Abstract:
A spectrometer apparatus for determining an optical characteristic of an object or material is disclosed. A probe is positionable to be in proximity to the object or material. First and second receivers are provided on the probe. Light from one or more first receivers is coupled to one or more first optical sensors via a spectral separation implement. Light from one or more second receivers is coupled to one or more second sensors without spectral separation of the light. A light source provides light to the object or material via the probe. A processor coupled to receive one or more signals from the first and second sensors determines the optical characteristic of the object or material and determines a physical position property of the probe with respect to the object or material or a non-color optical property of the object or material. The physical position property may be a distance or angular position of the probe with respect to a surface of the object or material. The non-color optical property may be translucence, gloss, gray level and/or surface texture.
Abstract:
An electrically adjustable spectrometer uses collimated, P-polarized light made incident on a surface of an optically transparent liquid crystal input material. The material transmits the light to a boundary surface between the input material and an output optically transparent material. The input material is preferably highly dispersive, making Snell component values at the boundary surface markedly different for different wavelengths. The output material is preferably of low dispersion and high birefringence. Only one wavelength at the boundary surface has a Snell component value tangent to its corresponding index surface in the output section. Within this section, the ray vector for this wavelength is parallel to the boundary surface. Because optical energy propagates in the ray vector direction, only the narrow range of wavelengths having ray vectors substantially parallel to the boundary surface reach an output of the device. This range comprises the passband of the spectrometer and is adjustable electrically.
Abstract:
A waveguide optical monitor is disclosed. The device has an optical input port coupled through a switch to a plurality of input waveguides. A dispersive element disperses light within the input optical waveguides toward a plurality of output waveguides. There are a plurality of photodetectors each optically coupled to an output waveguide. The photodectors are for sensing an intensity of light within the waveguide with which it is optically coupled. An optical switch in optical communication with the optical input port and for switching light received at the optical input port to one of the plurality of input waveguides. Also, an angular dispersive element is present for receiving light from any one of the waveguides and for dispersing the light toward a plurality of output waveguides in dependence upon the input waveguide position and a wavelength of the light such that light directed from the first of the plurality of input waveguides toward the plurality of output waveguides has a first centre wavelength within each of the output waveguides and light directed from the second of the plurality of input waveguides toward the plurality of output waveguides has a second different centre wavelength within each of the output waveguides, the second different centre wavelength different form any first centre wavelength.
Abstract:
A combined spectrometer/polarimeter device capable of being placed in-line in a WDM optical transmission system is provided. The combined device contains an optical waveguide, wavelength manipulating optics that include one or more wavelength dispersive elements formed in the waveguide, and polarization manipulating optics. The wavelength dispersive elements tap at least a portion of the propagating light from the waveguide, such that the tapped light is directed to or through at least a portion of the polarization manipulating optics. The presence of the wavelength dispersive element(s) allow monitoring of one or more channels present in the propagating light. Thus, the device is able to act as a spectrometer to determine the presence/intensity of channels in the WDM system. In addition, by inclusion of the polarization-manipulating optics, it is further possible to use the same in-line device to monitor polarization characteristics of each such channel (e.g., calculation of a Stokes parameter spectrum or measurement of PMD).
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. Low cost and small form factor spectrometers, and methods for manufacturing the same, also are disclosed.
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 database. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like. Preferably, a two stage spectral separation is utilized, preferably utilizing a diffraction grating and interference filters.
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. Low cost and small form factor spectrometers, and methods for manufacturing the same, also are disclosed.
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 database. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like. Preferably, a two stage spectral separation is utilized, preferably utilizing a diffraction grating and interference filters.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for making an electro-optical device suitable for use in an image forming system are described. The device includes photosensors, which are covered by filter layers that sense the presence of colors in, for example, a color document. The methods and systems involve the use of an inter-filter layer that serves to smooth a top surface of the electro-optical device between successive applications of the filter layers.
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. Preferably, a two stage spectral separation is utilized, preferably utilizing a diffraction grating and interference filters.