A system for detecting a void in a photoresist layer can include: a detector, a processor, and a memory. The detector can be arranged to receive reflected light from a surface of a sample. The processor can be in electrical communication with the detector, The memory can store instructions that, when executed by the processor, can cause the processor to perform operations. The operations can comprise: receiving optical data from the detector, receiving calibrated data, and determining an existence of the void. the optical data can include information regarding a signature of the reflected light. The calibrated data can include information regarding a signature for a known sample of photoresist. The determination of the existence of the void can be based on a deviation of the optical data from the calibrated data.

A diamond probe is suitable to be attached to an Atomic Force Microscope and is created with a tip that incorporates a one or more Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers located near the end of the tip. The probe arm acts as an optical waveguide to propagate the emission from the NV center with high efficiency and a beveled end directs excitation light to the NV center and directs photoluminescence light emanating from the NV center into the probe arm. The light source (or a portion of the light source), a detector, as well as an RF antenna, if used, may be mounted to the probe arm. The probe with integrated components enable excitation of photoluminescence in the NV center as well as optically detected Electron Spin Resonance (ODMR) and temperature measurements, and may further serve as a light probe utilizing the physical effect of Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED).

A diamond probe is suitable to be attached to an Atomic Force Microscope and is created with a tip that incorporates a one or more Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers located near the end of the tip. The probe arm acts as an optical waveguide to propagate the emission from the NV center with high efficiency and a beveled end directs excitation light to the NV center and directs photoluminescence light emanating from the NV center into the probe arm. The probe tip is scanned over an area of a sample with an electric charge, such as a field effect transistor or flash memory. Optically Detected Spin Resonance (ODMR) is measured as the probe tip is scanned over the area of the sample, from which a characteristic of the area of the sample with the electric charge may be determined.

Technologies are generally described for spectroscopic determination of one or more optical properties of a gemstone. An imaging device may include one or more light sources configured to illuminate one or more portions of the gemstone, and one or more photo detectors configured to detect reflected light from the portions of the gemstone in response to the illumination. An analysis module may be communicatively coupled to the imaging device, and configured to analyze the reflected light to determine the optical properties of the portions of the gemstone. The optical properties may include at least one of a clarity, color, fluorescence, birefringence, dichroism, and brilliance of the portions of the gemstone. In some examples, an optical fingerprint of the gemstone may be created based on one or more determined optical characteristics of the portions of the gemstone, where the optical fingerprint may uniquely identify the gemstone.

A sample measuring apparatus of an embodiment includes: a laser diode that applies laser light to a measurement specimen prepared from a sample; a detection unit that acquires optical information from a particle in the measurement specimen to which the laser light is applied; a drive circuit that supplies a direct-current drive signal to the laser diode; and a high-frequency conversion circuit that generates a potential that switches between a high level and a low level in a predetermined cycle to guide the drive signal outputted from the drive circuit to a second signal path which is different from a first signal path connected to the laser diode in the predetermined cycle, thereby converting the drive signal to be supplied to the laser diode into a high-frequency signal.

A measurement system is provided with an array of laser diodes with one or more Bragg reflectors. At least a portion of the light generated by the array is configured to penetrate tissue comprising skin. A detection system configured to: measure a phase shift, and a time-of-flight, of at least a portion of the light from the array of laser diodes reflected from the tissue relative to the portion of the light generated by the array; generate one or more images of the tissue; detect oxy- or deoxy-hemoglobin in the tissue; non-invasively measure blood in blood vessels within or below a dermis layer within the skin; measure one or more physiological parameters based at least in part on the non-invasively measured blood; and measure a variation in the blood or physiological parameter over a period of time.

Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits radiation; at least one element for directing the emission radiation in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission radiation travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. Each sensor may detect emission radiation from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well.

An active remote sensing system is provided with an array of laser diodes that generate light directed to an object having one or more optical wavelengths that include at least one near-infrared wavelength between 600 nanometers and 1000 nanometers. One of the laser diodes pulses at a modulation frequency between 10 Megahertz and 1 Gigahertz and has a phase associated with the modulation frequency. A detection system includes a photo-detector, a lens, a spectral filter at an input to the photo-detector, and a processor that processes digitized signals received from the photo-detector to generate an output signal. The detection system uses a lock-in technique that synchronizes pulsing the one laser diode. The active remote sensing system is configured to be mounted on a vehicle or an airborne platform to provide distance information based on a time-of-flight measurement.

A method of selectively catalytically oxidizing dinitrogen oxide present in a gaseous sample, comprising: heating a NiO catalyst to a temperature of at least 250° C.; and bringing the gaseous sample into contact with the heated NiO catalyst to oxidize dinitrogen oxide of the gaseous sample in the presence of the heated NiO catalyst.

An optical detector comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a photodiode operable to detect light incident on that pixel and to generate a signal indicative of an intensity of that light. The plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of pixel pairs, and for each pixel pair, in a configuration mode, the detector is arranged to compare the signal generated by a first pixel of the pair with the signal generated by a second pixel of the pair. A method of optical detection is also described, as is a system incorporating the described optical detector.