Shifang Li
  • Patent number: 9863809
    Abstract: A spectrograph as disclosed includes a housing, wherein a wall of the housing includes first, second and third openings, an entrance slit located at the first opening and configured to direct light along a first light path portion in the interior of the housing, a dispersive element located at the second opening and configured to receive light from the entrance slit along the first light path portion and direct light along a second light path portion in the interior of the housing, a detector located at the third opening and configured to receive light from the dispersive element along the second light path portion. The detector can include first and second groups of light-sensitive regions. A cover can be positioned to separate the first group of light-sensitive regions from the light path, the second group of light-sensitive regions being exposed to the light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: METTLER-TOLEDO GMBH
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Kuo, Robert Kovich, Tomasz Pol, Mario Crevatin
  • Patent number: 9851247
    Abstract: A spectroscopic module 1 is provided with a spectroscopic unit 8 and a photodetector 9 in addition to a spectroscopic unit 7 and a photodetector 4 and thus can enhance its detection sensitivity for light in a wide wavelength range or different wavelength regions of light. A light-transmitting hole 4b is disposed between light detecting portions 4a, 9a, while a reflection unit 6 is provided so as to oppose a region R in a light-absorbing substrate 2, whereby the size can be kept from becoming larger. Ambient light La is absorbed by the region R in the substrate 2. Any part of the light La transmitted through the region R in the substrate 2 is reflected to the region R by the unit 6 formed so as to oppose the region R, whereby stray light can be inhibited from being caused by the incidence of the light La.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibayama, Takafumi Yokino
  • Patent number: 9846080
    Abstract: A real-time birefringent imaging spectrometer based on differential structure is provided. A polarization beam splitter to add an imaging branch is set. Meanwhile, the structure alters the conventional optical structure to the differential structure by setting another polarization beam splitter. Taking the difference between these two interferogram obtained by two branches of differential structure as the final interferogram and performing the required post-processing calculations produces the spectrum at each pixel. Common-mode error is intensively restrained due to the differential structure, and 50% of the optical loss is avoided because of casting off the analyzer; a high spatial resolution, high spectral resolution image is acquired by combining the high spatial resolution, colorful image with the low spatial resolution, high spectral resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: HARBIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Peng Jin, Shuaishuai Zhu, Yu Zhang, Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 9810841
    Abstract: A silicon photonic device (1) comprising: a silicon core (2) having a core refractive index; and a structure formed in the silicon core, comprising: a first refractive index variation pattern (4) across the core in a first direction (x) and having a first modulation depth (Hi); and a second refractive index variation pattern (6) across the core in a second, orthogonal, direction (y) and having a second modulation depth (H2), less than the first modulation depth. The first refractive index variation pattern overlays the second refractive index variation pattern, forming a three-dimensional structure. The first refractive index variation pattern only supports propagation of light having a TM mode between the first direction and a third direction (z) and the second refractive index variation pattern only supports propagation of light having a TE mode between the second direction and the third direction. An optical waveguide coupler is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Wei-Ping Huang, Mats Johansson, Stephane Lessard, Francesco Testa
  • Patent number: 9802183
    Abstract: An analytical device configured for the introduction of the liquid or solid sample into a sample chamber where it is extracted by a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the extract then passes into a chamber where it undergoes a Friedel-Crafts (FC) reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: John David Hanby
  • Patent number: 9786825
    Abstract: Devices, components and methods containing one or more light emitter devices, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED chips, are disclosed. In one aspect, a light emitter device component can include a ceramic body having a top surface, one or more light emitter devices mounted directly or indirectly on the top surface, and one or more electrical components mounted on the top surface and electrically coupled to the one or more light emitter devices, wherein the one or more electrical components can be spaced from the ceramic body by one or more non-metallic layers. Components disclosed herein can result in improved light extraction and thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher P. Hussell
  • Patent number: 9778107
