Optics: measuring and testing inventions 10/06

20060238741 - Gas leakage monitoring method and its system: A gas leakage monitoring method and system capable of ensuring safety of a gas utilization facility by visualizing invisible-to-naked-eye leakage gas and/or flame of leakage gas into the form of an image. The gas leakage monitoring method comprises the steps of collecting a detected light of a particular wavelength, which...

20060238742 - Short duty cycle lidar: A method and system of frequency tagging lidar light signals is disclosed. An optical synthesizer can be used to provide a sequence of frequency tagged light signals so as to substantially mitigate ambiguity associated with received light signals. This results in a desirable reduction in the duration of a duty...

20060238743 - Speckle reduction optical mount device: An optical mount device for holographic and diffractive beam shaped image speckle reduction by active beam sampling by means of low and high frequency vibrations induced in the HOE/DOE optical mount. A holographic optical element or a diffractive optical element is placed into an optical mount which is isolated by...

20060238744 - Apparatus: The invention provides an improved evaporator system for use in evaporative light scattering detectors....

20060238745 - Microscope: The microscope has a first pulsed laser generating means, a second pulsed laser generating means, an irradiation means to irradiate to a specimen by composing the first pulse light and the second pulse light, a coherent Raman scattering light extraction means for extracting only the coherent Raman scattering light from...

20060238746 - Active wavelength converter for use with an optical time-domain reflectometer (otdr) and method for increasing otdr supervision distance range: According to another characteristic of the present invention, the “METHOD FOR INCREASING THE OTDR SUPERVISION DISTANCE RANGE” consists of placing converters 4b at the route points in which the optical signal originated in the OTDR has reached its useful attenuation limit and needs to be recovered. Each converter 4b is...

20060238749 - Flare measuring method and flare measuring apparatus, exposure method and exposure apparatus, and exposure apparatus adjusting method: A flare measuring method and a flare measuring apparatus for measuring flaring occurring on optical systems, an exposure method and an exposure apparatus, and an exposure apparatus adjusting method capable of quantitatively measuring information regarding flare which occur on optical systems are to be provided. A flare measuring apparatus for...

20060238747 - Measuring device for measuring the refraction properties of optical lenses: The invention relates to a measuring device (01) for measuring the refraction properties of optical lenses (07), especially spectacle glasses, comprising a measuring light grid (20) for producing a plurality of light beams (16) which are deflected by the lens (07) as a result of refraction of light, and comprising...

20060238748 - Measuring device for measuring the refraction properties of optical lenses: The invention relates to a measuring device (01) for measuring the refraction properties of optical lenses (07), especially spectacle glasses, comprising a measuring light grid (20) for producing a plurality of light beams (16) which are deflected by the lens (07) as a result of refraction of light, and comprising...

20060238750 - Measurement method of the current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic devices, a solar simulator for the measurement, and a module for setting irradiance and a part for adjusting irradiance used for the solar simulator: In a solar simulator for measuring the current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic devices, it is to provide a measurement method using a solar simulator in which locative unevenness of irradiance on the test plane of the test plane side is drastically improved, not in a light source side, and a means...

20060238751 - Method of detecting an edge bead removal line on a wafer: To determine an edge bead removal line (17) on a wafer (10), first lines or edges (38, 40, 42, 44) in the edge area (19) of the wafer (10) are detected. A first line area (48) and a second line area (50) are defined on either side of these lines...

20060238754 - Defect inspection apparatus and defect inspection method: An apparatus and a method for defect inspection enables a reduction in the amount of noise light from an underlying layer and a good defect inspection reliably. The apparatus includes an illumination device that irradiates, with illumination light, a substrate to be inspected including a resist layer having cyclic patterns...

20060238752 - Particle inspection apparatus and method, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method: An inspection apparatus for inspecting a surface of an object for a particle includes an irradiator configured to irradiate the surface with inspection light, a first detector configured to detect light scattered at the surface, and a shield configured to limit an irradiation region of the inspection light emitted by...

20060238753 - Visual inspection apparatus: A visual inspection apparatus of the present invention comprising illuminating units such as a wide range illuminating unit irradiating light on a wafer, a slit illuminating unit, and a spot illuminating unit, a swinging mechanism that movably swings and retains a wafer, and a control unit that controls these illuminating...

20060238755 - Method for analyzing defect data and inspection apparatus and review system: The distribution states of defects are analyzed on the basis of the coordinates of defects detected by an inspection apparatus to classify them into a distribution feature category, or any one of repetitive defect, congestion defect, linear distribution defect, ring/lump distribution defect and random defect. In the manufacturing process for...

