1201 results about "Optical intensity" patented technology

The invention provides an optical switch and modulator which uses a closed loop optical resonator. The optical resonator is a dielectric cavity whose primary function is to store optical power. Various structures are possible, and a particularly advantageous one is a ring shaped cavity. The wavelength response at the output port of a ring resonator side coupled to two waveguides is determined by the details of the resonator, and the coupling between the resonator and the waveguides. By coupling to adjacent resonators, the modulator response can be improved over that of a single resonator. One such improvement is in modulator efficiency, which is defined as the ratio of the change in optical intensity at the output, to a change in absorption in the ring waveguides. Absorption is used for switching and modulation without incurring significant optical attenuation. Another improvement involves making the resonance insensitive to small deviations in wavelength or index change. The latter improves fabrication tolerances and compensates for possible drift of the signal wavelength. Collectively, the behavior of multiple coupled resonators yields higher order responses.

Low coherence light having a central wavelength λc of 1.1 μm and a full width at half maximum spectrum Δλ of 90 nm is emitted. The low coherence light has wavelength properties suited for the light absorbing properties, the diffusion properties, and the dispersion properties of living tissue. A light dividing means divides the low coherence light into a measuring light beam, which is irradiated onto a measurement target via an optical probe, and a reference light beam that propagates toward an optical path length adjusting means. A multiplexing means multiplexes a reflected light beam, which is the measuring light beam reflected at a predetermined depth of the measurement target, and the reference light beam, to form coherent light. A coherent light detecting means detects the optical intensity of the multiplexed coherent light. An image obtaining means performs image processes, and displays an optical tomographic image on a display apparatus.

A method of processing data associated with fluorescent emissions from a microfluidic device. The method includes performing an auto-focus process associated with a first image of the microfluidic device and performing an auto-exposure process associated with the first image of the microfluidic device. The method also includes capturing a plurality of images of the microfluidic device. The plurality of images are associated with a plurality of thermal cycles. The method further includes performing image analysis of the plurality of captured images to determine a series of optical intensities and performing data analysis of the series of optical intensities to provide a series of change in threshold values.

An active retina implant has a multiplicity of pixel elements that convert incident light into electric stimulation signals for cells of the retina with which stimulation electrodes are to make contact. Each pixel element is provided with at least one image cell that converts incident light into electric signals, there being provided at least one amplifier whose input is connected to the image cell and whose output is connected to at least one stimulation electrode to which it supplies a stimulation signal. Also provided is an energy supply which provides externally coupled external energy as supply voltage for the image cells and the amplifiers. The image cell has a logarithmic characteristic according to which incident light of specific intensity is converted into electric signals of specific amplitude. The stimulation signal is supplied in the form of analog voltage pulses of specific pulse length and pulse spacings, the pulse amplitude being a function of the intensity of the incident light.

A biological optical measuring instrument comprising a measuring probe (101) for collecting light from a plurality of portions of a subject (214) transmitted through the subject (214) by means of an optical fiber (108) by guiding light emitted from a light source (102) by an optical fiber (107), and irradiating the light to the subject (214) so as to create a living body transmitted light intensity image of the subject (214) from the transmitted and collected light. The measuring probe (101) further comprises optical fiber fixing members (201, 210, 211) for fixing the optical fibers (107, 108) at a predetermined interval and support members (202, 204, 205) for rockably supporting the optical fiber fixing members. Thus, it is possible to provide a technique of performing living body optical measurement while the living body lies in lateral decubitus.

A transmissive display apparatus comprises a liquid crystal display unit; and a plane light source unit that comprises a tubular light source, a light guide, and a light-diffusing film having anisotropy that provides a consistent luminance in a display surface, and / or ultraviolet (UV) absorbability that absorbs the UV from the light source and prevents deterioration of a prism sheet in the display unit and liquid display cell. In the film, a light-scattering characteristic F(θ) represents a relationship between the light-scattering angle θ and a scattered light intensity F fulfills Fy(θ) / Fx(θ)≧1.01 over a range of θ=4 to 30°, wherein Fx(θ) and Fy(θ) represent the light-scattering characteristics in an X-axial direction and Y-axial direction of the film, respectively. The film comprises a light-diffusing layer composed of a plurality of resins which are different from each other in refractive index, and a transparent layer laminated on at least one side thereof.

A method of configuring one or more illumination states for illuminating at least two user interface devices of a mobile device, the method comprising assigning a first illumination state to first and second user interface devices, when intensity of ambient light is greater than a first threshold; assigning the first illumination state to the first interface device, and a second illumination state to the second interface device, when the intensity of the ambient light is between the first threshold and a second threshold; and assigning the second illumination state to the first and the second user interface devices, when the intensity of the ambient light is less than the second threshold.

