Abstract: An optical arrangement for imaging a sample is disclosed. The optical arrangement comprises at least one first objective lens and at least one second objective lens, at least one illumination source for producing an illumination beam, detector for imaging radiation from the sample, and at least one mirror for reflecting the radiation from one of the first objective lens or the second objective lens into the detector. The at least one mirror is double-sided and dependent on the illumination beam at the other one of the first objective lens and the second objective lens.

Abstract: There are provided an image processing device and a processing method thereof. The image processing method includes obtaining an interference signal using a sample beam and a reference beam, transforming the interference signal by using a numerical signal processing method or an intensity mixing method to generate a transformed interference signal, and obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) phase image by using the interference signal and the transformed interference signal.

Abstract: A modular interferometric telescope including a base and an optical detector. A mounting beam has a first end, a second end, and a length, and is connected rotatably to the base at a point between the first and second end. The mounting beam is rotatable about a first axis extending in a direction of an object to be observed. A first light-collecting assembly is connected to the mounting beam proximal to the first end relative to the second end. The first light-collecting assembly directs light from the object to the optical detector. A second light-collecting assembly connected to the mounting beam is proximal to the second end relative to the first end. The second light-collecting assembly directs the light from the object to the optical detector. A first optical assembly is configured to receive the light from the object and direct the light to the optical detector.

Abstract: An imaging system including a light source; a first focusing lens positioned to focus a beam from the light source to a beam waist at a predetermined location along an optical path of the beam in the imaging system; a beam splitter positioned relative to the first focusing lens to receive the beam from the first focusing lens and to create first and second beams; a second focusing lens positioned to receive the first and second beams output by the beam splitter, to focus the received first and second beams to a spot sized dimensioned to fall within a sample to be image, and further positioned to receive first and second beams reflected from the sample; an image sensor positioned to receive the light beams reflected from the sample; and a roof prism positioned in the optical path between the second focusing lens and the image sensor.

Abstract: A receiver architecture for physically-assisted computing of transforms, such as discrete Fourier transforms (DFT) and discrete Hilbert transforms (DHT), employs mutually-coherent optical frequency combs for detection of the coherent beating between an optical signal and a reference optical tone generated by a local oscillator (LO). A signal replication mixer generates a plurality of signal optical tones having a frequency pitch with an input signal mapped thereon. A reference mixer (local oscillator) generates a plurality of reference optical tones having an offset frequency pitch relative to the signal tones. A receiver backplane detects coherent beating between the signal optical tones and the reference optical tones. The input signal may be in the optical domain or in the radio-frequency domain.

Abstract: An illumination setting method includes acquiring an image of a sample onto which a light sheet has been radiated; determining, on the basis of the acquired image of the sample, a subordinate ray angle with respect to a width direction of the light sheet; and performing a setting of the illumination optical system according to the determined subordinate ray angle.

Abstract: An optical module with a laser diode (LD) without any temperature control and an optical fiber that is coupled with the LD through the two lens system is disclosed. The two lens system first converts laser beam into collimated beam and second concentrates the collimated beam onto the optical fiber. A beam splitter is disposed between the lenses and splits the collimated beam toward a photodiode (PD). The PD, which receives the split collimated beam in a back surface thereof, provides an anti-reflection film in the back surface. The anti-reflection film eliminates multi reflections occurred within the PD.

Abstract: Laser speckle microrheology is used to determine a mechanical property of a biological tissue, namely, an elastic modulus. Speckle frames may be acquired by illuminating a coherent light and capturing back-scattered rays in parallel and cross-polarized states with respect to illumination. The speckle frames may be analyzed temporally to obtain diffuse reflectance profiles (DRPs) for the parallel-polarized and cross-polarized states. A scattering characteristic of particles in the biological tissue may be determined based on the DRPs, and a displacement characteristic may be determined based at least in part on a speckle intensity autocorrelation function and the scattering characteristic. A size characteristic of scattering particles may be determined based on the DRP for the parallel polarization state. The mechanical property may be calculated using the displacement and size characteristics.