20060238756 - Fast spectral confocal imager: Fast confocal spectral imagers are provided. A fast confocal spectral imager according to the invention includes a spectral imager coupled to a fast confocal microscope. A laser is provided for generating laser light, which passes through scanning optics which are configured to scan a line- or slit-shaped region of a...

20060238757 - Method and system for detecting, classifying and identifying particles: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting, classifying and identifying airborne and non-airborne particles on an individual basis in substantially real time by directing a particle stream to react with optical reporters and markers and then exposing the stream to an excitation source such that individual particles have their...

20060238758 - Near-field polarized-light measurement apparatus: A near-field polarized-light measurement apparatus 10 comprises a near-field probe 14, an analyzer 18, a detector 22, and an analyzer-rotating unit 20. The near-field probe 14 has at a tip thereof an opening smaller than the wavelength of light used for measurement and generates linearly polarized near-field light from the...

20060238760 - Method and apparatus for observing and inspecting defects: A defect inspecting apparatus is disclosed that can detect finer defects with high resolution optical images of those defects, and which makes the difference in contrast greater between fine line patterns of a semiconductor device. The defect inspecting apparatus includes a sample mounting device for mounting a sample; lighting and...

20060238759 - Spectroscopic polarimetry: In the channeled spectroscopic polarimetry, a measurement error of a parameter showing a spectropolarization characteristic of a sample is effectively removed, the error being generated by various variations in retardation of a retarder depending upon the state of the sample. With attention being focused on that the retardation of the...

20060238761 - Method for analyzing overlay errors: A method for analyzing overlay errors in lithography is described. Interfield sampling and intrafield sampling are first conducted to sample multiple positions on each of the wafers, and then the overlay error value at each of the positions is measured. An overlay error model including coefficients of intrafield and interfield...

20060238763 - An improved apparatus and method for measuring temperature dependent properties of liquid: The present invention relates generally to an improved method and apparatus for measurement of properties of a sample as a function of temperature. The method and apparatus are based on formation of a stable temperature gradient through the holding fixture such as a cell or a plate containing the sample...

20060238762 - 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...

20060238764 - Determination of light absorption pathlength in a vertical-beam photometer: Disclosed are photometric methods and devices for determining optical pathlength of liquid samples containing analytes dissolved or suspended in a solvent. The methods and devices rely on determining a relationship between the light absorption properties of the solvent and the optical pathlength of liquid samples containing the solvent. This relationship...

20060238765 - High throughput imaging device and method: An imaging device and system for the high throughput imaging of multi-sample containers is described. Generally speaking, one or more containers capable of holding multiple sample volumes are fixed to a platform which is rotated during image acquisition operations. Images of sample volumes are obtained by moving an imaging device...

20060238767 - Coupled waveguide-surface plasmon resonance biosensor: The present invention discloses a coupled waveguide-surface plasmon resonance biosensor, comprising: a grating layer formed of a transparent material, the grating layer comprising a first periodic grating structure; a waveguide layer formed on the first periodic grating structure, the refractive index of the waveguide layer being larger than the refractive...

20060238766 - Surface plasmon resonance sensor: An improved Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor (8) is described that is compact, simple to align and cost effective to produce, thus making the device highly mobile and so idea for field applications. These characteristics are achieved through the employment of a pre-formed cartridge (10) that provides for the required manipulation...

20060238768 - Fourier transform infrared spectrometer: A method and apparatus for measuring radiometric signals. An infrared energy signal is directed through a sample and combined with a selected signal to reduce the effect of analog-to-digital converter nonlinearity. The combined signal is processed to, for example, accurately and repeatably identify the types of and concentration of molecules...

20060238769 - Tilt compensated interferometers: A novel variation of Michelson's interferometer uses tilt- and shear-compensation optics together with a beamsplitter and parallel reflector assembly to allow various mirror motions to produce variation of path difference. The tilt-compensation mechanism consists of two complementary reflections from a single plane mirror to produce a beam having a constant...

20060238770 - Elementary matrix based optical signal/network analyzer: A method for characterizing a device under test includes propagating multiple optical signals through the device under test and combining the multiple optical signals with a reference optical signal. The multiple optical signals are mixed with the reference optical signal and a relative perturbation between the multiple optical signals from...

20060238771 - Interferometric measuring device: An interferometric measuring device for recording the shape, the roughness or the clearance distance of the surface of a measured object is provided, the measuring device having a modulating interferometer, to which is supplied short-coherent radiation by a radiation source, and which has a first beam splitter for splitting the...

20060238772 - Faster processing of multiple spatially-heterodyned direct to digital holograms: Systems and methods are described for faster processing of multiple spatially-heterodyned direct to digital holograms. A method includes of obtaining multiple spatially-heterodyned holograms, includes: digitally recording a first spatially-heterodyned hologram including spatial heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis; digitally recording a second spatially-heterodyned hologram including spatial heterodyne fringes for Fourier analysis;...

