Abstract: A system for sensing at least one object in the surroundings of a motor vehicle, includes at least one first sensor for classifying the at least one object, the ability of the at least one first sensor to carry out classification depending on the brightness of the at least one object; at least one second sensor for detecting the at least one object; and at least one actuator for increasing the brightness of the at least one object. The system is designed to increase the brightness of the at least one object by the at least one actuator when the at least one second sensor detects the at least one object and the at least one first sensor cannot classify the at least one object.

Abstract: A method for in situ measurement of temperature at microwave-induced microscopic hot spots, temperature measuring particles and the device used are provided. For the temperature measurement demand of the microscopic hot spot of microwave field, loading fluorescent temperature measuring particles on the surface of solid particles, and the actual temperature of particles in micro scale can be measured by using its temperature sensitive fluorescence characteristics. The present disclosure builds a microwave field in-situ fluorescence test device to disperse the test particles loaded with fluorescent temperature measuring materials in the liquid solvent and place in the quartz sample tank in the microwave cavity, which can measure the actual temperature of the particles to be measured under microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method of scanning a substrate and determining scratches of the substrate includes transmitting a converging beam of light that comprises multiple wavelengths to the substrate. Each wavelength of the multiple wavelengths focuses at a different distance in a focus interval around and including a surface of the substrate. The method also includes receiving reflected light from the surface of the substrate and determining a height or depth of the surface of the substrate based on a wavelength of the reflected light a highest intensity.

Abstract: A system without electrodes for identifying analytes based on optical measurement of ion flux through nanopores that is driven by a chemical gradient, and a method for identifying an analyte by using such system. A nanopore array without electrodes for identifying different analytes in parallel, a method for identifying different analytes by using such array, and a method of manufacturing such array.

Abstract: Autonomous vehicles with global positioning systems are used for field inspection. A vehicle may be programmed to traverse a field, while using sensors to detect objects in the field, and then capture low-resolution images of the objects. Machine vision techniques are used with the low-resolution images to recognize the objects as crops, non-crop plant material or undefined objects. Location data is used to correlate recognized objects with digitally stored field maps to resolve whether a particular object is in a location at which crop planting is expected or not expected. Depending on whether an object in a low-resolution digital image is recognized as a crop, and whether the object is in an expected geo-location for crops, the vehicle may switch to a second image capture mode, for example, capturing a high-resolution image of the object, and/or execute a disease analysis and/or weed analysis on the images of the objects.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining water status in plant tissue are provided. A number of systems are capable of using terahertz signals to generate signals measuring total water content in plant tissue, including plant leaves. Using these signals, methods are capable of determining water status variables, including water mass per leaf area, relative water content, and leaf water potential, which can aid in agricultural, ecological, and environmental health, such as dehydration and droughst stress of plants.

Abstract: A hair condition-determining device can have a device body having at least one first region and one second region, wherein the first region and the second region are designed in such a way that the hair of the user can be moved between the first region and the second region, at least one optional light source arranged in or on the device body for illuminating the hair of the user, at least one optical sensor arranged in or on the device body for sensing light that has been emitted by the light source and has interacted with the hair and/or ambient light that has interacted with the hair, and an electronic circuit device arranged in or on the device body, wherein the electronic circuit device is coupled to the optical sensor in order to receive the detected light.

Abstract: An apparatus determines a layer thickness of a plurality of layers arranged on a body. The apparatus includes a THz transmitter configured to emit a THz signal to said plurality of layers and a THz receiver configured to receive a reflected portion of said THz signal that has been reflected by at least one layer of said plurality of layers. The apparatus is configured to determine the layer thickness of at least one of said plurality of layers based on said reflected portion of said THz signal. The apparatus further includes a distance measuring device for determining at least one parameter characterizing a distance between said apparatus and said body, wherein said distance measuring device may include at least one optical triangulation sensor.

Abstract: Described herein is a time-of-flight ranging system and methods for its operation. The system includes an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels and control circuitry. The control circuitry simultaneously accumulates integrated SPAD event data from one cluster of SPAD pixels while integrating SPAD event data from another cluster during different target illuminations. The system also includes first and second VCSEL clusters, each responsible for a different target illumination. By processing and managing the data in this manner, the system can effectively reduce the time used to gather and analyze the event data, leading to faster and more accurate distance measurements.

