Abstract: A Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer includes a main interferometer, a control interferometer, an infrared detector, a control light detector, a waveplate, and a support member. The waveplate is disposed on an optical path of a control light beam and between a fixed mirror or a moving mirror and a beam splitter. The support member supports the waveplate. An outer perimeter of the waveplate includes a supported region supported by the support member and a released region spaced apart from the support member.

Abstract: An interferometer movable mirror position measurement apparatus for determining a position of a movable mirror of an interferometer. The interferometer movable mirror position measurement apparatus including: a laser light source; a phase separation optical system configured to make first light and second light separately detected; a signal conversion unit configured to detect the first light and the second light in synchronization with a position of a movable mirror to generate a first sinusoidal wave signal and a second sinusoidal wave signal, respectively; a phase calculation unit configured to perform normalization and phase difference correction on each of the first sinusoidal wave signal and the second sinusoidal wave signal, and then calculate a phase of the first sinusoidal wave signal or the second sinusoidal wave signal at each time point; and a movable mirror position determination unit configured to determine a position of the movable mirror at a predetermined time point.

Abstract: System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.

Abstract: A system and a method for phase extraction of a multi-path interferometer, the method comprising generating a reference signal of a coherence length longer than an arm length difference of the multi-path interferometer; splitting the reference signal into a frequency shifted reference signal and an unshifted reference signal; recombining the frequency shifted reference signal and the unshifted reference signal into a polarization- and frequency-multiplexed reference signal, and feeding the polarization- and frequency-multiplexed reference signal to the multi-path interferometer; detecting frequency shifted and unshifted output signals of the multi-path interferometer; and determining the interferometer phase from the detected signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to lighting systems that enhance the distribution of light. As set forth herein, the disclosed embodiments can include a lighting device, such as a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and an asymmetric total internal reflection (TIR) lens.

Abstract: An optical resonance imaging system includes a light emitting device to emit laser pulses onto a subject. The laser pulses include a first pulse and a second pulse to place the subject in an excited state. The laser pulses also include a third pulse to stimulate emission of one or more third order signals from the subject. The system also includes a spectrometer to receive the one or more third order signals and to generate spectrum signals commensurate with intensities of the one or more third order signals. The system may further include circuitry configured to analyze the spectrum signals, generate one or more images of the subject based on the analysis, and construct one or more maps of positions of the subject based on the one or more images.

Abstract: An optical module includes: a mirror unit that includes a movable mirror and a fixed mirror, a beam splitter unit that constitutes an interference optical system in combination with the movable mirror and the fixed mirror; a light incident unit that causes measurement light to be incident to the beam splitter unit; a first light detector that detects interference light of the measurement light; a second light source that emits laser light; a second light detector that detects interference light of the laser light; a first mirror that has a function of allowing the measurement light to be transmitted therethrough and reflecting the laser light; a second mirror that has a function of reflecting a part of the laser light and allowing the remainder of the laser light to be transmitted therethrough; a third mirror that has a function of reflecting the laser light; and a first filter that has a function of allowing the measurement light to be transmitted therethrough and cutting off the laser light, and is disposed

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a mirror bearing for an interferometer. An example mirror bearing includes a stationary mounting member and a mobile mirror assembly configured for slidable movement relative to the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. The mounting member is configured for rigid attachment to an interferometer body. A bore extends through the mounting member along its longitudinal axis. A drive coil receiving area of the mounting member is configured to hold a drive coil coupled thereto. The mobile mirror assembly includes a tube configured to receive, at one end of the tube, an end of the mounting member. The mobile mirror assembly also includes a mirror coupled to the opposite end of the tube. A drive magnet is disposed within the tube and is configured to be received within the bore of the mounting member when the mirror bearing is in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: In an infrared spectrophotometer, a plurality of rolling elements are provided between a movable portion and the holding portion. While no external force is applied from a spring, a play space is generated between the movable portion, the holding portion, and each rolling element. In the infrared spectrophotometer, when the movable mirror and the movable portion are slid, an external force directed downward is applied to the movable portion by the spring, thereby preventing each rolling element from moving between the movable portion and the holding portion. Accordingly, when the movable mirror and the movable portion are slid, it is possible to suppress rattling of the movable portion and the holding portion while leaving a fine gap between the movable portion, the holding portion, and each rolling element. This makes it possible to easily control the moving speeds of the movable mirror and the movable portion and to suppress rattling of the movable mirror and the movable portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems to record amplitudes of an interference pattern of a source light at successive rows of a focal plane array as an interferometer traverses the source light, while varying an optical path difference of the interferometer. A fixed frame rate of the focal plane array may be selected such that each in-track row of the focal plane array provides a different point along the interferogram, for the same ground location.