Systems and methods are provided for detecting ambient light with reduced sensitivity to infrared sources. An electronic device may include an infrared sensor, an ambient light sensor, a decoder, and a processor. The infrared sensor may detect an intensity of infrared light. The ambient light sensor may be configured to detect incident light and to generate an electronic signal indicative of an intensity of visible light. The decoder may be configured to receive the intensity of infrared light and to generate an intensity of decoded infrared light. The processor, which may be coupled to the decoder and the ambient light sensor, may be configured to substitute an alternate electronic signal for the electronic signal if the intensity of infrared light exceeds a threshold amount.

An ablation catheter system configured with a compact force sensor at a distal end for detection of contact forces exerted on an end effector. The force sensor includes fiber optics operatively coupled with reflecting members on a structural member. In one embodiment, the optical fibers and reflecting members cooperate with the deformable structure to provide a variable gap interferometer for sensing deformation of the structural member due to contact force. In another embodiment, a change in the intensity of the reflected light is detected to measure the deformation. The measured deformations are then used to compute a contact force vector. In some embodiments, the force sensor is configured to passively compensate for temperature changes that otherwise lead to erroneous force indications. In other embodiments, the system actively compensates for errant force indications caused by temperature changes by measuring certain local temperatures of the structural member.

An optical waveguide grating coupler for coupling light between a planar waveguide and an optical element such as an optical fiber. The optical waveguide grating coupler includes a grating comprising a plurality of elongate scattering elements. The optical waveguide grating coupler is preferably flared, and in various embodiments has hyperbolically shaped sidewalls. The elongate scattering elements are preferably curved, and in some embodiments, the scattering elements have elliptically curved shapes. Preferably, the elongated scattering elements have grating widths selected to accommodate the desired optical intensity distribution.

An optical transmitter for an optical fiber transmission system is described. The optical transmitter includes an optical source that generates an optical signal having a wavelength at an output. An optical intensity modulator modulates the optical signal with an electrical modulation signal to generate a modulated optical signal at an output. At least one parameter of the optical intensity modulator is chosen to suppress at least one of phase and sideband information in the modulated optical signal. An optical fiber is coupled to the output of the optical intensity modulator. The suppression of the at least one of the phase and the sideband information in the modulated optical signal increases an effective modal bandwidth of the optical fiber.

In the present invention, an optical reader image sensor is adapted to clock out image data from an image sensor according to “low resolution” mode of operation in order to reduce a parameter determination delay of the reader. In a low resolution mode, some pixels of the readers image sensor array are clock out at normal clock out speed sufficient to develop electrical signals accurately reflecting the intensity of light at the respective pixel positions, while other pixels of the array are either not clocked out or are clocked out at a higher clock out rate which may be insufficient to allow development of electrical signals that accurately represent light incident on the image sensor's sensor array but which nevertheless, results in a reduction of the overall frame clock out rate of the frame of image data. An optical reader according to the invention operates in a low resolution frame clock out mode to capture a low resolution parameter determining frame of image data at high speed, reads pixel data from the parameter determination frame to determine an operation parameter based on actual illumination conditions, then utilizes the operation parameter in operating an optical reader.

The high precision vision detection system includes the digital staff guage system, the illuminating system with adaptive adjusting optical intensity, the auto focus system, the optical image system, the vision detection software, the foundation, the computer or microprocessor system. The digital staff guage system is used to provide the high precision length detection base in large scale; the illuminating system is used to adjust the optical intensity according to the different of the detection distance, detection angle and the surface reflectivity of detected workpiece to provide the uniform and stable illuminating intensity to pledge the image quality and the detection precision; the auto focus system is used to adjust the working distance of the detection system to pledge the image has the good quality and constant amplification ratio and pledge the repeatability and detection precision of the detection system; the optical image system is the main part of the detection system, which is used to transform the geometry outlook of detected workpiece to the computer or processor through the optical lens image, the vidicon photoelectricity switch and collecting control circuit; the vision detection software is used to process the image and get the detection result; the foundation is the supporting frame of vision detection system, which is used to fix, support and move every part of system; the computer or microprocessor system is the core part of the whole vision detection system, which is used to coordinate and control every system.

An optical waveguide grating coupler for coupling light between a planar waveguide and an optical element such as an optical fiber. The optical waveguide grating coupler includes a grating comprising a plurality of elongate scattering elements. The optical waveguide grating coupler is preferably flared, and in various embodiments has hyperbolically shaped sidewalls. The elongate scattering elements are preferably curved, and in some embodiments, the scattering elements have elliptically curved shapes. Preferably, the elongated scattering elements have grating widths selected to accommodate the desired optical intensity distribution.