Abstract: An optical module including a light source and an optical sensor is provided. The optical sensor includes a pixel matrix and an opaque layer. The pixel matrix includes a plurality of unblocked pixels, a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels. The opaque layer covers upon a first region, which is a part of each first pixel, and upon a second region, which is a part of each second pixel, but does not cover upon the unblocked pixels, wherein the first region and the second region are symmetrically arranged in a first direction, and uncovered regions of the first pixels and the second pixels are arranged to be larger at a pixel edge than at a pixel center.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sorting cottonseeds. Methods include the use of an optical sorter to sort cottonseed by color. Additionally, methods include sorting cottonseed using a gravity table to collect high-density seed (“accepts”) and mid-density seed (“middlings”), followed by sorting the mid-density, and optionally, the high-density seed using an optical sorter to collect dark cottonseed, thereby providing high-quality cottonseed for packaging. Devices and systems comprising one or more gravity tables and one or more optical sorters are provided.

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: Provided is a lighting device capable of forming an optimal light distribution pattern in a situation in which vehicle travel is being automatically controlled. Provided is a lighting device (100) in which a region having the highest luminous intensity on a virtual projection plane (VP) when the virtual projection plane (VP) is divided into three equal parts from lowest to highest luminous intensity is isolated in the left and right directions by a V line, and at least a portion of the region having the highest luminous intensity is located in a first central portion (M1) of the virtual projection plane (VP).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved HHG of ultrashort pulse laser beams. A HHG assembly includes a gas distribution block and a waveguide cartridge having a HHG hollow core waveguide. The waveguide cartridge is attached to the gas distribution block and may be removed and replaced, while the gas distribution block remains affixed within the apparatus. The gas distribution block is configured to maintain a pressure profile within the hollow core fiber. The system also includes two operating beam sensors and two actuatable mirrors. The operating beam sensors are fixed with respect to the HHG assembly. The system is aligned before operation by adjusting the actuatable mirrors to optimize a sample beam through the waveguide and recording the position of the beam on the operating beam sensors. In operation, the mirrors are actuated to maintain the same positions of the input beam on the operating beam sensors.

Abstract: A highly functional photoelectric conversion element is provided. The photoelectric conversion element includes: a first photoelectric converter that detects light in a first wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light; a second photoelectric converter that detects light in a second wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light to obtain distance information of a subject; and an optical filter that is disposed between the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter, and allows the light in the second wavelength range to pass therethrough more easily than the light in the first wavelength range. The first photoelectric converter includes a stacked structure and an electric charge accumulation electrode.

Abstract: A terahertz wave attenuated total reflection spectroscopic method, includes: a first step of disposing a measurement target of which a volume is changed during a measurement period on a reflection surface; and a second step of acquiring data including a plurality of detection results respectively corresponding to a plurality of times separated from each other during the measurement period by allowing a terahertz wave to be incident on the reflection surface from a side opposite to the measurement target and by detecting the terahertz wave reflected on the reflection surface, during the measurement period. In the second step, a state in which a substantially constant pressure is applied to the measurement target disposed on the reflection surface is maintained during the measurement period.

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: A system including circuitry configured to process image data of a meal to obtain information on the contents of the meal; generate, based on the obtained information, a query with guidance to change image capture settings: and guide a user to pick up at least a part of the meal.

Abstract: A system for determining the gender and/or fertility status of avian eggs including a sampling apparatus and an electromagnetic radiation transmitter and detector. In certain embodiments, the transmitter operates in the terahertz range. The sampling apparatus can be coupled to an avian egg. The sampling apparatus includes a vacuum source, a gas collection device, and a membrane that can be positioned in the passageway coupling the vacuum source to the gas collection device. The membrane is capable of capturing volatile organic compounds. The sampling apparatus applies a vacuum from the vacuum source to the gas proximate to the avian egg and directs the gas captured from the vicinity of the egg toward the membrane. Subsequently, the membrane is positioned within the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the transmitter, generating a spectrum which can be analyzed to determine whether the egg is fertile or infertile, and if fertile, whether the egg is male or female.

