Optics: measuring and testing inventions 06/06

20060139618 - Power tool with electronic distance measurement: A power tool has an electronic distance measuring system that includes a wave source that transmits a wave to an object, and a receiver that receives a reflected wave from the object. A microprocessor is used to calculate a distance based on the transmitted wave and the reflected wave, and...

20060139619 - Distance calculation device and calculation program: It is intended to accurately calculate the distance between a movable body and a subject on the basis of various quantities of state, such as the azimuth angle between the movable body and the subject, velocity, and yaw rate. A calculation device comprises a unit for calculating the azimuth angle...

20060139620 - Method and apparatus for coherently processing signals from incoherent sources including laser signals: A stable optical reference oscillator (SORO) consisting of conventional low power CW source of coherent optical radiation having a relatively narrow bandwidth is mixed, i.e., beat against a sample of an incoherent laser transmit signal and the phase of the resultant signal is recorded. This is then compared to the...

20060139621 - Automated microdissection instrument: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking...

20060139623 - Security imaging system: Method and system for detecting authenticate products based upon alteration of emission characteristics due to interaction of the emissions with the product and the container....

20060139622 - Security reader for automatic detection of tampering and alteration: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the...

20060139624 - Detector and screening device for ion channels: The invention provides for a detector assembly, fiber assembly and screening system for optical measurements....

20060139625 - Polarization dependency identification: Provided are a method, system, and device for passing a plurality of light beams though an array of waveguides wherein at least one waveguide is coupled to a test structure which exhibits an insertion loss dependent on a known polarization. For each of a plurality of adjacent waveguides of the...

20060139626 - Optical inclination sensor: An optical inclination sensor is provided having at least one reflective surface and at least two separate optical fibers having ends spaced from a reflective surface. As the reflective surface tilts with respect to a pre-determined reference position the gap lengths between the fiber ends and the reflective surface change...

20060139627 - Device and method for inspecting matrix substrate: A device (2) for inspecting a matrix substrate (26) includes a light source (22), an electro-optical device (20) determining whether light beams penetrate through or not, a photodetector (23) positioned at one side of the electro-optical device and a host computer (24) connected with the photodetector. A matrix substrate is...

20060139628 - Probe mark reading device and probe mark reading method: A probe mark reading device for reading probe marks stormed on electrode pads of semi conductor chips contained in a semiconductor wafer (90), comprising a CCD camera (20) for taking an image of the semiconductor wafer (90) and outputting the image as an image signal Si, an optical unit (21)...

20060139629 - Method and apparatus for detecting defects: There is disclosed a defect detecting apparatus that focuses a laser beam, irradiates it onto the surface of a sample to be examined, and detects a foreign substance/defect existing on the surface from the scattered light as a result of the irradiation of the beam onto the sample surface. In...

20060139630 - Standard light source for single photo count apparatus: A standard light source for single photon count apparatus, comprising: a housing; a light emitting diode; a light-shielding plate, disposed above said light emitting diode, for weakening the light intensity emitted by the light emitting diode; and a light-shielding filler for blocking the light emitted by the light emitting diode...

20060139631 - Sample collection and testing system: Methods and apparatus for evaluating the quality of a sample of a product, an ingredient, an environment or process by measuring multiple parameters thereof, including light emitted from a reacting sample containing ATP, ADP, alkaline phosphatase or other parameters such as pH, temperature, conductivity, reduction potential, dissolved gases, specific ions,...

20060139632 - Fluid analysis apparatus: A fluid analysis apparatus for containing and analyzing a fluid sample includes a cell body assembly having a plurality of distinct portions in fluid communication with one another and with the distinct portions being hydraulically sealed to one another through the use of one or more resilient gaskets interposed between...

20060139633 - Use of high wavenumber raman spectroscopy for measuring tissue: The invention is related to the instrument for measuring a Raman signal of tissue, the instrument comprising a laser, a signal detection unit for measuring the Raman signal, and a fiber optic probe, wherein the fiber optic probe comprises one or more optical fibers for directing laser light onto the...

20060139634 - Pulsed-multiline excitation for color-blind fluorescence detection: The present invention provides a technology called Pulse-Multiline Excitation or PME. This technology provides a novel approach to fluorescence detection with application for high-throughput identification of informative SNPs, which could lead to more accurate diagnosis of inherited disease, better prognosis of risk susceptibilities, or identification of sporadic mutations. The PME...

20060139635 - Scanner having spatial light modulator: The present invention features incorporating an adaptive spectral filter into a confocal scanner optical arrangement or other suitable optical device to permit real time control of the fluorescence signal spectrum being monitored. This new arrangement would allow for better balancing of the fluorescence signals in the analysis of the array....

20060139636 - Compact spectrometer: The present invention is directed to a spectrometer in which the electrical and optical components are connected to one another in a compact construction. A minimal expenditure on assembly and adjustment is achieved through a small quantity of individual parts. The compact spectrometer comprises an entrance slit, an imaging grating,...

20060139637 - Hybrid lens unit and hybrid lens array: A hybrid lens unit and a hybrid lens array capable of correcting chromatic aberration and that can be manufactured easily are provided. The unit includes a lens holder, a refraction lens, and a diffraction lens part. The lens holder includes a beam passing cavity having a lens mounting groove on...

20060139638 - Multiparametric cell identification and sorting method and associated device: The invention relates to an method of analysing biological particles, in particular to be conducted in a cell sorter, with following steps: placing the particles to be analysed into a carrier flow, carrying out a first analysis of the particles moving with the carrier flow, selecting at least one particle...

20060139639 - Apparatus and method for measuring phase retardation: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for measuring phase retardation. The apparatus comprises: a monochromatic light source, being capable of radiating a pulsed light beam; a photodetector, deposed on a side of the monochromatic light source; a polarizer, deposed between the monochromatic light source and the photodetector;...