    Abstract: A linear frequency domain grating and a multiband spectrometer having the same. The linear frequency domain grating includes a dispersive optical element and a diffractive optical element being substantially in contact with the dispersive optical element or being substantially integrated with the dispersive optical element, configured to receive a beam of incident light along an incident optical path, and diffract and disperse it into its constituent spectrum of frequencies of the light that is output from the dispersive optical element along an output optical path, such that the output light has a spatial distribution on a focal plane in the output optical path that is a linear function of the frequency. The linear frequency domain grating is a transmissive-type grating or a reflective-type grating, depending on whether the incident optical path and the output optical path are in different sides or the same side of the diffractive optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventor: Zhilin Hu
  • Patent number: 9759604
    Abstract: A spectrometer comprises a package having a stem and a cap, an optical unit arranged on the stem, and a lead pin penetrating through the stem. The optical unit has a dispersive part for dispersing and reflecting light entering from a light entrance part of the cap, a light detection element for detecting the light dispersed and reflected by the dispersive part, a support for supporting the light detection element such as to form a space between the dispersive part and the light detection element, a projection projecting from the support, and a wiring electrically connected to the light detection element. The projection is arranged at such a position as to be separated from the stem. The lead pin is electrically connected to the second terminal part while being disposed to the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Katsumi Shibayama, Takafumi Yokino
  • Patent number: 9755758
    Abstract: According to an example, an optical transmission device may include a spatial light modulator having a plurality of cells, in which different wavelengths of a light beam are to impinge upon different groups of pixels along a dispersion direction. The device may also include a driver mechanism to modulate, at a first frequency, a first group of the plurality of cells upon which light having a first wavelength impinges to impress a first frequency fluctuation onto a property of an output light including the first wavelength and to modulate, at a second frequency, a second group of the plurality of cells upon which light having a second wavelength impinges to impress a second frequency fluctuation onto a property of an output light including the second wavelength, in which the second frequency modulation differs from the first frequency modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Josh Philipson, Chris Wagner
  • Patent number: 9746462
    Abstract: The present invention provides self-contained systems, apparatus and methods for determining a chemical state, the system includes a stationary cartridge for performing the assay therein, the cartridge adapted to house at least one reagent adapted to react with a sample; and at least one reporter functionality adapted to report a reaction of the at least one reagent with the sample to report a result of the assay, a mechanical controller including a first urging means adapted to apply a force externally onto the cartridge to release the at least one reagent; and at least one second urging means adapted to apply a removable force to induce fluidic movement in a first direction in the cartridge and upon removal of the force causing fluidic movement in an opposite direction to the first direction, an optical reader adapted to detect the reaction and a processor adapted to receive data from the optical reader and to process the data to determine said chemical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Leukodx Ltd.
    Inventors: Harvey Lee Kasdan, Julien Meissonnier, Yoav Zuta, Micha Rosen, Yael Himmel, Yehoshua Broder, Bruce Davis, Bruce Goldman, Boaz Giron, Zion Botesazan, Ellezer Blasberg, Ilan Semmel, Jacques Aschkenasy
  • Patent number: 9746677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for applying laser radiation (13) to the outside of a rotationally symmetric component (11), comprising a plurality of lenses (10), which are designed and/or arranged in such a way that the axis of symmetry (12) of the component (11) lies at the focal point of each of the lenses (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: LIMO PATENTVERWALTUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Mitra
  • Patent number: 9737068
    Abstract: A lawn treatment apparatus, system and method employs a scanning apparatus to detect the presence of an area to be selectively treated with an herbicide, pesticide or fungicide. The apparatus includes a multicompartmental cartridge that holds different chemicals and selectively applies the chemicals to the area of the lawn requiring treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Bradley Davis Lytle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9733121
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an imaging optical system. In one aspect, the imaging optical system includes, among other things, a light bending element configured to substantially separate electromagnetic radiation into at least two portions, and configured to redirect the at least two portions of said electromagnetic radiation into substantially different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9716846
    Abstract: A programmable, many-band spectral imager based on addressable spatial light modulators (ASLMs), such as micro-mirror-, micro-shutter- or liquid-crystal arrays, is described. Capable of collecting at once, without scanning, a complete two-dimensional spatial image with ASLM spectral processing applied simultaneously to the entire image, the invention employs optical assemblies wherein light from all image points is forced to impinge at the same angle onto the dispersing element, eliminating interplay between spatial position and wavelength. This is achieved, as examples, using telecentric optics to image light at the required constant angle, or with micro-optical array structures, such as micro-lens- or capillary arrays, that aim the light on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Love, David L. Graff
