In some embodiments, a system comprises a head-mounted frame removably coupleable to the user's head; one or more light sources coupled to the head-mounted frame and configured to emit light with at least two different wavelengths toward a target object in an irradiation field of view of the light sources; one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors coupled to the head-mounted member and configured to receive light reflected after encountering the target object; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more light sources and detectors and configured to determine and display an output indicating the identity or property of the target object as determined by the light properties measured by the detectors in relation to the light properties emitted by the light sources.

Provided is a reliable or accurate optical detection method or such an optical imaging method. Also provided is an application technique using such a method. At least a part of an optical path starting from a light-emitting source or reaching a photodetector includes a plurality of optical paths. At a predetermined position of the optical path, beams of light after passing through the plurality of optical paths are mixed. This mixed light is used for optical detection or optical imaging. An optical-length difference among beams of light passing through the plurality of optical paths may be longer than the coherence length. Means for feed-backing predetermined characteristics of a target to the optical characteristics to be used for optical detection or optical imaging may be included. Such means may be used separately from the above. Such means may be applied to another technique, an application material or an application program.

A subject identification device includes: an illuminator configured to generate illumination light including components at a plurality of wavelength bands, each of the components having a characteristic in accordance with a respective one of settings; an imager configured to generate an image signal by capturing light from a subject under the illumination light having the illumination characteristic; and a processor including hardware. The processor is configured to: define an illumination characteristic of the illumination light; analyze the image signal to acquire spectral information of the subject; and cross check the spectral information of the subject with subject identification information in order to identify the subject. When the subject is not identified, the processor is configured to define another illumination characteristic that causes spectral information of potentials for the subject to be identified, and subsequently each of the imager and the processor performs a process.

A Raman spectroscopy apparatus comprises an imaging optical system that transmits light from an object to a spectrograph along an optical path. A scanning device intersects, and is movable with respect to, the optical path. Light is directed onto the scanning device to illuminate the object at a plurality of illumination points. The imaging optical system transmits Raman scattered light emitted from the object at the illumination points to an intermediate image plane, the scanning device being located at the intermediate image plane, and transmits the Raman scattered light from the intermediate image plane to the spectrograph. In comparison with conventional confocal Raman spectroscopy, the apparatus can perform Raman analysis of a sample more quickly, and in comparison with conventional line scan Raman spectroscopy the apparatus can perform Raman analysis more accurately.

An infrared microscope includes an illumination optical system which guides infrared red to an analysis position on a sample; a connection optical system which guides infrared light, supplied from an infrared spectrophotometer, to said illumination optical system; a visible light source unit which outputs visible light to a region including said analysis position on the sample; an image acquisition unit which inputs visible light from the region including said analysis position on the sample to a detection surface and acquires a visible light image; and a detection unit which detects infrared light from said analysis position on the sample. The connection optical system can be positionally adjusted, and said image acquisition unit is capable of acquiring an infrared light image by inputting infrared light to a detection surface.

System and method configured to operate under conditions when the object being imaged destroys or negates the information which otherwise allows the user to take advantage of optical parallax, configured to elicit luminescence from the same targets in the object as a result of irradiation of these targets with pump light at different, respectively corresponding wavelengths, and acquire optical data from so-illuminated targets through the very same optical path to image the object at different wavelengths. One embodiment enables acquisition, by the same optical detector and from the same object, of imaging data that includes a reflectance image and multiple fluorescence-based images caused by light at different wavelengths, to assess difference in depths of locations of targets within the object.

An infrared microscope includes an illumination optical system which guides infrared red to an analysis position on a sample; a connection optical system which guides infrared light, supplied from an infrared spectrophotometer, to said illumination optical system; a visible light source unit which outputs visible light to a region including said analysis position on the sample; an image acquisition unit which inputs visible light from the region including said analysis position on the sample to a detection surface and acquires a visible light image; and a detection unit which detects infrared light from said analysis position on the sample. The connection optical system can be positionally adjusted, and said image acquisition unit is capable of acquiring an infrared light image by inputting infrared light to a detection surface.

In some embodiments, a system comprises a head-mounted frame removably coupleable to the user's head; one or more light sources coupled to the head-mounted frame and configured to emit light with at least two different wavelengths toward a target object in an irradiation field of view of the light sources; one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors coupled to the head-mounted member and configured to receive light reflected after encountering the target object; and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more light sources and detectors and configured to determine and display an output indicating the identity or property of the target object as determined by the light properties measured by the detectors in relation to the light properties emitted by the light sources.

In one implementation, a spectral microscope may comprise a substrate with a planar lens, the planar lens including a phase profile including an axial focus and an oblique focus, a light source to excite a signal of a particle among a plurality of particles, and a detector to receive light generated from the light source from the axial focus of the planar lens and a spectral color component of the excited signal of the particle from the oblique focus of the planar lens.

A compact, portable Raman spectrometer makes fast, sensitive standoff measurements at little to no risk of eye injury or igniting the materials being probed. This spectrometer uses differential Raman spectroscopy and ambient light measurements to measure point-and-shoot Raman signatures of dark or highly fluorescent materials at distances of 1 cm to 10 m or more. It scans the Raman pump beam(s) across the sample to reduce the risk of unduly heating or igniting the sample. Beam scanning also transforms the spectrometer into an instrument with a lower effective safety classification, reducing the risk of eye injury. The spectrometer's long standoff range automatic focusing make it easier to identify chemicals through clear and translucent obstacles, such as flow tubes, windows, and containers. And the spectrometer's components are light and small enough to be packaged in a handheld housing or housing suitable for a small robot to carry.