Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.

Other

Biomerieux, Inc.

Erik W Anthon

Richard James Ryall

Ron Robinson

Craig Drager

David B Shine

Mark Joseph Fanning

Richard Ian Seddon

James D Rancourt

William Ernest Seaton

Michael D Temple

Basil L Swaby

Scott E Solberg

Carol Jacobs

A color measuring sensor assembly includes an optical filter such as a linear variable filter, and an optical detector array positioned directly opposite from the optical filter a predetermined distance. A plurality of lenses, such as gradient index rods or microlens arrays, are disposed between the optical filter and the detector array such that light beams propagating through the lenses from the optical filter to the detector array project an upright, noninverted image of the optical filter onto a photosensitive surface of the detector array. The color measuring sensor assembly can be incorporated with other standard components into a spectrometer device such as a portable calorimeter having a compact and rugged construction suitable for use in the field.

Compact spectrometer device

A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slide the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card. The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time. A solid reference is mounted to an optical shuttle and moved into the optical path to calibrate the fluorescence photodiode detectors.

Fluorescence station for biological sample testing machine

A sample card transport station moves a test sample card from an incubation station for the card to a transmittance and fluorescence optical station in a sample testing machine. The sample card transport station has a drive belt and an associated stepper motor. The belt supports the card from one side of the card. A ledge having a card slot is disposed above the belt. The card is snugly received within the card slot, and supported from below by the drive belt and rollers for the belt. When the motor turns the belt, the belt grips the card and slides the card along the slot to the optical stations, without any slippage between the belt and the card. This construction provides for precise control over the movement of the card. The fluorescence station has a linear flash lamp that illuminates a column of the wells of the cards simultaneously. A reference detector and dichromatic beam splitter design is used to insure that the fluorescence measurements are independent of lamp output changes over time. A solid reference is mounted to an optical shuttle and moved into the optical path to calibrate the fluorescence photodiode detectors.

Optical reader and sample card transport stations for biological sample

A process suitable for forming multi-layer (up to at least several hundred layers) monotonic/linear variable/wedge filter coatings on a single substrate surface and for forming monolithic filter assemblies which incorporate such filters, is disclosed along with the designs for such filters. The monolithic process uses radially variable filter fabrication techniques in combination with ion-assisted deposition to form stress controlled, radially variable filter coatings of the desired varied optical profile, preferably using high and low index materials stich as tantala and silica. Stress is minimized by balancing the amount of ion assist and the coating rate. Slices are cut radially from the substrate to form quasi-linear variable filters. Other coatings such as, but not limited to, a wide band hot mirror can be formed on the opposite surface of the substrate from the radially variable LVF method. The method forms complex multi-layer thick filters with high yields on a single substrate surface such that the filter is free of precession or sideways leakage of light between the parallel surfaces. Also disclosed is an optical filter having stacks arranged so that the magnitude of the characteristic center wavelength of each stack increases from stack to stack along the desired direction of traversal of incident light through the filter. As a result of this sequential construction, diffuse leaks are blocked from transmission through the filter. The diffuse leak-suppressed filter can be formed by various processes, including the monolithic process.

Monolithic linear variable filter and method of manufacture

A flat plate polarization separator assembly and a flat plate beam splitter and partial polarizer are disclosed, along with an optical system for an optical disk reader which utilizes these flat plate components.

Optical system and components for optical disk reader

Scattermeter for evaluating the surface quality of an optical element made from a material that has bulk scattering of light by measuring the light scattering from the surface while disregarding the bulk scatter, with the surface scatter being distinguished from the bulk scatter by their different polarization characteristics. The scattermeter is comprised of an illuminator optic providing an intense, substantially collimated light beam with a controlled variable state of polarization illuminating a defined area of the surface of said optical element. It is also comprised of a collector optic with a controlled field of view limited to an area substantially equal to the area illuminated by said illuminator optic, a polarization sensitive optical modulator, a photoelectric detector, a demodulating amplifier, and a readout device.

Scattermeter using polarized light to distinguish between bulk and

An analyzer for analyzing the surface of an object which is substantially opaque to ultraviolet light. The analyzer includes a substantially light-tight housing having an aperture therein for viewing the surface of the object to be analyzed. An illuminator is carried by the housing and includes a source of ultraviolet light and an optical imaging device for directing light from the source through the aperture and onto the surface of the object to illuminate the surface of the object. A collector is carried by the housing including a sensor responsive to ultraviolet light and an optical imaging device for receiving ultraviolet light from the surface through the aperture and directing it onto the sensor. A tilting mechanism is carried by the housing and permits relative tilting movement between the surface of the object and the housing whereby substantially only scattered energy is collected in one position of the housing and substantially only specularly reflected energy is collected in a second position of the housing.