20060139640 - Dermoscopy epiluminescence device employing multiple color illumination sources: The present invention provides a hand held dermoscopy epiluminescense device having a generally circular optical magnification lens incorporated into the housing of the device. A lighting array provides the light necessary for medical examination of the skin. The lighting array comprises a ring of LEDs comprising four different colored sets...

20060139641 - Optical reader system and method for monitoring and correcting lateral and angular misalignments of label independent biosensors: An optical reader system and method are described herein that can detect a lateral and/or angular misalignment of one or more biosensors so that the biosensors can be properly re-located after being removed from and then reinserted into the optical reader system. In one embodiment, the biosensors are incorporated within...

20060139642 - Lithographic apparatus with two-dimensional alignment measurement arrangement and two-dimensional alignment measurement method: A lithographic apparatus having an actuator to move an object with a mark that includes a plurality of structures arranged in rows and columns. An alignment arrangement has a light source, optics and a detector. The light source and the optics produce an alignment beam with a first spot portion...

20060139643 - Alignment method of using alignment marks on wafer edge: A method for stacking and bonding wafers in precision alignment by detecting alignment marks provided on wafer edges, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least a first wafer having at least a first pattern and at least a second pattern disposed on the cross-section thereof, at least a second...

20060139644 - Colorimetric device and colour determination process: A hand-held colorimetric device (101) suitable for use by blind or colour-blind individuals to determine the colour of a surface-under-test (SUT), for example of a fabric, has an aperture (110) which, in use, is covered by the SUT (113) whose colour is to be determined. Six LEDs (115A, 115B, 116B,...

20060139645 - Method of measuring a physical function using a composite function which includes the physical function and an arbitrary reference function: A method for measuring a physical function forms a symmetric composite function by combining the physical function with a reference function. The method obtains a Fourier transform of the symmetric composite function. The method calculates an inverse Fourier transform of the obtained Fourier transform, wherein the calculated inverse Fourier transform...

20060139646 - Method and apparatus for a downhole spectrometer based on tunable optical filters: Thermally tunable optical sensors are used in sampling tools for analysis of samples from a wellbore. The thermally tunable optical sensors generate a series passbands of wavelength emissions and detect attenuation in a signal thereof. The attenuation detected is processed and used to determine aspects of the samples. Analysis may...

20060139648 - System and method for determining gas optical density changes in a non-linear measurement regime: Each of two sensors, positioned to simultaneously detect electromagnetic radiation absorption along a path, is calibrated to define a unique response curve associated therewith that relates a change in voltage output for each sensor to a change in optical density. A ratio-of-responses curve is defined by a ratio of the...

20060139647 - System and method of condensation reduction in an electrical unit: A non-dispersive infra-red gas detector includes a condensation eliminating heater. The heater can be intermittently energized in response to a signal received from an environmental sensor. Signals from a gas sensor in the detector can be processed to determine when to energize the heater....

20060139649 - Light source wavelength correction: A wavelength correction function provides corrected reflectance values from actual reflectance values taken in a reflectance-base instrument. The correction is provided as a function of measured reflectance values and a predefined set of high resolution reflectance values established for the reflectance-based instrument implementing the wavelength correction function....

20060139650 - Methods and apparatus for the improved measurment of circular and linear dichroism and uses thereof: The present invention is directed generally to an apparatus and methods that combine a novel four-port dual-source interferometer with double modulation FT-VCD or FT-VLD measurements to obtain a spectrometer with enhanced signal quality (S/N), and lower susceptibility to detector saturation. In the novel apparatus of the present invention, a linear...

20060139651 - Method of producing thick nonlinear optical gratings: The field of the invention is that of thick nonlinear optical gratings used in particular in the fields of power lasers and high-rate telecommunications. The production of thick gratings poses major technological problems. The method proposed by the invention makes it possible either to obtain a high-quality nonlinear optical grating...

20060139652 - Fiber optic sensor system: A method and apparatus for detecting seismic vibrations using a series of MEMS units, with each MEMS unit including an interferometer is described. The interferometers on the MEMS units receive and modulate light from two differing wavelengths by way of a multiplexing scheme involving the use of Bragg gratings and...

20060139653 - Sensor for optically sensing air borne acoustic waves: The present invention relates to an optical sensor of air borne acoustic waves. The sensor comprises means for producing mutually coherent optical sampling and reference beams, which may be combined to form an intermediate frequency carrier, the sampling beam being exposed to the acoustic field, in which acoustic wave induced...

20060139654 - Displacement detector: The displacement detector includes: a light source 140; a beam splitter 170 for dividing the light, which is sent from the light source 140, into two beams of light; reflection mirrors 181, 182 provided for the two beams of light sent from the beam splitter 170, for reflecting these two...

20060139655 - Method and system for on-line measurement of thickness and birefringence of thin plastic films: A system and method for analyzing the characteristics of a thin film is provided whereby the in-plane birefringence of thin films is determined by measuring the interference fringes in the transmission or reflection spectra using unpolarized light and light linearly polarized along the MD and CD directions. The three spectra...

20060139656 - Overlapping common-path interferometers for two-sided measurement: Two common-path interferometers share a measuring cavity for measuring opposite sides of opaque test parts. Interference patterns are formed between one side of the test parts and the reference surface of a first of the two interferometers, between the other side of the test parts and the reference surface of...

20060139657 - Device for detecting atmospheric turbulence: The invention relates to a device for remote measurement of the properties of the atmosphere, more particularly a device used to detect atmospheric turbulence. The device operates on the lidar principle, using the backscattering of a laser beam by the air. The device comprises a laser emission source (1), optical...

20060139658 - Inspection method for warpage of rod and inspection apparatus therefor: There are provided a method and apparatus capable of conveniently and rapidly inspecting a warpage of a rod. A rod to be inspected is rolled down an inspection bed and light shielded by the downwardly rolling rod is detected by a line sensor as a one-dimensional image signal. A positional...

20060139660 - Lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method and device manufactured thereby: The X, Y and Rz positions of a mask stage are measured using two optical encoder-reading heads measuring displacements of respective grid gratings mounted on the mask stage. The grid gratings are preferably provided on cut-away portions of the mask table so as to be coplanar with the pattern on...