  • Patent number: 9715050
    Abstract: An optical wavelength dispersion device includes a first substrate, an input unit formed on the first substrate having a slit for receiving an optical signal, a grating formed on the first substrate for producing a diffracted light beams from the optical signal, a first optical reflector formed on the first substrate for reflecting the diffracted light beams from the grating for outputting, and a second substrate covered on the top of the input unit and the grating, wherein the input unit, the grating and the first optical reflector are formed from a photo-resist layer by high energy light source exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Cheng-Hao Ko
  • Patent number: 9692989
    Abstract: A method of validating or verifying a process for cleaning a surface contaminated with at least one chemical substrate, comprising the steps of: capturing an infrared image of the surface using infrared chemical imaging; utilizing at least one algorithm to interpret the captured image to extract an infra-red signal from the at least one chemical substrate to determine the amount of the at least one chemical substrate present on the surface; and determining if the amount of the at least one detected chemical substrate exceeds a threshold value, thereby indicating that a repeat cleaning process is required or thereby indicating that no further cleaning is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Ian Jones
  • Patent number: 9683892
    Abstract: A fiber grating demodulation system for enhancing spectral resolution by finely adjusting an imaging focus mirror, includes a laser pump source, a wavelength division multiplexer, a fiber Bragg grating, a diaphragm, a slit, a collimating mirror, a light splitting grating, an imaging focus mirror, a linear array detector. The laser pump source, the wavelength division multiplexer, the fiber Bragg grating are connected in sequence, the wavelength division multiplexer is connected to the diaphragm. Light emitted from the laser pump source is multiplexed by the wavelength division multiplexer and then enters the fiber Bragg grating, a reflection spectrum of the fiber Bragg grating enters the slit of the fiber grating demodulation system as injected light. After passing through the slit, the injected light is reflected by the collimating mirror, the light splitting grating, and the imaging focus mirror in sequence, and is finally converged to the linear array detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lianqing Zhu, Wei He, Xiaoping Lou, Feng Liu, Mingli Dong, Fei Luo, Wei Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9672594
    Abstract: A camera system for producing super resolution images is disclosed. The camera system may include a target scene, a first detector configured to capture a first image of the target scene, and a second detector configured to capture a second image of the target scene. The first detector may include a first pitch, and the second detector may include a second pitch different from the first pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Keith D. Humfeld, Morteza Safai
  • Patent number: 9655356
    Abstract: A lawn treatment apparatus, system and method employs a scanning apparatus to detect the presence of an area to be selectively treated with an herbicide, pesticide or fungicide. The apparatus includes a multicompartmental cartridge that holds different chemicals and selectively applies the chemicals to the area of the lawn requiring treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Bradley Davis Lytle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9625789
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device (1) having: a front optical system (10) that transmits light from an object; a spectral filter array (20) that transmits light from the front optical system (10) via a plurality of spectral filters; a small lens array (30) that transmits the light from the plurality of spectral filters via a plurality of small lenses respectively, and forms a plurality of object images; a picture element (50) that captures the plurality of object images respectively; and an image processor (60) that determines two-dimensional spectral information on the object images based on image signals output from the picture element (50). The front optical system (10) is configured to transmit the light from the focused object to collimate the light into a parallel luminous flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Katsunuma, Kenichi Kodama
  • Patent number: 9612155
    Abstract: The present application discloses a system comprising a compact curved grating (CCG) and its associated compact curved grating spectrometer (CCGS) or compact curved grating wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer (WMDM) module and a method for making the same. The system is capable of achieving a very small (resolution vs. size) RS factor. The location of the entrance slit and detector can be adjusted in order to have the best performance for a particular design goal. The initial groove spacing is calculated using a prescribed formula dependent on operation wavelength. The location of the grooves is calculated based on two conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Photonic IC Inc. (EPIC Inc.)
