Various embodiments set forth techniques for characterizing films on optically clear substrates using ellipsometry. In some embodiments, a spectroscopic ellipsometer is configured to generate a light beam that has a relatively small spot size and is substantially absorbed by an optically clear substrate, thereby reducing or eliminating reflections from an interface between the substrate and air. Optical simulations can be performed to determine values for various parameters associated with the ellipsometer that minimize the reflections from the interface between the substrate and air and maximize reflections from an interface between a film and the substrate. In addition, graded films that include multiple layers can be analyzed using models of multiple layers.

A single ion imaging-based detection method and device are provided. After being reflected by an electromodulation singularity coupling differential imaging reaction unit, a probe beam from a total internal reflection ellipsometry imager converges on a CCD or CMOS detector, the acquired sensing surface image data is transmitted to a signal processing unit, the common mode noise is eliminated by performing spectral analysis on differential signals of a working sensing surface and a reference sensing surface, the peak intensity of a modulating signal is selected on the spectrum for wave filtering to obtain a real-time signal of interaction of single ions or charged molecules at a solid-liquid interface. Based on the singularity effect at a surface plasma resonance angle of an ellipsometry phase and a corresponding optical signal noise suppression scheme, the present application can achieve real-time observation of the adsorption of single ions or charged molecules at a solid surface.

There is provided a method of detecting a change of a state of a liquid comprising the steps of: •providing a liquid detection medium (12) comprising a liquid and having a plurality of anisotropic magnetic particles suspended therein; •applying a modulated magnetic field across at least a portion of the liquid detection medium (12), wherein the magnetic field induces an alignment of the magnetic particles; •introducing electromagnetic radiation (22) into the liquid detection medium (12); •detecting a variable which is modulated by the applied magnetic field, wherein the variable is associated with the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation (22) with the magnetic particles and wherein the change in the state of the liquid causes a variation in the detected variable; and •correlating the variation in the detected variable with the change in the state of the liquid.

There is provided a method of detecting a change of a state of a liquid comprising the steps of: •providing a liquid detection medium (12) comprising a liquid and having a plurality of anisotropic magnetic particles suspended therein; •applying a modulated magnetic field across at least a portion of the liquid detection medium (12), wherein the magnetic field induces an alignment of the magnetic particles; •introducing electromagnetic radiation (22) into the liquid detection medium (12); •detecting a variable which is modulated by the applied magnetic field, wherein the variable is associated with the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation (22) with the magnetic particles and wherein the change in the state of the liquid causes a variation in the detected variable; and •correlating the variation in the detected variable with the change in the state of the liquid.

A multi-purpose in-situ contamination sampler includes an inner frame surrounded by a plurality of removable or attachable pieces, each of which include of a single witness surface configured to collect both particulate and molecular contamination within an environment on a payload or a spacecraft.

A spectroscopic ellipsometry system and method for thin film measurement with high spatial resolution. The system includes a rotating compensator so that spectroscopic ellipsometric and imaging ellipsometric data are collected simultaneously with the same measurement beam. Collecting both ellipsometric data sets simultaneously increases the information content for analysis and affords a substantial increase in measurement performance.

Provided are a concentration measuring method of an optically active substance and a concentration measuring device of an optically active substance, which can easily and accurately measure a concentration of the optically active substance in aqueous humor. The concentration measuring method of an optically active substance includes: a first step of measuring a polarization state of a first reflected light that is obtained by irradiating an aqueous humor in an eye with an incidence light which is polarized and reflecting the incidence light at an interface between the aqueous humor and a lens, in which the polarization state of the first reflected light is measured by irradiating a first incidence light such that an angle between a normal line to a point where the incidence light intersects a surface of the lens, and the incidence light is equal to or smaller than a Brewster angle; a second step of measuring a polarization state of a second reflected light by irradiating with a second incidence light such that an angle of the incidence light is equal to or larger than the Brewster angle; a third step of calculating an optical rotation of the aqueous humor with information on the polarization state of the first reflected light and information on the polarization state of the second reflected light; and a fourth step of calculating a concentration of an optically active substance in the aqueous humor from the optical rotation of the aqueous humor.

Provided are a concentration measuring method of an optically active substance and a concentration measuring device of an optically active substance, which can easily and accurately measure a concentration of the optically active substance in aqueous humor. The concentration measuring method of an optically active substance includes: a first step of measuring a polarization state of a first reflected light that is obtained by irradiating an aqueous humor in an eye with an incidence light which is polarized and reflecting the incidence light at an interface between the aqueous humor and a lens, in which the polarization state of the first reflected light is measured by irradiating a first incidence light such that an angle between a normal line to a point where the incidence light intersects a surface of the lens, and the incidence light is equal to or smaller than a Brewster angle; a second step of measuring a polarization state of a second reflected light by irradiating with a second incidence light such that an angle of the incidence light is equal to or larger than the Brewster angle; a third step of calculating an optical rotation of the aqueous humor with information on the polarization state of the first reflected light and information on the polarization state of the second reflected light; and a fourth step of calculating a concentration of an optically active substance in the aqueous humor from the optical rotation of the aqueous humor.

A system includes a sensor for measuring a skin parameter. The sensor includes at least three spatially separated light sources for providing unpolarized visible light, a detector located at a first distance from each of the light sources selected from the range of 10-80 mm and at a second distance from the skin, and a polarizer including one or more of a segmented polarizer and a spatially varying polarizer. In a sensing mode, the light sources are configured to sequentially illuminate the skin with the light with optical axes at an angle of incidence selected from the range of 10°-80°, and the detector is configured to sequentially detect light reflected from the skin and generate corresponding detector signals.

A system includes a sensor for measuring a skin parameter. The sensor includes at least three spatially separated light sources for providing unpolarized visible light, a detector located at a first distance from each of the light sources selected from the range of 10-80 mm and at a second distance from the skin, and a polarizer including one or more of a segmented polarizer and a spatially varying polarizer. In a sensing mode, the light sources are configured to sequentially illuminate the skin with the light with optical axes at an angle of incidence selected from the range of 10°-80°, and the detector is configured to sequentially detect light reflected from the skin and generate corresponding detector signals.