20060238773 - Interferometer optical element alignment: A method for aligning an optical element of an optical interferometer in which a beam of light interacts with the optical element and the optical element is tilted about first and second axes to adjust the relative phase of components of the beam. At least three parallel alignment beams of...

20060238774 - Interferometric measuring device: An interferometric measuring device, especially for measuring the shape of a surface of an object, includes a radiation source emits a short coherent electromagnetic radiation, a component, in particular a beam splitter, to form an object beam that is guided to the object via an object light path, and a...

20060238775 - Tunable laser for dynamic measurement: A method for monitoring changes in a gap which corresponds to changes in a particular environmental parameter using a tunable laser and interferometer at high frequency is disclosed. The laser light provided to the interferometer is swept through a small range of wavelengths. Light modulated by the interferometer is detected...

20060238776 - System for sensing an absolute position in two dimensions using a target pattern: A system for sensing an absolute position in two dimensions includes a target having a two-dimensional target pattern. A sensor captures an image of a first subset of the target pattern. A controller generates a first image vector representing summations of rows of pixel values from the image, and a...

20060232760 - Readout integrated circuit (roic) for laser detection and ranging (ladar) system and method for using same: Disclosed is a LADAR system and a method for operating same. The LADAR system includes circuitry for generating the electrical signal with an optical signal detector using N discrete samples; a bank of M parallel sample/hold circuit unit cells individual ones of which operate with an associated sample/hold clock, where...

20060232762 - Optical element, measuring apparatus and measuring method: The optical element comprises a beam transformer and at least two non-reciprocal components for propagation-direction-dependent polarization operations such that an entrance aperture of the transmission direction, a common two-directional aperture for an exit in the transmission direction and for an entrance in the reception direction, and an exit aperture of...

20060232761 - Laser designator for sensor-fuzed munition and method of operation thereof: In a sensor-fused munition system and method, the munition is provided with an additional laser designator mode of operation. In the laser designator mode, the munition has the option of initiating a target strike additionally based on whether laser designator energy is detected as being present on the target. This...

20060232763 - Optical element, measuring apparatus and measuring method: The optical element comprises a beam transformer and at least one non-reciprocal component for propagation-direction-dependent polarization operation such that an entrance aperture of the transmission direction, a common two-directional aperture for an exit in the transmission direction and for an entrance in the reception direction, and an exit aperture of...

20060232764 - Method and system for prediction the color of gemstones: Predicting a first color of a gemstone to be cut to have a first geometry, from an uncut gemstone having a second color and a second geometry, is performed by means of a system comprising gemstone-mapping device for measuring the second geometry of the uncut gemstone, a spectral measurement device...

20060232765 - Mixer-based time domain reflectometer and method: An apparatus to measure optical characteristics of a fiber optic transmission line or other optical medium may include a source to generate a bipolar pulse signal waveform. The apparatus may also include a mixer to mix the bipolar pulse signal waveform and an optical pulse and reflected signal waveform from...

20060232766 - Methods of inspecting ophthalmic lenses: Methods of inspecting ophthalmic lenses contained in packages by treating the packages with an electrical charge prior to adding a liquid and the ophthalmic lens to the package....

20060232767 - Method for determining wavelengths of light incident on a photodetector: Described are a method and a photodetector system for determining a wavelength of light. A current generated in a photodetector in response to incident light is determined. The incident light is terminated and a decay current generated by the photodetector is determined. The wavelength of the light is determined according...

20060232768 - Evaluating a multi-layered structure for voids: A method and apparatus measure properties of two layers of a damascene structure (e.g. a silicon wafer during fabrication), and use the two measurements to identify a location as having voids. The two measurements may be used in any manner, e.g. compared to one another, and voids are deemed to...

20060232769 - Defect inspection apparatus, defect inspection method and method of inspecting hole pattern: A defect inspection apparatus for inspecting a defect of a substrate as an object to be inspected comprises an illumination optical system for illuminating the substrate, a receiving optical system for receiving diffracted light from the substrate and a polarizing element provided in either one of the illumination optical system...

20060232770 - Method and apparatus for scanning, stitching, and damping measurements of a double-sided metrology inspection tool: A system for inspecting specimens such as semiconductor wafers is provided. The system provides scanning of dual-sided specimens using a damping arrangement which filters unwanted acoustic and seismic vibration, including an optics arrangement which scans a first portion of the specimen and a translation or rotation arrangement for translating or...