    Inventors: Seng-Tiong Ho, Yingyan Huang
  • Patent number: 9599507
    Abstract: A fiber optic probe assembly is provided. The probe comprises a first optical system and a second optical system, a delivery light guide comprising one or more than one delivery optical fiber for transmitting excitation radiation from a radiation source disposed at a proximal end of the light guide to the first optical system. The first optical system comprising one or more than one first optical element for forming a substantially collimated illumination beam from the excitation radiation. An optically opaque tubular sleeve is fitted over the first optical system to optically isolate the first optical system and the delivery light guide from the second optical system. The second optical system comprising one or more than one second optical element for gathering optical radiation scattered from a sample and forming the optical radiation into a collection beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Rafal Pawluczyk, Paul Fournier
  • Patent number: 9587981
    Abstract: A spectrometer may include: an input configured to receive optical radiation; a dispersion element configured to disperse by wavelength the optical radiation passing from the input; an output; and/or a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to receive a wavelength region of the optical radiation dispersed by the dispersion element, and configured to selectively direct wavelength portions of the received wavelength region to the output. The input may be configured to provide a plurality of entrance field stops by which the dispersion element is, in use, illuminated. Each of the plurality of entrance field stops may cooperate with the dispersion element to generate a different dispersed wavelength region at the SLM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FOSS ANALYTICAL A/B
    Inventor: Haakan Wedelsback
  • Patent number: 9591194
    Abstract: An illumination device includes M light sources provided on a surface of a substrate, a diffraction optical element configured to diffract light from the M light sources to irradiate N illuminating areas into which an illuminating region is segmented, and a control unit. The control unit turns on L=M/N light sources of each of first through Nth light source groups during first through Nth time intervals, respectively, and successively irradiates the light from the on L light sources of the first through Nth light source groups in time division onto first through N illuminating areas forming the illuminating region, where M and N are natural numbers greater than or equal to 2, and L is a natural number greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Maeda, Soichi Hama, Yukihiro Abiko
  • Patent number: 9581496
    Abstract: Snapshot spectral imagers comprise an imaging lens, a dispersed image sensor and a restricted isometry property (RIP) diffuser inserted in the optical path between the source image and the image sensor. The imagers are used to obtain a plurality of spectral images of the source object in different spectral bands in a single shot. In some embodiments, the RIP diffuser is one dimensional. An optional disperser may be added in the optical path, to provide further dispersion at the image sensor. In some embodiments, all imager components except the RIP diffuser may be part of a digital camera, with the RIP diffuser added externally. In some embodiments, the RIP diffuser may be included internally in a digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Golub, Amir Averbuch, Menachem Nathan
  • Patent number: 9574939
    Abstract: A fiber grating demodulation system for enhancing spectral resolution by finely adjusting a collimating mirror, includes a laser pump source, a wavelength division multiplexer, a fiber Bragg grating, a diaphragm, a slit, a collimating mirror, a light splitting grating, an imaging focus mirror, a linear array detector. The laser pump source, the wavelength division multiplexer, and the fiber Bragg grating are connected in sequence, the wavelength division multiplexer is connected to the diaphragm Light emitted from the laser pump source is multiplexed by the wavelength division multiplexer and then enters the fiber Bragg grating, a reflection spectrum of the fiber Bragg grating enters the slit of the fiber grating demodulation system as injected light. After passing through the slit, the injected light is reflected by the collimating mirror, the light splitting grating, and the imaging focus mirror in sequence, and is finally converged to the linear array detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BEIJING INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lianqing Zhu, Wei He, Feng Liu, Fei Luo, Mingli Dong, Xiaoping Lou, Fan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9546904
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the accuracy of a spectrometer system corrects for light source quality, exposure time, distortion in y direction, distortion in x direction, temperature dependence, pixel alignment variability, dark pixels, bad pixels, pixel read noise, and pixel dark current noise. The method and apparatus produces an algorithm for optimizing spectral data and for measuring a sample within the spectrometer system using the optimization algorithm. The spectrometer apparatus comprises a composite external light source, a source light collector, an illumination light structuring component, a sample, a sample light collector, a spectrometer light structuring component, a light dispersing engine, photo detectors, an electrical signal converter, a data preprocessing unit, and a data analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: P & P OPTICA INC.