20060139659 - Modular fixture and sports lighting system: A light fixture includes a lamp engine, an electronic module connected to the lamp engine and a photometric module mounted to the light engine. The electronic module is connected to the light source and an associated power source for providing power to the light source. The photometric module mounts to...

20060132752 - Micromechanical and related lidar apparatus and method, and fast light-routing components: Several systems and a method are taught for rapid modulation of a light beam in lidar and other imaging. Most of these involve micromechanical and other very small control components. One such unit is a light-switching fabric, based on displacement of liquid in a tube that crosses a junction of...

20060132753 - Method and apparatus for imaging a target using cloud obscuration prediction and detection: A method is provided for imaging targets using an unmanned air vehicle. The method comprises the steps of making a determination of cloud obscuration of a target, selecting an imaging sensor based on the cloud obscuration determination, and using the selected imaging sensor to produce an image of the target....

20060132754 - Hand-held laser distance measuring device with a pulse reflection mixing method: A hand-held pulse laser distance measuring device (1) and a pulse reflection mixing method both having an algorithm (3) which controls a microcontroller (2) and which serves to calculate the distance (X) to a measurement object (4) by at least two different time differences (τ1,τ2) between a measurement pulse (6)...

20060132756 - Anti-interference speed detection methods and detectors thereof: A speed detection method is implemented in a speed detector comprising a range finder. First, a specific number of distance measurement samples of an object are acquired during a period of time utilizing the range finder. The distance measurement samples are converted to M versions of the distance measurement samples...

20060132755 - Speed detection methods and devices: A speed detection method. A range finder acquires a specific number of distance measurement samples of an object during a period of time. A new unit of measurement larger than respective movement distances of the object in a first period and a second period is acquired. Rough measured distances D1...

20060132757 - System for measuring aberration, method for measuring aberration and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device: A method for measuring aberration includes: measuring a first optical property of a projection optical system before mounting the projection optical system to an exposure apparatus; mounting the projection optical system to the exposure apparatus; measuring a second optical property of the projection optical system after mounting the projection optical...

20060132758 - High speed laser scanning inspection system: An optical inspection system rapidly evaluates a substrate by illumination of an area of a substrate larger than a diffraction-limited spot using a coherent laser beam by breaking temporal or spatial coherence. Picosecond or femtosecond pulses from a modelocked laser source are split into a plurality of spatially separated beamlets...

20060132759 - Vision inspection apparatus using a full reflection mirror: The present invention relates to a vision inspection apparatus and method using total reflection mirrors. The present invention provides a vision inspection apparatus using the total reflection mirrors comprising; a board position control module for fixing a printed circuit board; an independent lighting unit for primarily illuminating the printed circuit...

20060132760 - Calibration source for calibrating spectroradiometer, calibration method using the same, and calibration system: A spectroradiometer is calibrated by a calibration source including a plurality of monochromatic sources for emitting monochromatic rays having different wavelengths from each other, respectively; a reference light emitter for emitting monochromatic reference light by receiving the monochromatic rays emitted from the monochromatic sources; a reference sensor for measuring a...

20060132761 - Apparatus and method for detecting lens thickness: The present invention relates to a non-contact/non-destructive method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of an ophthalmic lens. The present invention also provides a method for inspecting or measuring the base curve of a lens....

20060132762 - Optical phytoplankton discriminator: An apparatus and method for analyzing liquid samples employs first and second bidirectional ports that permit liquids to be introduced to first and second liquid waveguide capillary cells at the same time. The direction of liquid flow through the apparatus and roles of components may be reversed to prevent or...

20060132763 - Method and apparatus for radiation analysis and encoder: Method and apparatus for analyzing radiation using analyzers and encoders employing the spatial modulation of radiation dispersed by wavelength or imaged along a line....

20060132764 - Integrated optics based high-resolution spectrophotometer: A spectrophotometer capable of high spectral resolution (e.g., in the GHz range) is presented. The spectrophotometer includes a container for holding a sample, an arrayed-waveguide grating coupled to the sample holder, and a detector array coupled to the arrayed-waveguide grating. The arrayed-waveguide grating may be a monolithic chip, and the...

20060132766 - Continuously tunable external cavity diode laser: A cavity-enhanced spectrometer light source comprises: i) an electrically pumped SCDL having first and second facets at least said first facet being anti-reflection coated, ii) a diffraction grating facing said first facet, iii) a collimating lens interposed between said facet and said diffraction grating, iv) means for translating said lens...

20060132767 - Direct method for the correction of pressure induced scrambling of polarized fluorescence intensities: The present invention provides a simple and direct method for the simultaneous correction of steady-state polarized fluorescence intensities, depolarized (or scrambled) by the effects of applied hydrostatic pressure without having to first determine the scrambling factors from a separate experiment. The method involves direct recalculation of the measured polarized data...

20060132765 - Integrated optoelectronic system for measuring fluorescence or luminescence emission decay: An optoelectronic system for measuring fluorescence or luminescence emission decay, including (a) a light source being a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser or a flash tube; (b) a first integrated circuit comprising at least one circuit causing the light source to emit light pulses towards a sample which causes...

20060132768 - Optical spectrometer: An optical spectrometer includes an input module, an optical sensing device, a light splitter, and a processing device. The input module includes an orifice unit through which an incident light beam passes. The optical sensing device includes a two-dimensional array of sensing cells arranged into a plurality of rows and...

20060132769 - Particle monitoring apparatus and vacuum processing apparatus: A particle monitoring apparatus comprises: a light source configured to emit a light having a given intensity; a projecting optical system configured to converting the light emitted from the light source into a band-shaped light flux and to lead the light flux onto a flow passage of a given gas...

20060132771 - Particle detecting method and storage medium storing program for implementing the method: A particle detecting method which is capable of detecting the number of low-speed particles accurately, and a storage medium storing a program for implementing the method. Intensity of scattered light generated when a light emitted into a gas stream is scattered by a particle is measured using a light receiving...

