Abstract:
Advantage is taken of the fact that in optical navigation devices it is possible to measure the intensity of light impacting the pixel array of photo-diodes. Based upon such an intensity determination, a feedback signal is used to reduce the intensity of the light to a point where it is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In one embodiment, the discharge rate of a capacitive power supply is used to determine the intensity of the light source impacting the pixels. When the discharge rate is faster than a given amount the inference is that the light intensity is too great and power is reduced to the light source to reduce the intensity.
Abstract:
A light sensor protection system and method protects a light sensor system from a laser threat. The light sensor system has a sensor housing which contains optical elements disposed within the sensor housing and at a first end of the housing to converge light rays entering the housing at a focal plane. A focal plane array is disposed within the sensor housing substantially coincident with the focal plane. A means for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat is disposed within the housing remote from the optical elements, the light rays, and the focal plane array. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a light sensor system as described above; and (b) protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat in the presence of a laser threat or upon a warning thereof with the means for protecting the light sensor system from a laser threat.
Abstract:
Two Fabry-Perot interference filters are used as tandum polarizers for a h-power laser beam counter measure in an optical scene. The scene radiation is directed on one polarizer; one plane of polarization of the laser beam is transmitted thereby and the other scene radiation is reflected to the other polarizer. The other polarizer transmits the other plane of polarization of the laser beam and reflects the other scene radiation to a photodetector, such as an image intensifier, infrared imager, television camera tube, or a human eye. The laser beam transmitted by the polarizers is trapped by absorbers and cannot harm the photodetector.
Abstract:
An optical radiation sensor comprising a housing having an inlet which allows radiation to enter the housing, and further comprising the following elements serially disposed after the inlet in the path of the radiation: attenuating aperture means, filter means and sensor means. A fluid disinfection system incorporating the sensor is also described.
Abstract:
An apparatus (1) for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by successive, selective layer-by-layer exposure and thus successive, selective layer-by-layer solidification of construction material layers of a construction material (3) that can be solidified by means of laser radiation in a process chamber (10) of the apparatus, comprising an exposure device (5) provided for generating laser radiation for selective exposure and thus selective solidification of respective construction material layers, and a detection device (11) provided for detecting the entering of laser radiation into a process chamber limiting element at least partially limiting the process chamber (10) and/or for detecting the penetration of laser radiation through a process chamber limiting element at least partially limiting the process chamber (10).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a light module including a laser source capable of emitting a coherent light beam of given wavelength, a first sensor capable of picking up a first light signal of a wavelength lying in a first band of wavelengths centered around the given wavelength and a second sensor capable of picking up a second light signal of a wavelength lying in a second band of wavelengths centered around a wavelength distinct from the given wavelength. In particular, the light module includes a detection module capable of comparing at least one value that is a function of the signals to a threshold value and of commanding the stopping of the laser source as a function of the comparison.
Abstract:
The present invention for imaging sensor rejuvenation may include a rejuvenation illumination system configured to selectably illuminate a portion of an imaging sensor of an imaging system with illumination suitable for at least partially rejuvenating the imaging sensor degraded by exposure to at least one of extreme ultraviolet light or deep ultraviolet light; and a controller communicatively coupled to the rejuvenation illumination system and configured to direct the rejuvenation illumination system to illuminate the imaging sensor for one or more illumination cycles during a non-imaging state of the imaging sensor.
Abstract:
A filter and method for filtering an optical beam are disclosed. One embodiment of the filter is an optical filter for filtering an incident light beam, comprising an optically effective material characterized by: a light transmittance of less than 1% for wavelengths below 420 nm; and a light transmittance for wavelengths complementary and near complementary to wavelengths below 420 nm that, combined with the transmittance for wavelengths below 420 nm, will yield a filtered light beam having a luminosity of about 90% and an excitation purity of 5% or less. The complementary wavelengths can be wavelengths above about 640 nm, wavelengths above about 660 nm, and/or wavelengths from about 540 nm to about 560 nm. Further, in one embodiment the difference between the light transmittance just below 420 nm and the light transmittance just above 420 nm can be greater than 90%. Above 420 nm, in some embodiments, the light transmittance can be arbitrarily determined.
Abstract:
A filter and method for filtering an optical beam are disclosed. One embodiment of the filter is an optical filter for filtering an incident light beam, comprising an optically effective material characterized by: a light transmittance of less than 1% for wavelengths below 420 nm; and a light transmittance for wavelengths complementary and near complementary to wavelengths below 420 nm that, combined with the transmittance for wavelengths below 420 nm, will yield a filtered light beam having a luminosity of about 90% and an excitation purity of 5% or less. The complementary wavelengths can be wavelengths above about 640 nm, wavelengths above about 660 nm, and/or wavelengths from about 540 nm to about 560 nm. Further, in one embodiment the difference between the light transmittance just below 420 nm and the light transmittance just above 420 nm can be greater than 90%. Above 420 nm, in some embodiments, the light transmittance can be arbitrarily determined. The optically effective material can be optical-grade glass, an optical-grade plastic or polymer, a thin-film dielectric coating, or an optical-grade glass or plastic coated with a dielectric coating. The optical filter can be mounted downstream of an illumination source exit aperture, wherein the illumination source produces the incident light beam, and upstream of a site to be illuminated by the filtered light beam. Alternatively, the optical filter can be operably mounted on a set of viewing optics of a surgical microscope to filter a reflected portion of a light beam produced by an illumination source and used to illuminate a site, such as a surgical site.
Abstract:
The present invention pretains to a device for protecting the human eye by means of a narrow bandwith interference filter which filters out one or more specific wavelengths of light emitted in the form of a coherent, concentrated beam that is laser radiation and in coherent light, an image intensifier for amplifying an image passing through the narrow bandwidth filter to an observable light level, and a neutral density filter which reduces image reflected illuminance to avoid detection.