    Inventors: Olga Pawluczyk, Romuald Pawluczyk, Michael Pretti
  • Patent number: 9513166
    Abstract: An apparatus for spectroscopic Doppler imaging comprises collection and focusing optics, a field splitter configured to form a composite image from multiple fields of view, and a Fabry-Perot etalon configured to spatially modulate the incoming light in order to analyze the spectral content of the light from spatially resolved regions of a scene. Methods for Doppler imaging of a scene comprise split-field imagery and scene scanning techniques to create a spatially resolved spectral profile spectra of a scene, useful for measuring and profiling wind vectors and temperatures within the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Alan B. Marchant, Stephanie W. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9485439
    Abstract: A camera comprises an image plane for capturing shortwave infrared wavelengths. The image plane captures only a portion of a shortwave infrared wavelength band, and excludes other wavelengths. A method of designing a camera is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Stewart Malchow, Peter Dixon, Robert Rozploch
  • Patent number: 9482862
    Abstract: Optical telecommunication receivers and transmitters are described comprising dispersive elements and adjustable beam steering elements that are combined to provide optical grid tracking to adjust with very low power consumption to variations in the optical grid due to various changes, such as temperature fluctuations, age or other environmental or design changes. Thus, high bandwidth transmitters or receivers can be provides with low power consumption and/or low cost designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NeoPhotonics Corporation
    Inventors: Edward C. Vail, Milind Gokhale
  • Patent number: 9467757
    Abstract: A wavelength selective switch includes an input/output unit that has a first port group including a first input port and a first output port and a second port group including a second input port and a second output port; a wavelength dispersion element that disperses wavelength multiplexing light in wavelength components; a deflection element that deflects a direction of an incident beam; and an optical system that optically couples the input/output unit, the wavelength dispersion element, and the deflection element along a predetermined axis. The optical system includes an optical component, a first input beam input from the first input port is inclined at a first angle to the predetermined axis and is incident on the optical component, and a second input beam input from the second input port is inclined at a second angle to the predetermined axis and is incident on the optical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Takahashi, Hidehisa Tazawa
  • Patent number: 9465015
    Abstract: An efficient absorption spectroscopy system is provided. The spectroscopy system may be configured to measure solid, liquid or gaseous samples. Vacuum ultra-violet wavelengths may be utilized. Some of the disclosed techniques can be used for detecting the presence of trace concentrations of gaseous species. A preferable gas flow cell is disclosed. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used with a gas chromatography system so as to detect and identify species eluted from the column. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an electrospray interface and a liquid chromatography system so as to detect and identify gas phase ions of macromolecules produced from solution. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used to characterize chemical reactions. Some of the disclosed techniques may be used in conjunction with an ultra short-path length sample cell to measure liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: VUV Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Harrison, Anthony T. Hayes, Phillip Walsh
  • Patent number: 9459145
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical imaging system with adjustable magnification. In one aspect, the optical imager, which defines an optical axis, includes an object plane and an image plane, an optical sub-system located along the optical axis and optically disposed between the object plane and the image plane, the optical sub-system being configured to substantially image electromagnetic radiation emanating from the object plane onto the image plane, and at least one detecting element located substantially at the image plane. In one example, the object plane and the image plane are separated by a fixed distance. In one example, the optical sub-system is configured to mechanically translate along the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9442070