Abstract: An embodiment of a ruggedized interferometer is described that comprises a light source that generates a beam of light; a fixed mirror; a moving mirror that travels along a linear path; a beam splitter that directs a first portion of the beam of light to the fixed mirror and a second portion of the beam of light to the moving mirror, wherein the beam splitter recombines the first portion reflected from the fixed mirror and the second portion reflected from the moving mirror; and a servo control that applies a substantial degree of force to the moving mirror at initiation of a turnaround period, wherein the substantial degree of force is sufficient to redirect the moving mirror traveling at a high velocity to an opposite direction of travel on the linear path.

Abstract: A system and method for phase-readout/control and active stabilization on arbitrary interferometric phase in the optical interferometer platform is disclosed. The method makes use of a bi-colored polarization-multiplexed reference laser scheme. The disclosed scheme is based on two phase-locked reference signals with different frequencies that together remove the phase ambiguity. The two signals are polarization-multiplexed (either in free-space or optical fiber implementations) to enable easy separation and combining of these two signals through the use of polarization beam-splitters. The disclosed scheme provides a one-to-one map between phase and feedback signal levels, and enables phase-readout and stabilization even when one of the feedback-signals is at a maximum/minimum.

Abstract: Provided is a position detection method including splitting detection light into first and second light, the first light being incident on a returning optical path, a portion of the first light being transmitted through a beam splitter and a remaining portion of the first light being reflected by the beam splitter to reach the beam splitter through a movable mirror every time the first light reaches the beam splitter through the movable mirror, combining the first light transmitted though the beam splitter and the second light to generate multiple interference light, extracting a second interference light signal having a wavelength of 1/p (p is a natural number) of a wavelength of detection light from a first interference light signal of the multiple interference light, and calculating a position of the movable portion in a predetermined direction based on the second interference light signal.

Abstract: An optical sensor system includes an optical sensor arrangement that includes a Fabry-Perot structure having two reflective surfaces spaced apart at a distance from each other. A spectral acquisition arrangement acquires successive spectral responses from the optical sensor arrangement during successive time intervals. A spectral analysis arrangement detects a periodicity in at least one of the successive spectral responses that have been acquired. The spectral analysis arrangement further detects a phase evolution of the periodicity throughout the successive spectral responses. The phase evolution of the periodicity provides a relatively precise measurement of a variation in an optical path length between the two reflective surfaces of the Fabry-Perot structure. A variation in a physical quantity can cause the variation in the optical path length. Accordingly, a relatively precise measurement of the physical quantity can be achieved.

Abstract: In a two-beam interferometer, the moving speed of a movable mirror for producing interference light to generate a spectrum is changed at each completion of an operation cycle during which a reciprocal motion or one-way motion of the movable mirror is performed one or more times. Intensity signals of the interference light are obtained by a plurality of detection operations, where each detecting operation includes a series of detecting operations corresponding to the reciprocal motion or one-way motion of the movable mirror performed one or more times. A piece of information which changes depending on the moving speed of the movable mirror is extracted from the intensity signals obtained by the detection operations. This speed-dependent information corresponds to periodic noise superposed on the intensity signals. Accordingly, a false peak which would otherwise appear on the spectrum due to the periodic noise can be eliminated by removing the speed-dependent information.

