Abstract: In a laser beam delivery system for an ophthalmic laser system, a single multi-use beam sampler is employed to form three sampled laser beams, including two for redundant laser energy monitoring and one for laser focal point depth measurement. The beam sampler is a transparent plate with preferably parallel front and back surfaces. The front surface reflects a fraction of the incoming beam to form the first sampled beam toward an energy monitoring detector. The back surface reflects another fraction of the beam to form a second sampled beam exiting backwardly from the front surface toward another energy monitoring detector. An objective lens focuses the transmitted beam onto a target, and collects back reflected or scattered light from the target to form a return beam. The back surface of the beam sampler reflects a fraction of the return beam to form the third sampled beam toward a third detector.

Abstract: An optical device may include a dispersion element. The optical device may include a reflective optic to reflect an optical beam with a fixed offset perpendicular to a dispersion direction of the dispersion element and with a negative offset in the dispersion direction of the dispersion element. The reflective optic may be aligned to the dispersion element to offset an optical beam with respect to the dispersion element and to cause the optical beam to pass through the dispersion element on a plurality of passes, offsetting the optical beam on each of the plurality of passes.

Abstract: A filter is irradiated with incident light, and calibrated light with a fixed wavelength is obtained after the incident light is transmitted through a calibration filter film on the filter; the calibrated light is selected and transmitted via the Fabry-Perot cavity, and selected light is obtained after the calibrated light is transmitted through the Fabry-Perot cavity; an image chip is irradiated with the selected light for imaging, and an output signal is obtained. When the selected wavelength of the tuneable Fabry-Perot cavity matches the wavelength of the calibrated light transmitted by the calibration filter film at a certain position, light at the position is selected and reaches the imaging chip, and the output signal of the imaging chip at the corresponding position can be used as a detection signal for self-calibration, which does not affect normal imaging at other positions on the filter besides the calibration filter film.

Abstract: A laser source apparatus is for providing a beam path to generate a first laser beam and a second laser beam. The laser source apparatus includes a laser generator, at least one spectrum broadening unit and a beam splitter on the beam path. The laser generator is configured to generate an original laser beam with a pulse duration smaller than 1 ps. The spectrum broadening unit is configured in a following stage of the laser generator. The spectrum broadening unit includes a multiple plate continuum. The multiple plate continuum includes a plurality of thin plates, and the thin plates are configured along the beam path in order. The beam splitter is configured in the following stage of the laser generator to divide the original laser beam into the first laser beam and the second laser beam.

Abstract: A light detection device includes: a Fabry-Perot interference filter provided with a light transmission region; a light detector configured to detect light transmitted through the light transmission region; a package having an opening and accommodating the Fabry-Perot interference filter and the light detector; and a light transmitting unit arranged on an inner surface of the package so as to close an opening, the light transmitting unit including a band pass filter configured to transmit light incident on the light transmission region. When viewed from a direction parallel to the line, an outer edge of the Fabry-Pert interference filter is positioned outside an outer edge of the opening, and an outer edge of the light transmitting unit is positioned outside the outer edge of the Fabry-Perot interference filter.

Abstract: Novel monolithic reflective spatial heterodyne spectrometers (SHS) interferometer systems are presented. Monolithic systems in accordance with the invention have a single supporting structure wherein input optics, output optics, a flat mirror, a roof mirror, and a symmetric grating are affixed. Embodiments of the invention contain only fixed parts, and the optics do not move in relation to the supporting structure. Embodiments of the present invention enables smaller, lighter, and more robust reflective SHS systems as compared to conventional interferometry. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention require less time and skill for construction and maintenance, and is a better economic option. Additional embodiments can include multiple interferometer systems in a single supporting structure.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for analysing a chemical composition of a target, the method comprising placing an electrically tunable Fabry-Perot interferometer in a path of radiation emitted by a radiation source, and detecting the radiation, which has passed the Fabry-Perot interferometer and which has passed or was reflected by the target, by means of a detector, and wherein detection is made such that multiple pass bands are allowed to be detected simultaneously.

