Abstract:
Methods are presented for separating the effects of background doping density and effective minority carrier lifetime on photoluminescence (PL) generated from semiconductor materials. In one embodiment the background doping density is measured by another technique, enabling PL measurements to be analyzed in terms of effective minority carrier lifetime. In another embodiment the effective lifetime is measured by another technique, enabling PL measurements to be analyzed in terms of background doping density. In another embodiment, the effect of background doping density is removed by calculating intensity ratios of two PL measurements obtained in different spectral regions, or generated by different excitation wavelengths. The methods are particularly useful for bulk samples such as bricks or ingots of silicon, where information can be obtained over a much wider range of bulk lifetime values than is possible with thin, surface-limited samples such as silicon wafers. The methods may find application in solar cell manufacturing.
Abstract:
A fluorescence detection device includes: a light source that emits excitation light in a first direction; a base unit (30) to which the light source is attached; an opening (30a) that is provided on a side in the first direction of the base unit (30) with respect to the light source; a cantilever (31) that is cantilevered to the base unit (30) to extend from an inner edge of the opening (30a) toward a center side of the opening (30a); an optical path conversion unit (20) that is fixed to a free end of the cantilever (31), converts a traveling direction of the excitation light emitted from the light source into a second direction different from the first direction, and irradiates a measurement object with the excitation light turned in the second direction; and a photodetection element that is disposed on a side of the opening (30a) opposite to the measurement object and detects fluorescence passing through the opening (30a) in fluorescence emitted from the measurement object irradiated with the excitation light. Accordingly, a loss in the fluorescence guided to the photodetection element can be reduced, and thus fluorescence detection efficiency can be improved.
Abstract:
A fluid analyzer includes an optical source and an optical detector defining an optical beam path through an interrogation region of a fluid flow cell. Motion control devices determine position of the interrogation region. Flow-control devices conduct analyte and reference fluids and manipulate fluid flow in response to control signals to position a fluid boundary across the interrogation region. A controller (1) generates a time-varying motion modulation signal to move the interrogation region across the fluid boundary, (2) samples an output signal from the optical detector at one time in which the interrogation region contains more analyte fluid than reference fluid and at a time at which the interrogation region contains more reference fluid than analyte fluid, thereby generating corresponding output signal samples, and (3) determines from the output signal samples a measurement value indicative of an optically measured characteristic of the analyte fluid.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method for improving the precision of a test result from an instrument with an optical system that detects a signal. The method comprises including in the instrument a normalization target disposed directly or indirectly in the optical path of the optical system. Also disclosed are instruments comprising a normalization target, and systems comprising such an instrument and a test device that receives a sample suspected of containing an analyte.
Abstract:
In one form, a two-directional scanning method for luminescence microscopy is disclosed. A series of continuous scans are performed by an interrogation wide-field relative to a first direction and a target is identified. A precise position of the target is determined in the first direction. At least one scan by the interrogation wide-field is performed relative to a second direction at or near the precise position of the target in the first direction. The two-directional scanning method produces “on-the-fly” (i.e. ex tempore or impromptu) precise localization of targets. Embodiments open up new applications for background-free or background-reduced luminescence microscopy, for example time-gated or time-resolved luminescence microscopy, in a relatively fast, higher speed or more efficient manner.
Abstract:
A diagnostic device includes a microscope configured to obtain image data on a plurality of cells and a computing device. The computing device is configured to receive the image data, identify at least a portion of each of the plurality of cells based on the received image data, determine at least one of a value of a morphological parameter for each identified at least a portion of the plurality of cells or a relative organization among the identified at least a portion of the plurality of cells, and calculate statistics for the plurality of cells based on the at least one of the determined values of the morphological parameter or the determined relative organization, the statistics including information suitable for distinguishing metastatic cells from non-metastatic cells. The diagnostic device further includes an output device configured to output the statistics for diagnosis.
Abstract:
A system for location based wafer analysis, the system comprising: (i) a first input interface; (ii) a second input interface; (iii) a correlator; and (iv) a processor, configured to generate inspection results for the inspected wafer, with the help of at least one frame run-time displacement.
Abstract:
An interferometer includes a first assembly having a base, a beam splitter assembly to split light into first and second portions, and a fixed mirror for reflecting the first portion of light; and a second assembly movable with respect to the first assembly, and having first and second scan carriages, and a movable mirror connected to the second scan carriage for reflecting the second portion of light. The beam splitter assembly combines the reflected first and second portions of light into a recombined radiation beam. Inner bearing flexures enable movement of the first scan carriage relative to the base, and outer bearing flexures enable movement of the second scan carriage relative to the first scan carriage, such that a plane containing the movable mirror is maintained parallel to multiple planes containing the movable mirror at respective distances between the second and first assemblies during scan movement of the movable mirror.
Abstract:
An image acquisition device based on photo-thermal imaging, including a support beam, a translational electric motor, an imaging probe, and a light emitter. The translational electric motor is fixed to the lower side of the beam, and the imaging probe is perpendicularly fixed to a moving block in the translational electric motor. The light emitter is connected to the moving block via an adjustable connection piece, and by adjusting the adjustable connection piece, light emitted by the light emitter enters the imaging probe after being reflected by a sample. The moving block in the translational electric motor is configured to move the light emitter and the imaging probe in the radial direction right above the sample. The light emitter is configured to emit light on the upper surface of the sample. The imaging probe is configured to image reflected light from the upper surface of the sample.
Abstract:
Even when the distance from an objective lens to a sample differs, the distribution of light from the sample can be detected accurately.A first lens 23 for converting light from the objective lens into parallel light is composed of a concave lens part 32 having a concave curved face 32c in a center portion of a flat face 32a, and a convex lens part 33 having a convex curved face 33c around a flat face 33b. Further, the first lens 23 includes first and second regions for diverging light through the flat face 33b and the concave curved face 32c and a third region for collecting light through the convex curved face 33c and the concave curved face 32c. When the sample is placed on a sample table while being sealed in a two-dimensional electrophoresis substrate, light totally reflected by a side surface of the objective lens is caused to enter the second region. In contrast, when the sample is directly placed on the sample table, the light is caused to enter the third region. As a result, in any of the cases, the rays of light d emitted from the first lens 23 are nearly parallel to one another, and are nearly parallel to the optical axis.