Abstract: A time-of-flight ranging system includes an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels, and control circuitry that causes the array of SPAD pixels to integrate SPAD event data received from each SPAD pixel of a first cluster of SPAD pixels during a first illumination of a target, the first cluster of SPAD pixels being a subset of the array of SPAD pixels, and integrate SPAD event data received from each SPAD pixel of a second cluster of SPAD pixels during a second illumination of the target, the second cluster of SPAD pixels being a subset of the array of SPAD pixels. At a start of integration of the SPAD event data received from each SPAD pixel of the second cluster of SPAD pixels, the integrated SPAD event data that was received from each SPAD of the first cluster of SPAD pixels is accumulated.

Abstract: Monitoring device (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) for household appliances, preferably for cooking appliances, comprising: —a housing (33), —at least one camera objective (1, 1.1, 1.2), —at least one fixation unit (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3), wherein the fixation unit (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is adapted for the fastening, preferably for the releasable fastening, the monitoring device (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) on at least one predetermined surface area (34) of at least one predetermined model of a household appliance, and wherein the fixation unit (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) is arranged relative to the camera objective (1, 1.1, 1.2) in order to arrange the camera objective (1, 1.1, 1.2), in a mounted state of the monitoring device (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) on the household appliance, in at least one position of a predetermined distance (d) and/or in a predetermined orientation (?) relative to a predetermined monitoring region (32) of the household appliance.

Abstract: A microspectroscopic device includes: a wavelength-tunable first light source configured to emit pump-light in a mid-infrared wavelength range; a second light source configured to emit probe-light in a visible range; a light source controller configured to change a wavelength of the infrared light source; a first optical system configured to combine the pump-light and the probe-light to acquired combined light and concentrate the combined light on a minute part of a sample; a second optical system configured to block at least the probe-light from transmitted light or reflected light of the sample; a detector configured to detect light incident thereon from the second optical system; a first spectrum acquisition means configured to acquire a spectrum of the incident light during the probe-light emission to the sample as a Raman spectrum or a fluorescence spectrum of the sample; and a second spectrum acquisition means configured to acquire an infrared absorption spectrum of the sample, based on a change in the

Abstract: A device may receive a classification model generated based on a set of spectroscopic measurements performed by a first spectrometer. The device may store the classification model in a data structure. The device may receive a spectroscopic measurement of an unknown sample from a second spectrometer. The device may obtain the classification model from the data structure. The device may classify the unknown sample into a Kosher or non-Kosher group or a Halal or non-Halal group based on the spectroscopic measurement and the classification model. The device may provide information identifying the unknown sample based on the classifying of the unknown sample.

Abstract: In a method for operating a cooking appliance, a cooking compartment is irradiated by light of different wavelength ranges. Light reflected in the cooking compartment is measured and measurement results of the light measurement are spectroscopically evaluated. Depending on a result of the spectroscopic evaluation, operation of the cooking appliance is adjusted.

Abstract: Provided is an oil leakage detection apparatus by which oil leakage detection is performed even for colorless oil with high detection accuracy and without complicating the apparatus. The oil leakage detection apparatus of the invention includes a distance measurement unit configured to measure a distance to the oil-input machine, an ultraviolet light source configured to irradiate the oil-input machine with ultraviolet light, a color imaging unit configured to capture an image of the oil-input machine irradiated with ultraviolet light, an image processing unit configured to diagnose oil leakage of the oil-input machine based on the distance measured by the distance measurement unit and the captured image of the color imaging unit, and a display unit configured to display a processed image processed by the image processing unit.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for microscopic analysis of a sample using spatial light manipulation to increase signal to noise ratio are described herein.