Abstract: Provided are a time and frequency control method and system for optical comb. The method includes: controlling an optical comb measuring system to start and to generate an optical comb; obtaining monitoring data, wherein the monitoring data comprises a working temperature, a mode-locked frequency and a light pump power, wherein the mode-locked frequency comprises a repetition frequency and a carrier envelope phase locked at the end of starting the optical comb measuring system; determining whether an offset of the mode-locked frequency exceeds a self-feedback adjustment range of a hardware adjustment circuit; and in response to any of the repetition frequency and the carrier envelope phase exceeds the self-feedback adjustment range, adjusting the working temperature and the light pump power until the mode-locked frequency returns back into the self-feedback adjustment range.

Abstract: In an illustrative configuration, a method for monitoring air quality is disclosed. The method includes accepting analyte gas into a cell and reflecting light rays into the analyte gas repeatedly across the cell into at least one sensor. The light scattered by particulate matter in the analyte gas and amount of spectra-absorption due to presence of a gaseous chemical is then measured. Based on the determined amount of spectra-absorption and the measured scattered light the gaseous chemical is then measured.

Abstract: In an illustrative configuration, a method for monitoring air quality is disclosed. The method includes accepting analyte gas into a cell and reflecting light rays into the analyte gas repeatedly across the cell into at least one sensor. The light scattered by particulate matter in the analyte gas and amount of spectra-absorption due to presence of a gaseous chemical is then measured. Based on the determined amount of spectra-absorption and the measured scattered light the gaseous chemical is then measured.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes a photonic integrator configured to accumulate optical signal energy corresponding to the input optical signal during an integration period, and to produce an output optical signal at an end of the integration period, the output optical signal having a higher intensity than the input optical signal, a shutter operable between a closed position and an open position, the shutter configured to prevent the output optical signal from exiting the photonic integrator when in the closed position and to allow the output optical signal to exit the photonic integrator when in the open position, a synchronizer coupled to the shutter and configured to control the shutter between the open position and the closed position; and a photodetector configured to receive the output optical signal when the shutter is in the open position and to produce an electrical signal corresponding to the output optical signal.

Abstract: A spatial Fourier transform spectrometer is disclosed. The Fourier transform spectrometer includes a Fabry-Perot interferometer with first and second optical surfaces. The gap between the first and second optical surfaces spatially varies in a direction that is orthogonal to the optical axis of the Fourier transform spectrometer. The Fabry-Perot interferometer creates an interference pattern from input light. An image of the interference pattern is captured by a detector, which is communicatively coupled to a processor. The processor is configured to process the interference pattern image to determine information about the spectral content of the input light.

Abstract: In an illustrative configuration, a method for monitoring air quality is disclosed. The method includes accepting analyte gas into a cell and reflecting light rays into the analyte gas repeatedly across the cell into at least one sensor. The light scattered by particulate matter in the analyte gas and amount of spectra-absorption due to presence of a gaseous chemical is then measured. Based on the determined amount of spectra-absorption and the measured scattered light the gaseous chemical is then measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spectral filter including a plurality of Fabry-Perot structures which are collectively carried by a support, and coupled together so as to produce a coupling resonance that is distinct from individual resonances of each of the Fabry-Perot structures. The coupling resonance may have a higher quality factor than the quality factors of the individual resonances. Each Fabry-Perot structure includes two portions of metal surfaces which are parallel to a face of the substrate, so that electromagnetic radiation wave components propagating within each Fabry-Perot structure, and which contribute to the coupling resonance, have a direction of propagation that is parallel to the face of the substrate.

Abstract: A compensator for manipulating a radiation beam traveling along an optical path. The compensator includes a fixed support holding a first optical wedge and an adjustable support holding a second optical wedge. The adjustable support includes a base, a stage holding the second optical wedge, first and second flexures, and a drive block. The stage defines a cavity and is movable relative to the base and the fixed support. The first and second flexures couple the stage to the base such that the stage translates along a stage path. The drive block is disposed in the cavity of the stage and is configured to translate along a drive block path perpendicular to the optical path and perpendicular to the stage path. The drive block includes first and second drive bearing surfaces configured to translate the stage in first and second stage directions, respectively, along the stage path.

Abstract: There is described an interferometer for use in an optical locker. The interferometer comprises at least two transparent materials having different thermal path length sensitivities. The interferometer is configured such that an input beam is split by the interferometer into first and second intermediate beams, which recombine to form an output beam, the first and second intermediate beams travelling along respective first and second intermediate beam paths which do not overlap. At least one of the intermediate beam paths passes through at least two of the transparent materials. A length of each intermediate beam path which passes through each transparent material is selected such that an optical path difference between the first and second intermediate beam path is substantially independent of temperature.

