According to one aspect, the invention relates to a device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) for measuring the distance, with respect to a reference plane (P.sub.REF), from a point of light (P.sub.i) of an object (O). The device comprises a two-dimensional detector (30) comprising a detection plane (P.sub.DET) and an imaging system (10) adapted to form an image of a light spot (P.sub.i) situated on an object of interest plane (11) in an image plane (11′) arranged in the vicinity of the detection plane (P.sub.DET) or a conjugate plane (P′.sub.DET) of the detection plane. The device further comprises a separator element (20) for forming, from a beam emitted by a point of light of the object of interest plane (11), and emerging from the imaging system (10) at least two coherent beams, having a spatial superposition region in which the beams interfere and a signal processing means (50) for determining, from the interference pattern formed on the detection plane, and resulting from the optical interferences between said coherent beams, the distance from the point of light to a conjugate plane of the detection plane in the object space of the imaging system (10), said conjugate plane of the detection plane forming the reference plane (P.sub.REF).

An optical microscope system for 3D surface deformation and morphology measurement that can serve as a powerful tool in quality engineering and control, as well as in biological and materials research is described. The system was developed in part by combining the DAIC technique with optical microscopy. Decoding algorithms were derived for calculating the 3D displacement or profile of a micro-sized test sample from the in-plane displacement components of it first-order diffracted views.

An optical microscope system for 3D surface deformation and morphology measurement that can serve as a powerful tool in quality engineering and control, as well as in biological and materials research is described. The system was developed in part by combining the DAIC technique with optical microscopy. Decoding algorithms were derived for calculating the 3D displacement or profile of a micro-sized test sample from the in-plane displacement components of it first-order diffracted views.

A method is provided for determining the distance between two optical boundary surfaces spaced apart from each other in a first direction. A first image is ascertained wherein the plane into which the pattern acquired coincides with a first of two optical boundary surfaces or has the smallest distance to the first optical boundary surface in a first direction. A position of the first image in the first direction is determined. A second image is ascertained wherein the plane into which the pattern acquired coincides with a second of two optical boundary surfaces or has the smallest distance to the second optical boundary surface in the first direction. The position of the second image in the first direction is determined. The distance is calculated by means of determined positions of the first and second image.

A method is provided for determining the distance between two optical boundary surfaces spaced apart from each other in a first direction. A first image is ascertained wherein the plane into which the pattern acquired coincides with a first of two optical boundary surfaces or has the smallest distance to the first optical boundary surface in a first direction. A position of the first image in the first direction is determined. A second image is ascertained wherein the plane into which the pattern acquired coincides with a second of two optical boundary surfaces or has the smallest distance to the second optical boundary surface in the first direction. The position of the second image in the first direction is determined. The distance is calculated by means of determined positions of the first and second image.

Some embodiments are directed to a technique having an off-axis interferometric geometry that is capable of spatially multiplexing at least six complex wavefronts, while using the same number of camera pixels typically needed for a single off-axis hologram encoding a single complex wavefront. Each of the at least six parallel complex wavefronts is encoded into an off-axis hologram with a different fringe orientation, and all complex wavefronts can be fully reconstructed. This technique is especially useful for highly dynamic samples, as it allows the acquisition of at least six complex wavefronts simultaneously, optimizing the amount of information that can be acquired in a single camera exposure. The off-axis multiplexing holographic system of some embodiments provide an off-axis holography modality that is more camera spatial bandwidth efficient than on-axis holography. Moreover, the off-axis interferometric system allows simple simultaneous acquisition of at least six holographic channels, making it attractive for imaging dynamics.

The invention provides novel sample chambers, units and multi-well plates, and systems and methods thereof, for built-in measurement assurance of cell counting methods and calibrated and/or quality-assured measurement and analysis of diverse types of biological cells, e.g., cell count, cell size, cell concentration, cell sub-population, cell morphology, cell viability, etc.

A super-resolution holographic microscope includes a light source configured to emit input light, a diffraction grating configured to split the input light into first diffracted light and second diffracted light, a mirror configured to reflect the first diffracted light, a wafer stage arranged on an optical path of the second diffracted light and on which a wafer is configured to be arranged, and a camera configured to receive the first diffracted light that is reflected by the mirror and the second diffracted light that is reflected by the wafer to generate a plurality of hologram images of the wafer.

A method for mounting a sensor bearing unit providing a bearing and an impulse ring provided with a target holder and with a target mounted on an axial portion of the target holder. The method including measuring an eccentricity E.sub.1 between the target and the axial portion of the target holder, measuring an eccentricity E.sub.2 between a groove made in the bore of an inner ring of the bearing and the bore, introducing the target holder inside the groove, turning the target holder inside the groove to an angular position in which the eccentricity E.sub.total between the target and the bore of the inner ring is less than or equal to a predetermined value which is lower than the sum of the eccentricities E.sub.1 and E.sub.2, and securing the target holder inside the groove of the inner ring at the angular position.

The invention is a system and method to measure oil content in water utilizing the fluorescence of oil emitted under excitation by laser. Oil and water mixture is transferred through the system to a measurement section in a microscope, which produces high resolution 3-dimensional images of the oil and water mixture with the fluorescence. The images are analyzed to calculate the amount of oil in water and oil droplets distribution. The image is also analyzed to distinguish oil coated solids from oil droplets, and to calculate the sizes and volumes of the solids.