    Abstract: Naphthalene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds VOCs have been identified as serious health hazards. Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for near-real-time in-situ detection and accumulated dose measurement of exposure to naphthalene vapor and other hazardous gaseous VOCs. The methods and apparatus employ excitation of fluorophors native or endogenous to compounds of interest using light sources emitting in the ultraviolet below 300 nm and measurement of native fluorescence emissions in distinct wavebands above the excitation wavelength. The apparatus of some embodiments are cell-phone-sized sensor/dosimeter “badges” to be worn by personnel potentially exposed to hazardous VOCs. The badge sensor of some embodiments provides both real time detection and data logging of exposure to naphthalene or other VOCs of interest from which both instantaneous and accumulated dose can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Photon Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Hug, Rohit Bhartia, Ray D. Reid, Arthur L. Lane
  • Patent number: 9423353
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fluorescence imaging using radiofrequency multiplexed excitation. One apparatus splits an excitation laser beam into two arms of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The light in the first beam is frequency shifted by an acousto-optic deflector, which is driven by a phase-engineered radiofrequency comb designed to minimize peak-to-average power ratio. This RF comb generates multiple deflected optical beams possessing a range of output angles and frequency shifts. The second beam is shifted in frequency using an acousto-optic frequency shifter. After combining at a second beam splitter, the two beams are focused to a line on the sample using a conventional laser scanning microscope lens system. The acousto-optic deflectors frequency-encode the simultaneous excitation of an entire row of pixels, which enables detection and de-multiplexing of fluorescence images using a single photomultiplier tube and digital phase-coherent signal recovery techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Eric D. Diebold, Bahram Jalali, Brandon Buckley
  • Patent number: 9410881
    Abstract: The photo-coupled data acquisition system can have a container having a contour wall extending upwardly from a closed bottom, for containing a sample therein, a light emitter operable to emit diffused light into the container at an initial intensity, a photodetector operable to detect a reflected intensity of the diffused light, and a structure connected to the contour wall and holding the light emitter and the photodetector at a predetermined height above the bottom of the container and in an orientation facing inside the container, wherein during operation of the system, the initial light intensity is attenuated by the sample and the reflected intensity thereof can be correlated to an information value concerning a variable of interest of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: XPERTSEA SOLUTIONS iNC
    Inventors: Valérie Robitaille, Cody Andrews
  • Patent number: 9404799
    Abstract: Aspects of a tandem dispersive range monochromator are described herein. In one embodiment, the monochromator includes a light source that provides broadband light, a tandem diffraction grating including a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating, a grating drive motor that rotates the tandem diffraction grating to provide dispersed wavelengths of light, a detector that detects a portion of the dispersed wavelengths of light, and processing circuitry that controls a grating drive motor to regulate an angular velocity of the tandem grating based on an angular orientation of the tandem diffraction grating. By using a tandem diffraction grating having different dispersive surfaces, measurements of relatively high precision and quality may be taken throughout a wider spectral range. In another aspect, the processing circuitry controls a sample drive motor to vary an angle of incidence of the dispersed wavelengths of light onto a sample for evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: WESTCO SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Workman, Jr., Tushar Saraf, Thomas Andrew Bennett
  • Patent number: 9395244
    Abstract: Miniature spectrometers produce low resolution spectral data due to their size limitations. A method for processing these spectral data is proposed. The spectral data from a low resolution spectrometer is enhanced to a higher resolution, or processed to be in the wavelength domain. This process is called spectrum reconstruction, and can be used in low cost and miniature spectrometers with limited spectral resolution. The proposed method is noise robust, adapts to input spectrum, and can be used across many types of spectrometric devices without any manual adjustment of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NANOLAMBDA, INC.