The invention relates to a device for measuring a frequency scanning absolute distance based on a femtosecond optical frequency comb and a method for measuring the absolute distance based on the device. The device comprises: a tunable laser (1), a polarization maintaining fiber system (2), a double-frequency heterodyne interferometer (3) and a system for measuring a laser frequency and an interferometric phase (4); the tunable laser (1) is used for generating single-frequency, single-line polarization laser, and an output laser frequency can be controlled by the working voltage and current ofthe tunable laser; the polarization maintaining fiber system (2) is used for coupling space laser with a polarization maintaining fiber in an unreflected way, and dividing the space laser into three paths of optical signals with equal optical intensity, and keeping an output laser polarization direction the same as an input laser polarization direction; the double-frequency heterodyne interferometer (3) is used for converting single-frequency laser into double-frequency orthogonal polarization laser, and converting distance information to be measured into phase information of a laser beat signal; and the system for measuring the laser frequency and the interferometric phase (4) is used for precisely measuring and locking and inputting the frequency of the laser, and measuring a phase different between the two paths of alternating current signals.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus including a light source to generate a plurality of light beams with each of the plurality of light beams having a different wavelength range. The apparatus also includes a light funnel to direct the plurality of light beams to the target area, an aperture to direct the plurality of light beams emitting from the target area to a lens, the lens configured to collect the light beams emitting from the target area. Further, the apparatus includes a detector including a plurality of light-sensing devices each configured to detect a light beam and configured to generate an output signal indicative of an intensity of light detected and a processor for determining the blood characteristic as a function of each generated output signal.

Optical sensor measurement methods that convert a wavelength change in an optical sensor to a measurable optical intensity change, which can be calibrated and used to measure optical wavelength change and environmental changes such as temperature or strain which affect sensor wavelength. The current invention makes use of tunable fiber Fabry-Perot filters as the wavelength selective elements for the wavelength to optical intensity conversion. The invention provides high measurement sensitivities to small amplitude, high frequency modulations to the fiber sensor center wavelength, accommodates for system drift from thermal or other perturbations, and enables either frequency mode or time varying resolution of sensor modulation events. Selection of proper Fabry-Perot optics allow for measurement optimization of either high sensitivity or high strain measurement range.

In an optical coherence tomography apparatus: low-coherence light from a light source is split into signal light and reference light; at least one of the frequencies of the signal light and the reference light is shifted so as to produce a predetermined frequency difference between the frequencies; the reference light and a portion of the signal light reflected from the object are optically multiplexed so as to produce interference light; and the optical intensity of the interference light is detected in order to obtain a tomographic image of the object. In the light source, the pulse width of pulsed light emitted from a pulsed light source unit is reduced by an optical-waveguide structure. The optical-waveguide structure is made of a material having a normal dispersion characteristic, and includes a structure which realizes an anomalous dispersion characteristic so as to reduce the pulse width of the pulsed light.

Method, apparatus and system for self-aligning components, sub-assemblies and / or assemblies wherein actuators are used to physically move the components, sub-assemblies and / or assemblies such that an appropriate alignment is provided. The efficiency of the alignment may be determined with respect to a qualitative measurement (e.g., bit error rate, optical intensity and the like) of an output signal.

Methods and apparatus to transmit and receive information bits encoded in duobinary, multilevel pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) optical signals are described. The transmitted optical signal has a narrow optical spectrum and a low symbol rate. Information bits are encoded in a M-ary PAM symbol sequence, where M>=2. The PAM symbol sequence is input to a finite-state machine, which yields an encoded sequence that changes sign between two symbol intervals when the encoded sequence takes on a nominally zero value during an odd number of intervening symbol intervals. The encoded sequence is lowpass filtered and modulated onto an optical electric field. The receiver processes a received optical electric field to obtain an electrical signal proportional to the received optical intensity, and performs M-ary symbol-by-symbol decisions to recover the transmitted information bits, without potential error propagation.

A fiber optic sensor system for pressure measurements where the design permits multiplexity on the input side of the system and the optical part of the system, which has a sensor Fabry-Perot interferometer and a read-out interferometer, is based on low coherence fiber-optic interferometry techniques. This permits a high dynamic range and low sensitivity to the wavelength fluctuation of the light source as well as to the optical intensity fluctuations. The system includes fiber tip based Fabry-Perot sensors, where each sensor includes a diaphragm as the transducer. A combined pressure gradient sensor, air particle velocity sensor, as well as acoustic intensity sensor is built based on the fiber tip based Fabry-Perot sensors.

