An apparatus for use in the measurement of the optical density of macular pigment in the human eye, and an apparatus for the use in measuring the lens optical density of a human eye. The apparatus is particularly applicable to flicker photometers, which are used to measure the macular pigment in the human eye.

The invention relates to a portable multi-spectrometry system for chemical and biological sensing in atmospheric air. A portable, spectrometric system integrates multiple spectroscopy theories, combines their advantageous features, and fills the gaps for their limitations. The combined spectrometry system with operations for PLS, IRAS, MAS, MFS, RSS, and MS, will detect particles and chemicals, directly and sequentially, in the same air-stream.

There is provided an optical characteristic measurement system that can be set up in a relatively short time and can increase a detection sensitivity. The optical characteristic measurement system includes a first measurement apparatus. The first measurement apparatus includes: a first detection element arranged in a housing; a first cooling unit at least partially joined to the first detection element that cools the detection element; and a suppression mechanism that suppresses temperature variations occurring around the detection element in the housing.

There is provided an optical characteristic measurement system that can be set up in a relatively short time and can increase a detection sensitivity. The optical characteristic measurement system includes a first measurement apparatus. The first measurement apparatus includes: a first detection element arranged in a housing; a first cooling unit at least partially joined to the first detection element that cools the detection element; and a suppression mechanism that suppresses temperature variations occurring around the detection element in the housing.

The invention features devices and methods for collecting and measuring light from external light sources. In general, the devices of the invention feature a light diffusing element, e.g., as a component of a light collector, connected by a light conducting conduit, e.g., a fiber optic cable, to a light measuring device, e.g., a spectrometer. This light diffusing element allows, e.g., for substantially uniform light diffusion across its surface and thus accurate measurements, while permitting the total footprint of the device to remain relatively small and portable. This light diffusing element also allows flexibility in scaling of the device to permit use in a wide range of applications.

A spectrometer apparatus (1) is provided for measuring spectra of a liquid sample, such as a beverage such as wine. The apparatus (1) comprises an integrating cavity (3) comprising a reflective inner wall or walls (5), configured to receive a cuvette (7) containing the liquid sample within the integrating cavity (5). A combination of light inlet ports P1, P2 and light outlet ports P3, P4 are provided to receive light from at least one light source (9) and to deliver light to a spectrometer (11). A light path adjuster (13, 13B) is configured to selectively adjust a light path through the integrating cavity (5) such that at least two distinct light paths are provided; wherein when the light path adjuster (13, 13B) is in a first configuration, the apparatus (1) is in a transmission mode in which light from the light source follows a first light path (15) from the or one of the light inlet port(s) to the liquid sample such that the light from the light source irradiates the liquid sample directly before the light transmitted by the sample is transmitted through the or one of the light outlet port(s) and received by the spectrometer (11) for wavelength analysis of the light to provide an extinction spectrum of the liquid sample; and when the light path adjuster (13, 13B) is in a second configuration, the apparatus is in a diffusely reflecting mode in which light from the light source follows a second light path (17) from the or one of the inlet port(s) into the integrating cavity, is incident onto the reflective inner wall or walls of the integrating cavity and is diffusely reflected within the integrating cavity, such that the light from the light source irradiates the liquid sample before being transmitted through the or one of the light outlet port(s) and received by the spectrometer (11) for wavelength analysis of the light to provide an absorbance spectrum of the liquid sample contained in the liquid sample.

A system and method of non-contact measurement of the dopant content of semiconductor material by reflecting infrared (IR) radiation off of the material into an integrating sphere to scatter the received radiation and passing portions of the radiation through band pass filters of differing wavelength ranges, comparing the level of energy passed through each filter and calculating the dopant content by referencing a correlation curve made up of known wafer dopant content for that system.

Spectrophotometer for the characterization of receivers of solar collectors in order to determine optical properties (transmittance and reflectance). The equipment allows the evaluation of a receiver tube in real time and in any kind of light conditions, both inside and outside. The equipment also allows the detection of the eccentricity between the outer tube and the inner tube, which directly influences the reliability of the measurement. The equipment has a mechanical system for allowing a rotation of the equipment around the tube in order to find the optimum measurement position and attach itself to the tube.

Systems and methods are provided for measuring spectral hemispherical reflectance. One embodiment is a system that includes a laser that emits a beam of light, and an optical chopper disposed between the laser and a sample. The chopper blocks the beam while the chopper is at a first angle of rotation, redirects the beam along a reference path while the chopper is at a second angle of rotation, and permits the beam to follow a sample path through the chopper and strike the sample while the chopper is at a third angle of rotation. The system also includes a hollow sphere that defines a slot through which the sample path and reference path enter the sphere. The hollow sphere includes a spectral hemispherical reflectance detector, a mount that receives the sample at the sphere, and an actuator that rotates the sphere about an axis that intersects the sample.

An imaging system (200) for generating a measure of authenticity of an object (10) comprises a dispersive imaging arrangement (30) and an image sensor arrangement (60). They are positioned so that, when electromagnetic radiation (20) from the object (10) illuminates the dispersive imaging arrangement (30), the electromagnetic radiation is dispersed and imaged by the image sensor arrangement (60). The imaging system (200) is configured to then generate a measure of authenticity of the object (10) depending at least on a relation between the imaged dispersed electromagnetic radiation and reference spectral information. The invention also relates to imaging methods, computer programs, computer program products, and storage mediums.