What type of intraocular lens (IOL) should I choose?
Cataract surgery involves the removal of your cloudy lens and replacing it with the insertion of an intraocular lens (IOLs). Various IOLs are available:
Standard IOL (monofocal)
This IOL does not correct for astigmatism and is designed to deliver good vision at only one distance (usually for distance). You will still need glasses for computer work and for reading. If you have astigmatism, you will need glasses after the surgery for both distance and for reading.
Designed to reduce your need for eyeglasses for both distance and near vision. There is an option for multifocal toric IOL if you have astigmatism.
Designed to treat astigmatism and deliver excellent vision at a single distance. You will still need glasses for computer work and for reading.
What is Astigmatism?
In an eye with astigmatism, the shape of the cornea causes light to fall on multiple points, either in front of the retina or behind it (or both). Astigmatism usually causes vision to be blurred or distorted to some degree at all distances.
Toric IOLs help to reduce the amount of residual astigmatism and reduce your dependence on wearing glasses. They do not totally negate the amount of residual astigmatism.
Before the day of surgery, additional measurements and calculations are taken to allow the doctor to choose the correct toric IOL power and the required alignment of the implant in the eye to correct the astigmatism accurately.
Toric IOLs have special markers that enable the surgeon to rotate the IOL in the eye so the astigmatism correction is properly aligned. Use of a toric IOL during cataract surgery does not increase the risk of common cataract surgery complications. Occasionally, the intraocular lens implant may move post-operatively causing it to become off-alignment. This can result in residual astigmatism. A second surgery can be done to realign the IOL. The alternative to the second surgery may be to wear glasses to correct the induced astigmatism instead.
Multifocal IOLs are designed to allow you to see clearly at more than one focus point. This allows spectacle independence most of the time and is more convenient.
However, side effects of all multifocal IOLs include decreased contrast sensitivity, characteristically experienced as a loss of some clarity in dim lighting. Patients may also experience some glare and haloes especially at night (headlight of oncoming vehicles). It may still be necessary to wear glasses to read especially in low light conditions and when the wording is very small.
Limitations related to Toric and Multifocal IOLs
In situations where the lens bag is unstable or broken, the surgeon may decide that it is not suitable to insert a toric or a multifocal IOL because the IOL will not be able to sit centrally in the capsular bag. The surgeon may decide to insert a monofocal non-toric lens in the capsular bag instead.
Despite advances in IOL power calculation, there is a small risk that there may still be residual refractive error post cataract surgery. It may then be necessary to correct that with refractive surgery or the patient may choose to wear glasses.


LEDTURE have been developing LED Area Lights that reduce light spillage and glare while provide a good uniformity of light, as well as offers a flexible lighting solution that can be fine-tuned to any location.This project totally needs 80 sets of 320W LED Area Light for tennis courts. It adopts standard configuration and the height of pole is 6 meters. It is reduced light spillage and glare while provide a good uniformity of light. The average illumination can reach more than 300 lx, which can meet the general competitions standard.
Installation Time： November 2017
Installed Luminaire: 320W Area Light


|Publication number||US6365061 B1|
|Application number||US 09/251,774|
|Publication date||2 Apr 2002|
|Filing date||17 Feb 1999|
|Priority date||17 Feb 1999|
|Also published as||DE10084268T0, DE10084268T1, US6808648, US20020088770, WO2000049610A1|
|Publication number||09251774, 251774, US 6365061 B1, US 6365061B1, US-B1-6365061, US6365061 B1, US6365061B1|
|Inventors||Lewis S. Damer, Stephen W. Farnsworth, Robert S. Jackson, Mark P. Lubratt, Robert C. Martin, David M. Perry, John J. Simbal, Daniel P. Stubbs|
|Original Assignee||Imation Corp.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (17), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (27), Classifications (9), Legal Events (5)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The invention relates generally to the etching of servo tracks on magnetic data storage media. More particularly, the present invention relates to etching servo tracks on magnetic data storage media using multiple etching beams of laser energy provided from a source beam.
Servo patterns are used to control movement of read/write heads over magnetic data storage media where the media is provided in the form of a circular disk or a tape. The servo patterns on conventional magnetic data storage media, e.g., disks and tapes, are typically provided by magnetically encoding the magnetic coating provided on the substrate of the media.