20060232771 - Gray balance calibration of an imaging system: A calibration system includes a printer capable of being calibrated and a printable calibration sheet. The printable calibration sheet includes at least one calibration reference segment printed on the sheet and one or more defined printing spaces on the sheet. The at least one calibration reference segment includes one or...

20060232772 - Dense pattern optical multipass cell: A multiple pass optical cell and method comprising providing a pair of opposed cylindrical mirrors having curved axes with substantially equal focal lengths, positioning an entrance hole for introducing light into the cell and an exit hole for extracting light from the cell, wherein the entrance hole and exit hole...

20060232773 - Apparatus and method for detecting aerosol: The apparatus and method for detecting aerosol includes transmitting a light beam, focusing at least one image sensor having a field of view that encompasses at least a portion of the light beam on a portion of the light beam, capturing an image of the light beam by the image...

20060232774 - Method for generation of a digital output signal of a photosensor and its design: A method for generating a digital output signal of a photosensor with at least one light-sensitive pixel is provided. An electrical intensity signal is generated by incident light, this being evaluated after or during an adjustable exposure time to generate a digital output signal. The exposure time is divided into...

20060232775 - Systems and methods for use in detecting harmful aerosol particles: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols....

20060232776 - Systems and methods for use in detecting harmful aerosol particles: The invention provides systems and methods for detecting aerosols. The systems and methods can be used to detect harmful aerosols, such as, bio-aerosols....

20060232777 - Method and system for automatic target finding: A method and system are presented for automatic target finding by using two imaging channels with relatively low and high magnifications, using the low magnification channel (relatively large field of view) for finding a region of interest (i.e., that of the targets location within the field), scanning this zone by...

20060232778 - Sensor system for a ring spinning machine: A ring frame (113) in a ring spinning machine is provided with an optical sensor for scanning the state of a spinning position. The sensor comprises a light beam transmitter (236) and a light beam receiver (238) for receiving light which is emitted by the transmitter (26) and reflected by...

20060232779 - Apparatus and method based on cavity ring-down spectroscopy: This invention is generally concerned with sensing apparatus and methods, more particularly apparatus and methods for sensing techniques based upon cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). An evanescent wave cavity-based optical sensor is described. The sensor comprises an optical cavity formed by a pair of highly reflective surfaces (108, 110) such that...

20060232780 - Particle imaging system with a varying flow rate: A particle imaging system and a method provided for analyzing particles in a fluid; the system comprising a means for capturing image data of the fluid within a sample cell, and a means for flow control, a valve and a pump, wherein the fluid within the sample cell is periodically...

20060232781 - Miniature fourier transform spectrophotometer: The Miniature Fourier Transform Spectrophotometer provides the capability, in a miniaturized device, of determining the light absorption/transmission spectra of a collected sample of gas or liquid though Fourier Transform spectroscopy techniques. The device takes an optical input from an optical fiber, manipulates that light through miniature optical components, and launches...

20060232782 - Optical power measurement of a closed loop fiber optic gyroscope: This disclosure describes fiber optic gyroscopes that have integrated power measurement capabilities, and related methods and apparatus. More particularly, it describes determining the optical power of a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) by temporarily adjusting the phase difference between two counter-propagating light beams, measuring the change in light intensity caused by...

20060232783 - Methods and systems for reducing complex conjugat ambiguity in interferometric data: A complex conjugate ambiguity can be resolved in an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) interferogram. A reference light signal is propagated along a reference path. A sample light signal is impinged on a sample reflector. The reference light signal is frequency shifted with respect to the sample light signal to thereby...

20060232784 - Interferometers of high resolutions: The present invention provides a microstructure device comprising multiple substrates with the components of the device formed on the substrates. In order to maintain uniformity of the gap between the substrates, a plurality of pillars is provided and distributed in the gap so as to prevent decrease of the gap...

20060232785 - Interferometers of high resolutions: The present invention provides a microstructure device comprising multiple substrates with the components of the device formed on the substrates. In order to maintain uniformity of the gap between the substrates, a plurality of pillars is provided and distributed in the gap so as to prevent decrease of the gap...

20060232786 - Three-dimensional measuring apparatus for scanning an object and a measurement head of a three-dimensional measuring apparatus and method of using the same: An improved three-dimensional (3D) measuring apparatus for scanning an object and a measurement head of a measuring apparatus and a method for using the measuring apparatus for scanning an object....

20060232787 - Method for contactlessly and dynamically detecting the profile of a solid body: The invention relates to a method for contactlessly and dynamically detecting the profile of a solid body. At least one light beam is generated by a laser device and expanded to form a linear light band projected onto the moving surface of the solid body. Light reflected from the surface...