20060132770 - Particle detection system implemented with an immersed optical system: Fluid-based particle detection exhibits improved light collection and image quality from a light collection system that uses immersed optics on a flow-through cell for collecting and detecting scattered light from particles carried by the fluid....

20060132772 - Polarisation recuperation system: The present invention relates to a polariser or a system for lighting using such a polariser in a polarisation recuperation system. The polariser comprises first and second polarising beam splitters (212a, 212b) for splitting first and second unpolarised beams each into at least first and second polarised beams of different...

20060132774 - Dermoscopy epiluminescence device employing cross and parallel polarization: The present invention is a hand held dermoscopy epiluminescense device with a magnification lens and an associated ring of luminous diodes powered by an on board battery. Every other diode in the ring operates as first and second light sources. The even diodes are filtered by a first polarization ring...

20060132773 - Method for noise improvement in ellipsometers: A normalization procedure for an ellipsometric system having a rotating optical element such as a polarizer or compensator is disclosed. In operation, a first DC component is extracted from the measured output signals obtained during the first 180 degrees of rotation of the optical element and a second DC component...

20060132776 - Fabrication method of a semiconductor device: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes an exposure step conducted by using a reticle. The method includes the steps of exposing a first pattern on a wafer by using a first reticle having a first reticle error, and exposing a second pattern on the wafer in alignment with...

20060132775 - Lithographic apparatus, analyzer plate, subassembly, method of measuring a parameter of a projection system and patterning device: An analyzer plate positioned between a projection system and a radiation sensor is illuminated by a projected beam of radiation. The analyzer plate includes two crossing regions, each of which transmits radiation with a different polarization direction. The beam of projection radiation is patterned without influencing the polarization of the...

20060132777 - Systems and methods for augmenting spectral range of an led spectrophotometer: An LED spectrophtometer device for determining an aspect of the color of an object may include: a visible spectrophotometer comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes that emit light in the visible spectrum onto the object; at least one detector for detecting said light after being directed onto the object...

20060132778 - Time-multiplexed scanning light source for multi-probe, multi-laser fluorescence detection systems: An apparatus images a surface. An imager stage linearly translates the surface in a first direction. A light path has a first end defining an input aperture perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the surface, and a second end defining an output aperture. A plurality of radiation beams...

20060132779 - Process photometer: A process photometer which includes an insulated and a non-insulated compartment. The following components are positioned within the insulated compartment which is maintained at a relatively constant, elevated temperature: (1) a source of chopped radiation directed to a focal point, (2) a means for detecting the chopped radiation's phase and...

20060132780 - System and method for remote sensing and/or analyzing spectral properties of targets and/or chemical speicies for detection and identification thereof: A method and a low-cost, robust and simple system for remote sensing and analyzing spectral properties of targets as a means to detect and identify them is introduced. The system can be highly portable but is usable in fixed locations or combination thereof. An aspect of the method and system...

20060132781 - Two-dimensional spectroradiometer: A two-dimensional spectroradiometer has an optical system such as an objective optical system 2 and a relay lens 6 for receiving light rays La from a two-dimensional light source L to form an optical image i.e. a first image 2a and a second image 6a, a WBPF 12 as a...

20060132783 - Method of measuring a physical function using a composite function which includes the physical function and an arbitrary reference function: A method for measuring a physical function forms a symmetric composite function by combining the physical function with a reference function. The method obtains a Fourier transform of the symmetric composite function. The method calculates an inverse Fourier transform of the obtained Fourier transform, wherein the calculated inverse Fourier transform...

20060132782 - Polarization controlling fiber probe for semiconductor source spectroscopy system: A semiconductor source spectroscopy system controls optical power variation of the tunable signal due to polarization dependent loss in the system and thus improves the noise performance of the system. It relies on using polarization control between the source and the sample and/or the sample and the detector....

20060132784 - Frequency comb analysis: Methods and apparatus for generating a frequency comb and for its use in analyzing materials and in telecommunications. The frequency comb is generated by passing pulsed light from a laser through an optical fiber having a constriction. The frequency comb comprises a plurality of monochromatic components separated in frequency by...

20060132785 - Apparatus and method for detecting moisture in a printing plate exposer: In temperature-controlled printing plate exposers, it is possible for condensation of dampening solution or moisture to occur in a region of printing plates or laser apparatus. In this way, imaging of printing plates can be impaired and/or the laser apparatus can suffer damage resulting from corrosion. An apparatus detects the...

20060132786 - Sensor having integrated light detector and/or light source: A sensor, such as a lateral flow sensor, which includes a chemical layer and a detector on a flexible substrate. An optical signal is produced in response to an analyte placed on the chemical layer. The detector detects the signal, to thereby detect the presence, absence or concentration of the...

20060132787 - Full width array mechanically tunable spectrophotometer: Apparatus and methods are provided for implementing a full width array material scanning spectrophotometer by integrating a Fabry-Perot cavity filter with a silicon photodetector and a light focusing device (an optical guide or a SELFOC® lens). The material to be scanned is illuminated by a broad band illumination source (white...

20060132788 - Ring laser gyroscope that does not require mirrors: In an embodiment of a ring laser gyroscope, a hollow bandgap fiber is filled with a gas or material that will generate laser beams within the fiber upon being excited by an energy source. A detector coupled to the fiber detects a standing wave pattern within the fiber, wherein changes...

20060132789 - System and method for rapidly achieving optimum dispersion optical transmission systems: A system and method for optimizing dispersion in an optical transmission line is provided. The system and method comprise measuring the amplitude of a d.c. voltage component of a synchronously demodulated data signal of at least one wavelength channel by an in-phase carrier at the baud frequency of the wavelength...

20060132790 - Optical coherence tomography with 3d coherence scanning: Optical coherence tomography with 3D coherence scanning is disclosed, using at least three fibers (201, 202, 203) for object illumination and collection of backscattered light. Fiber tips (1, 2, 3) are located in a fiber tip plane (71) normal to the optical axis (72). Light beams emerging from the fibers...