Magnetic data storage disk systems have been developed that combine magnetic disk recording techniques with high track capacity optical servo patterns and drive systems. In use, an optical servo pattern is pre-recorded on a magnetic floppy disk in the form of a large number of equally spaced concentric tracks about the rotational axis of the disk. Data is stored in the magnetic tracks between the optical servo tracks using conventional magnetic recording techniques. An optical servo mechanism is provided to guide the magnetic read/write head accurately over the data between the optical servo tracks. By utilizing optical servo techniques, much higher track densities are achievable on a relatively inexpensive and typically removable magnetic media. In addition, the servo pattern is not subject to erasure or other degradation from external magnetic fields as are magnetic servo patterns.
The optical servo patterns used on disks may include a large number of equally spaced concentric tracks about the rotational axis of the disk or they may be provided as a continuous spiral track extending from the inside diameter of the disk to the outside diameter of the disk. U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,123 discloses optical servo patterns in which the tracks may be a single continuous groove, a plurality of equally spaced circular pits, or a plurality of short equally spaced grooves or stitches.
A number of techniques for forming the optical servo patterns on the magnetic data storage disks have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,039 discloses a method for stamping the servo tracks on the magnetic media using a master stamping disk. U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,451 discloses a method of providing optical servo information on a magnetic medium including a multi-layer film. The optical servo tracks are formed on the multi-layer film by causing a reaction or interdiffusion to occur between layers. The reaction produces a reflectivity contrast between the exposed and unexposed areas. Other methods for manufacturing servo tracks are mentioned, including contact printing, embossing, and lithography.
Another approach to providing laser-etched optical servo tracks on magnetic data storage disks involves contact lithography, i.e., masking the area over which the servo pattern is to be formed, followed by directing laser energy over the masked area. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,501,944 & 5,633,123. The mask includes openings or transparent areas to allow ablation of the disk surface such that an optical servo pattern is formed on the disk. Disadvantages of this approach include the requirement for a high power laser source and the difficulties in manufacturing the masks.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,123 discloses a method and apparatus for etching an optical servo pattern on a disk using a single focused beam of light energy. The magnetic disk is placed on a platen and rotated. A beam of light is focused to a small spot on the spinning data storage disk. The focused beam has sufficient intensity to ablate the disk surface at the spot, thereby reducing the reflectivity of the surface at that spot. As the disk rotates, a groove is produced. The beam can be left on during an entire revolution to produce a continuous groove, or it can be modulated on and off through one revolution to produce a stitched pattern of non-continuous grooves.
In systems and methods in which the optical servo pattern is etched using laser energy, the width of the etched grooves that define each servo track is a function of the energy density delivered by the incident beam to the focused spot relative to the ablation threshold of the media and the focused spot size.
Typically, the groove width in optical servo patterns is on the order of micrometers and must be maintained within tight tolerances. For a single servo track, the energy density at the focused spot and, therefore, the width of the groove (or grooves, with a stitched pattern) can be held constant simply by rotating the disk at a constant angular velocity. As the incident beam is moved radially on the disk surface to etch servo tracks at other radii, the change in radius results in a proportional change in the linear velocity of the disk surface at those radii. Therefore, if the disk rotates at a constant angular velocity, the energy density delivered to the surface of the disk will vary at different radii. To compensate for the varying energy density, it may be desirable to vary the beam intensity based on the linear velocity of the disk at different radii.
One disadvantage of the known systems and methods for laser etching of optical servo patterns is the limitation of producing a single track in an optical servo pattern at one time. As a result, the single beam of laser energy must be traversed over essentially the entire surface of the magnetic data storage disk to produce the entire optical servo pattern. That limitation can reduce throughput in the systems used to manufacture the magnetic data storage disks, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs.
As for the magnetically-encoded servo patterns, the magnetic nature of the patterns may preclude bulk erasing and reformatting by users because such actions could irreversibly destroy the magnetic servo pattern. Furthermore, the equipment required to write magnetic servo patterns on magnetic data storage tapes is costly and can only operate at relatively low speeds, thereby limiting throughput.