Abstract: A spectrometer system comprises a scanning interferometer; a drive system mechanically coupled to a movable reflector element of the scanning interferometer and operable to effect reciprocation of the movable reflector element at a plurality, preferably more than two, for example three, different scan speeds; a detector arrangement configured to sample at equidistant time intervals an interferogram formed by the scanning interferometer to generate a sampled interferogram; and a data processor is adapted to acquire a sampled interferogram at each of the plurality of different scan speeds and to perform a relative comparison of the content of the so acquired plurality of sampled interferograms.

Abstract: Frequency domain optical coherence imaging systems have an optical source, an optical detector and an optical transmission path between the optical source and the optical detector. The optical transmission path between the optical source and the optical detector reduces an effective linewidth of the imaging system. The optical source may be a broadband source and the optical transmission path may include a periodic optical filter.

Abstract: A temperature measuring method of a component of a substrate processing chamber including a surface being worn or being deposited with a foreign material by using. The method includes: providing data representing a relationship between a temperature of the component and an optical path length of a predetermined path within the component; measuring an optical path length of the predetermined path within the component by using optical interference of reflection lights of a low-coherence light from the component when the low-coherence light is irradiated onto the component to travel through the predetermined path; and obtaining a temperature of the component by comparing the measured optical path length with the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interferometer and the like, that is capable of ensuring the speed stability of the movable mirror while achieving the speed up of the reciprocal movement of the moving mirror and suppressing the increment of the maximum instantaneous thrust force required for the turning back as much as possible. The interferometer includes a moving mirror, a movement mechanism for reciprocating the moving mirror, a movement control part for controlling the movement mechanism and allowing the moving mirror to be reciprocated at a constant speed, and a measurement part for measuring a position of the moving mirror. The movement control part is adapted to receive target position data indicating a target position of the moving mirror, and control the movement mechanism to bring the measurement position of the moving mirror measured by the measurement part close to the target position indicated by the target position data.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a first beam path configured to transmit a first light beam having a first optical wavelength and a second beam path configured to transmit a second light beam having a second optical wavelength distinct from the first optical wavelength. A first beam splitter disposed at an intersection of the first beam path and the second beam path. The first beam splitter is configured to superimpose the first and second light beams to form a third light beam, the third light beam impinging on a first window of a sample cell. The sample cell defines an interior volume and is configured to transfer the third light beam from the first window to a second window along a light path within the interior volume. The light path comprises a plurality of segments. The third light beam undergoes at least one reflection at an end of each segment, wherein the light path passes through a gas sample disposed within the interior volume.

Abstract: A light guide of a vehicular lamp includes a first light guide body that guides incident light from a stationary side light source and is formed in a twisted bow shape, and a second light guide body that guides incident light from a movable side light source. A reflection portion is formed on the rear surface of each of the first and second light guide bodies to reflect the incident light toward the front surface, and an emission portion is formed on the front surface to emit the reflected light. First and second side surfaces of each light guide body include a curved surface that appears as a curved line on a cross section of the light guide body. A side step is formed on the first side surface of the first light guide body to reflect the incident light toward the second side surface.

Abstract: Feedback control of an object which moves back and forth in a straight line along a linear guide is performed through PID control. A parameter adjustment unit which determines the control parameters to be used for PID control performs feedback control and determines the optimal value of control parameters by means of an evaluation function based on the error between the measured value of the current velocity and the target velocity, for the control parameters of maximum reverse voltage and at least one from among proportional coefficient (CP), differential coefficient CD), integral coefficient CI), and frictional coefficient (CF).

