Abstract:
To calibrate a radiometric optical instrument by means of a light source, the focal plane of the optical instrument containing photoelectric detectors which convert image brightness into an electrical signal, the light source is disposed in the entrance pupil or in the aperture diaphragm of the instrument. The invention is particularly suitable for calibrating an optical instrument on board a satellite.
Abstract:
The invention is designed to calibrate a low-level optical power by a substitution method using a pulse generating section in which a light-shielding disk having a sectorial opening, as a component capable of accurate optical attenuation, is rotated in a light beam to generate an intermittent pulse signal having a duty ratio corresponding to the size of the opening, and the pulse signal is averaged to obtain an optical attenuation equal to the duty ratio. More specifically, while an object to be calibrated is set in a given standard state, a first pulse train having a duty ratio d1=Tw.sub.1 /Tf.sub.1 is input to the object, and an average optical power value A of an output from the object is measured and stored. Subsequently, a second pulse train having a duty ratio d2=Tw.sub.2 /Tf.sub.2 is input to the object, and the object is adjusted such that an average optical power value of an output from the object becomes the value A. Proper calibration can be performed by assigning the optical attenuation of the adjusted object to d1/d2.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns a procedure for controlling a radiation source which has been implemented with the aid of light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, from the radiation produced by them being separated the desired wavelength range, of which the intensity is controlled or maintained constant. The radiation source is implemented by means of a LED row (2) formed of semiconductor chips, or LED elements (21, 22, 23, . . . , 26), from the radiation of which is separated a wavelength range (.DELTA..lambda..sub.1, .DELTA..lambda..sub.2, . . . ) depending on the location of the LED element in said arrays with an optical means dispersing the radiation to a spectrum, and the intensity of the radiation in this wavelength range, or of the output radiation, is controlled or maintained constant by observing the intensity thereof and regulating with its aid the current passing through the respective LED element. The wavelength ranges of the output radiation are selected electrically by activating a suitable LED element (21, 22, 23, . . . , 26) in the LED row (2).
Abstract:
A simple lightweight apparatus for sensing excessive contamination on the faces of an array of light or infrared detectors comprises mounting a light or infrared-emitting diode near one or more of the detectors. When the diode is energized, the associated detectors should detect its radiation, thereby indicating that the detector is operable and that contamination is not excessive.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, a flow cytometer is disclosed having a compact light detection module. The compact light detection module includes an image array with a transparent block, a plurality of micro-mirrors in a row coupled to a first side of the transparent block, and a plurality of filters in a row coupled to a second side of the transparent block opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of filters reflects light to one of the plurality of micro-mirrors and passes light of a differing wavelength range and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors reflects light to one of the plurality of filters, such that incident light into the image array zigzags back and forth between consecutive filters of the plurality of filters and consecutive micro-mirrors of the plurality of micro-mirrors. A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of micro-mirrors images the fiber aperture onto the odd filters and collimates the light beam on the even filters.
Abstract:
A light sensing method having a sensing order adjusting mechanism is provided. The method includes steps of: in a previous sensing cycle, sensing a first light signal that is emitted by both of an ambient light source and a light-emitting component and then is reflected by a tested object; in the previous sensing cycle, sensing a second light signal that is emitted by both of the ambient light source and the light-emitting component and then is reflected by the tested object; in the previous sensing cycle, sensing an ambient light signal emitted by only the ambient light source; and in a next sensing cycle, sensing the first light signal, the second light signal and the ambient light signal in an order different from that in the previous sensing cycle.
Abstract:
A display that can play dynamic video imagery using purely infrared light. Such dynamic video imagery is useful in testing infrared detection equipment. The display contains thousands of solid state infrared LEDs. Different infrared LED types are used. Each type of LED in use emits infrared light in some selected band of the infrared spectrum. The overall display can be designed to simulate infrared signal sources for a particular type of infrared detection system. If a particular infrared detection system detects infrared energy only in a specific range, the infrared LED display can be made to have a high resolution of LEDs within that specific range and a lower resolution of LEDs outside that specific range that would be useful for calibration purposes.