The present invention provides methods and systems for laser etching of optical servo patterns on magnetic data storage media using two or more beams of laser energy produced from a single source of laser energy to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media. By using two or more etching beams, the time required to produce a servo pattern on the magnetic data storage media can be significantly reduced. Alternatively, each servo track in the servo pattern can be written more than once.
The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or they may be read magnetically using magnetic overwriting (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). In either case, the servo patterns are either permanently formed in the media when read optically, or they can be recreated after bulk erasing if they are provided using magnetic overwriting. In yet another alternative, the servo patterns may be read both magnetically and optically, with the magnetic and optical reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of laser etching a servo pattern on magnetic data storage media by providing a source beam of laser energy; separating the source beam of laser energy into two or more etching beams; directing the etching beams onto the magnetic data storage media, whereby at least two servo tracks in the servo pattern are written simultaneously on the magnetic data storage media.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of laser etching a servo pattern on a magnetic data storage disk by providing a source beam of laser energy; separating the source beam of laser energy into two or more etching beams; directing the etching beams onto a magnetic coating on the magnetic data storage disk, wherein the etching beams remove at least a portion of the magnetic coating in ablated regions defined by the servo pattern; and rotating the magnetic data storage disk relative to the etching beams, whereby at least two servo tracks in the servo pattern are written simultaneously on the magnetic data storage disk.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of laser etching a servo pattern on a magnetic data storage tape by providing a source beam of laser energy; separating the source beam of laser energy into two or more etching beams; directing the etching beams onto a magnetic coating on the magnetic data storage tape, wherein the etching beams remove at least a portion of the magnetic coating in ablated regions defined by the servo pattern; and translating the magnetic data storage tape relative to the etching beams, whereby at least two servo tracks in the servo pattern are written simultaneously on the magnetic data storage tape.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention are described more completely below in connection with the illustrated embodiments presented.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one laser servo writing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of one laser servowriting system used to form servo patterns on magnetic data storage tape.
FIG. 2A is an enlarged plan view of a portion of magnetic data storage tape including a servo pattern formed thereon.
FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tape of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2B—2B in FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one beam splitting device for use in laser servo writing systems according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the respective polarization axes of a source beam and a Wollaston prism.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an alternate beam splitting device for use in a laser servo writing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another alternate beam splitting device relying on a diffractive optical element for use in a laser servo writing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another alternate beam splitting device relying on a holographic optical element for use in a laser servo writing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of another system and method according to the present invention in which a source beam is used to etch servo patterns on two different magnetic data storage media simultaneously.
The present invention provides methods and systems for producing etched servo patterns on magnetic data storage media. The servo patterns thus formed can be read optically or the servo patterns may be read magnetically using an overwritten magnetic signal (if the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating on the media). Alternatively, the servo patterns may be read both optically and magnetically, with the optical and magnetic reading occurring simultaneously or sequentially.
One laser servo writing system is illustrated in FIG. 1 as operating on a magnetic data storage disk 10 to form an optical servo pattern 12 on one surface thereof In the illustrated system, the disk 10 preferably rotates about an axis of rotation 14 to provide concentric tracks as discussed above. The system also includes a source 20 of laser energy and a beam splitting device 30 which preferably splits the source beam 22 produced by the laser source 20 into at least two etching beams 32 and 34 which are directed at the surface of the disk 10 to form the optical servo pattern 12 thereon. By rotating the disk 10 about axis 14, the optical servo pattern 12 can be formed on the surface of the disk 10 by traversing the etching beams 32 and 34 across the surface of the disk 10, preferably in a generally radial direction.
Movement of the etching beams 32 and 34 may depend on the spacing between the focused etching beams 32 and 34. For example, if the focused etch beam spacing is equal to the spacing or pitch of the servo tracks in the servo pattern, then the beam splitting device 30 can be stepped across the surface of the disk 10 in increments equal to the beam spacing times the number of etching beams to produce a plurality of concentric servo tracks on the circular media 10.
Alternatively, however, the spacing between focused etching beams 32 and 34 can be some integer multiple of the servo track pitch. The beam splitting device 30 can then be stepped in increments equal to the servo track pitch until all of the servo tracks between the focused etching beams were formed, after which the beam splitting device 30 would then be stepped a distance equal to the focused etch beam spacing plus one additional servo track pitch spacing to form another set of servo tracks, etc.