Abstract: A coherent sound source is provided for marine seismic surveys. An underwater sound projector for producing time-harmonic waveforms comprises two pistons positioned on either side of an electro-magnetic force generator substantially having mechanical and magnetic symmetry about its geometric center thereby creating a virtual node to substantially cancel reaction loads that occur when the pistons are actuated. The underwater sound projector optionally also includes control systems to improve the fidelity of the force generator, provide pressure compensation to the pistons, finely adjust the static position of the pistons, and change the depth and roll when it is configured as tow body. A plurality of underwater sound projectors can be configured in an array.

Abstract: A displacement detecting device includes a light source that performs irradiation with light, a light-beam splitting section, a reflection/transmission section, a phase plate, a transmission-type diffraction grating, a light-beam combining section, a light-receiving section, and a relative position information output unit. The reflection/transmission section transmits or reflects a first light beam, and causes the beam to enter a member to be measured. Furthermore, the reflection/transmission section guides the first light beam to a specific position of the member to be measured in the case where the member to be measured is in a reference position. Moreover, an optical path of the first light beam reflected by the member to be measured again overlaps with an optical path of the first light beam reflected at a specific position of the member to be measured.

Abstract: An interferometer wherein an incident beam from a radiation source hits a beam splitter at a first oblique angle of incidence and is split into a first, reflected partial beam, and a second, transmitted partial beam, that subsequently travel along separate arms of the interferometer. The first and second partial beams are respectively intercepted, reflected, and re-split to form returning beam portions and reflected and transmitted exit beam portions. A second terminal mirror and a folding mirror, which intercepts the second partial beam at a second oblique angle of incidence, are associated with the second interferometer arm and positioned orthogonal to the reference plane and on opposite sides of the exit path, so that a section of the second partial beam from the folding mirror to the terminal mirror and back to the folding mirror crosses the exit beam twice.

Abstract: A linear-motion stage that is angularly or radially symmetric or asymmetric, or monolithic may be used as the moving mechanism in a Fourier transform spectrometer. In embodiments, a linear-motion stage includes a base; a first multiple-arm linkage extending from the base to a first carriage attachment piece; and a second multiple-arm linkage extending from the first carriage attachment piece to the base. The first multiple-arm linkage constrains a motion of the first carriage attachment piece to motion in a first plane and the second multiple-arm linkage constrains the first carriage attachment piece to motion in a second plane, the first and second planes intersecting at a plane intersection line. The first and second multiple-arm linkages constrain the motion of the first carriage attachment piece along a carriage motion line.

Abstract: A structured light generation device is equipped with a lens unit. The lens unit is installed in a compact housing of the structured light generation device such that it can be workable for two different optical path lengths, and hence for a range of parameter, such as effective focal length, back focal length, or working distance. By the lens unit, an infrared laser spot is collimated into a linear infrared laser beam or specific light pattern if with a free-form type structure formed on a surface where the free form contains diffractive, refractive, and/or reflective optical structures simultaneously or effectively. Consequently, the infrared laser spot is shaped into a structured light for detection or interactive action.

Abstract: A mechanism that allows for precise motion of the optics of an interferometer is comprised by two or more diaphragm flexures having high lateral stiffness, creating a superior performing Michelson interferometer. When coupled with precise precision control of a mirror surface and a reference laser, the above creates a superior performing Fourier transform spectrometer.

Abstract: A method for the acquisition (AU) of a spectrally resolved, two-dimensional image by means of Fourier transform (FT) spectroscopy or Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, is characterized in that, during multiple passes (D1-D4) of an optical path difference (OG) between two partial rays (14a, 14b) over an identical range (IB), different subsets of detector elements (22) of an array detector (5) are read out and the signals of the read-out detector elements (22) of the multiple passes (D1-D4) are Fourier transformed and combined to form the spectrally resolved image. A method is thereby provided for the acquisition of two-dimensional, spectrally resolved images, in which the influence of vibrations on the measurement is reduced, and which is less affected by the movement of objects to the resolved spectrally.