20060132791 - Optical tomography apparatus: A (Δλ) 75 μm low coherence light beam is emitted. The low coherence light beam has wavelength properties suited for the light absorbing properties, the diffusion properties, and the dispersion properties of living tissue. A light dividing means divides the low coherence light beam into a measuring light beam, which...

20060132792 - Fiber optic sensor: An apparatus, system and method are provided for measuring state properties without requiring an internal or proximate power supply. The apparatus provides a sensing device that is responsive to fluctuations in a state property that are encountered within the test zone. Due to the fluctuations experienced by the sensing device,...

20060132793 - Detection device, optical path length measurement device, measurement instrument, optical member evaluation method, and temperature change detection method: An object of the invention is to provide a detection apparatus, an optical path length measuring apparatus, a method for evaluating an optical member, and the like, which can evaluate optical characteristics such as chromatic dispersion and an optical path length at a high speed. Another object is to provide...

20060132794 - Optically balanced instrument for high accuracy measurement of dimensional change: An instrument for measuring dimensional changes in materials, such as ultra-low thermal expansion materials, contains an optically balanced measuring loop. Both an object beam and a loop beam propagate around the measuring loop. The object beam encounters both opposite side surfaces of the test object and the loop beam encounters...

20060132795 - Methods and apparatus for splitting, imaging, and measuring wavefronts in interferometry: Apparatus for splitting, imaging, and measuring wavefronts with a reference wavefront and an object wavefront. A wavefront-combining element receives and combines into a combined wavefront an object wavefront from an object and a reference wavefront. A wavefront-splitting element splits the combined wavefront into a plurality of sub-wavefronts in such a...

20060132797 - Method and apparatus for measuring thickness of thin article: An apparatus (100) for measuring a thickness of a thin article according to an embodiment of the present apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an optical fiber interferometer (101), a signal processor module (102) and a measuring module (103). The optical fiber interferometer is configured for obtaining an optical distance...

20060132796 - Sensor and methods for measuring select components in sheetmaking systems: An efficient and versatile spectrometric sensor can be configured with an acousto-optic tunable filter. With this diverse spectral filter, the central wavelength and bandwidth of the filter can be quickly tuned to the desired wavelength. A sensor, for measuring at least selected component in a composition, can include: (a) a...

20060132798 - Method and apparatus for determining endpoint of semiconductor element fabricating process: Standard patterns of differential values of interference light that correspond to a predetermined step height of the first material being processed and standard patterns of differential values of interference light that correspond to a predetermined remaining mask layer thickness of the material are set. These standard patterns use wavelengths as...

20060132799 - Digital holographic microscope: A method and device for obtaining a sample with three-dimensional microscopy, in particular a thick biological sample and the fluorescence field emitted by the sample. One embodiment includes obtaining interferometric signals of a specimen, obtaining fluorescence signals emanating from the specimen, recording these signals, and processing these signals so as...

20060132800 - Image processing type of measuring device, lighting system for the same, lighting system control method, lighting system control program, and a recording medium with the lighting system control program recorded therein: Luminous intensity and chromaticity of each luminescent light source are measured for an impressed current value, a mixing ratio of intensities of lights emitted from luminescent light sources required for synthesizing lighting intensity with the preset chromaticity at the luminous intensity instructed by an instruction value is computed with a...

20060132801 - Laser triangulation method for measurement of highly reflective solder balls: A system and method of determining a height and/or position of at least one element on an area array device. A laser beam scans the area array device using at least two different laser light intensities. Reflected light is sampled, and the height and/or position of the element is determined...

20060132802 - Imaging system for three-dimensional reconstruction of surface profiles: A system for three-dimensional reconstruction of a surface profile of a surface of an object is provided that utilizes a binary pattern projected onto the surface of the object. A binary string consisting of a series of “1”s and “0”s is first created, and a binary pattern of light that...

20060132803 - Method and apparatus for combining a targetless optical measurement function and optical projection of information: Systems and methods are provided for targetless optical measurement and optical information projection. A non-contact optical measurement device is provided for determining at least one of position and orientation of a workpiece. A projector is provided for projecting a part definition on the workpiece. Advantageously, beams from the non-contact optical...

20060132804 - System and method to decrease probe size for improved laser ultrasound detection: The present invention provides a compact optical probe assembly that measures ultrasound in materials. The probe uses angle-terminated optical fiber to direct illumination laser light at the surface of a remote target. Ultrasonic displacements at the surface scatter the illumination laser light. Angle-terminated optical fibers collect phase modulated light and...

20060132805 - Light beam switch system for locating the edge of a workpiece: A system is provided for detecting or locating an edge of a workpiece in a processing path. The system includes a reflector which can be positioned at an elevation higher than the workpiece in the processing path. According to one aspect of the invention, the reflector can be mounted in...

20060132806 - Parametric profiling using optical spectroscopic systems to adjust processing parameter: A gallery of seed profiles is constructed and the initial parameter values associated with the profiles are selected using manufacturing process knowledge of semiconductor devices. Manufacturing process knowledge may also be used to select the best seed profile and the best set of initial parameter values as the starting point...

20060132807 - Periodic patterns and technique to control misalignment between two layers: A method and system to measure misalignment error between two overlying or interlaced periodic structures are proposed. The overlying or interlaced periodic structures are illuminated by incident radiation, and the diffracted radiation of the incident radiation by the overlying or interlaced periodic structures are detected to provide an output signal....

20060132808 - Thin thickness measurement method and apparatus: Techniques for non-contacting thickness or caliper measurements of moving webs or sheets employ a sensor device that includes a first sensor head and a second sensor head that are spaced apart to define a path through which the moving web travels. The sensor device projects a laser generated, multiple points...

20060126054 - Three-dimensional measurement device and three-dimensional measurement method: The purpose of the present invention is to realize a compact three-dimensional measurement device of high resolution. In the present invention, a pulse light is projected on an object, the light reflected from the object is received by a solid state area sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements,...