Abstract: An air quality monitoring system that enables a wide scale deployment of instruments with enough accuracy for meaningful and actionable data is provided. In one aspect, an advanced technique is used to calibrate limited-capability gaseous chemical sensors to obtain accurate measurements by cross-calibrating those sensors with reference sensors to correct sensitivities to parameters that cause errors to measurements of targeted gases. In another aspect, air quality measurements are used to identify sources of chemicals in a localized level by accounting for local conditions using data such as ambient condition data and user-provided data about the local environment. In yet another aspect, a gaseous chemical sensor with an improved encasement having a cell for reflecting and lengthening light path is provided to reduce the limitations and enhance the accuracy of a conventional spectrophotometric gaseous chemical sensor.

Abstract: A pressure sensing film includes first and second films. The first and second films are configured to form an optical cavity therebetween. A flexible transparent film is arranged in the optical cavity. The flexible transparent film is compressible in response to a pressure change in air adjacent the pressure sensing film. A pressure sensing device and a method of sensing pressure adjacent a surface are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an imaging that includes an image sensor; a tunable filter; and a controller operatively connected to the tunable filter and to the image sensor. The imaging system is configured to: tune the tunable filter to a plurality of filter states. The image sensor acquires, at each state of the plurality of states, an image of an object, to provide different images of the object. The controller calculates a state related score, for each state that is indicative of one or more properties of at least one subset of pixels of the at least one image acquired at the state, to provide a plurality of state related scores; and determines, based on at least one of the plurality of state related scores, a desired state of the tunable filter that satisfies a desired state related score criterion; and sets the tunable filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward low-coherence interferometry imaging systems comprising a common-path interferometer that is at least partially integrated as part of a planar lightwave circuit is disclosed. Imaging systems in accordance with the present disclosure are implemented in integrated optics without the inclusion of highly wavelength-sensitive components. As a result, they exhibit less wavelength dependence than PLC-based interferometers of the prior art. Further, common-path interferometer arrangements in accordance with the present disclosure avoid polarization and wavelength dispersion effects that plague prior-art PLC-based interferometers. Still further, an integrated common-path interferometer is smaller and less complex than other integrated interferometers, which makes it possible to integrate multiple interferometers on a single chip, thereby enabling multi-signal systems, such as plane-wave parallel OCT systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a compact gas sensor include a multilayer etalon as a wavelength discriminating element. The position of the etalon may be adjusted to tune its transmission profile. And embodiment directed to carbon dioxide detection is described.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a wavelength of light is measured. In some aspects, a wavelength measurement system includes an interferometer, a camera system, a sensor and a control system. The interferometer includes two reflective surfaces and a transmission medium between the two reflective surfaces. The interferometer is configured to receive an optical signal from a laser and produce an interferogram in response. The camera system is configured to receive the interferogram from the interferometer and generate interferogram data in response. The interferogram data represents the interferogram received from the interferometer. The sensor is configured to sense an environmental parameter of the transmission medium and generate sensor data in response. The control system is configured to perform operations including, receiving the interferogram data from the camera system and the sensor data from the sensor; and computing a wavelength of the laser based on the interferogram data and the sensor data.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for achieving ultrahigh spectral resolution and a photonic spectral processor, which is designed to carry out the method. The disclosed photonic spectral processor overcomes the current 0.8 GHz spectral resolution limitation. The new spectral processor uses a Fabry-Perot interferometer array located before the dispersive element of the system, thus significantly improving the spectral separation resolution, which is now limited by the full width at half maximum of the Fabry-Perot interferometer rather than the spectral resolution of the dispersive element spectral as is the current situation. A proof of concept experiment utilizing two Fabry-Perot interferometers and a diffractive optical grating with spectral resolution of 6.45 GHz achieving high spectral resolution of 577 MHz is described.