Abstract: A defect detection and imaging system is presented for performing microscopy and/or spectroscopy on a device under test. The defect detection system comprises a controller for toggling the state of a light source, which may allow for fast simultaneous high-speed inspection and high-resolution review imaging of the device under test by the same system and simultaneously deliver inspection, computer generated reconstructions or tomography, and defect review on sub second time-scales. The defect detection system further comprises a converter for converting X-ray images of the device under test into photoelectron contrast images to achieve nanometer scale measurement resolution in non-destructive and real-time fashion, to complement or replace destructive TEM. These photoelectron contrast images may be received by a detector to output an electronic format map or 3D/4D image that indicates one or more features of the device under test.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer-implemented method for detecting barcodes in a digital image represented as a two-dimensional digital image array comprising: applying a filter to the image array, computing a discrete Radon transformation of the filtered image array, wherein the discrete Radon Transformation is computed for a plurality of discrete lines across the filtered image array, wherein for each given discrete line with a given slope the discrete Radon transformation is computed for a number of different displacements of the given discrete line, wherein said number of displacements is less than two times a dimension of the image array, detecting in the output of the discrete Radon transformation of the filtered image array the vertex points of a pattern, and converting the detected vertex points back to discrete lines in the image array for constraining the location of a barcode present in the digital image.

Abstract: A system for detecting damage to a glass surface particularly vehicle glazing panels such as vehicle windscreens. The system uses a sensor unit disposed proximate the surface and a processor in communication with the sensor unit. The processor is configured to analyse data received from the sensor unit in order to determine the integrity of the surface and a communication unit is configured to output a signal in response to the processor determining that the surface has been damaged. For vehicle glass the system is preferably integrated into the vehicle management and control systems such that the system is active when the vehicle is active or moving. The management and or control system may monitor for instances or situations when changes, such as above threshold changes, occur in order to produce an output warning signal.

Abstract: A protective sheath having a closed end and an open end is sized to receive a hand held spectrometer. The spectrometer can be placed in the sheath to calibrate the spectrometer and to measure samples. In a calibration orientation, an optical head of the spectrometer can be oriented toward the closed end of the sheath where a calibration material is located. In a measurement orientation, the optical head of the spectrometer can be oriented toward the open end of the sheath in order to measure a sample. To change the orientation, the spectrometer can be removed from the sheath container and placed in the sheath container with the calibration orientation or the measurement orientation. Accessory container covers can be provided and placed on the open end of the sheath with samples placed therein in order to provide improved measurements.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an optical aperture, a light source configured to generate a light pulse along a first optical path, a reflective surface configured to reflect the light pulse from the first optical path to a second optical path for passing through the optical aperture, a beam steering device positioned in the optical aperture and configured to steer the light pulse along different directions to one or more objects in an angle of view of the sensor system, a detector configured to receive a reflected light pulse and convert the reflected light pulse into an electrical signal, the reflected light pulse being reflected back from the one or more objects and passed through the beam steer device, and a spatial filtering device positioned between the beam steering device and the detector to block undesirable light in both the light pulse and the reflected light pulse.

Abstract: A multiple-stage method of determining surface properties, with the steps: determining at least one topographical property of at least one region of a surface to be investigated, determining an optical property of at least this region of the surface to be investigated and emitting at least one value which is characteristic of this optical property. When the value which is characteristic of this optical property is determined, the topographical property of the region is taken into consideration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical emission spectrometer with a spark chamber (10) which comprises a spark stand opening (14) and an oblong electrode (11) being arranged inside thereof for generating a spark and a beam of light originating therefrom. Furthermore, a coupling unit (20) is provided which comprises at least one window being arranged on a window holder and a channel. The spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) are arranged with respect to each other such that the beam of light falls through the window (30) into the channel (21). In addition, the spark chamber (10) and the coupling unit (20) comprise means for purging with an inert gas. The spark chamber (10) is directly connected with a window holder (31) and via the window holder (31) with the coupling unit (20), wherein between spark chamber (10) and window holder (31) a sealing element (33) is provided.

Abstract: A method comprises: splitting laser light into sample light, reference light, and monitor light; routing the reference light into a reference arm of an OCT interferometer; routing the monitor light into a monitor device, which generates at least one optical monitor signal representing at least one time-dependent property of the monitor light; generating at least one electric monitor signal from the at least one optical monitor signal; illuminating in a point-shaped manner a sample with sample light, wherein the illumination point is guided on the surface of the sample along a predetermined trajectory; superimposing the light scattered by the sample with the reference light emerging from the reference arm to generate an electric OCT signal; wherein the at least one electric monitor signal and the electric OCT signal are AD-converted in alternating sequence, in each case equidistantly in time, to form a single digital data stream.