20060232788 - Method and a device for measuring the three dimension surface shape by projecting moire interference fringe: The invention discloses a method and device for measuring 3-D surface shape by projected moiré interference fringe. The said device includes a projection device for projecting mark point and main grating line, an observation device for receiving the mark point and grating line projected onto the object surface, and two-coordinates...

20060232790 - Confocal measurement method and apparatus in a paper machine: A method of determining a distance to an object, includes the steps of: focusing light from a light source onto the object using a lens; collecting light that is reflected and scattered from the object using the lens; focusing the collected light onto a plurality of light detectors; establishing an...

20060232789 - Position referencing system: The present invention relates to a position referencing system and method for horizontal or vertical conveyance, e.g., an elevator. The position referencing system includes a plurality of spaced apart color elements or reflectors (42) attached to a static structure (40), such as a door frame in a hoistway or guideway,...

20060232792 - Coordinate input apparatus, control method thereof, and program: The point state of a pointer in a coordinate input region is determined on the basis of the number and intensities of shadows which are present in light intensity distributions obtained from a plurality of sensors in accordance with pointing by the pointer....

20060232791 - Method and system for checking the position of a mechanical part with a light beam: A method and a system for checking the position of a mechanical part (2), for example a tool of a lathe, along a checking direction (X), employs an optoelectronic device (1) with a laser beam (7) and a sensor (8) for detecting the interruption of the beam. Mutual displacements between...

20060227315 - Time-of-flight measurement using pulse sequences: A method for determining the time-of-flight of a device under test, wherein a return signal returning from the device under test in response to the probing signal comprising a sequence of pulses according to a first code sequence is detected and a second code sequence from the detected return signal...

20060227316 - Three-dimensional imaging device: A laser radar capable of measuring range to a target at many simultaneous points and with variable resolution is disclosed. Unlike conventional range sensors the device does not require short optical pulses or high electronics bandwidths to function. The disclosed invention uses frequency-modulated CW (FMCW) lasers, coherent detection, and low...

20060227317 - Efficient lidar with flexible target interrogation pattern: A system for observing a field of view including a light transmitter and a light detector. A path is defined between the transmitter and the detector. The light transmitter generates substantially coherent light onto a transmit portion of a light path and the light detector is positioned in a receive...

20060227318 - Combined laser altimeter and ground velocity measurement apparatus: Combined laser-based apparatus for determining both altitude and ground velocity of an aircraft comprises: a laser source for emitting pulsed laser beams substantially at a predetermined wavelength; a plurality of first optical elements for directing the laser beams from a first optical path to a second optical path which exits...

20060227319 - Measuring method and apparatus for measuring an optical property of a fluorescent sample: The method and the apparatus measures the total spectral radiance factor Bxs(λ) of a fluorescent sample illuminated by a specified illumination for testing Is without a fluorescent standard and a bothersome UV correction using it. The method and the apparatus calculates Bxs(λ) based on the spectral intensity Is(λ) of the...

20060227320 - Absorbance reader, absorbance reader control method , and absorbance calculation program: The absorbance of samples in a number of wells on a microchamber array is efficiently read in a short period of time. The microchamber array is simultaneously irradiated with monochromatic light. Well-transmitted light is captured via a telecentric optical system (23) by an imaging camera (24) as an image, and...

20060227321 - Non-destructive in-situ elemental profiling: A non-destructive in-situ elemental profiling of a layer in a set of layers method and system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first emission of a plurality of photoelectrons is caused from the layer to be elementally profiled. An elemental profile of the layer is determined based on the emission....

20060227322 - Image detection and identification device: An imaging device is provided which may include a plurality of imaging lenses. Each imaging lens may be placed adjacent to a dispersive element. The imaging lenses and dispersive element(s) may be placed adjacent to a focal plane array to allow light from a light emitting event traveling through the...

20060227323 - Converging sheet, surface light source unit, and transmission type display: A converging sheet includes a light-emerging-side lens member formed of a plurality of unit lenses of convex shape that are arranged on a light-emerging side, and a scattering layer that is formed along a surface of each unit lens and scatters light. The scattering layer includes light diffusing particles. A...

20060227324 - Systems and methods for detecting scattered light from a particle using illumination incident at an angle: A particle detection system uses illumination incident at an angle to detect particles in a liquid such as water. By using illumination incident at an angle, the scattered light can be measured through a range of angles that are greater than the measured range of angles produced when the illumination...

20060227325 - Compact optical detection system for a microfluidic device: An optical detection system for a microfluidic device and a dry-focus microfluidic device compatible with the compact optical detection system are described. The system includes an LED; means for collimating light emitted by the LED; an aspherical, fused-silica objective lens; means for directing the collimated light through the objective onto...