Abstract: An air quality monitoring system that enables a wide scale deployment of instruments with enough accuracy for meaningful and actionable data is provided. In one aspect, an advanced technique is used to calibrate limited-capability gaseous chemical sensors to obtain accurate measurements by cross-calibrating those sensors with reference sensors to correct sensitivities to parameters that cause errors to measurements of targeted gases. In another aspect, air quality measurements are used to identify sources of chemicals in a localized level by accounting for local conditions using data such as ambient condition data and user-provided data about the local environment. In yet another aspect, a gaseous chemical sensor with an improved encasement having a cell for reflecting and lengthening light path is provided to reduce the limitations and enhance the accuracy of a conventional spectrophotometric gaseous chemical sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples, are optical devices, systems, and machine-readable mediums that send and receive multiple streams of data across a same optical communication path (e.g., a same fiber optic fiber) with a same wavelength using different light sources transmitting at different power levels—thereby increasing the bandwidth of each optical communication path. Each light source corresponding to each stream transmits at a same frequency and on the same optical communication path using a different power level. The receiver differentiates the data for each stream by applying one or more detection models to the photon counts observed at the receiver to determine likely bit assignments for each stream.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the wavelength of a light beam are provided. An input light beam is received, and light from the input light beam is distributed to multiple channels. At a first pair of interferometer cavities that has a first free spectral range, two of the multiple channels of light are received. The intensity of light reflected from the first pair of cavities is measured, and a first estimate of the wavelength or optical frequency of the input light beam is determined based on measurements of interference signals from the first pair of cavities and an initial estimate of the wavelength or optical frequency. At a second pair of cavities that has a second free spectral range smaller than the first free spectral range, another two of the multiple channels of light are received.

Abstract: A speckle-enhanced discrete Fourier transform spectrometer can include waveguides configured to combine speckle spectroscopy techniques with discrete Fourier transform spectroscopy techniques. A discrete Fourier transform spectrometer section can be a compact, passive, chip-scale optical spectrometer. A speckle spectrometer section can include a multi-mode wave guide. An interference region can be in optical communication with both the discrete Fourier transform spectrometer section and the speckle spectrometer section such that light from both sections interfere in the interference region. A detector can be used to detect light from the interference region for detecting spectral content of light over a large bandwidth at a high resolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for a combined camera system is described herein. The apparatus includes an adjustable infrared (IR) pass filter. A passband of the adjustable infrared (IR) pass filter is electrically adjusted. The apparatus also includes a rolling shutter sensor. An adjustable filter is to implement a global shutter and a rolling shutter sensor global reset.

Abstract: A compact spectrometer is disclosed that is suitable for use in mobile devices such as cellular telephones. In preferred embodiments, the spectrometer comprises a filter, at least one Fourier transform focusing element, a micro-lens array, and a detector, but does not use any dispersive elements. Methods for using the spectrometer as an end-user device for performing on-site determinations of food quality, in particular, by comparison with an updatable database accessible by all users of the device, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser frequency control apparatus comprising: (a) a laser; (b) an oscillator configured to receive an output of the laser and to output a modulated signal; (c) a frequency reference configured to receive the modulated signal and to provide an output signal; and (d) a mixer configured to mix at least a portion of the output signal with an output of the oscillator to generate a mixer output, wherein the mixer output is injected to a section of the laser.

Abstract: A system for ocean bottom sensing for performing geological survey. Herein the system comprising a cable further comprising a cable jacket (9), at least one optical fiber (6), and a plurality of detectors enclosed by the cable jacket (9). The latter including at least a first and a second detector (1, 2), the at least first and second detector (1, 2) comprising at least one intrinsic fiber optic sensor (3x, 3y, 3z, 3h, 3g, 3t). The detectors are communicatively connected to the at least one optical fiber (6) for allowing interrogation of the intrinsic fiber optic sensors (3x, 3y, 3z, 3h, 3g, 3t) and the cable jacket (9) has substantially a same cross-sectional diameter (D) and same outer shape at the at least first and second detector (1,2) and in between said first and second detector (1,2).

