Abstract: A method of assessing a model of a substrate is presented. A scatterometry measurement is taken using radiation at a first wavelength. The wavelength of the radiation is then changed and a further scatterometry measurement taken. If the scatterometry measurements are consistent across a range of wavelengths then the model is sufficiently accurate. However, if the scatterometry measurements change as the wavelength changes then the model of the substrate is not sufficiently accurate.

Abstract: A device includes a hollow body having a light-exit opening configured to illuminate a specimen, an interior of the hollow body comprising a diffusely scattering layer. The device also includes a light source configured to illuminate the diffusely scattering layer, a first photo-detector aligned along a first detection axis, and a second photo-detector aligned along a second detection axis. The device is configured to measure referenced measurements of reflected light.

Abstract: A low coherence enhanced backscattering tomography (LEBT) method is disclosed for depth-selective sensing of the superficial layer of tissue. 3D images of the microarchitecture and molecular conformation of the superficial layer of tissue are obtained. The method combines the high resolution advantage of low coherence light and the high sensitivity advantage of light scattering to tissue structure and composition. Intact tissue can be examined without the need of excision or processing. The method can be applied in in situ measurements. According to the method, 3D images of the nuclear morphology and cellular structure for the superficial layer of the tissue are generated; this is particularly useful in detecting cancer and precancer at the earliest stage of carcinogenesis.

Abstract: A sensor comprising an optical sensor including a light source and a plurality of light receivers which receive light emitted from the light source and light regularly reflected and diffusely reflected by an object, a database including output data regarding multiple objects of known and different types from the plurality of light receivers when an incident direction of light emitted from the light source forms a first direction to the object and when the incident direction of light emitted from the light source forms a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, and a processor which controls the light emitted from the light source to illuminate an object of unknown type and specifies the type of the object by matching the output data of the plurality of light receivers to the database.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting operational parameters associated with a gas separator used in an electric submersible pump in a wellbore. A fiber optic sensing arrangement is used to detect the operational parameter and includes a fiber optic signal processor and an optic fiber that is associated with the gas separator to provide a signal indicative of the parameter to the signal processor.

Abstract: Laser pulses are applied to surface plasmon resonant articles such as gold nanoparticles within a microscopy sample to generate a four-wave mixing signal that is detected as the output of the microscopy process.

Abstract: A method and device for remotely detecting structural integrity using reflections or scattering from windows or other portions of a structure. The long geometrical lever arm of a reflection on a building window, when viewed with suitable instruments, produces detectable modulation in the reflected light from minute vibrational changes upon the glass surface, revealing fundamental resonances and structural changes and failure in the building housing the window. By sensing very small changes in intensity and polarization, information may be obtained on fundamental resonances and structural changes, including failure or imminent failure of the structure.

Abstract: A technique for determining the temperature of a sample including a semiconductor film 20 having a measurable optical absorption edge deposited on a transparent substrate 22 of material having no measurable optical absorption edge, such as a GaN film 20 deposited on an Al2O3 substrate 22 for blue and white LEDs. The temperature is determined in realtime as the film 20 grows and increases in thickness. A spectra based on the diffusely scattered light from the film 20 is produced at each incremental thickness. A reference division is performed on each spectra to correct for equipment artifacts. The thickness of the film 20 and an optical absorption edge wavelength value are determined from the spectra. The temperature of the film 20 is determined as a function of the optical absorption edge wavelength and the thickness of the film 20 using the spectra, a thickness calibration table, and a temperature calibration table.

Abstract: A method for creating a replication material corresponding to the appearance of a translucent or partially translucent target material. The appearance of the target material can be measured or may be prescribed by a user. The method includes receiving by a processor optical data related to a target subsurface scattering parameter of the target material. Once the processor has received the optical or light characteristic data, the method includes determining by the processor a replication pigment concentration to replicate the appearance of the target material caused by the target subsurface scattering parameter. The processor determines this concentration based on a plurality of pigment subsurface scattering parameters corresponding to a plurality of stored pigment concentrations in the computing device. Once the replication pigment concentration has been determined, the method includes creating, physically or virtually, the replication material by combining the pigment concentration with a base material.