20060227326 - Systems and methods for measurement of properties of small volume liquid samples: A system for measuring properties of small volume samples....

20060227327 - Absorption spectroscopy apparatus and method: An absorption spectroscopy apparatus including a sample cell having a central axis, and a side wall coaxially positioned about the axis. The side wall defines a generally circular cross-section of the cell as taken along a plane extending perpendicular to the axis, wherein the generally circular cross-section of the sample...

20060227328 - Light-sensing system that uses light guides: Light-sensing systems and methods thereof are described. A light source illuminates target areas arrayed on a surface. Light guides receive light reflected from the target areas. The amount of light reflected from a target area corresponds at least in part to the composition of a substance associated with that target...

20060227329 - Light scatter measurement apparatus and method: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for measuring light scatter loss from a test piece includes a light source, an optical cavity including the test piece and at least one mirror located along a path, and a light detector. The cavity receives an input beam...

20060227330 - Optical sensing of measurands: A dome-shaped chemical sensing probe comprises an optical fiber or may be mounted on an optical fiber. The probe has a chemically sensitive measuring material which exhibits a change in volume and/or a change in refractive index in the presence of a given chemical. The change in volume and/or refractive...

20060227331 - Method and apparatus for measuring and monitoring optical properties based on a ring-resonator: A method and apparatus for performing refractive index, birefringence and optical activity measurements of a material such as a solid, liquid, gas or thin film is disclosed. The method and apparatus can also be used to measure the properties of a reflecting surface. The disclosed apparatus has an optical ring-resonator...

20060227332 - Lithographic apparatus and a method of calibrating such an apparatus: A lithographic apparatus includes an object support configured to support an object. The apparatus further includes X, Y and Z interferometer measurement systems, and an object support positioning system configured to position the object support in a number of degrees of freedom on the basis of measurements of the interferometer...

20060227334 - Aberration measuring method for projection optical system with a variable numerical aperture in an exposure apparatus: A method disclosed in this specification is an aberration measuring method in which a light flux converged by a condensing optical system is made incident on a optical system to be measured, the light flux that has passed through the optical system to be measured is reflected by a reflecting...

20060227333 - Speckle reduction in optical coherence tomography by path length encoded angular compounding: Speckle, a factor reducing image quality in optical coherence tomography (“OCT”), can limit the ability to identify cellular structures that are important for the diagnosis of a variety of diseases. The present invention allows for an implementation of an angular compounding, angular compounding by path length encoding (“ACPE”) for reducing...

20060227335 - Light wavefront measuring instrument, light wavefront measuring method, and light source adjusting method: A light wavefront measuring apparatus (2, 2a, 42) includes a separating element (7a, 47a) for separating a flux of light which exits from an optical head (1, 31) into a first beam and a second beam, a first interference fringe display section (21, 21a) for displaying interference fringes formed from...

20060227336 - Apparatus and methods for preparing customized personal supports: An apparatus for determining the surface contour of an impression of a portion of a body in an impression capturing device. The apparatus includes a light source such as a laser capable of transmitting a beam onto a surface of a device, a digital stereo vision camera capable of recording...

20060227337 - Compact optical contour digitizer: An optical contour digitizer including a radiation source for emitting radiation therefrom, a first mirror for folding the radiation emitted from the radiation source towards an object being measured, a second mirror for folding a reflection of the radiation from the object being measured and a sensor for sensing the...

20060227338 - Method for three-dimensional shape measurement of a body: The invention relates to a method for three-dimensional shape measurement of a body or of a part thereof, in particular of a dental object such as a model, by scanning non-contact distance measurement using an optical sensor device comprising a beam source, where the shape of the body subjects reproducing...

20060227339 - Sensor device with a radiation directing surface: A sensor device includes a source of radiation and a reflective surface having a contour that directs radiation reflected from the surface along a field having at least two parallel sides. In a disclosed example, the reflective surface contour is at least partially curvilinear. A disclosed example includes a laser...

20060227340 - Position sensing apparatus, and position sensing method: An apparatus for sensing the position of an object includes an irradiation portion for irradiating the object with continuous electromagnetic radiation, a detection portion for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected by the object, and an output portion for supplying a change in an amplitude intensity or a phase of the electromagnetic...

20060227341 - Scanning unit for a position measuring system for the optical scanning of a scale and position measuring system utilizing such a scanning unit: A scanning unit for a position measuring system for the optical scanning of a scale, the scanning unit including a light source for transmitting light in a direction toward a section of a scale and a detector for receiving light modified by the scale. A lens arrangement placed in front...