20060126055 - Combined laser altimeter and ground velocity measurement apparatus and a fiber optic filter edge detector of doppler shifts for use therein: A fiber optic filter edge detector of Doppler shifted light comprises: a laser source for emitting pulsed laser light substantially over a first fiber optic path; an optical lens for directing laser light emitted from the first fiber optic path to free-space and for receiving laser light returns from free-space...

20060126056 - Stream-wise thermal gradient cloud condensation nuclei chamber: A cloud condensation nuclei instrument including an aerosol flow line (320) to carry a desired sample to the CNN chamber (310) and a temperature control unit (313A, 313B) to provide a monotonically increasing temperature profile along the direction of flow....

20060126057 - Metrology system with spectroscopic ellipsometer and photoacoustic measurements: A photoacoustic system with ellipsometer, where the ellipsometer includes a laser light source for generating an incident beam, an element for focusing the incident beam on a sample, a unit for measuring the change in amplitude of the incident beam on reflection and a unit for measuring the phase difference...

20060126058 - Interferometric analysis for the manufacture of nano-scale devices: The present invention features a system to determine relative spatial parameters between two coordinate systems, which may be a mold and a region of a substrate in which mold is employed to generate a pattern. The system senses relative alignment between the two coordinate systems at multiple points and determines...

20060126059 - Laser scanner with parabolic collector: An improved laser scanning apparatus (46) for determining frame or unibody alignment or misalignment of a vehicle (40) is provided, which includes a laser assembly (54), a pair of rotatable mirror assemblies (56,58) and laser detectors (114,116) located within an enclosed housing (50,52). The laser assembly (54) has an upper...

20060126060 - Lighting method and device for detection of surface defects and/or unfilled finish on the finish of a container: In an optical method for determining surface defects and/or material shortage on the neck ring (3) of a container having an axis of symmetry (X) comprises illuminating the surface (s) of the neck ring (3) of the container with an incident light beam, a uniform ring of light (C) is...

20060126061 - Automated inspection system and method: An automated system for illuminating and inspecting the inner surface areas of tubular samples, especially stents, is disclosed. The system comprises rotatable means for receiving the sample to be inspected; at least one fluorescent surface area arranged in the immediate vicinity of the sample to be inspected; an UV-light source...

20060126062 - Method and apparatus for producing a streaming raman image of nucleation, aggregation, and chemical interaction: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus to produce a streaming image of a sample during a time period when an attribute of the sample is changing. The streaming image can be viewed in such a manner so as to be able to follow a visible change in an attribute...

20060126063 - Total internal reflection fluorescence apparatus: Techniques are provided for illuminating a sample by using total internal reflection (TIR) from a diffraction limited focused annular illumination beam. The illumination forms an affected region and an overlapping confocal region that may have dimensions the below 1 μm. An adjustable diffractive optical element, for example, may create a...

20060126064 - Apparatus and method for determining tissue characteristics: An apparatus and method embodying the invention include utilizing a device with a limited number of interrogation devices to accomplish a large number of measurements on a target tissue (50). An instrument embodying the invention includes a plurality of detection devices (54) that are arranged in a predetermined pattern on...

20060126065 - Peak pattern evaluation using spring model: Determining a property of a measured peak pattern comprising at least one peak is described. The method comprises extracting measured peak parameters from the measured peak pattern, and of determining deviations of the measured peak parameters from reference values of a reference peak pattern. Said reference peak pattern is represented...

20060126067 - Crystal grating apparatus: Apparatus for analyzing light having at least one wavelength, the apparatus comprising: (a) a light deflector for deflecting the light so as to provide a deflected light beam characterized by at least one wavelength-dependent angle, respectively corresponding to the at least one wavelength of the light; (b) an encoder, capable...

20060126066 - Polarization analyzer: A thin polarizer array and a wavelength plate array that are composed of micro regions having different optical axis directions and wavelength characteristics and have a high extinction ratio and a low insertion loss, and a polarization analyzer using them are disclosed. An array of micro periodic grooves is formed...

20060126068 - Retardance measurement system and method: Apparatus and methods for measuring retardance and slow axis azimuth in sample specimens. The invention can be used in imaging systems that obtain retardance and slow axis azimuth orientation at all points in a two-dimensional image simultaneously. A sample is illuminated by circularly polarized monochromatic light which is then analyzed...

20060126069 - Optical bench, integrated optical system, and optical alignment method: An optical bench, an integrated optical system, and an optical alignment method are provided. The integrated optical system includes a light source; a main photodetector which receives light that is emitted from the light source and reflected from a disc; an optical bench on which the light source and the...

20060126070 - Photoacoustic detector: The invention relates to a photoacoustic detector, comprising at least a first chamber (V0) suppliable with a gas to be analyzed, a window for letting modulated and/or pulsed infrared radiation and/or light in the first chamber (V0), and means for detecting pressure variations created in the first chamber by absorbed...

20060126071 - Beam splitter/combiner for optical metrology tool: A combiner for optical beams includes a substrate overlaid by a multi-layer dielectric film stack. The substrate is a clear material and the dielectric film stack is a series of alternating layer of high and low refractive index. This gives the combiner relatively high reflectivity across UV wavelengths and relatively...

20060126072 - Magnetic compensators for fiber optic gyroscopes: A fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) includes a sensing coil with a particular magnetic sensitivity magnitude and direction with respect to the geometric axis of the sensing coil. The FOG also includes a plurality of magnetic compensators. Each magnetic compensator is fabricated so as to have a particular magnetic sensitivity magnitude...

20060126073 - Displacement measuring interferometer system and method using tunable lasers: A displacement measuring interferometer system and method for measuring the distance between two known points is disclosed. An interferometer is configured to provide a reference reflection of a reference point and a measurement reflection of a measurement point. A tunable laser is used to scan in wavelength into the interferometer...