Abstract: Image-sensing devices include odd-symmetry gratings that cast interference patterns over a photodetector array. Grating features offer considerable insensitivity to the wavelength of incident light, and also to the manufactured distance between the grating and the photodetector array. Photographs and other image information can be extracted from interference patterns captured by the photodetector array. Efficient extraction algorithms based on Fourier deconvolution introduce barrel distortion, which can be removed by resampling using correction functions. The sensing devices can be made to minimize distortion that results from efficient extraction algorithms based on Fourier deconvolution.

Abstract: Described herein are catheters for use with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) that include an optical fiber core having a first refractive index and an interface medium having a second refractive index, where the first and second refractive indexes are mismatched such that receiving electronics configured to receive optical radiation reflected from the reference interface and the target operate in a total noise range that is within 5 dB of the shot noise limit. These OCT catheters may include a silicon die mirror having a reflective coating that is embedded in the interface medium. The optical fiber can be fixed at just the distal end of the catheter, and may be managed within a handle that is attached to the proximal end of the catheter body, and is configured to allow rotation of the both catheter body and the optical fiber relative to the handle.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing measurement method for vibration displacement using state variation principle which achieves real time implementation through super high-speed DSP or FPGA as well as improves precision as much as picometer level and at the same time saves memory capacity compared to conventional invention.

Abstract: A light pulse interferometer includes a first atom source and a first laser. The first atom source is configured to direct a first group of atoms in a first direction. The first laser is configured to generate one or more interferometer laser beam pairs. The one or more interferometer laser beam pairs interact with the first group of atoms in an interferometer sequence of three or more pulses to produce atom interference. A first laser beam pair of the one or more interferometer laser beam pairs is disposed to interact with the first group of atoms to perform 1D-cooling and velocity control of the first group of atoms prior to the interferometer sequence.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a surgical margin of tumor tissues of a living subject includes acquiring images of a specimen of the tumor tissues; calculating a three-dimensional (3D) morphological surface of the specimen from the acquired images and displaying the 3D morphological surface; obtaining, from the 3D morphological surface, a plurality of specimen locations to cover a surface of the specimen; acquiring optical data at each specimen location; evaluating a margin status of the specimen at each specimen location to either positive or negative based on the acquired optical data; and displaying the margin status of the specimen on the 3D morphological surface of the specimen with morphological orientations.

Abstract: Novel and advantageous systems and methods for performing nanometer-scale microscopy using graphene plasmons (GPs) are provided. Sub-diffraction microscopy can be achieved, taking advantage of the extremely small plasmon wavelength and low dissipation of GPs. Nanometer-scale resolution can be obtained under very weak light intensity, which is especially important in the imaging of biological systems.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus converts an intensity distribution of at least one of a plurality of regions of a tomographic image of an eye by using an amount of conversion which is greater than an amount of conversion used to convert an intensity distribution of another one of the plurality of regions, the tomographic image being obtained by performing tomographic imaging on the eye by using optical interference.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining properties of a surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ascertaining a relative viscosity characterizing a fluid sample. The fluid sample is illuminated through a scattering membrane adjacent to the fluid with broadband radiation. Scattering from particles within the fluid sample characterized by a distribution of characteristic dimensions spanning at least two orders of magnitude is detected, generating a detector signal as a function of depth relative to a specified surface of the scattering membrane at a plurality of temporal delays. A cross-correlation function of at least one of amplitude, phase and intensity of a scattered optical field is derived for a plurality of depths relative to the specified surface. A mean cross-correlation function is then derived for each depth and fit to obtain a diffusion coefficient, from which a relative viscosity characterizing the fluid is derived.

Abstract: A circuit and method for mitigating multi-path interference in direct detection optical systems is provided. Samples of an optical signal having a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) E-field are processed by generating a PAM level for each sample. For each sample, the sample is subtracted from the respective PAM level to generate a corresponding error sample. The error samples are lowpass filtered to produce estimates of multi-path interference (MPI). For each sample, one of the estimates of MPI is combined with the sample to produce an interference-mitigated sample.

