Disclosed is a method of evaluating sample system anisotropic refractive indices, and orientations thereof with respect to an alignment surface, in multiple dimensions. The preferred method involves a sequence of steps which allows overcoming mathematical model parameter correlation during mathematical regression parameter evaluation, even though individually, steps of the present invention method wherein anisotropic refractive indices, or differences therebetween, are evaluated, require that on...

An apparatus for measuring polarization dependent loss is disclosed featuring several fiber optic couplers combined in tandem and oriented such that the PDL noise of the measurement system is reduced to a negligible level. By matching the PDLs of the couplers and vectorally subtracting opposite phases of polarization, the PDL of the measurement system is virtually eliminated. Thus, the PDL noise floor is lowered to near zero and the PDL of the optical device-under-test (DUT) can be accurately me...

A vernier ratchet-type lens adjuster for use with a lens array allows for fine adjustment of the coverage pattern of a sensor. The lens array can have notches, or teeth, that interact with a single tooth, or pawl, of a lens adjuster unit to maintain the position of the lens array. A user can make fine adjustments to the coverage pattern of the sensor by moving the lens array small increments. Alternatively, a rack and pinion type vernier adjuster can be used. One edge of the lens array has notch...

A system for inspecting indicia on a golf ball is disclosed herein. The system uses a multitude of cameras to analyze indicia that has been printed on the surface of the golf ball in order to accept or reject each golf ball. In a preferred embodiment, the system is placed in-line with the printing of the indicia on the golf ball surface, and prior to the curing of the indicia in order to easily remove unacceptable indicia.

A signature recognition system for identifying an article with a distinctive diffraction element (or elements) and verifying the presence of that element or elements comprising: an article with one or more diffraction gratings impressed thereon, the grating(s) exhibiting periodic wave surface profiles having a depth-to-pitch ratio .delta. of between 0.1 and 0.5, a source of polarized electromagnetic radiation of wavelength .lambda. such that the pitch G of the periodic wave surface profile of th...

A method and apparatus for use in respect of samples which are assessed for quality prior to testing in a clinical analyzer. The method and apparatus identify parameters such as gel level and height of fluid above the gel in blood samples, where appropriate, for the purposes of positioning the specimen for determination of interferents. Such interferents include hemoglobin (Hb), total bilirubin and lipids. These interferents are determined by measurement of absorption of different wavelengths of...

A method for maintaining substantial reliability of color measurements obtained by a number of color measuring instruments includes by measuring color values of a set of master color standards on a master color measuring instrument at a master color lab, and measuring color values of sets of working color standards on the same instrument to determine calibration values. The working sets are provided to remote locations for use on remote color measuring instruments and the working sets are measur...

Disclosed are ellipsometer and polarimeter systems which have multi-element input and output lenses that demonstrate essentially the same focal length at each wavelength in a spectroscopic range of wavelengths.

The present invention provides a system for illuminating an object with a special kind of structured light pattern, recording the shape of the reflected points of light by means of a camera, and, by a triangulation technique that does not depend on the fixed direction of the light source relative to the camera, reconstructing the 3D shape of the object through a computer using the data points collected from the reflection of the structured light pattern. The scanning system is portable and does ...

A sensor system includes a sensor, and an optical train adjustable to provide an optical beam to the sensor from a selected line of sight that may be varied. The optical train includes a wavefront error-introducing element in the optical train, which introduces a wavefront error that is a function of the selected line of sight. There is further a rigid-body wavefront error-correcting element in the optical train. The rigid-body wavefront error-correcting element has a spatially dependent correct...