20060227342 - Dual photo-acoustic and resistivity measurement system: A measurement system for measuring aspects of a wafer combines an apparatus for performing a conductivity measurement, such as a four-point probe system, with apparatus for performing an optical measurement, such as a photoacoustic measurement system. Results are obtained and combined to provide comprehensive data sets describing the characteristics of...

20060221324 - Laser riflescope with enhanced display brightness: A laser riflescope includes a laser emitter, a laser receiver, an objective lens group (11) for collecting the visible light from the target to be measured, an eyepiece group (14) adapted for observation by the user of the distance information of the target and defining an optical axis with the...

20060221325 - Flow cytometer for differentiating small particles in suspension: A flow cytometer includes an optical flow cell through which particles to be characterized on the basis of at least their respective side-scatter characteristics are caused to flow seriatim. A plane-polarized laser beam produced by a laser diode is used to irradiate the particles as they pass through a focused...

20060221326 - Method and apparatus for uniformity and brightness correction in an oled display: A method for the correction of average brightness or brightness uniformity variations in OLED displays comprising: a) providing an OLED display having one or more light-emitting elements responsive to a multi-valued input signal for causing the light-emitting elements to emit light at a plurality of brightness levels; b) measuring the...

20060221327 - Tilt meter based on the field transmission through a resonator: Described is a tilt meter for monitoring angle shift in an incident signal. The tilt meter includes a resonator for receiving an incident signal from a signal transmitter and outputting a resonated signal. An incident angle exists between a plane normal to the resonator and the incident signal. A sensor...

20060221328 - Automatic homing systems and other sensor systems: Automatic homing systems are disclosed, operable between pairs of objects. One or both of the objects in the pair may be moving and/or unmanned. Examples of a pair of objects between which the inventive automatic homing systems may be operated are ground vehicles in leader-follower configuration, as well as aircraft,...

20060221329 - Apparatus, systems and methods for processing and treating a biological fluid with light: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber...

20060221330 - Apparatus, systems and methods for processing and treating a biological fluid with light: Apparatus (10), systems and methods are disclosed for treating a biological fluid with light. A container (206) of biological fluid is introduced into a fluid treatment chamber (40) where it is contacted with light provided by one or more light sources (60, 70) in proximity to the fluid treatment chamber...

20060221331 - High throughput inspection system and a method for generating transmitted and/or reflected images: Inspection system and method for high-throughput inspection, the system and method is capable to generate and sense transmitted and/or reflected short duration beams. According to one embodiment of the invention the transmitted and reflected short duration beams are generated and sensed simultaneously thus provide a reflected image and a transmitted...

20060221332 - Inspecting apparatus, image pickup apparatus, and inspecting method: An inspecting apparatus includes an illuminating optical system which irradiates irradiation light onto an object to be inspected, an object placing stage which moves the object along a first direction, an accumulative sensor which converts a transmitted image of the object into an electric signal, a sensor drive unit which...

20060221333 - Inspection device for transparent substrate end surface and inspection method therefor: An inspection apparatus for inspecting an end face of a transparent substrate and an inspection method for inspecting an end face of a transparent substrate according to the present invention are capable of reliably and accurately detecting defects at the end face of the transparent substrate. When a display panel...

20060221334 - Method of making a standard tool for calibrating stress analysis measuring devices and a set of the standard tools: A method of making a standard tool for calibrating polarimeters that analyze stress in photoelastic material, includes the steps of partially annealing a starting piece of tempered glass so that the starting piece has a retardance below 250 nm/cm, removing a peripheral portion of the starting piece (preferably, at least...

20060221335 - Method and apparatus for interactive hyperspectral image subtraction: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for interactive hyperspectral image subtraction. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for obtaining a spectral image of a first specie from a frame of a plurality of pixels defining a composition of the first specie with a second specie. The...

20060221336 - Combining multi-spectral light from spatially separated sources: Systems and methods for biological sample detection by combining and directing light with an optical blender that provides a composite beam from spatially and spectrally distinct non-parallel light sources....

20060221337 - Method for corrected spectrophotometer output for measurements on multiple substrates: Small, fast, and inexpensive in-line spectrophotometers can produce in-line spectrums of a substrate before or after printing on the substrate. In-line spectrums are generally far less complete than a reference spectrum produced with a large, slow, and expensive reference spectrophotometer. An in-line spectrum can be mapped to a reference spectrum...

20060221338 - Granular product inspection device: A particle inspection device includes a feeder configured to drop a particle through an image area. The feeder includes a tray surface having a flat portion and an edge portion disposed above the image area. The inspection device also includes a vibration device configured to vibrate the feeder induce movement...

20060221339 - Manufacture defect analyzer with detecting function and inspecting method thereof: A manufacture defect analyzer (MDA) with a detecting function and inspecting method thereof are provided. The manufacture defect analyzer with a detecting function is for checking a to-be-inspected circuit board comprising a socket. The socket has an upper cover. The manufacture defect analyzer comprises a carrier, a detecting apparatus and...