The above methods could provide a servo pattern in which the servo tracks were etched once. It may alternatively be desirable to move or step the beam splitting device 30 in smaller increments equal to the servo track pitch such that each servo track pattern is written two or more times. For example, etch beam 32 may form a pattern that is then overwritten by the other etch beam 34. Alternatively, each of the beams 32 and 34 could overwrite their own patterns.
Advantages of writing a servo pattern more than once (or overwriting a servo pattern) can include the formation of servo track features that have a larger aspect ratio (depth:width) than those obtained in servo patterns that are written once. Control over width is important to conserve real estate on the surface of the media 10. The overwritten servo patterns may also offer improved contrast as compared to servo patterns that are written only once.
Methods of accomplishing improved contrast without overwriting would typically require increasing beam power while, at the same time, reducing spot size to account for thermal damage to the materials surrounding the spot. Smaller spot sizes are, however, undesirable because they cause reductions in depth-of-focus, making it more difficult to keep the spot focused on the media. Although a single beam could be used to overwrite a servo pattern in multiple passes, such a process would likely increase cycle time significantly.
In any overwriting process, the laser energy delivered in the second, third or any successive writing, should be delivered after the thermal energy from the earlier writing has sufficiently dissipated to reduce or prevent increases in the size of the ablated area. If the energy from the earlier servowriting has not sufficiently dissipated before successive servowriting, the ablation threshold could be exceeded over a larger area in the successive writing steps, causing undesirably large increases in the size of the ablated areas on the media. By using multiple beams, however, the overwriting can be accomplished with sufficient time between “writes” to allow the thermal energy from earlier writing to dissipate without significantly slowing the servowriting process.
FIG. 2 illustrates one system for providing a servo pattern on magnetic data storage media in the form of tape. The system includes a source 120 of laser energy and a beam splitting device 130 that preferably splits the beam of laser energy from the source 120 into at least two etching beams 132 and 134 that are directed onto the tape 110. The tape 110 is preferably moved relative to the etching beams 132 and 134 to produce the desired servo pattern on the tape 110.
FIG. 2A is an enlarged plan view of a data storage media 110′ after processing by one of the systems described above. The media 110′ includes one servo pattern 112′ formed on at least one surface thereof. FIG. 2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the media 110′ taken along line 2B—2B in FIG. 2A further illustrating the regions 114′ of the magnetic coating 116′ on the media substrate 118′ ablated by the laser energy from the etching beams 132′ and 134′. It will be understood that the locations of the magnetic coating and the substrate could be reversed, in which case the servo pattern 112′ would be located in the substrate 118′.
The servo pattern 112′ illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B represents only one example of such a pattern and that other patterns, as well as variations in the size and shape of the ablated regions, could be used in connection with the present invention.
Also, it should be understood that although the magnetic coating and substrate are illustrated as homogenous layers, one or both of the magnetic coating and substrate could be provided as composites of multiple layers of the same or different materials. For example, the substrate may include a base layer of, e.g., polyester, coated with non-magnetic materials on one or both sides. Such a composite is considered to be included within the term “substrate” as used in connection with the present invention. Furthermore, multiple magnetic coatings could be provided on the substrate, with at least some of the magnetic coatings being separated by non-magnetic layers. In addition, the substrate could be provided with magnetic coatings on both of its major sides. Other variations in the exact construction of the media used in connection with the present invention will be known to those skilled in the art of magnetic data storage.
The servo patterns etched into the magnetic data storage media (disk or tape) may be read optically or they may be read magnetically. If the servo patterns are to be read optically, they may be formed on any appropriate surface of the media. For example, the servo patterns may be formed in a magnetic coating on the media, or they may be formed on another surface, e.g., in the substrate. Alternatively, the servo pattern may be formed in another coating provided on the media that is selected for its ability to provide an optical servo pattern with enhanced contrast (e.g., a material that provides high contrast).
If the servo patterns are to be read optically, uniformity in power or intensity between the etching beams may be particularly important to provide the desired contrast required to ensure proper reading of the optical servo pattern. In addition to power uniformity, the focused spot size can also affect the depth and width of the ablated regions. Variations in contrast between tracks on the media can cause off-track positioning errors of the read/write head. The magnitude of the off-track errors will depend, in part, on the design of the optical servo system employed by the data storage drive. If the off-track errors are large enough, correctable soft errors may occur in the electromagnetic data in addition to uncorrectable hard errors which can cause corruption of the recorded data. These problems may be exacerbated by moving media between different drives and/or changing environmental conditions.