Abstract: A displacement detecting device includes a light source, a beam splitting section, a diffraction grating, a reflecting section, a beam combining section, a light receiving section, and a relative position information output section. The diffraction grating is adapted to diffract a first beam reflected by a surface-to-be-measured of a member-to-be-measured, and cause the diffracted first beam to be incident again on the surface-to-be-measured. The reflecting section is adapted to reflect a second beam split by the beam splitting section to the beam splitting section. The light receiving section is adapted to receive interfering light of the first beam and the second beam. The relative position information output section is adapted to output displacement information of the surface-to-be-measured in the height direction based on intensity of the received interfering light.

Abstract: An all-graphite interferometer bearing assembly is introduced that allows the movement of a movable mirror in a Michelson interferometer without degradation during use. The assembly includes a stationary hollow graphite tube and a movable assembly which includes a mirror and a monolithic graphite member slidably disposed within the bore of the graphite tube that is composed of the same grade of graphite material as the monolithic graphite member. The result is a robust novel moving mirror arrangement in a Michelson interferometer that enables precise mirror alignment control, a long stroke length, excellent vibration damping and reduced sensitivity to external vibrations.

Abstract: A multidimensional spectrometer encodes frequency information into laser pulses so that a frequency insensitive detector may be used to collect data for a multi-dimensional spectrograph only from intensity information and knowledge of a modulation providing the encoding. In one embodiment the frequency encoding may be done by a conventional interferometer greatly simplifying construction of the spectrometer.

Abstract: A novel means of provided velocity control of an interferometer wherein one of the moving components includes the beamsplitter element is introduced herein. Using a moving beamsplitter and coupled flexure mounting allows improved velocity control because the low mass of the beamsplitter enables the systems disclosed herein to respond faster than conventional mirror velocity controlled interferometer instruments with a resultant lower velocity error so as to provide a more stable and lower noise spectra from the analytical instrument. The control of the velocity of the beamsplitter and if desired, one or both of the configured mirrors, reduces the time wasted changing velocity at the ends of each scan. The result is an increase in data collection available in any given experiment time frame. Such desirable arrangements of the present invention thus allow scans to be collected at higher rates, which beneficially increase the ability to monitor rapidly changing systems.

Abstract: A novel means of provided a hybrid flexure mounted moving mirror component in an interferometer is introduced herein. In particular, a linear bearing in combination with a novel flexure mounting having novel tilt and velocity control of the moving optical component is provided. Such an arrangement enables correction of the errors at the mirror itself while also solving the problem of isolating vibration and noise caused by the imperfections in the bearing surfaces used in many conventional interferometers. Using such a coupled flexure mounting of the present invention, in addition to the above benefits, also enhances velocity control because the resultant low mass of the moving mirror assembly enables the systems disclosed herein to respond faster than conventional mirror velocity controlled interferometer instruments and with a lower velocity error so as to provide a more stable and lower noise spectra from the analytical instrument.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing optical analysis downhole with an interferogram (a light beam having frequency components with a time variation that identifies those frequency components. The interferogram is produced by introducing an interferometer into the light path, with the two arms of the interferometer having a propagation time difference that varies as a function of time. Before or after the interferometer, the light encounters a material to be analyzed, such as a fluid sample from the formation, a borehole fluid sample, a core sample, or a portion of the borehole wall. The spectral characteristics of the material are imprinted on the light beam and can be readily analyzed by processing electronics that perform a Fourier Transform to obtain the spectrum or that enable a comparison with one or more templates. An interferometer designed to perform well in the hostile environments downhole is expected to enable laboratory-quality measurements.

Abstract: According to a first aspect the invention relates to a reconstruction process of a narrow-band signal acquired by an instrument producing irregular sampling, in which two series of samples are acquired at the same sampling period, the two series being offset relative to one another such that the sampling errors are identical or quasi identical over both series. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an instrument configured to carry out the process according to the first aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A spectral measurement device includes: an optical band-pass filter section that has first to n-th wavelengths (n is an integer of 2 or more) having a predetermined wavelength width as a spectral band thereof; a correction operation section that corrects a reception signal based on an output optical signal from the optical band-pass filter section; and a signal processing section that executes predetermined signal processing based on the reception signal corrected by the correction operation section that corrects the reception signal based on the change in the spectral distribution of the reception signal.