20060221340 - Online grey balance with dynamic highlight and shadow controls: Tone reduction curves are utilized to map an input value to an output value. A tone reduction curve is normally produced by an algorithm that fits a curve to a series of knots. Knots can be determined from calibration data. Printing a calibration patch pattern yields a target patch pattern....

20060221341 - Systems and methods for compensating for temperature induced spectral emission variations in led based color parameter measuring devices: Systems and method provide compensation for temperature induced peak wavelength shift of LEDs is color parameter measuring systems that use a model to reconstruct target color parameter values from the reflectance values measured when the target is illuminated by LEDs. Several models may be constructed, with each model being trained...

20060221343 - Broadband surface plasmon jets: direct observation of plasmon propagation for application to sensors and optical communications in microscale and nanoscale circuitry: A system and method for generating and using broadband surface plasmons in a metal film for characterization of analyte on or near the metal film. The surface plasmons interact with the analyte and generate leakage radiation which has spectral features which can be used to inspect, identify and characterize the...

20060221342 - System for detecting droplets on a translucent surface: A system which detects droplets on a translucent surface having a camera which, upon activation, acquires an image of a portion of the surface. A radiation source, upon activation, illuminates the portion of the translucent surface while a control circuit selectively activates both the camera and the radiation source. A...

20060221345 - Optical measuring apparatus: Excitation light is inputted to an optical element with uniformly dispersed inorganic fluorescent nanoparticles whose radius is controlled. Fluorescence is emitted from the inorganic fluorescent nanoparticles through photoexcitation and outputted from one end of the optical element. By controlling the radius of the inorganic fluorescent nanoparticles dispersed in the optical...

20060221344 - Wavelength determining device, wavelength meter equipped with the device, wavelength determining method, program, and recording medium: There is provided a wavelength determining device including a reference wavelength measuring section 42 that, based upon a number A of interference fringes generated by an optical path difference of first reference wavelength light (wavelength: λ1) and a number C of interference fringes generated by the optical path difference of...

20060221346 - Two-dimensional spectral cameras and methods for capturing spectral information using two-dimensional spectral cameras: A low cost spectral camera may include a multiple Fabry-Perot cavity filter with silicon photodetectors distributed one beside another in a two-dimensional matrix fashion. Each cavity may be designed to capture a pixel from an image. The two-dimensional fabry-perot array may function as a sensor to capture an image in...

20060221347 - Adhesive system and method for forming a fiber optic gyroscope sensing coil: Adhesive system and method are provided for affixing a fiber optic coil to a hub with an adhesive in a fiber optic gyroscope. The adhesive system comprises a fiber optic coil, a substantially cylindrical hub configured to couple with the fiber optic coil, and an array of adhesive dots affixing...

20060221348 - Method for compensating errors in interferometric surface metrology: An method for determining a surface profile of an object is described. The method typically includes providing a surface profile (e.g., a height profile) of a test object measured by an interferometric profiler. Information related to field- and object orientation-dependent systematic errors of the interferometric profiler is provided. The surface...

20060221349 - Method for verifying scan precision of a laser measurement machine: A method for verifying scan precision of a laser measurement machine includes the steps of: preparing a standardized 3D profile model; determining an ideal curved surface as a conventional true value of the standardized 3D profile model; scanning the standardized 3D profile model by the laser measurement machine and obtaining...

20060221350 - Method for accurate high-resolution measurements of aspheric surfaces: A system comprising a plurality of methods for measuring surfaces or wavefronts from a test part with greatly improved accuracy, particularly the higher spatial frequencies on aspheres. These methods involve multiple measurements of a test part. One of the methods involves calibration and control of the focusing components of a...

20060221351 - Handheld metrology imaging system and method: A handheld metrology imaging system and method. In one embodiment, the device may comprise an imaging portion, a display portion, a signal processing and control portion, an image capture activation element and a user interface. The user interface may comprise user adjustable video measurement tools configurable relative to an image...

20060221352 - Optical pointing device: An optical pointing device, which is to be disposed on a working surface, includes a casing, a light source, a light sensor, and an obstructing member. The casing has a light transmissible portion. The light source is mounted in the casing, and emits light that is directed through the light...

20060221353 - Method and apparatus for end-point detection: An apparatus for detecting the end-point of an electropolishing process of a metal layer formed on a wafer (1004) includes an end-point detector. The end-point detector is disposed adjacent the nozzle (1008) used to electropolish the wafer. In one embodiment, the end-point detector is configured to measure the optical reflectivity...