To reduce contrast variation and the resulting positioning errors, power uniformity between the beams is desired, for example, it may be desirable that the power variations between maximum intensity and minimum intensity of the etching beams be about 10% or less, more preferably about 5% or less, and even more preferably about 2% or less.
If the servo pattern is to be read magnetically, the servo pattern is formed in a magnetic coating that is magnetically overwritten such that the servo pattern can be magnetically read. Servo patterns formed by etching magnetic coatings are discussed in commonly assigned, copending. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/251648 filed on even date herewith, (Attorney Docket No. 53353USA4A). Servo patterns formed by etching magnetic coatings rely on electromagnetic modulation between alternating areas of ablated magnetic coating and unaffected magnetic coating. That electromagnetic modulation could then be used to provide the desired servo information needed to accurately locate the read/write heads during data storage and retrieval.
The etched areas in the magnetic coating may exhibit reduced magnetic moments by removing or destroying at least a portion of the magnetic material in the coating to provide electromagnetic modulation and/or they provide the modulation by varying the separation between the reading magnetic core and the magnetic coating remaining after ablation. Regardless of the cause of the electromagnetic modulation caused by etching, the signal modulation should be significant enough to be accurately detected by a magnetic core on, e.g., a magnetic data storage read/write head. As a result, the exact dimensions of the etched regions can vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to: the properties of the magnetic coating on the media, the properties of the core on the read/write heads, etc.
Regardless of whether the servo pattern is formed on magnetic data storage media in the form of disks or tape, the present invention provides systems and methods for obtaining multiple etching beams from a source beam and applying those etching beams to the magnetic data storage media to form a servo pattern.
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a beam splitting device useful in connection with the present invention. The device 230 preferably uses a Wollaston prism 240 to split a source beam 222 into two beams 242 and 244. A Wollaston prism 240 works by using a birefringent material, i.e., a material that exhibits different indices of refraction for light having different polarization orientations.
The device 230 also preferably includes a pair of identical lenses 250 and 252 located on each side of the Wollaston prism 240. The lenses 250 and 252 are spaced apart along a common axis by a distance equal to twice the focal length of one of the lenses. The Wollaston prism 240 is located between the two lenses 250 and 252, preferably closer to forward lens 252 than the rear lens 250.
The Wollaston prism 240 separates the source beam 222 into two output beams 242 and 244 which diverge at an angle β from each other towards the forward lens 252. Those output beams 242 and 244 are then refracted by the forward lens 252 to provide etching beams 232 and 234 that diverge at an angle β′. Moving the Wollaston prism 240 relative to the lenses 250 and 252 can vary the divergence angle β′ of the etching beams 232 and 234. That variation in divergence angle can then be relied on to change the distance between the focused spots formed after the etching beams pass 232 and 234 through a focus lens 260.
It is generally preferred that the Wollaston prism 240 be located closer to the forward lens 252 than the rearward lens 250. If the Wollaston prism 240 is closer to the forward lens 252, then further movement of the Wollaston prism 240 towards the forward lens 252 will generally cause the divergence angle β′ between the etching beams 232 and 234 to increase up to a maximum of β. Conversely, movement of the Wollaston prism 240 towards the rearward lens 250 (but still ahead of the midpoint between the lenses 250 and 252) will generally cause the divergence angle β′ between the etching beams 232 and 234 to decrease towards zero when the prism 240 is located at the midpoint between the lenses 250 and 252.
As discussed above, changing the divergence angle β′ between the etching beams 232 and 234 changes the distance between the focused spots formed by each beam after focusing by lens 260. Because the change in position of the prism 240 relative to the lenses 250 and 252 can be finely controlled, corresponding fine control can be exercised over the divergence angle β′ and, therefore, the spacing between focused spots on the media.
With the divergence angle between the etching beams 232 and 234 set, they can be focused on and traversed across the surface of a spinning magnetic data storage disk to provide a desired optical servo pattern or they can be directed onto the surface of a magnetic data storage tape to form a magnetic servo pattern in conjunction with magnetic overwriting.