Abstract: A method for determining spectral calibration data (?cal(Sd), Sd,cal(?)) of a Fabry-Perot interferometer (100) comprises: forming a spectral notch (NC2) by filtering input light (LB1) with a notch filter (60) such that the spectral notch (NC2) corresponds to a transmittance notch (NC1) of the notch filter (60), measuring a spectral intensity distribution (M(Sd)) of the spectral notch (NC2) by varying the mirror gap (dFP) of the Fabry-Perot interferometer (100), and by providing a control signal (Sd) indicative of the mirror gap (dFP), and determining the spectral calibration data (?cal(Sd), Sd,cal(?)) by matching the measured spectral intensity distribution (M(Sd)) with the spectral transmittance (TN(?)) of the notch filter (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas detector cell unit comprising a gas cell, the unit comprising an outer housing providing access to the gas outside through a protecting filter adapted to making gas cell safe for use in explosive environments, i.e. a sintered filter, and the unit comprising means for detecting reduction in the circulation through said protecting filter.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser having a wide wavelength tunable band is provided. A surface emitting laser includes a first reflecting mirror (102); a second reflecting mirror (116); and an active layer (104) arranged between the first reflecting mirror (102) and the second reflecting mirror (116), a gap being formed between the second reflecting mirror (116) and the active layer (104), an oscillation wavelength being tunable. The second reflecting mirror (116) includes a beam (108) comprising a single-crystal semiconductor, and a dielectric multilayer film (110) supported by the beam (108), and the dielectric multilayer film (110) is arranged in an opening (118) formed in the beam (108).

Abstract: A user interface apparatus and method are provided for gloved and non-gloved touch sensitive button actuation. A user interface (100) embodied as a body wearable harness (104) provides a touch button control system having an activation button (120) and functional touch sensitive control buttons (108, 110, 140). The activation button (120) has a capacitive touch element (130) associated therewith that determines gloved or non-gloved operation based on a capacitive measurement taken in response to a finger input to the button. A plurality of control buttons (108, 110, and 140) are automatically assigned increased sensitivity levels in response to detected gloved mode operation in accordance with the measurement. The increased sensitivity levels allow various radio functions to be accessed by a gloved finger input during gloved mode operation with increased reliability. Additional control button identification can be added through the addition of vibrational alerts.

Abstract: A laser device includes a tunable laser having a laser cavity and a laser control module placed outside the laser cavity, the tunable laser being configured to generate laser light having a center frequency, the laser control module being configured to receive at least a portion of the laser light generated by the laser, to generate a control signal and to feed the control signal back to the laser for stabilizing the frequency, wherein the laser control module includes an interferometer having interferometer mirrors and a tunable interferometer length, and wherein the interferometer length is tunable by an actuator arranged between the interferometer mirrors and by thermal variation.

Abstract: Systems for measuring a distance include a lens positioned a distance above a target surface. A camera is configured to measure a first interference pattern between the lens and the target surface using a light source at a first wavelength and to measure a second interference pattern between the lens and the target surface using a light source at a second wavelength. A processor is configured to determine an absolute measurement of the distance between the lens and the target surface based on the first interference pattern and the second interference pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring a distance include measuring a first interference pattern between a lens and a target surface using a light source at a first wavelength. A second interference pattern is measured between the lens and the target surface using a light source at a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength. An absolute measurement of a distance between the lens and the target surface is determined based on the first interference pattern and the second interference pattern.

Abstract: A system for determining a calibrated spectral measurement includes a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon, a detector, and a processor. The tunable Fabry-Perot etalon has a settable gap. The detector measures light intensity. The processor is configured to determine the calibrated spectral measurement. The calibrated spectral measurement is based at least in part on a measurement set of detected light intensities for a plurality of settable gaps and a reconstruction matrix. The reconstruction matrix is based at least in part on calibration measurements. For a calibration measurement, a settable gap is selected and a set of input monochromatic source wavelengths is used to measure responses at a detector after transmission through the Fabry-Perot etalon. Each input monochromatic source wavelength is also measured using a radiometer to scale detector measurements.

Abstract: A two-stage laser stabilization method is described to simultaneously servo two coupled laser parameters that control the wavelength of a laser, such as the laser injection current and the laser temperature, in order to simultaneously stabilize the laser frequency and output power. Two error signals are generated by passing the laser light through a frequency discriminator, such as an atomic resonance, to generate two control loops for the two coupled laser parameters. A primary control loop servos the faster laser parameter, such as the laser injection current, by direct use of the error signal. A secondary slower control loop ensures that this said error signal will remain at zero, by controlling the second laser parameter, such as the laser temperature.

Abstract: An optical module includes a semiconductor substrate, an electrostatic actuator including a fixed portion fixed to the semiconductor substrate and a movable portion moved with respect to the fixed portion by an electrostatic force generated between the movable portion and the fixed portion, a first spring portion connected to the movable portion and having a first spring constant K1, a second spring portion connected between the first spring portion and the semiconductor substrate and having a second spring constant K2 greater than the first spring constant K1, and a movable mirror which is an optical component connected to a connection portion between the first spring portion and the second spring portion.