Abstract: A parameter control device that controls an increase/decrease in parameter value based on pulses generated in response from an operator, includes a current value storage unit storing a current value of a parameter value in response to the operator, a measurement time setting unit setting a measurement time in which the number of generated pulses is measured from a current value of the parameter value and a maximum value or a minimum value that the parameter value can take, a threshold setting unit respectively setting thresholds of the number of generated pulses to the maximum value side or the minimum value side, a counting unit counting the number of generated pulses of the operator within the measurement time, a comparison unit comparing the counted number of generated pulses and the thresholds, and an output determination unit determining a parameter value to be output from the operator based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for measuring the delay between N pulses having a duration less than 100 picoseconds comprises the steps: collimated emission of the pulses having the same repetition frequency, emission of a reference pulse having the same repetition frequency capable of producing interference fringes with each of the pulses, for each of the pulses, detection, by a detector, of the coherent sum of this pulse with the reference pulse, this sum producing the interference fringes, the fringes originating from each of the pulses being distinguishable from one another. The reference pulse is emitted with an adjustable delay, and the method further comprises: for each delay, simultaneous measurement for the pulses of N contrasts of the interference fringes, for each of the pulses, a delay value between this pulse and the reference pulse is determined by the delay corresponding to the maximum contrast.

Abstract: A non-paraxial Talbot spectrometer includes a transmission grating to receive incident light. The grating period of the transmission grating is comparable to the wavelength of interest so as to allow the Talbot spectrometer to operate outside the paraxial limit. Light transmitted through the transmission grating forms periodic Talbot images. A tilted detector is employed to simultaneously sample the Talbot images at various distances along a direction perpendicular to the grating. Spectral information of the incident light can be calculated by taking Fourier transform of the measured Talbot images or by comparing the measured Talbot images with a library of intensity patterns acquired with light sources having known wavelengths.

Abstract: A system for simultaneous optical pathlength determination and remote chemical sensing of a sample disposed along an optical path. A modulated laser source configured for modulated light emission so that at least one spectral sideband with a sideband frequency is created, the modulated light emission is directed along the optical path and sideband frequency is varied over time. A detector is configured to detect transmitted light along the optical path and generate a detected light intensity signal. A frequency down-converter is configured to receive the detected light emission signal and generate a frequency down-converted light intensity signal. A demodulator is configured to demodulate the frequency of the down-converted light intensity signal and output an instantaneous frequency. A pathlength calculator is configured to determine an optical pathlength to the sample based on the instantaneous frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of testing and evaluation of biological samples and provides an apparatus for cultured samples including at least one independently accessible module adapted for incubating at least one of a number of samples wherein the at least one module is operatively associated with a light source and a movable optical inspection means adapted for motion about a viewing axis through the module to enable a sweeping of viewing area. The invention also provides a method of assessing cultured samples for viability, including the steps of: disposing biological samples in a substantially elliptical arrangement within a culturing chamber of an independently accessible module and imaging individual samples of the substantially elliptical arrangement with optical inspection means driven within an X-Y plane that is normal to a viewing axis through the module to obtain time lapse measurement of development of individual samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring an external parameter by atomic interferometry, using two sets of atoms that belong to different species. Two measurements are taken simultaneously at the same location, but independently from one another, in order to obtain two measurement results. One of these measurement results removes an indeterminacy among several possible values of the external parameter, by taking into account only the other measurement result. A method of this kind can be used to measure a coordinate of a gravitational field or a coordinate of an acceleration of the atoms.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, method and measurement system are disclosed. The arrangement includes a first input to receive a first beam from a frequency swept laser, a second input to receive a second beam from a fixed frequency pump laser source. A non-linear optical artifact receives and intermodulates the first and second beams to generate a third beam, the third being an inverted copy of the first beam mirrored relative to the fixed frequency of the pump laser source. A selective combining element outputs the first and third beams. The non-linear artifact or one or both of the lasers is selected or configured such that the optical frequency separation of the first and second beams satisfies the coherence length condition of the non-linear artifact.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system utilizes an optical swept laser that has cavity length compensator that changes an optical length of the laser cavity for different optical frequencies to increase the length of the laser cavity for lower optical frequencies. Specifically, a spectral separation between longitudinal cavity modes of the laser cavity is shortened or alternatively lengthened as a passband of a cavity tuning element sweeps through a scanband of the swept optical signal. In some examples, the compensator is implemented as two gratings. In others, it is implemented as a chirped grating device.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a light beam includes separating the light beam by a separator optic into first and second sub-beams; propagating the first and second sub-beams over first and second optics, respectively, said first and second optics being respectively arranged so that the sub-beams on leaving the optics are separated by a time delay ?; recombining the sub-beams so that they spatially interfere and form a two-dimensional interference pattern; measuring the frequency spectrum of at least part of the interference pattern; calculating the Fourier transform in the time domain of at least one spatial point of the frequency spectrum, the Fourier transform in the time domain having a time central peak and first and second time side peaks; calculating the Fourier transform in the frequency domain for one of the side peaks; calculating the spectral amplitude AR(?) and the spatial-spectral phase ?R(x,y,?) for the Fourier transform in the frequency domain.