The invention discloses a method for measuring high reflectivity based on self-mixing effect of semiconductor laser which belongs to the technical field of measuring optical elements parameter. The present cavity ringdown technique for determining high reflectivity by measuring ringdown time, using the self-mixing effect of semiconductor laser, improves laser power to coupling efficiency of ringdown cavity by controlling back feedback optical intensity of continuous wave semiconductor laser, greatly improves the signal-noise ratio of cavity outputting signal, thereby improving measuring precision and measuring range of high reflectivity. The methods for controlling back feedback optical intensity which can make the cavity output signal reach the maximum include: inserting a linear polarizer, an attenuation plate, an optical isolator or a variable aperture between the semiconductor laser and the first cavity mirror, or adjusting the pitching of the first cavity mirror, or changing the distance of the laser and the first cavity mirror.

An active retina implant has a multiplicity of pixel elements that convert incident light into electric stimulation signals for cells of the retina with which stimulation electrodes are to make contact. Each pixel element is provided with at least one image cell that converts incident light into electric signals, there being provided at least one amplifier whose input is connected to the image cell and whose output is connected to at least one stimulation electrode to which it supplies a stimulation signal. Also provided is an energy supply which provides externally coupled external energy as supply voltage for the image cells and the amplifiers. The image cell has a logarithmic characteristic according to which incident light of specific intensity is converted into electric signals of specific amplitude. The stimulation signal is supplied in the form of analog voltage pulses of specific pulse length and pulse spacings, the pulse amplitude being a function of the intensity of the incident light.

An optical field receiver comprises an optical brancher that branches a received optical multilevel signal into first and second optical signals; an optical delayed detector that performs delayed detection on the first optical signal by a delayed detector with a delay time of T / 2 (where T is equal to a symbol time) and a phase difference of 90 degrees; a balanced optical receiver that converts the optical signal outputted from the first delay detector to an electric signal; and an optical intensity receiver that converts the second optical signal to an electric signal; and an electric field calculating part that generates, from the output signals of the first and second optical receivers, first and second reproduced signals indicative of the phase angle and amplitude value of the received symbol represented by the complex signal in each symbol time T.

In a wavelength monitor that monitors a wavelength of laser light emitted from at least two semiconductor lasers formed in parallel on a semiconductor substrate, the wavelength monitor includes a collimating lens that collimates laser light from each of the semiconductor lasers, an etalon that is arranged so that laser light collimated by the collimating lens is capable of entering and has a periodicity, and a photodetector that receives laser light transmitted through the etalon and detects a light intensity, wherein a beam propagation angle in the etalon of laser light emitted from each of the semiconductor lasers becomes a predetermined angle obtained by formula 1.

A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus which has an improved arrayed confocal imaging system.A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus using a confocal imaging system which has a new means for changing the distance in the Z direction between the object and the object-position-in-focus, instead of an object stage moved in the Z direction. This means shifts the object-position-in-focus in the Z direction by refraction. One means inserts a plurality of transparent flat plates between the objective lens and the object-position-in-focus in turn. Another means uses a transparent flat plate made of a material for which the refractive index changes according to the voltage applied and is disposed between the object and the object-position-in-focus.A three-dimensional shape measuring apparatus using a confocal imaging system wherein an image processor estimates the position from which the intensity of the reflected light for each pixel of the confocal image becomes maximum by interpolation of a value from the curve of the relationship between the intensity of light detected and the distance from the object-position-in-focus to an object point.

This disclosure contemplates embodiments of a diffuser element for use with lighting devices that utilize directional light sources, e.g., light-emitting diode (LED) devices. The embodiments utilize a shell wall that forms a volume diffuser with a non-uniform material thickness. The variations in the thickness afford the diffuser with optical characteristics that can improve the distribution of light. In one example, lighting devices that deploy the diffuser element and LED devices distribute light with an optical intensity distribution similar to an incandescent bulb.

A method of determining a kind of a sample, in a method for analyzing a substance by the steps of supplying the sample to be analyzed to a reaction system by a supplying means comprising a transparent region composed of a transparent material, reacting a reagent for detecting the substance with the sample in the reaction system, and analyzing a signal derived from a product obtained by the reaction, characterized by irradiating the transparent region with light in the supplying step, and analyzing an optical intensity of the light.

A method is provided for determining contact of a sensor with a patient's tissue. The method comprises comparing the intensity of detected light at a first wavelength to a threshold, wherein the first wavelength is not used to determine a physiological characteristic of the patient, and determining if the sensor is in contact with the patient's tissue based on the comparison. In addition, a method is provided for determining the amount of light shunting during operation of the sensor. The method comprises comparing the intensity of detected light at a first wavelength to a threshold, wherein the first wavelength is not used to determine a physiological characteristic of the patient, and determining the amount of light shunting based on the comparison.