It may be further preferred that the distance between the beam splitting device 230 (including lenses 250 and 252 and Wollaston prism 240) and the focus lens 260 be held constant while the distance between the laser source 220 be varied during movement of the etching beams 232 and 234 across the surface of the media (not shown). For example, the beam splitting device 230 could be mounted on a unitary moving sled 270 along with the focus lens 260 to provide the desired fixed spatial relationships. The sled 270 could then be moved relative to the laser source 220 as desired.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation of the Wollaston prism in connection with a source beam of laser energy 222 which preferably exhibits a linear polarization orientation 226 as seen in FIG. 4. The Wollaston prism itself exhibits an optical axis 246 which is preferably offset from the polarization orientation of the incoming light in source beam 222. The offset angle α between the polarization orientation 226 of the source beam 222 and the optical axis 246 of the Wollaston prism can vary, although one preferred orientation would have angle α at 45 degrees to provide even power distribution between the etching beams 232 and 234. It may, however, be desirable to provide uneven power distribution between the etching beams 232 and 234 (see FIG. 3) and in those situations angle α may not be equal to 45 degrees. The angle α between the polarization axis 226 and the optical axis 246 will preferably be greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees to effect some separation or division of the power in the source beam 222 to produce the output beams 242 and 244.
Although the beam splitting device 230 utilizes only a single Wollaston prism 240, it will be understood that multiple Wollaston prisms 240 could be used to provide more than two etching beams 232 and 234 which, in some instances, may be desirable to further increase the speed of the laser servo writing process.
FIG. 5 illustrates another alternate beam splitting device for use in the systems and methods according to the present invention. The device 330 includes a pair of mirrors 340 and 342. The first mirror 340 is preferably a partially reflective, partially transmissive beam splitting mirror which reflects a portion of the source beam 322 of laser energy incident thereon to form an etching beam 332 and transmits a portion of the beam to the second mirror 342 which then reflects that portion of the beam to form a second etching beam 334. The beam splitting mirror 340 is preferably capable of accurately transmitting a desired percentage of the laser energy and reflecting a desired percentage of the incident laser energy from source beam 322. It may typically be preferred that the beam splitting mirror 340 reflect substantially 50% of the incident energy and transmit substantially 50% of the incident energy. It may also typically be preferred that the second mirror 342 reflect substantially all of the laser energy incident thereon to form the second etching beam 334.
The divergence angle β″ between etching beams 332 and 334 can be controlled by the mirrors 340 and 342. Changes in the angle β″ cause changes in the distance between the focused spots formed after the etching beams 332 and 334 pass through the focusing lens 360. Furthermore, even power distribution between the two etching beams 332 and 334 also requires that the beam splitting mirror 340 be consistently accurate in the portions of light which it transmits and reflects.
Although not depicted, it will be understood that more than one beam splitting mirror could be used in a device similar to 330 to provide more than two etching beams 332 and 334 from a single source beam 322. In such a system, the percentage of energy transmitted versus the percentage of energy reflected from each of the beam splitting mirrors should be carefully controlled to provide etching beams with the desired relative amounts of energy.
FIG. 6 illustrates another beam splitting device 430 for splitting a source beam 422 into two or more etching beams. The device 430 preferably employs a diffractive optical element 440, e.g., a diffraction grating or some other diffractive element, and a lens 442 that combine to split the source beam 422 into a plurality of etching beams 432, 434 and 436.
Although a diffractive optical element 440 can be designed to produce almost any number of beams, some multiples are preferred because of the tolerances required to manufacture the diffractive optical element 440 and the power uniformities that can be practically achieved between the etching beams. In addition, other factors affecting the number of beams produced include the amount of power available from the source beam, the efficiency of the diffractive optical element and the power required for each of the etching beams to cause ablation of the media.
Where the diffractive optical element 440 is a diffraction grating and the servo pattern is to be read optically using contrast, it may be preferred that the primary diffraction orders (i.e., the zero and first orders which produce the etching beams) exhibit the desired power uniformities discussed above. It may further be preferred that the power of any individual extraneous order (e.g., second, third, etc.) beams produced have less than about 15% of the power of the etching beams produced by the primary order diffraction. Limiting the power in the non-primary order beams can reduce the problem of undesired ablation or other damage adjacent to the regions etched by the primary order etching beams.