Abstract: To provide an optical-scanning-height measuring device capable of quickly and highly accurately measuring the height of the surface of a measurement object while being compactly configured. In order to obtain interference light appropriate for calculation of height, an optical path length of the reference light is adjusted in the reference section 250. Movable sections 252a and 252b supported by a supporting section 251 move on linearly extending two linear guides 251g, whereby the optical path length of the reference light changes. When the optical path length of the reference light is adjusted, the movable sections 252a and 252b are moved in opposite directions each other.

Abstract: A perfusion assessment multi-modality optical medical device comprising ? a white light image sensor (320) and optical system configured to image a body area of interest (130, 340), a coherent light source (330) for illuminating said body area of interest with wavelength of 760-810 nm, an optical coherence imaging (OCI) image sensor (310) detecting the fluctuations of the backscattered light (302) near the illumination wavelength from at least part of said illuminated body area of interest (340), a fluorescence image sensor (315) to detect the fluorescence signal at higher wavelength than the illumination wavelength from at least part of said illuminated body area of interest (340), a screen (115, 210) to show the results from the modalities, all previous items being included in a single movable unit (200) which furthermore comprises a processing unit (105, 110) to calculate perfusion map from the OCI image sensor (310) using LDI or LSI algorithms, wherein said white light image sensor (320), said OCI imag

Abstract: An illustrative interferometric system with high-fidelity optical phase demodulation includes a receiver having a fiberoptic coupler that produces optical interferometry signals having mutual phase separations of 120° and balanced photo-detectors that each produce an electrical difference signal based on a respective pair of said optical interferometry signals. The system further includes circuitry that converts the electrical difference signals into measurements of an interferometric phase.

Abstract: This invention involves measurement of optical properties of materials with sub-micron spatial resolution through infrared scattering scanning near field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). Specifically, the current invention provides substantial improvements over the prior art by achieving high signal to noise, high measurement speed and high accuracy of optical amplitude and phase. Additionally, it some embodiments, it eliminates the need for an in situ reference to calculate wavelength dependent spectra of optical phase, or absorption spectra. These goals are achieved via improved asymmetric interferometry where the near-field scattered light is interfered with a reference beam in an interferometer. The invention achieves dramatic improvements in background rejection by arranging a reference beam that is much more intense than the background scattered radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for self-interference cancellation.

Abstract: In a OCT interferometer it is necessary to balance dispersion within the reference arm with dispersion within the object arm. This is normally done by replicating within the reference arm the components found in the object arm. This adds to the complexity and cost of the OCT interferometer. A method is provided for determining the design of and designing a simplified OCT interferometer, in which the reference arm contains only a single piece of glass of a single glass type. This reduces the cost and complexity of the OCT interferometer, and reduces power loss and undesired reflections within the reference arm.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer-readable storage medium provide the ability to merge multiple point cloud scans. A first raw scan file and a second raw scan file (each including multiple points) are imported. The scan files are segmented by extracting segments based on geometry in the scene. The segments are filtered to reduce a number of segments and identify features. A set of candidate matching feature pairs are acquired by coarsely registering features from one scan to features from another scan. The candidate pairs are refined by improving alignment based on corresponding points in the features. The candidate pairs are scored and then merged based on the scores.

