Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and devices for luminescent (e.g., fluorometric) measurement. The disclosure includes frequency domain and single photon counting methods and utilizes low capacitance semiconductor light emitting devices.
Abstract:
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like.
Abstract:
For identifying black plastics effectively and rapidly with a laser-powered identification probe, it is desirable to maintain full laser power while reducing the power density. This is achieved by providing the probe with a moving lens that disperses the 0.5 mm laser spot over a larger area typically of about 5 mm in diameter. The entire signal from the larger (5 mm) diameter is collected at the same spot in the fiber bundle within the probe that leads to a Raman or other spectral analyzer. There are no other modifications required for the rest of the system as the moving lens does not affect the collection efficiency of the characteristic signal from the sample.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the spectrochemical analysis of a sample in which a solid state array detector (82) is used to detect radiation (62) of spectrochemical interest. The invention involves the use of a shutter (72) adjacent the entrance aperture (70) of a polychromator (74-80) to expose the detector (82) to the radiation (62) for varying lengths of time whereby for short duration exposure times charge accumulation in elements (i.e. pixels) of the detector (82) due to high intensity components of the radiation is limited and for longer exposure times charge accumulation in elements (pixels) of the detector (82) due to feeble intesity components of radiation (62) is increased. This ensures that each reading of the detector (82) includes at least one exposure in which the amount of charge accumulated at each wavelength of interest is neither too little or too great. The problems of feeble radiation components not being accurately measurable and of high intensity radiation components exceeding the charge carrying capacity of elements (pixels) of the detector (82) are thereby able to be avoided. An attenuator (90) may be placed between the radiation source (60) and the detector (82) to permit longer exposure times to be used for very high intensity radiation.
Abstract:
Embodiments disclosed include methods and apparatus for Fluorescent Enhanced Photothermal Infrared (FE-PTIR) spectroscopy and chemical imaging, which enables high sensitivity and high spatial resolution measurements of IR absorption with simultaneous confocal fluorescence imaging. In various embodiments, the FE-PTIR technique utilizes combined/simultaneous OPTIR and fluorescence imaging that provides significant improvements and benefits compared to previous work by simultaneous detection of both IR absorption and confocal fluorescence using the same optical detector at the same time.
Abstract:
An optical underwater communication system is disclosed which includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, each including one or more optical sources configured to provide light activated and deactivated according to a first bit stream, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from the other transceiver and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, a detector configured to i) convert the output voltage signal and the output current signal to pulses associated with arrival of photons, and ii) count the number of pulses based on a predetermined timing sequence, an encoder configured to encode a message to be sent into a first bit stream, and a decoder configured to decode a message received into a second bit stream.
Abstract:
A tunable notch filter for operation in reflection mode comprises an antenna layer positioned on a transmissive substrate and a mirror layer positioned on a support substrate. The antenna layer and the mirror layer are positioned on opposite sides of a gap and facing each other, the gap having a gap distance. The notch filter is tuned by adjusting the gap distance between the antenna layer and the mirror layer. Tuning the notch filter to a selected state can cause the filter to selectively attenuate the reflection of at least some electromagnetic radiation that is incident on the transmissive substrate and enters the notch filter.
Abstract:
An optical underwater communication system is disclosed which includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, each including one or more optical sources configured to provide light activated and deactivated according to a first bit stream, one or more sensor packages each comprising a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from the other transceiver and, in response, provide an output voltage signal and an output current signal, a detector configured to i) convert the output voltage signal and the output current signal to pulses associated with arrival of photons, and ii) count the number of pulses based on a predetermined timing sequence, an encoder configured to encode a message to be sent into a first bit stream, and a decoder configured to decode a message received into a second bit stream.
Abstract:
A hyperspectral Raman imaging system having the ability to focus on excitation laser beam over a relatively wide field of view due to the use of a lens array, in particular a microlens array. Hyperspectral selection is provided in one embodiment through the use of dual-axis controlled dielectric filtration. Methods for analyzing materials with the system are disclosed. The device or system can be used in generally any application where investigation of materials is required.
Abstract:
An imaging device includes a detector array and an aperture disposed along an optical path, with an array of filter elements disposed in the optical path therebetween. The detector array has a plurality of detector elements that are sensitive to a wavelength spectrum of interest, such as, for example, the visible spectrum and/or the infrared (IR) spectrum. Each filter element is configured to filter out energy within the wavelength spectrum of interest that is in a wavelength band of interest to form filtered energy within the wavelength spectrum of interest that is outside the wavelength band of interest. The filtered energy is passed by each filter to at least one corresponding detector element, which generates one or more detector values based on the received energy. The detector values may be processed to determine an intensity value for the wavelength band of interest.