Abstract: A recording medium determining device includes a light irradiating portion that irradiates a recording medium with visible light; a regular reflection light receiving portion that receives regular reflection light regularly reflected by the recording medium irradiated with light from the light irradiating portion; a diffused reflection light receiving portion that receives diffused reflection light diffusely reflected by the recording medium irradiated with light from the light irradiating portion; and a determining portion that determines the type of recording medium on the basis of each light amount of two or more visible light components with different wavelengths to one another among the light components received by the regular reflection light receiving portion and each light amount of two or more visible light components with different wavelengths to one another among the light components received by the diffused reflection light receiving portion.

Abstract: A fiber-type image capturing apparatus includes a fiber optic, an optical rotating module, an outer tube, an air inlet hole, and an air outlet hole. The optical rotating module is connected to one end of the fiber optic and has a light forward exit and a light lateral exit. The optical rotating module further includes a stator, a rotor, and a light path selector. The stator is fixed correspondingly to the fiber optic. The rotor has a fan blade which is pivotally connected to the stator. The light path selector is installed at the rotor and has a forward scanning path and a lateral scanning path. The outer tube fixes the fiber optic and the optical rotating module. The air inlet hole is disposed at the outer tube and feeds the fan blade with air. The air outlet hole is disposed at the outer tube and vents the air.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method of controlling spectral attributes of illumination. According to various embodiments, a portion of illumination including an excluded selection of illumination spectra is blocked, while another portion of the illumination including a transmitted selection of illumination spectra is directed along an illumination path. In some embodiments, optical metrology is performed utilizing the spectrally controlled illumination to enhance measurement capability. For instance, the spectral attributes of illumination utilized to analyze different portions of a sample, such as different semiconductor layers, may be selected according to certain measurement characteristics associated with the analyzed portions of the sample.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured for emitting photons onto a surface of an article; a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface configured to reflect the photons onto the surface of the article; and a processing means configured for processing signals from a photon detector array corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article.

Abstract: A structure for measuring energy absorption by a surface plasmon receptor or NFT on a waveguide comprises a first waveguide, a first input grating for coupling light comprising a first wavelength into the first waveguide, a first output grating for coupling light out of the first waveguide, a first plurality of surface plasmon receptors in cooperation with the first waveguide to receive light energy and located between the first input grating and the first output grating. The structure may further comprise a second waveguide, a second input grating for coupling light into the second waveguide, a second output grating for coupling light out of the second waveguide, a second plurality of surface plasmon receptors between the second input grating and the second output grating and in cooperation with the second waveguide to receive light energy, wherein the second plurality may be less than or greater than the first plurality.

Abstract: A device for optical measurement of materials includes a zone opposite a dot including a material, a light source emitting light along an axis in the direction of the zone, where the material interacts with the light it receives, and a light guide to convey a proportion of the light emitted by the dot under the effect of the illumination. The guide includes a light scatterer associated with the source and causing a proportion of the light emitted by the dot to penetrate into the guide, such that it is guided in a direction perpendicular to the axis; the scatterer is annular in shape, and thus delimits a zone of the light guide, and the area of the zone is greater than or equal to the area of the cross-section of the portion of light beam incident to the material.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to various apodization schemes for pupil imaging scatterometry. In some embodiments, the system includes an apodizer disposed within a pupil plane of the illumination path. In some embodiments, the system further includes an illumination scanner configured to scan a surface of the sample with at least a portion of apodized illumination. In some embodiments, the system includes an apodized pupil configured to provide a quadrupole illumination function. In some embodiments, the system further includes an apodized collection field stop. The various embodiments described herein may be combined to achieve certain advantages.