20060126074 - Inspection apparatus, sample and inspection method: An inspection apparatus is disclosed having an radiation system configured to provide an radiation beam, a beamnsplitter configured to create, from the radiation beam, a first illumination beam and a second illumination beam directed to a planar reference part of a sample and a patterned part of the sample, respectively,...

20060126075 - Small angle high frequency angular displacement measurement system: A system to determine unwanted noise produced by simulation equipment. In one embodiment, an angular rotation noise measuring system comprises a stable body, a laser, at least one interferometer and at least one mirror. The laser is adapted to generate a primary laser beam and is mounted to the stable...

20060126077 - Method and apparatus for measuring holding distortion: There are carried out a first measurement operation for measuring the shape of a front surface of a sample held in a held state, a second measurement operation for measuring the shape of a back surface of the sample held in the same state, and a third measurement operation for...

20060126076 - Reduced coherence symmetric grazing incidence differential interferometer: A system for inspecting specimens such as semiconductor wafers is provided. The system provides scanning of dual-sided specimens using a diffraction grating that widens and passes nth order (n>0) wave fronts to the specimen surface and a reflective surface for each channel of the light beam. Two channels and two...

20060126078 - Active beam catcher: A beam catcher (3) for a light beam (1) includes a photodetector (6) having a plurality of photodiodes (8) which are offset along a line in a defined manner with respect to a reference point (7), an evaluating unit (11) having a parameter set (P) of at least one associated...

20060126079 - Multiple angle of incidence spectroscopic scatterometer system: Techniques for optimizing the sensitivity of spectroscopic measurement techniques with respect to certain profile variables by selecting desired measurement angles since the measurement sensitivity to each variable depends, at least in part, on the measurement angles of an incident beam. The selected desired set of measurement angles includes both an...

20060126080 - Light irradiating device and particle imaging device comprising the light irradiating device: An light irradiating device is described, a representative of which includes: a light source; a first projector lens system including, a first lens member for collimating a light beam emitted from the light source into a collimated light beam, a wavelength selecting unit for selectively transmitting a light having a...

20060114447 - Laser radar apparatus having multiple output wavelengths: A coherent laser radar (lidar) device is described. The device has a transmitter portion that comprises a single wavelength laser source, a conversion means (such as an electro-optic modulator) for producing a combined light beam that comprises at least two component light beams of discrete wavelength from the output of...

20060114448 - Multiple optical channels: The invention relates to an electronic distance measuring apparatus for surveying, e.g. for measuring the distance from the apparatus to an object. The apparatus comprises: a) an objective lens (101), defining an optical axis (OA), b) at least two sources (111, 112) of structured light for transmitting beams (λ1, λ2)...

20060114449 - System for visualisation of optical marking on an opthalmic lens, stmap-marking device and method for orientation of lenses using such a system: The system comprises a light source, supplying an incident light beam illuminating the ophthalmic lens. On the optical path of the incident beam, reflecting means are arranged downstream from the ophthalmic lens and a collimation and magnifying lens is arranged upstream from the ophthalmic lens. A camera, the lens, the...

20060114450 - Interferometric analysis method for the manufacture of nano-scale devices: The present invention features a method to determine relative spatial parameters between two coordinate systems, which may be a mold and a region of a substrate in which mold is employed to generate a pattern. The method includes sensing relative alignment between the two coordinate systems at multiple points and...

20060114451 - Method and apparatus for measuring brightness: An apparatus for measuring brightness transmitted by a light-emitting display unit of a laser telescope and observed by the user's eyes comprises a focusing unit (11), a sensor unit (12), a processing unit (13) and a display unit (14). A method of measuring brightness includes the steps of: providing a...

20060114452 - Control device for a conveyor: The invention relates to a control device for a conveyor comprising an elastomeric conveyor belt which is provided with a carrying side for transporting material and a pulley side and comprises, in particular an embedded strength support, an optoelectronic system for optically detecting the belt surface, in particular the carrying...

20060114453 - Inspection system and a method for aerial reticle inspection: A method for inspecting a reticle, that includes the following stages: providing a reticle designed to be exposed by light of a first wavelength during a photolithography process; defining optical characteristics of an inspection system, whereas the optical characteristics include a second wavelength that differs from the first wavelength; and...

20060114454 - Optical claibration method: Disclosed is a method for calibrating an optical component, such as a DWDM, a thin film filter, a collimator, and a wave-guide. The method includes the steps of projecting a laser beam through the optical component, detecting the transmitting power while moving the optical component until the transmitting power is...

20060114455 - Cassette assemblies for testing devices and methods: Cassette assemblies for use with analyte measurement systems are provided. A cassette assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a disk that can hold a plurality of test sensors and rotate relative to a hub. Such cassette assemblies include the capability to lock relative rotational movement between the disk...

20060114456 - Automated laser capture microdissection: Systems and methods for automated laser capture microdissection are disclosed. High throughput microdissection is provided by using cell procurement and multi-imaging tools for pre-selecting cells of interest. Novel methods of computer-controlled cap transfer along with automated multi-slide and multi-cap placements, and automated slide and cap detection are provided. The systems...

20060114457 - Method and apparatus for monitoring output signal instability in a light source: A spectrophotometric instrument is comprised of a processor, a probe having a tissue engaging surface with an aperture therethrough and a light source producing measurement light signals and optically coupled to the probe via a first optical path. A partially reflective first reflecting member is located in the probe and...

20060114459 - Optical fiber type spectroscope and spectroscope system equipped therewith: A spectroscope includes an optical fiber 218, a collimator optical system 231 for collimating signal light come out from the optical fiber 218, a spectroscopic element 233 for dispersing the signal light collimated by the collimator optical system 231, a detector 237 composed of a plurality of detector elements 237a...

20060114458 - Spectroscope and microspectroscope equipped therewith: A spectroscope capable of suppressing the dimension and the cost with avoiding a problem caused by polarization dependency of the diffraction grating. The spectroscope includes a polarizing beam splitter plate 3 that divides the light from an input fiber 1 into a first and a second optical paths and polarizes...