Abstract: A SiC epitaxial wafer, including: a SiC substrate; and an epitaxial layer stacked on a first surface of the SiC substrate, wherein an area occupied by bar-shaped stacking faults on the first surface of the SiC substrate is identified, and the area occupied by bar-shaped stacking faults on the first surface of the SiC substrate is equal to or less than ¼ of the first surface area of the SiC substrate.

Abstract: A chemical measurement device for determining the concentration of given chemical in a given fluid has at least one LED light source and at least one light detector. The given chemical has a light absorption curve with a peak, and the at least one LED light source and at least one light detector are configured to collaborate to produce two light signals having peak wavelengths between about 5 nm and 35 nm apart. The two light signal peak wavelengths are in the ultraviolet region with wavelengths beyond the light absorption curve peak. The light signal peak wavelengths, however, also are before the light absorption curve is negligible. The device also has a concentration calculator operatively coupled with the at least one light detector. The concentration calculator is configured to compare the two light signals to produce a concentration signal representing the concentration of the given chemical in the given fluid.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an optical measuring system having at least one light source that radiates excitation light into a medium to be measured. The excitation light is converted into fluorescent light by the medium. The optical measuring system also includes a first photodiode that receives a decay curve of the fluorescent light and converts it into a first signal and at least one optical component that receives the fluorescent light and converts it into a second signal. A data processing unit determines an oil-in-water content based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: To provide a laser distance measuring apparatus which determines whether the moving body stops autonomously, without depending on the external environment information transmitted from the external apparatuses, and can lower the average power of the laser beam. A laser distance measuring apparatus compares light receiving signals detected at two time points at the same irradiation angle, determines whether the moving body stops, and when it is determined that the moving body stops, makes an average power per unit area and unit time of the laser beam emitted lower than that of when it is determined that the moving body does not stop.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for hyperspectral imaging are provided. An example hyperspectral imaging sensor system to identify item composition includes an imager to capture hyperspectral imaging data of one or more items with respect to a target. The example includes a sensor to be positioned with respect to the target to trigger capture of the image data by the imager based on a characteristic of the target. The example includes a processor to prepare the captured imaging data for analysis to at least: identify the one or more items; determine composition of the one or more items; calculate an energy intake associated with the one or more items; and classify the target based on the energy intake.

Abstract: A complete personal nutrition, health, wellness and fitness monitor is disclosed that captures, monitors, and tracks many relevant health and wellness factors. Image of all consumed items is captured with a three dimensional reference object, matched to reference images in a database in terms of shape, color, size and texture, identified, and the volume of the respective items is determined. In addition, molecular optical fingerprinting of consumable products provides information about actual food composition, including vitamins and contaminants that affect food safety. Using energy and nutrition information of items in another database, full nutritional content and energy is evaluated for all of the items in the image.

Abstract: An accessory for an infrared spectrophotometer is provided in which both an infrared spectrum and a Raman spectrum at the same measurement position of a sample can be easily acquired. By incorporating an infrared optical system and an excitation light source into the accessory for an infrared spectrophotometer, infrared light from an infrared light source of the infrared spectrophotometer and excitation light from the excitation light source provided for the accessory are guided to the same measurement position P in the sample S. A total reflection spectrum is acquired by detecting the totally reflected light from the sample S irradiated with the infrared light by an infrared detector of the infrared spectrophotometer. Raman scattered light from the sample S irradiated with the excitation light is detected by a Raman detector provided in the accessory.