Abstract: A measurement device of a degree of cure, and more particularly, a measurement device of a degree of cure capable of using while being portable in a production line. The measurement device of the degree of cure includes: a light source; a light transmission and reflection mirror passing through a light irradiated from the light source and reflecting scattered light reflected and returned from a sample; a light splitting mirror transmitting and reflecting the scattered light so as to detect intensity of the scattered light reflected by the light transmission and reflection mirror; a detector detecting the intensity of the scattered light transmitted and reflected by the light splitting mirror; and a data obtaining unit collecting data of the intensity of the scattered light detected by the detector.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes providing image data for an illuminated physical sample of a heterogeneous translucent material, determining one or more material properties of the material based in part on a diffusion equation where one of the material properties is a diffusion coefficient for diffusion of radiation in the material and where the determining includes a regularization term for the diffusion coefficient, mapping the one or more material properties to a virtual object volume, assigning virtual illumination conditions to the virtual object volume, and rendering the virtual object volume using the virtual illumination conditions as a boundary condition for a system of diffusion equations of the virtual object volume. Other methods, devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scatterometer configured to measure a property of a substrate, includes a radiation source configured to provide a radiation beam; and a detector configured to detect a spectrum of the radiation beam reflected from a target (30) on the surface of the substrate (W) and to produce a measurement signal representative of the spectrum. The apparatus includes a beam shaper (51, 53) interposed in the radiation path between the radiation source and the detector, the beam shaper being configured to adjust the cross section of the beam dependent on the shape and/or size of the target.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including an optical characterization device; a photon detector array configured to sequentially receive a first set of photons scattered from surface features of an article and a second set of photons scattered from surface features of the article and subsequently processed by the optical characterization device; and a chemical characterization means for chemically characterizing the surface features of the article, wherein the chemical characterization means is configured for processing the first set of photons received by the photon detector array and the second set of photons received by the photon detector array.

Abstract: A system and method for detection and identification of unknown samples using a combination of Raman and LIBS detection techniques. A first region of a sample and a second region of a sample are illuminated using structured illumination to thereby generate a first plurality of interacted photons and a second plurality of interacted photons. This first plurality and second plurality of interacted photons may be passed through a fiber array spectral translator device. Said first plurality of interacted photons are assessed using Raman spectroscopy to thereby generate a Raman data set. Said second plurality of interacted photons are assessed using LIBS spectroscopy to thereby generate LIBS data set. These data sets may be analyzed to identify the sample. These data sets may also be fused for further analysis.

Abstract: Novel systems and methods for performing treatment (e.g., coloration) of keratinous fibers are disclosed. The methods and systems utilize one or more of a dispensing device which is configured to provide customized composition for treating keratinous fibers (e.g., a coloring composition), optionally formed from tablets; an optical reader, for obtaining sufficient characteristics of the keratinous fibers to make a realistic prediction of the outcome of a treatment (e.g., coloring treatment); a computational units for predicting an outcome of a treatment, optionally being interfaced with the dispensing device and for selecting a customized treatment; and tablet formulations which are useful in preparing customized composition for treating keratinous fibers. Further disclosed are rapidly disintegrating tablets for use in the preparation of compositions for treating keratinous fibers.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for collecting and measuring light from external light sources. In general, the devices of the invention feature a light diffusing element, e.g., as a component of a light collector, connected by a light conducting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic cable, to a light measuring device, e.g., a spectrometer. This light diffusing element allows, e.g., for substantially uniform light diffusion across its surface and thus accurate measurements, while permitting the total footprint of the device to remain relatively small and portable. This light diffusing element also allows flexibility in scaling of the device to permit use in a wide range of applications.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to image intensifier tube designs for field curvature aberration correction and ion damage reduction. In some embodiments, electrodes defining an acceleration path from a photocathode to a scintillating screen are configured to provide higher acceleration for off-axis electrons along at least a portion of the acceleration path. Off-axis electrons and on-axis electrons are accordingly focused on the scintillating screen with substantial uniformity to prevent or reduce field curvature aberration. In some embodiments, the electrodes are configured to generate a repulsive electric field near the scintillating screen to prevent secondary electrons emitted or deflected by the scintillating screen from flowing towards the photocathode and forming damaging ions.