20060114460 - Method and device for selecting shade of a colour coding ring: A method and a device for determining the sample of a colour coding ring closest to the colour of at least one element of a patient's set of teeth (3). The method includes steps which consist in: with imaging elements having a video camera (1), inputting and freezing on the...

20060114461 - Arrangement of color filters for characterizing the color of an aggregate light: In one embodiment, a plurality of color filters arranged in an N×N array. The color filters comprise equal numbers of color filters for each of three or more different colors. The color filters are arranged symmetrically in both an X and a Y direction. The center of gravity for each...

20060114462 - Apparatus and method for measuring wavelength of an optical light: A measuring-wavelength apparatus includes a beam splitter (2), a first optical sensor (6), a second optical sensor (7), a signal-attenuation component (5) and a processing unit (8). A measuring-wavelength method comprising: splitting an incoming light into a first beam and a second beam; transforming the first beam into a first...

20060114463 - Method for the optical inspection of a transparent protective layer and of a colored patterned surface: With a method for the optical inspection of a transparent protective layer (14) and of a colored patterned surface, whereby the transparent protective layer (14) at least partially covers the colored patterned surface, and a first source of illumination (40) and an imaging sensor (42) associated with the first source...

20060114464 - Mobile remote detection device and remote detection method for methane gas accumulations: The invention relates to a mobile remote detection device for accumulations of methane, comprising an emitter device having a light source in order to generate light, the wavelength of said light source being tuned with the spectral signature of methane, whereby the light can be directed onto a measuring field....

20060114465 - Dual illumination angle goniometric spectrophotometer: The present disclosure provides for a device, as well as a system and method associated therewith, for, among other things, providing: (i) up to five distinct measurement angles along with an illumination reference channel; (ii) a plurality of illumination sources that provide a focused beam of illumination at specific desired...

20060114466 - Confocal 4-pi microscope and method for confocal4-pi microscopy: The invention relates to a confocal 4π microscopy method which is characterized by coherently illuminating a sample from two sides by one objective each with illumination light which has at least one illumination wavelength, whereby a stationary illumination wave having a main illumination maximum and secondary illumination maxima is produced...

20060114468 - Interferometer system, signal processing method in interferometer system, and stage using signal processing: A method for processing a signal in an interferometer system that measures position information of an object under measurement based on reflected light obtained by directing a measurement light onto the object under measurement, includes a delaying step of obtaining a delayed signal by causing a delay of a prescribed...

20060114469 - Method and system for determining the position and alignment of a surface of an object in relation to a laser beam: The present invention generally relates to a method and system for determining the position and alignment of a plane in relation to an intersecting axis and using that known position and alignment to allow for corrections to be made when using the plane as a reference plane. More particularly, the...

20060114467 - Methods and apparatus for electrophoretic mobility determination using phase light scattering analysis: An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining electrophoretic mobility using scattering light phase analysis comprising emitting a laser light along a path and transmitting a first portion of the laser light and reflecting a second portion of the laser light. The apparatus and method can also comprise deflecting one...

20060114470 - Spectrometric measuring instrument: Providing a spectrometric measuring instrument suitable for in-line measurement for example in a semiconductor manufacturing process, an FPD manufacturing process, or the like, by realizing size reduction and imparting resistance to distance fluttering, angle fluttering in a horizontal direction, and angle fluttering in a perpendicular direction. A light interference type...

20060114471 - Interferometric optical analyzer and method for measuring the linear response of an optical component: An interferometric optical analyzer apparatus comprises a light source, an interferometer and a detection system for determining the linear response, and subsequently any optical parameter, of one or more optical elements using substantially unpolarized light. In one embodiment, the light source supplies substantially unpolarized coherent light over a predetermined range...

20060114473 - Arrangements, devices, endoscopes, catheters and methods for performing optical imaging by simultaneously illuminating and detecting multiple points on a sample: Devices, arrangements, endoscopes, catheters and methods adapted to propagate at least one electro-magnetic radiation are provided. In particular, a waveguide apparatus specifically configured may be utilized to split the electro-magnetic radiation into a plurality of beams that are intended to illuminate a biological sample, and impart a unique associated characteristic...

20060114472 - Fizeau interferometer designs for optical coherence tomography: A number of new interferometer designs for optical coherence tomography applications are described. The interferometers are designed to be light efficient to overcome the poor signal to noise ratio inherent to optical coherence tomography systems....

20060114474 - Interference measuring apparatus: An interference measuring apparatus has an optical system for dividing a coherent light beam into two light beams, causing the divided two light beams to pass along discrete optical paths and making them into linearly polarized light beams orthogonal to each other and given modulation to the phase of the...

20060114475 - Measurement of complex surface shapes using a spherical wavefront: Conical surfaces (and other complex surface shapes) can be interferometrically characterized using a locally spherical measurement wavefront (e.g., spherical and aspherical wavefronts). In particular, complex surface shapes are measured relative to a measurement point datum. This is achieved by varying the radius of curvature of a virtual surface corresponding to...

20060114476 - Exposure apparatus with interferometer: A projection exposure apparatus includes an exposure light source, an illumination system for illuminating a pattern, formed on a first object, with light from the exposure light source and passing through the illumination system, a projection optical system for projecting a pattern, as illuminated with the light, onto a second...

20060114477 - System for determining the configuration of obscured structure by employing phase profilometry and method of use therefor: An application of phase profilometry to determine the 3-D configuration of normally obscured structure. In one application, the undercarriage of a vehicle is captured in a 3-D profile while the vehicle is operating normally. The system may use a digital camera; a computer for control, communications, processing, comparing configurations and...

20060114478 - Evaluating effects of tilt angle in ion implantation: Effect of tilt angle, at which ions are implanted into a semiconductor layer of a wafer, is evaluated by measuring reflectance of a region which has implanted ions in first areas that are interdigitated with a corresponding number of second areas lacking the implanted ions (or having the same specie...