Surface analyzer and method

Flatness testing apparatus for testing the flatness of a surface of a body of material a source of substantially monochromatic light for producing a light beam. First and second reticles are provided which are capable of passing the light beam. Means is provided for sensing light from the light source after it has passed through the reticles. An objective lens is provided which is adapted to be disposed adjacent the surface of the body of material. A first lens is provided in front of the source of light for imaging the source of light onto the objective lens and a second lens is provided in front of the means for sensing light for imaging the objective lens onto the means for sensing light. A mirror is provided for receiving light from the light beam after it has passed through the first reticle and for reflecting light through the second reticle to the light sensing means. Means is provided for causing relative movement of the reticle images with respect to each other to cause modulation of the light beam in accordance with the flatness of the surface.

Flatness testing apparatus and method

Reciprocal optical system for use in an optical disc reader of the type having a laser beam and being capable of receiving optical data disc having information recorded thereon and a detector for detecting the laser beam. At least one polarizing mirror is provided and at least one converting mirror for producing a 90.degree. phase shift is provided. At least one polarizing mirror and at least one converting mirror, and the laser beam are positioned relative to the optical disc to provide from the laser beam an outgoing beam which impinges upon said at least one polarizing mirror and thereafter upon said at least one converting mirror in its travel to the optical disc and is reflected to provide a returning beam which impinges upon said at least one converting mirror and thereafter on said at least one polarizing mirror and then onto the detector. The outgoing and returning beams are orthogonally linearly polarized with respect to each other and are separated by the polarizing mirror by one beam being reflected and the other beam being transmitted by the polarizing mirror.

Optical system for optical disc reader

Cathode ray tube face plate construction for suppressing the halo on the cathode ray tube having a face plate formed of glass with an index of refraction in the vicinity of 1.52 and with outside and inside surfaces. A fluorescent phosphor screen is carried by the inside surface. An optional metallic coating overlies the phosphor screen on the side of the screen facing away from the face plate. An anti-reflection coating is carried by the outside surface of the face plate for reducing reflection from the outside surface of the face plate to suppress the central portion of the halo. A thin film interference coating is carried by the inside surface of the face plate for suppressing the outer ring-like portion of the halo. It is disposed between the phosphor screen and the inside surface of the face plate. The thin film interference coating has high transmittance for light emitted by the phosphor at near normal of incidence and high reflectance at high angle of incidence.

Cathode ray tube face plate construction for suppressing the halo and

A cathode ray tube face plate construction for suppressing the halo on the face plate of the cathode ray tube having a face plate formed of glass with an index of refraction in the vicinity of 1.52 and with outer and inner surfaces. A fluorescent phosphor screen is carried by the inner surface. A metallic coating may overlie the phosphor screen on the side of the screen facing away from the face plate. An absorbing filter is disposed between the phosphor screen and the face plate for absorbing light emitted from the phosphor screen. An angle sensitive short wave pass filter is disposed between the phosphor screen and the absorbing filter for reflecting light emitted at a high angle from the phosphor screen.

Cathode ray tube face plate construction for suppressing the halo having

A testing apparatus for making photometric measurements of transmission and reflectance of large parts uses a light beam having a spatially ill-defined energy distribution. A detector for receiving the light beam has a spatial variation in its sensitivity over its sensing area. A diffuser is provided which is disposed in the light beam for intercepting the light beam before it strikes the detector. The diffuser is formed of a white-like plastic and has a thickness which decreases progressively towards the outer edges of the same to compensate for the fall-off in sensitivity of the detector to rays closer to the outer margins of the diffuser or away from the center of the diffuser. The diffuser is formed in two portions in which a portion of the diffuser is in substantially closer proximity to the detector than the other portion to minimize the directional sensitivity of the detector. The apparatus uses an invisible beam which is aimed by a coaxial visible beam. Measurements of transmission and reflectance are made in quick succession by moving the sample on a carriage and using a movable mirror assembly. The invisible beam is aimed separately for each of the two measurements.

Photometric testing apparatus using shaped diffuser and light beam

Fourier transform imaging microscope for examining parts carrying repetitive stripe pattern having a source of light with means forming a slit through which the light passes. Means including the part carrying the repetitive stripe pattern is used for forming a Fourier transform image of the slit after the light beam passes through it. Slit means is provided for suppressing the image of the stripe pattern itself while enhancing any defects and non-uniformities in the pattern.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Rosa, CA, United States of America

Erik W Anthon