Abstract:
A liquid scintillation counter 10 serving as an optical measurement apparatus includes: an HPD 24, a charge amplifier 26, a voltage amplifier 28, a comparator 30, a counter 32, a multi-channel analyzer 34, a display 38, and the like. The HPD 24 has a photocathode 24a and an APD 24b for outputting a signal that corresponds to the number of incident photons. The comparator 30 outputs a logic pulse signal, serving as a comparison result signal, only when the signal outputted from the HPD 24 and amplified by the charge amplifier 26 and voltage amplifier 28 is larger than a prescribed threshold value. This threshold value is set larger than an output signal that is outputted when a single photoelectron is emitted from the photocathode 24a and smaller than another output signal that is outputted when two or more photoelectrons are emitted.
Abstract:
A technique is provided in which the inside and outside of an exposure device is prevented from being adversely affected by leakage of light by setting an inspection output most suitable for high-power LD. A light-leakage detection level is set correspondingly to output characteristics of each high-power LD, and respective thresholds thereof are previously stored. As a result, leakage of light can be determined in a lower-power state of 100 mW or less. Accordingly, even if leakage of light may occur, leakage of light can be determined before high-power light leaks, and the inside and outside of the device can be prevented from being adversely affected by light leakage.
Abstract:
A method for monitoring the solids content in a Fischer-Tropsch product to allow subsequent changes in the Fischer-Tropsch process to prevent downstream problems. The method comprises irradiating the Fischer-Tropsch product with light and measuring the light transmitted through the Fischer-Tropsch product to determine the solids content in the Fisher-Tropsch product.
Abstract:
An instrument for determining the concentration of a particular gas that might be present in a sample has no moving parts and is extremely compact and inexpensive. A novel waveguiding structure serves both as an optical element and as the sample chamber. As an optical element, the waveguiding structure collects radiation from a blackbody source located at the entrance end of the waveguiding structure and conducts the radiation through the waveguiding structure, concentrating it on two infrared detectors mounted at the opposite end of the waveguiding structure. As a sample chamber, the waveguiding structure causes the radiation to undergo multiple reflections that result in the average path length being substantially greater than the physical length of the waveguiding structure. Each of the detectors has its own optical filter, and baffling assures that each detector responds only to radiation which has passed through its filter. One filter defines a spectral passband that coincides with the infrared absorption band of the gas to be measured. The other filter defines a non-absorbing or neutral passband. The electrical signals produced by the detectors are processed to provide a ratio, the value of which is related to the concentration of the particular gas to be detected.
Abstract:
An optical wavelength detector includes a photoelectric device that produces a signal in response to incident light thereon corresponding to a characteristic of the incident light such as wavelength. A light source is provided that can selectively expose light to the photoelectric device. A memory device stores device characterization data that corresponds wavelength information to current ratio signals from the photoelectric device. The current ratio signals are digitized and form part of the address for the memory. In a temperature compensated embodiment, the optical wavelength detector includes means to determine a temperature dependent electrical characteristic of the photoelectric device. In the preferred embodiment this electrical characteristic is the forward bias voltage detected when a predetermined forward bias current is applied to the photoelectric device in the dark. The temperature dependent forward bias voltage is converted to a digital signal and provides another part of the digital address for the memory. The memory generates a temperature compensated signal that corresponds to the incident light wavelength.
Abstract:
An apparatus for inspecting a coating formed on a workpiece, comprising a light emitter and a light receiver positioned on respective sides of the workpiece; an amplifier for amplifying a detection signal from the light receiver and for generating an amplified output signal; a comparator for comparing the amplified output signal with a predetermined level thereby to generate a control signal indicative of a difference between the amplified output signal and the predetermined level; a zero adjustment for adjusting the amplified output signal to a zero value; and a tuning circuit for tuning the amplified output signal, which is generated from the amplifier when the workpiece to be inspected has not yet been formed with the coating, to a predetermined tuned value. The tuning circuit is operable to vary the amplification factor of the amplifier and also to the intensity of light emitted by the light emitter. In place of the tuning circuit, an amplification factor setting citcuit may be used for sampling the light transmissivity of the workpiece and for selecting one of amplification factors according to the result of sampling. After the formation of the coating on the workpiece, the amplified output signal may decrease with a decrease of the light transmissivity of the workpiece, and the coating condition is determined depending on whether or not the amplified output signal is lower than the predetermined level.
Abstract:
For checking the workmanship of paint coating, light is shed on the portion of the surface of an object where a paint has been applied. The intensity of light reflected by this portion of the surface gives a clue to a judgment on the acceptability of the paint coating. The judgment is passed by checking whether or not the above-mentioned intensity of light falls within a preset level. The level to be preset is variable according to the intensity of light reflected by the surface, the intensity of light in this case being measured prior to the application of the paint. The light reflected by the portion of the surface where the paint has been applied is resolved into three colors. A checkup is carried out on whether or not the sum of the intensities of light representing these three colors corresponds to a level preset for the amount of this sum. A level to be preset is selected from among data stored in a memory. These data are compiled beforehand according to the intensities of light reflected by the surfaces of various objects. In this case, the intensities of light are measured prior to the application of the paints.
Abstract:
A chemical analysis system for analyzing a plurality of independent specimens that have time varying characteristics includes a circumferential array of analysis regions that hold the specimens. The analytical regions are sequentially and repetitively sensed and resulting analysis signals corresponding to monitored specimen characteristics are stored in corresponding memory locations. A signal transmission channel connected between the sensor and the memory includes a signal storage capacitor and variable slew rate circuitry. The stored data signal value from the location in memory corresponding to the next analysis region to be sensed is applied to the signal transmission channel while the slew rate circuitry is set in a fast slew rate condition to preset the storage capacitor, and then the data signal generated by said sensor is applied to the signal transmission channel while the slew rate circuitry is set in a slow slew rate condition to adjust the data signal value in the storage capacitor to the current analysis signal value provided by the sensor.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for converting radiant energy levels to digital data wherein an image sensor is provided having at least one row of sensor elements each including a light sensitive capacitor and an access switch and which changes state produces a corresponding binary output signal when a predetermined charge threshold is exceeded by the capacitor whose charge is a function of intensity and period of an illumination. The row of elements is first calibrated by illuminating same with a reference light source and sensing at a first frequency (F) such that approximately one half of the elements change state and counting the digital output signals corresponding to the changes of state to obtain a first number (B). Thereafter, the row is illuminated with an unknown light source which has a lower radiant energy level than that of the reference light source and senses at a frequency F/2. The digital output signals corresponding to the changes of state are counted to obtain a second number (A). The numbers A and B are compared to produce a digital "1" signal when A>B and a digital "0" when A