Abstract: A spectrometer with improved resolution includes a spectral domain modulator having a periodic response in the spectral domain to modulate a wideband source spectrum and cause one or more shifted bursts in the interferogram.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) (10), and a microelectromechanical (MEM) optical interferometer (18), for hyper-spectral imaging and analysis. System (10) includes matrix configured collimating micro lens (16), for receiving and collimating electromagnetic radiation (60) emitted by objects (12) in a scene or sample (14); microelectromechanical optical interferometer (18), for forming divided collimated object emission beam (72) having an optical path difference, and for generating an interference image exiting optical interferometer (18); matrix configured focusing micro lens (20); micro detector (22), for detecting and recording generated interference images; and micro central programming and signal processing unit (24). Applicable for on-line (e.g., real time or near-real time) or off-line hyper-spectral imaging and analyzing, on a miniaturized or ‘micro’ (sub-centimeter [1 cm (10 mm) or less], or sub-millimeter) scale, essentially any types or kinds of biological, physical, or/and chemical, (i.e.

Abstract: A method for compensating for errors in a spectrometer is provided that includes measuring at least a portion of a path length for a signal traveling through the spectrometer during a measurement scan of a material. A detector signal corresponding to the measurement scan is generated. Compensation for errors in the detector signal is provided based on the measurement of the path length.

Abstract: A spectrometric instrument comprising: a scanning interferometer having a beamsplitter for dividing incident optical radiation into a reflected beam, following a reflected beam path and a transmitted beam following a transmitted beam path; a monochromatic optical radiation source for launching a reference beam into the interferometer along a first propagation path to be initially incident on a first face of the beamsplitter; an observation optical radiation source for launching a divergent observation beam into the interferometer along a second propagation path to be initially incident on the first face of beamsplitter and overlap the reference beam at the first face; wherein the radiation sources cooperate to generate a first angle between the directions of propagation of the two beams along respective first and second propagation paths when initially and simultaneously incident at the first face which is larger than a divergence half-angle of the observation beam 64.

Abstract: A Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) spectrometer architecture compensates for verticality and dispersion problems using balancing interfaces. A MEMS spectrometer/interferometer includes a beam splitter formed on a first surface of a first medium at an interface between the first medium and a second medium, a first mirror formed on a second surface of the first medium, a second mirror formed on a third surface of the first medium and balancing interfaces designed to minimize both a difference in tilt angles between the surfaces and a difference in phase errors between beams reflected from the first and second mirrors.

Abstract: A static interferometer comprises an entrance pupil, a splitter plate, a first mirror and a second mirror which are arranged in such a way that light beams originating from a collimated source are divided on the splitter plate, reflect on each of the mirrors and recombine while interfering at the output of the interferometer. The interferometer comprises a prismatic plate of index n comprising a variable thickness ej, the first beam passing through the prismatic plate before reflecting on a reflecting surface of the first mirror, the reflecting surface comprising a plurality of zones, each zone j being situated at a mean distance ?j from a reference plane. The reference plane being perpendicular to an optical axis and corresponding to a position of a plane mirror for which the optical path difference between the two interfering reflected beams is zero, each thickness ej being substantially equal to ?j·n/(n?1).

Abstract: An optical assembly for use in coherent two- or more-dimensional optical spectroscopy includes a beam splitter that splits a base light pulse into first, second, third and fourth light pulse and a delay element that varies the arrival times of the first to fourth light pulses at a sample location with respect to each other. The beam splitter includes a cross-grating a first reflector arranged to receive the first to fourth light pulses emerging from the cross-grating and to reflect the same in parallel to each other, a second reflector arranged to receive the first to fourth light pulses from the delay element and to focus the same at the sample location, wherein the delay element is arranged between first and second reflectors. Also shown is an apparatus including such optical assembly and a method for carrying out two- or more-dimensional optical spectroscopy using the assembly.