Abstract: A device for tunable optical filter includes a substrate, one or more piezos, a bottom mirror, and a top mirror. The one or more piezos are placed on the substrate. The one or more piezos have a piezo thickness. The bottom mirror is placed on the substrate. The bottom mirror has a bottom mirror thickness greater than the piezo thickness. The top mirror is placed on the bottom mirror. The top mirror is attached to the one or more piezos.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a slab of material may include a polarization maintaining single mode optical-fiber, a linearly polarized broadband light-source configured to emit a polarized-light over the optical fiber, a beam-assembly configured to receive the light over the optical fiber and direct the light toward a slab of material; a polarization-rotator for controlling polarization of the light directed to the slab of material from the beam-assembly; a computer-controlled etalon filter configured to receive the light over the optical fiber, filter the light, and direct the light over the optical fiber; and a computer-controlled spectrometer configured to receive the light over the optical fiber after the light has been filtered by the etalon filter and after the light has been reflected from or transmitted through the slab of material and spectrally analyze the light.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring a distance include measuring a first interference pattern between a lens and a target surface using a light source at a first wavelength. A second interference pattern is measured between the lens and the target surface using a light source at a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength. An absolute measurement of a distance between the lens and the target surface is determined based on the first interference pattern and the second interference pattern.

Abstract: A tunable interference filter includes: first and second opposed substrates; a first reflection film provided on a first reflection film fixing surface of the first substrate; a second reflection film provided on a second reflection film fixing surface of the second substrate and separated from the first reflection film by a gap; and a first electrode provided on a first electrode surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate, wherein the first electrode surface is spaced apart from the second substrate by a different distance than the first reflection film fixing surface, and a layered part in which the first reflection film and the first electrode are stacked is provided on the first electrode surface, the layered part being spaced apart from the second substrate by a larger distance than the first reflection film fixing surface.

Abstract: A device may include a first photodetector to generate a first current based on an optical power of an optical beam. The device may include a beam splitter to split a portion of the optical beam into a first beam and a second beam. The device may include a wavelength filter to filter the first beam and the second beam. The wavelength filter may filter the second beam differently than the first beam based on a difference between an optical path length of the first beam and an optical path length of the second beam through the wavelength filter. The device may include second and third photodetectors to respectively receive, after the wavelength filter, the first beam and the second beam and to generate respective second currents.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a slab of material may include a polarization maintaining single mode optical-fiber, a linearly polarized broadband light-source configured to emit a polarized-light over the optical fiber, a beam-assembly configured to receive the light over the optical fiber and direct the light toward a slab of material; a polarization-rotator for controlling polarization of the light directed to the slab of material from the beam-assembly; a computer-controlled etalon filter configured to receive the light over the optical fiber, filter the light, and direct the light over the optical fiber; and a computer-controlled spectrometer configured to receive the light over the optical fiber after the light has been filtered by the etalon filter and after the light has been reflected from or transmitted through the slab of material and spectrally analyze the light.

Abstract: A system for wide-range spectral measurement includes one or more broadband sources, an adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon, and a detector. The one or more broadband sources is to illuminate a sample, wherein the one or more broadband sources have a short broadband source coherence length. The adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon is to optically process the reflected light to extract spectral information with fine spectral resolution. The detector is to detect reflected light from the sample, wherein the reflected light is comprised of multiple narrow-band subsets of the illumination light having long coherence lengths and is optically processed using a plurality of settings for the adjustable Fabry-Perot etalon, and wherein the plurality of settings includes a separation of the Fabry-Perot etalon plates that is greater than the broadband source coherence length.

Abstract: An optical system with ultra-narrow optical band-pass comprising an objective lens group, and a relay group, having a collimating system, the relay group being in optical communication with the objective lens group.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for supercontinuum generation using a laser beam and a plurality of condensed state transparent plates are presented. As an example, plate material to be used for one of the plurality of plates is determined. A thickness of the one of the plurality of plates is also determined. An allowable laser intensity of the laser beam is then determined to be ?/(2n0n2L), where ? is the central incident wavelength in vacuum, n0 is the linear refractive index, n2 is the third-order nonlinear coefficient. A location of a next plate is then determined to be a distance downstream from the one of the plurality of plates where a laser intensity of the laser beam returns to a value of the determined allowable laser intensity.