Abstract: A wind turbine includes an optical sensor system comprising one or more optical sensors comprising: a sensor membrane; a light source for illuminating a surface of the sensor membrane; an optical dispersive element arranged to disperse the light from the light source; and a light detector for receiving a portion of the dispersed light beam after reflection from the surface of the sensor membrane and dispersion of the light beam by the optical dispersive element. The wavelength of the light received at the light detector varies as a function of the displacement of the sensor membrane and the light detector operatively provides an output based on changes in the wavelength of the received light. The wind turbine is operable based on an input to a wind turbine control system received from the optical sensor system.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining a topography under load of the surface of a material, wherein a test piece (40) of the material intended to be determined is subjected to a compression with a determined load between a first and a second clamping surface (7, 27), after which, in a compressed state, at least one representation is made of surface portions of the material that are in contact with at least one of said clamping surfaces (7, 27), and that the representation is evaluated. The compression is controlled in respect of its speed for obtaining said predetermined load, and said at least one representation is made at a chosen point in time or chosen points in time during this process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method (200) of providing image data for constructing an image of a region of a target object, comprising detecting, by at least one detector (40), at least a portion of radiation scattered by a target object (30) with the incident radiation (10) or an aperture at a predetermined probe position, determining an offset vector (203) for reducing an error associated with the probe position (201), estimating a wavefront (210) based on a probe function having the offset vector applied to the probe position, and providing image data responsive to the detected radiation.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method employing carbon nanotubes on substrates such as silicon, titanium, copper, stainless steel and other substrates, where the carbon nanotubes are blacker than existing paints and coatings, thereby providing an exponential increase in stray light suppression depending on the number of bounces of such treated surfaces. Additionally, the present invention is directed to techniques to better absorb and radiate unwanted energies. Further, the alternate substrates offer strength of material for numerous components and in numerous physical applications. The present invention is also directed to techniques for improving the adhesion of the nanotubes to the alternate substrate materials and also extending the wavelength of operation from the near ultraviolet to the far infrared portion of the spectrum (0.2 microns to 120 microns wavelength).

Abstract: A microscope and imaging method in which a layer of the sample is illuminated by a thin strip of light and the sample is viewed perpendicular to the plane of the strip of light. The depth of the strip of light thus essentially determines the depth of focus of the system. To record the image, the object is displaced through the strip of light, which remains fixed in relation to the detector, and fluorescent and/or diffused light is captured by a planar detector. Objects that absorb or diffuse a large amount of light are viewed from several spatial directions. The three-dimensional images, which are captured from each direction can be combined retrospectively to form one image, in which the data is weighted according to its resolution. The resolution of the combined image is then dominated by the lateral resolution of the individual images.

Abstract: Low-coherence enhanced backscattering (LEBS) spectroscopy is an angular resolved backscattering technique that is sensitive to sub-diffusion light transport length scales in which infoniiation about the scattering phase function is preserved. Lens-based and lens-free fiber optic LEBS probes are described that are capable of measuring optical properties of a target tissue through depth-limited measurements of backscattering angles within the enhanced backscattered cone.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optically characterizing a turbid sample are provided. A structured light beam is impinged on the sample. The sample includes an embedded region. A reflected light image of the structured light beam is detected from the sample. A measured reflectance image of the structured light beam for the sample is determined based on the reflected light image and a reflectance standard. The following parameters are determined: absorption coefficients ÿa, scattering coefficient ÿs and anisotropy factor g of the sample from the reflectance image. A size parameter of the embedded region is estimated based on the absorption coefficients ÿa, scattering coefficient ÿs and/or anisotropy factor g of the sample from the measured reflectance image.

