A luminescent diode surface within the cold shield of an infrared camera to allow for continuous non-uniformity correction with uniform irradiance across an infrared IR detector array. Further provided by the inclusion of a luminescent diode surface within the cold shield paneling is the ability to change the diode bias providing a negative luminescent effect while utilizing reverse bias and an electro-luminescent effect while utilizing a forward bias. This may then further allow for multiple set points to provide continuous offset and gain correction and to correct non-linear response effects.

Apparatuses and methods for microscopic analysis of a sample using spatial light manipulation to increase signal to noise ratio are described herein.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for limiting the output of a laser, wherein a reflecting device arranged in the optical path of a laser beam comprises a switching layer which comprises or consists of a material exhibiting a metal-insulator transition and a reflecting layer which is positioned downstream of the switching layer in the optical path of the laser beam, wherein the reflecting device is configured such that an output of the laser beam when it is incident upon the reflecting device which exceeds a predefined threshold causes a change in the refractive index of the material in the switching layer, and the output of the laser beam reflected by the reflecting device is thus reduced as compared to the output of the laser beam when it is incident upon the reflecting device due to reduced reflection by the reflecting device.

The invention relates to a photometer (30) for analysing the composition of a sample gas. The photometer comprises an infra-red (IR) source (20) configured to direct a first plurality of pulses (40) of IR radiation through the sample gas to an IR detector (26), at least two of the first plurality of pulses being of different wavelength. The photometer further comprises an ultraviolet (UV) source (32) configured to generate a second plurality of pulses (38) of UV radiation for conveyance to a UV detector (36), at least two of the second plurality of pulses being of different wavelength. A path selection arrangement (22, 42-50) is configured to selectively convey different ones of the second plurality of pulses (38) to one of the sample gas and the UV detector (36). The photometer further comprises processing circuitry coupled to the IR source (20), the UV source (32), the IR detector (26), the UV detector (36) and the path selection arrangement (22, 42-50). The processing circuitry is configured to (i) select the wavelength to be used for a given UV pulse of the second plurality of pulses (38), (ii) receive a plurality of detection signals from each of the IR detector (26) and the UV detector (36) and (iii) based on the detection signals, determine a concentration of at least one component of the sample gas. A method for analysing the composition of a sample gas is also disclosed.

The present disclosure concerns an emitter package for a photoacoustic sensor, the emitter package comprising a MEMS infrared radiation source for emitting pulsed infrared radiation in a first wavelength range. The MEMS infrared radiation source may be arranged on a substrate. The emitter package may further comprise a rigid wall structure being arranged on the substrate and laterally surrounding a periphery of the MEMS infrared radiation source. The emitter package may further comprise a lid structure being attached to the rigid wall structure, the lid structure comprising a filter structure for filtering the infrared radiation emitted from the MEMS infrared radiation source and for providing a filtered infrared radiation in a reduced second wavelength range.

Described herein is a modulation device for periodically modulating light emitted by a light source. The modulation device includes at least one enclosing tube being rotatable about a cylinder axis of the enclosing tube. The enclosing tube includes at least one aperture disposed within a cylindrical wall of the enclosing tube. The modulation device further includes at least one driving system for rotating the enclosing tube about the cylinder axis. Also described herein are a modulated illumination device and a spectrometer device.

Apparatuses and methods for microscopic analysis of a sample using spatial light manipulation to increase signal to noise ratio are described herein.

An IR radiator element (1) suitable for use as a miniature infrared emitter (micro-hotplate) in a gas sensor, IR-spectrometer or electron microscope. The micro-hotplate comprises a plate (2) supported by multiple support arms (4). The plate and arms are fabricated as a MEMS device comprising a single contiguous piece of electrically-conducting refractory ceramic such as hafnium carbide (HfC) or tantalum hafnium carbide (TaHfC). Each of the arms (4), in addition to providing structural cantilever support for the plate (2), acts as a heating element for the plate (2). The plate (2) is heated by applying a voltage across the arms (4). The arms (4) may also be shaped to absorb thermomechanical stress which arises during the heating and cooling of the arms and plate. The plate, which may have an area of less than 0.05 mm.sup.2 and a thickness of between 1% and 10% of the largest dimension of the plate (2), for example, can be heated to 4,000 K or more and cooled again with a duty cycle of as little 0.5 ms, thereby permitting pulsed operation at frequencies of up to 2 kHz. Its small size (10-200 μm) and low power consumption (e.g. 10-100 mW) make the micro-hotplate suitable for use in cryogenic applications, in miniaturized devices or in battery-powered devices such as mobile phones.

An IR (infrared) radiation source includes a sealed cavity structure enclosing a vacuum chamber having a low atmospheric pressure, wherein the sealed cavity structure includes a thermally and electrically insulating material for enclosing the vacuum chamber, heating filaments extending in the vacuum chamber between opposing electrode regions at opposing wall regions of the vacuum chamber, wherein the heating filaments are electrically connected in parallel, and wherein the heating filaments and the electrode regions have a highly electrically conductive material, and an optical isolation structure adjacent to the vacuum chamber for optically confining the IR radiation and providing a predominant propagation direction of the IR radiation.

Aspects relate to a handheld spectroscopy scanner including an optical window configured to receive a sample and a housing having the optical window thereon. The housing further includes therein a light source and a spectral sensor including a light modulator and a detector. The scanner housing further includes a processor configured to receive a spectrum of the sample from the spectral sensor based on interaction of light produced by the light source with the sample on the optical window. The processor is further configured to produce spectral data based on the sample spectrum for input to an artificial intelligence engine to produce a result based on the spectral data. In addition, the scanner housing may include a flange holding the light source and a heat sink configured to dissipate the internal heat generated. The housing further includes a cavity forming a handle for easy operation of the handheld spectroscopy scanner.