Abstract: A spectrometer for identifying an analyte material. One embodiment of the spectrometer includes a single ultrashort pulsed laser (USPL) source, a fiber interferometer, a frequency converter and a transceiver. The USPL source is configured to generate a laser beam. The interferometer is operatively coupled to the USPL source, and is configured to split the laser beam into a first laser beam and a second laser beam, providing a variable difference in lengths between the paths of the first laser beam and the second laser beam. The spectrometer then electronically scans the variable-path second laser beam over the first laser beam to generate interferogram patterns. The frequency converter is configured to receive the interferogram patterns from the interferometer, and perform a frequency conversion of the interferogram patterns to form an output beam. The transceiver is configured to transmit the output beam and to receive radiation from the analyte material.

Abstract: A novel means of provided a hybrid flexure mounted moving mirror component in an interferometer is introduced herein. In particular, a linear bearing in combination with a novel flexure mounting having novel tilt and velocity control of the moving optical component is provided. Such an arrangement enables correction of the errors at the mirror itself while also solving the problem of isolating vibration and noise caused by the imperfections in the bearing surfaces used in many conventional interferometers. Using such a coupled flexure mounting of the present invention, in addition to the above benefits, also enhances velocity control because the resultant low mass of the moving mirror assembly enables the systems disclosed herein to respond faster than conventional mirror velocity controlled interferometer instruments and with a lower velocity error so as to provide a more stable and lower noise spectra from the analytical instrument.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the pathlength difference (retardation) in a step scanning infrared (IR) spectrometer interferometer is maintained under AC servomechanism (servo) control for a first period following a step change, and under DC servo control for a second period following the first period. Data is acquired during and/or after the DC servo control period. Switching off the AC servo control prior to data acquisition allows limiting the dither-frequency noise that could otherwise affect signals of interest, particularly in fast-time-scale applications such as high-speed time-resolved spectroscopy (TSR). A mirror position control circuit controls a mirror position stepping as well as switching a mirror servo control from AC to DC.

Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive, high performance, compact, and energy saving light reflection mechanism comprising a first moving portion having a reflecting surface on the front surface, a supporting portion which supports the first moving portion, a first beam and a translating beam which couple the first moving portion and the supporting portion in the form of cantilever beam above and below the supporting portion, and a drive portion which moves the first moving portion, wherein a large amplitude can be obtained by small energy when the first moving portion is forced into resonance vibration in the direction perpendicular to the first reflecting surface. Also provided is an optical interferometer and a spectral analyzer.

Abstract: A nanoindenter that includes an interferometer, a rod, a force actuator and a controller is disclosed. The interferometer generates a light beam that is reflected from a moveable reflector, the interferometer determining a distance between a reference location and the moveable reflector. The rod is characterized by a rod axis and includes a tip on a first end thereof, the rod includes the moveable reflector at a location proximate to the tip. The tip is disposed in a manner that allows the tip to be forced against the surface of a sample. The force actuator applies a force to the rod in a direction parallel to the rod axis in response to a force control signal coupled to the actuator. The controller receives the determined distance from the interferometer and generates the force control signal. The invention can also be used as a scanning probe microscope.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the pathlength difference (retardation) in a step scanning infrared (IR) spectrometer interferometer is maintained under AC servomechanism (servo) control for a first period following a step change, and under DC servo control for a second period following the first period. Data is acquired during and/or after the DC servo control period. Switching off the AC servo control prior to data acquisition allows limiting the dither-frequency noise that could otherwise affect signals of interest, particularly in fast-time-scale applications such as high-speed time-resolved spectroscopy (TSR). A mirror position control circuit controls a mirror position stepping as well as switching a mirror servo control from AC to DC.