Abstract: An attraction state inspection device includes a diffusion member that is disposed inside a nozzle group in which a plurality of nozzles that attract parts are disposed, and transmits incident light while diffusing the light, an image pickup is disposed on a side of the nozzle group apart from the diffusion member in a first direction, picks up an image of a part attracted by one nozzle positioned in the first direction with respect to the diffusion member, from among the plurality of nozzles, against a background of the diffusion member, and obtains an image of the part, an irradiation unit that is disposed opposite the image pickup unit with the diffusion member interposed therebetween, and radiates light toward the nozzle group, and an inspection unit that inspects an attraction state of the part on the basis of the image of the picked up part.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring an optical characteristic of a sample, one object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of measuring hemispherical total reflectance, hemispherical total transmittance, and light distribution, and to achieve a reduction in measurement time and an improvement in precision of the quantitative analysis of hemispherical total reflectance (transmittance). In a double ellipsoidal optical system which is an optical system in which one focal points of two ellipsoidal mirrors are positioned as a common focal point, and three focal points are aligned in a straight line, the double ellipsoidal optical system is composed of a partial ellipsoidal mirror 2, such as a quarter ellipsoidal mirror, and a belt-shape ellipsoidal mirror 1.

Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus that measures an optical property of a scattering medium includes a light source that supplies illumination light having at least one spectral component, an illumination fiber for guiding the light supplied by the light source and emitting the light to the scattering medium, a detection fiber for receiving returned light from the scattering medium at a tip thereof and guiding the returned light toward a base end thereof, a detecting unit that detects light output from the base end of the detection fiber, a measuring unit that measures a property of the scattering medium based on a detection result obtained by the detecting unit, and a switching unit that switches between total areas of emission regions, in which light is emitted, at an end face of the illumination fiber.

Abstract: A measurement device includes a light sensing element on which light from a measurement target region placing a measurement target thereon forms an image, and a plurality of light emitting elements that are disposed around the light sensing element and radiate light to the measurement target region, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are disposed to be tilted with respect to the normal line of the measurement target region such that the central line of radiated emission from each of the light emitting elements passes through a substantial center of the measurement target region.

Abstract: A fiber optic evanescent absorption sensor. This invention makes use of two sources and one detection system, or one source and two detection systems, or two of each to determine a large range of absorbance with high accuracy for a fixed interaction length.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a solution that enables technicians or other technical professionals to obtain accurate gloss, haze and DOI values for a reflecting sample due to the surface conditions of the sample. The apparatus and method allow for the generation of a data model of the surface of a sample using a sensor array designed to detect the divergence of a collimated beam of light reflected off the surface of the sample. The same principle enables technical professionals to obtain accurate haze and clarity values for a transparent or translucent sample that is trans-illuminated by light.

Abstract: An optical fiber is provided for optical sensing including a core extending along a length of the optical fiber, a cladding surrounding the core, the cladding including a plurality of channels extending along the length of the optical fiber; and a protrusion at a sensing end of the optical fiber, wherein the protrusion has a porous structure and a curved surface. There is also provided a method of manufacturing the optical fiber, a method of optically sensing an analyte, and an apparatus for optical sensing.

Abstract: A system for optical navigation includes a light source and an imaging system. The light source illuminates a navigation surface. The navigation surface reflects light from the light source. The imaging system is located approximately within a path of the reflected light. The imaging system includes a lens, a mask, and an image sensor. The lens receives reflected light from the navigation surface. The lens focuses a specular portion of the reflected light to a focus region. The mask is located at approximately the focus region. The mask filters out substantially all of the specular portion of the reflected light and passes at least some of a scatter portion of the reflected light outside of the focus region. The image sensor generates a navigation signal based on the scattered portion of the light that passes outside the focus region and is incident on the image sensor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a distributed optical fibre sensor arranged to deliver probe light pulses of different wavelengths into corresponding different sensing optical fibres, and to determine one or more parameters as functions of position along each of the sensing fibres from detected backscattered light of each corresponding wavelength. In another arrangement, the different wavelengths are directed in different corresponding directions around a loop of sensing optical fibre.