Abstract: A system includes a first laser beam including a pulsed laser emanating from the instrument propagates in the air, wherein the first lase beam is tuned to the wavelength at which a target chemical absorbs, its pulses bringing molecules to an excited state, a second laser beam used to probe target chemicals by transient absorption spectroscopy, wherein the second laser beam is pulsed or continuous, and a detector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a finished medicinal product, having the following steps: providing a finished medicinal product to be determined in closed primary packaging; measuring an NIR measurement spectrum for the finished medicinal product to be determined through the closed primary packaging; comparing the NIR measurement spectrum with an NIR reference spectrum, which is associated with a medicinal product or an active ingredient of a medicinal product; and determining that the finished medicinal product to be determined contains the medicinal product or the medicinal product active ingredient when the NIR measurement spectrum and the NIR reference spectrum correspond within a margin for error. The invention further relates to a device for determining a finished medicinal product.

Abstract: A method of characterizing a multimode optical fiber results in a measure of estimated modal bandwidth (EMB) that is independent of the bandwidth of the light used in the characterization. The method includes propagating pulses of light along the multimode optical fiber at prescribed radial positions relative to an optical axis of the multimode optical fiber and detecting output pulses from the multimode optical fiber corresponding to the pulses of light propagated along the multimode optical fiber at the prescribed radial positions relative to the optical axis of the multimode optical fiber. An estimated modal bandwidth of the multimode optical fiber is calculated in a manner that accounts for chromatic dispersion of the multimode optical fiber.

Abstract: An LIBS-type object sorting device includes a three-dimensional-shape measurement means that acquires a space-coordinate group of a top face of an object to be sorted in top view on a conveyor, an LIBS analyzing means that performs chemical composition analysis on the object to be sorted while irradiating the object to be sorted with laser light, and a conveying-path switching means that switches a conveying path of the object to be sorted, in this order. The device includes a computing means that determines an analyzing section on which the LIBS analysis is to be performed, and a control means that causes a beam position to move and causes, when detecting that the analyzing section has reached from a movement amount of the conveyor, based on the movement amount, a beam-focus position to move along the analyzing section while irradiating the laser light.

Abstract: A scanner for image reconstruction of a structure of a target object uses a neural network trained to classify each segment of a sequence of segments of a modified wave into one or multiple classes. The sequence of segments corresponds to the sequence of layers of the target object, such that a segment of modified wave corresponds to a layer having the same index in the sequence of layers as an index of the segment in the sequence of segments. The scanner executes the neural network for each wave modified by penetration through the layers of the target object to produce the classes of segments of the modified waves. Next, the scanner selects the classes of segments of different modified waves corresponding to the same layer to produce an image of the layer of the target object with pixel values being functions of labels of the selected classes.

Abstract: A method for sourcing plants includes performing nondestructive near-infrared (NIR) scans on selected plants, determining a predicted value of a characteristic for the selected plants based on evaluation of spectral data from the NIR scans against a characteristic model, and utilizing the predicted values for purchasing, processing, and/or financial forecasting. A method of sorting and processing plants includes determining a predicted value of a characteristic in gathered plants and determining a process to recover a primary product and/or a byproduct of the plants based on the predicted value. A method for forecasting includes determining a composite value of a characteristic in plants from a prior time period, correlating source data of plants to be gathered in the later time period with a predicted value of the characteristic in those plants, and determining a predicted composite value of the characteristic in the plants to be gathered in the later time period.

Abstract: A protection device for an Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES) and a method of protecting a detector to which purge gas is supplied, in an OES, are disclosed. The protection device comprises a timer, which measures a parameter, such as a humidity value, indicative of a shut down time period following cessation of application of purge gas to the detector. The protection device comprises a processor, which determines a start-up time period, based on the parameter, during which purge gas is supplied to the detector prior to cooling of the detector. The processor may selectively trigger commencing or maintaining application of purge gas to the detector or cooling of the detector in dependence on the parameter.

Abstract: A system for use in inspection of a sample is described, the system comprises: an illumination unit configured to provide coherent illumination comprising a plurality of at least two wavelengths and direct said coherent illumination onto an inspection region of a sample; and a collection unit comprising at least one detector array and configured for collecting light returning from said inspection region and generate data indicative of speckle patterns in said plurality of at least two wavelengths at a predetermined sampling rate, wherein said illumination unit is configured for directing light components of said at least two wavelengths toward corresponding two or more segments of said inspection region, and wherein said data indicative of speckle patterns corresponding with said two or more segments.