Abstract: Invention provided for efficiently transmitting energy to a target for producing an overall effective result for applications comprising power transmission and communications. Wherein, first, a source of electromagnetically intense coherent radiation and an interferometer produce a beam of electromagnetically neutralized radiation. The neutralized beam comprises forward propagating photons or forward propagating electrically charged particles which have associated forward traveling waves which superimpose and destructively interfere to an extent, and have oscillatorily time-varying electromagnetic fields which cancel to a corresponding extent. Then, second, the electromagnetically neutralized beam is coherently transmitted through transmission apparatus to a target which then, third, utilizes the transmitted beam.

Abstract: In a method for determining charge and/or size of an object (15) suspended in a fluid, the object (15) is introduced, together with the fluid, into an electrostatic trap (1) defining an electrostatic confining potential. The thermal motion of the object (15) in the fluid is observed under influence of the confining potential, and charge and/or size are determined from the observed thermal motion. In particular, the viscous drag on the object yields a measure of its size, while the stiffness of its confinement can be compared with a potential model to reveal the total charge it carries. Also disclosed are an apparatus and software for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus (102) containing a bidirectional optical transceiver component (200), the bidirectonal optical transceiver component (200) comprising a source of optical electromagnetic radiation (208), an optical detector (214), a beamsplitter, and a combined input and output port (218). The port (218) is arranged to permit, when in use, propagation of optical electromagnetic radiation therethrough. The beamsplitter is aligned within a housing (206) with respect to the optical source (208), the optical detector (214) and the port (218) in order to direct optical electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical source (214) to the port (214) and to direct optical electromagnetic radiation received from the port (214) to the optical detector (208).

Abstract: An interference objective lens includes: an objective lens system; a beam splitter which is placed between a measurement surface of a measuring object and a tip end of the objective lens, which diverges light emitted from the objective lens into a reference optical path and a measurement optical path, and which outputs combined wave in which reflection light passing through the reference optical path and reflection light passing through the measuring object are combined; a reference mirror which is placed in the reference optical path and which reflects, by the beam splitter, light diverged into the reference optical path; a mirror holding member which has a spherical surface-shaped outer surface, and which holds the reference mirror such that a reflection surface of the reference mirror passes through a center of a spherical surface; a support member which has a spherical surface-shaped inner surface having a diameter which is substantially equal to the outer surface of the mirror holding member, and which s

Abstract: An imaging module includes a spatial light modulator that spatially modulates an incident light flux to emit a modulated light flux, an imaging element that obtains the modulated light flux by the spatial light modulator as image information, and an adjuster that adjusts a space between an imaging surface of the imaging element and the spatial light modulator, wherein the adjuster operates to reduce the space between the imaging surface and the spatial light modulator in response to a temperature rise.

Abstract: An inertial measurement apparatus based on atom interferometry. In one example, the inertial measurement apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, first and second atom capture sites housed within the vacuum chamber, each of the first and second atom capture sites being selectively configured to trap and cool first and second atom samples of distinct atom species, an atom interferometry region disposed between the first and second atom capture sites, and first and second atom interferometers operating in the atom interferometry region, the first atom interferometer being configured to generate a first measurement corresponding to a common inertial input based on the first atom sample, and the second atom interferometer being configured to generate a second measurement corresponding to the same common inertial input based on the second atom sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system to record the absorption of a sample, said method comprising the steps of providing first and second pulsed beam of light on said sample using one or more light beams, said first and second pulsed beam having different spatial definition; measuring the difference in intensity transmitted through and/or reflected by a sample; and generating an image by scanning the sample while making such measurements. The system and method of the invention can work down to resolution of several 100 of nm, affording thus a large improvement in comparison to synchrotron IR imaging that is the closest technique existing today. The advantage versus scanning probe approach is the absence of physical probe, thus suppressing confinement to surface information and removing uncertainty regarding the working behavior of the probe.