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 system for monitoring operating parameters for the pump section of an electrical submersible pump. The system includes an optic fiber associated with the pump section of an electrical submersible pump and having a sensor to detect at least one operating parameter within the pump section. The system also includes a signal analyzer operably associated with the optic fiber to receive an optical signal representative of the detected operating parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring specular reflectance of a sample is provided including a light source for transmitting a beam of light at an angle of incidence onto a surface of a sample; a polarizing filter comprising a wire grid that avoids a need for collimation of the incident beam of light; a sample holder for mounting the sample; and a detector assembly for detecting a beam of light which is specularly reflected from a surface of the sample; wherein the sample holder and detector assembly are mounted for relative movement, such that the light source, the detector assembly and the sample holder are relatively positionable for a specularly reflected component of a transmitted light beam to be detected for different angles of incidence of the light beam.

Abstract: Various metrology systems and methods are provided. One metrology system includes a light source configured to produce a diffraction-limited light beam, an apodizer configured to shape the light beam in the entrance pupil of illumination optics, and optical elements configured to direct the diffraction-limited light beam from the apodizer to an illumination spot on a grating target on a wafer and to collect scattered light from the grating target. The metrology system further includes a field stop and a detector configured to detect the scattered light that passes through the field stop. In addition, the metrology system includes a computer system configured to determine a characteristic of the grating target using output of the detector.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance on a sensor surface has a polarized light source optically connected to the sensor surface by a plurality of optical elements, including in one embodiment an optical telescope that transfers light from a rotatable reflecting surface to the sensor surface. Selective positioning of a cylindrical lens into a first position within the path of light transforms collimated light to a rectangular wedge that is incident upon the sensor surface at numerous angles. In another embodiment, the light source is operated as a laser to excite fluorescence on the sensor surface and the fluorescence is selectively directed to a detector by appropriate optical elements positioned in specific configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for inspecting matter (12), the apparatus comprising: an emitting device (14) adapted to emit radiation; a stop element (20) adapted to block some (16a) of the radiation emitted by the emitting device; a scanning device (26) adapted to project a dark area (24) caused by the stop element on the matter, and to redirect radiation (16b) having passed the stop element towards the matter, wherein at least some of the redirected radiation is scattered within the matter and passes out of the matter as scattered radiation (42); and a detection device (34) adapted to receive or detect the scattered radiation via the scanning device, wherein the detection device's field of view (36) coincides with the projected dark area (24). The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging using a double-clad fiber is described.

Abstract: A friction-coefficient estimating device is configured to estimate friction coefficient of the surface of a medium in a form of a sheet by irradiating a light on the surface and by detecting specularly-reflected light component of a reflected light and a diffusely-reflected light intensity.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing at least one biological target or chemical target is provided. The sensor includes a membrane includes a membrane material that supports generation and propagation of at least one waveguide mode, where the membrane material includes a plurality of voids having an average size<2 microns. The sensor also includes at least one receptor having structure for binding to the target within the plurality of voids, and an optical coupler for coupling light to the membrane sufficient to generate the waveguide mode in the membrane from photons incident on the optical coupler.

Abstract: Provided according to embodiments of the invention are methods of making a Ca1-x-ySrxEuyAlSiN3 phosphor composition that include selecting a Color Rendering Index (CRI) R9 value, determining an Eu concentration based on predetermined values to obtain the selected CRI R9 value and making the Cai-x-ySrxEuyAlSiN3 phosphor having the determined Eu concentration. Also provided are methods for determining concentrations of Eu in a Cai-x-ySrxEuyAlSiN3 phosphor that will achieve a CRI R9 value. Related computer products are also disclosed.