    Inventors: Umpei Kurokawa, Cheng-Chun Chang, Byung Ii Choi
  • Patent number: 9395245
    Abstract: Aspects of a tandem dispersive range monochromator and data knitting for the monochromator are described herein. In one embodiment, the monochromator includes a tandem diffraction grating, a grating drive motor that rotates the tandem diffraction grating to provide, by diffraction of broadband light, first dispersed wavelengths of light and second dispersed wavelengths of light, a detector that detects a first reflection from the first dispersed wavelengths of light and a second reflection from the second dispersed wavelengths of light, and processing circuitry that knits together data values from the first reflection and data values from the second reflection to provide a spectrum of combined data values. By using a tandem diffraction grating having different dispersive surfaces, measurements of relatively high precision and quality may be taken throughout a wider spectral range, and the measurements may be knitted together to provide a spectrum of combined data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventors: Jerome J. Workman, Jr., Tushar Saraf, Thomas Andrew Bennett
  • Patent number: 9372290
    Abstract: A spectrum analyzer includes an input member, a predetermined output plane and a reflection type diffraction grating. The input member receives an optical signal. The reflection type diffraction grating includes a non-Rowland circle curved grating profile curved surface and a plurality of diffraction structures. The diffraction structures, each having a pitch and disposed on the grating profile curved surface, are configured to separate the optical signal into a plurality of spectral components. At least some pitches of the spectral components are different from each other. One of the spectral components indicating a central wavelength is emitted to the predetermined output plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined output plane. The grating profile curved surface is used for focusing the spectral components on the predetermined output plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Yung-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9366624
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring turbidity, which includes a body case and includes a light source device, a light path absorption cell, a light path reception and detection module, a screen and a central processing unit, all of which are disposed on the body case. Spectrum of the light ray emitted by the light source device mainly has wavelengths in a range of 350 nm to 1000 nm. The spectrum has two peak wavelengths, one of which is in a range of 400 nm to 500 nm and has a half-peak width in a range of 5 nm to 50 nm, and the other of which is in a range of 550 nm to 750 nm and has a half-peak width in a range of 50 nm to 150 nm. Also disclosed is a method for rapidly measuring turbidity. By means of the present invention, turbidity of water sample can be measured accurately, simply, steadily and in high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SINSCHE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoping Huang, Dan Gao, Jianming Ruan, Chuhui Huang, Liping Hu
  • Patent number: 9360366
    Abstract: This invention discloses a self-referencing spectrometer that simultaneously auto-calibrate and measure optical spectra of physical object utilizing shared aperture as optical inputs. The concurrent measure and self-calibrate capabilities makes it possible as an attachment spectrometer on a mobile computing device without requiring an off-line calibration with an external reference light source. Through the mobile computing device, the obtained spectral information and imagery captured can be distributed through the wireless communication networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Chuong Van Tran
  • Patent number: 9360601
    Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods may include forming a photomask on a (110) silicon wafer substrate, wherein the photomask comprises a periodic array of parallelogram openings, and then performing a timed wet etch on the (110) silicon wafer substrate to form a diffraction grating structure that is etched into the (110) silicon wafer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Na, John Heck, Haisheng Rong
  • Patent number: 9354116
    Abstract: A multi-channel double-pass imaging spectrometer based on a reimaging or relayed all-reflective optical form, such as a four-mirror anastigmat (4MA) or five-mirror anastigmat (5MA). In one example, such a spectrometer includes a slit through which incident electromagnetic radiation enters the spectrometer, an imaging detector positioned at an image plane of the spectrometer co-located with the slit, and double-pass all-reflective reimaging optics configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the slit and to output a collimated beam of the electromagnetic radiation, and further configured to produce a reimaged pupil positioned between the double-pass all-reflective reimaging optics and the image plane. The spectrometer further includes at least one dispersive element configured to spectrally disperse the infrared electromagnetic radiation in each channel and being oriented to direct the dispersed output through the double-pass all-reflective reimaging optics to the image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Lacy G. Cook