Abstract: A circuit and method for mitigating multi-path interference in direct detection optical systems is provided. Samples of an optical signal having a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) E-field are processed by generating a PAM level for each sample. For each sample, the sample is subtracted from the respective PAM level to generate a corresponding error sample. The error samples are lowpass filtered to produce estimates of multi-path interference (MPI). For each sample, one of the estimates of MPI is combined with the sample to produce an interference-mitigated sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are several technical approaches of using low coherence interferometry techniques to create an autofocus apparatus for optical microscopy. These approaches allow automatic focusing on thin structures that are positioned closely to reflective surfaces and behind refractive material like a cover slip, and automated adjustment of focus position into the sample region without disturbance from reflection off adjacent surfaces. The measurement offset induced by refraction of material that covers the sample is compensated for. Proposed are techniques of an instrument that allows the automatic interchange of imaging objectives in a low coherence interferometry autofocus system, which is of major interest in combination with TDI (time delay integration) imaging, confocal and two-photon fluorescence microscopy.

Abstract: An imaging module includes a matrix of detector elements formed on a single semiconductor substrate and configured to output electrical signals in response to optical radiation that is incident on the detector elements. A filter layer is disposed over the detector elements and includes multiple filter zones overlying different, respective, convex regions of the matrix and having different, respective passbands.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for determining properties of a surface.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system evaluating a surgical margin of tumor tissues of a living subject. In one embodiment, the system includes a light source configured to emit a source light; at least one optical probe; a scanner; a spectrometer; and a controller coupled with the scanner and the spectrometer for operably controlling the scanner and the spectrometer. In operation, a working end of the optical probe is positioned proximate to a surface of a specimen of the tumor tissues. A source channel of the optical probe deliver the source light emitted by the light source from the working end to the surface of the specimen, and a plurality of collection channels collect from the working end diffused/reflected light generated from interaction of the source light with the specimen. The spectrometer receives the collected diffused/reflected light to evaluate a margin status of the specimen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing duality modulation of electromagnetic radiation beyond levels achievable by individual duality modulation generators where duality modulation imparts to radiation a disproportion of irradiance and wave intensity. Various techniques are disclosed for configuring a multiplicity of individual duality modulation generators in a cascade such that initially input radiation acquires cumulative increments of duality modulation upon traversing the cascade of individual generators.

Abstract: A processing apparatus including a chuck table for holding a workpiece, a processing unit for processing the workpiece held on the chuck table, and a feeding mechanism for relatively moving the chuck table and the processing unit in an X direction as a feeding direction. The processing apparatus further includes a three-dimensional imaging mechanism for imaging the workpiece held on the chuck table in three dimensions composed of the X direction, a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a Z direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Y direction and then outputting an image signal obtained above, a control unit for generating a three-dimensional image according to the image signal output from the three-dimensional imaging mechanism, and an output unit for outputting the three-dimensional image generated by the control unit.

Abstract: This invention involves measurement of optical properties of materials with sub-micron spatial resolution through infrared scattering scanning near field optical microscopy (s-SNOM). Specifically, the current invention provides substantial improvements over the prior art by achieving high signal to noise, high measurement speed and high accuracy of optical amplitude and phase. Additionally, it some embodiments, it eliminates the need for an in situ reference to calculate wavelength dependent spectra of optical phase, or absorption spectra. These goals are achieved via improved asymmetric interferometry where the near-field scattered light is interfered with a reference beam in an interferometer. The invention achieves dramatic improvements in background rejection by arranging a reference beam that is much more intense than the background scattered radiation.

Abstract: A pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a fluorine-containing polymer, a base resin, an acid generator, and an organic solvent, baking the composition at 50-300° C. in an atmosphere of a solvent having a boiling point of 60-250° C., exposure, and development. In immersion lithography, the resist film is improved in water repellency and water slip, and LWR after pattern formation is reduced. In EB or EUV lithography, outgassing is suppressed and LWR is reduced.