The spacing between the etching beams 432, 434 and 436 may preferably be matched to the desired pitch requirements of the desired servo track pattern. The resultant spacing between etching beams 432, 434 and 436 is dependent on the wavelength of the source beam 422, the optical properties of the diffractive optical element 440 and the optical properties of the focusing lens 442. Where the diffractive optical element 440 is a diffraction grating, the grating period can also affect the spacing between the etching beams 432, 434 and 436. With a diffraction grating, the etching beam spacing is typically controlled by the grating period because the wavelength of the source beam 422 and the focal length of the lens 442 are fixed due to other design considerations. For servo systems such as those used in the production of 120MB SUPERDISK™ diskettes, it is desirable to control the servo track pitch to about ±0.3 micrometers or less, more preferably about ±0.1 micrometers or less. Where the etching beam spacing is equal to the servo track pitch, the diffraction grating and lens preferably provide primary order diffraction beams that meet these requirements.
As one example, if the source beam 422 operates with a wavelength of 532 nanometers (such as that produced by a Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser) and the lens 442 has a focal length of 14.5 millimeters, the desired diffraction grating period required to produce an etching beam spacing of 20.4 micrometers (which is equal to the current servo track pitch used on 120MB SUPERDISK™ diskettes) is about 378 micrometers. Diffraction gratings can be obtained from a number of optical equipment suppliers, e.g., Digital Optics Corp., Charlotte, N.C. Donnelly Optics, Tucson, Ariz.; Rochester Photonics Corp., Rochester, N.Y.; and Teledyne Brown Engineering, Huntsville, Ala.
FIG. 7 illustrates another beam splitting device 530 for splitting a source beam 522 into two or more etching beams. The device 530 preferably employs a holographic optical element 540 and a lens 560 that combine to split the source beam 522 into a plurality of etching beams 532 and 534.
FIG. 8 schematically illustrates another system and method according to the present invention in which a single source 620 of laser energy produces a source beam 622. The source beam 622 is directed into a beam splitting device 630 to produce etching beams 632 a, 634 a directed at magnetic data storage media 610 a. The beam splitting device 630 also provides etching beams 632 b, 634 b directed at another magnetic data storage media 610 b. As a result, FIG. 8 illustrates both a system and method of simultaneously forming servo patterns on two different articles of magnetic data storage media 610 a, 610 b.
Although a limited number of illustrative embodiments are described above, various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments and methods set forth herein.
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|Citing Patent||Filing date||Publication date||Applicant||Title|
|US6741415 *||16 Feb 1999||25 May 2004||Quantum Corporation||Method of writing servo signal on magnetic tape|
|US6791784 *||23 Mar 2001||14 Sep 2004||Imation Corp.||Diffraction-based monitoring of a patterned magnetic recording medium|
|US6808648 *||8 Feb 2002||26 Oct 2004||Imation Corp.||Multibeam laser servowriting of magnetic data storage media|
|US6961200 *||7 May 2002||1 Nov 2005||Quantum Corporation||Optical servo track identification on tape storage media|
|US6980390 *||5 Feb 2003||27 Dec 2005||Quantum Corporation||Magnetic media with embedded optical servo tracks|
|US7153366 *||22 Nov 2000||26 Dec 2006||Quantum Corporation||Systems and method for forming a servo pattern on a magnetic tape|
|US7187515 *||5 Feb 2003||6 Mar 2007||Quantum Corporation||Method and system for tracking magnetic media with embedded optical servo tracks|
|US7275302 *||9 Dec 2003||2 Oct 2007||Seagate Technology Llc||Method of forming a disc pack|
|US7452476 *||10 Mar 2003||18 Nov 2008||Mtu Aero Engines Gmbh||Method for removing coating from power unit components and device for carrying out the method|
|US7796353 *||9 Oct 2008||14 Sep 2010||Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.||Patterned-media magnetic recording disk with optical contrast enhancement and disk drive using optical contrast for write synchronization|
|US7947920 *||30 Oct 2006||24 May 2011||Advanced Laser Separation International B.V.||Arrangement and method for forming one or more separated scores in a surface of a substrate|
|US20020088770 *||8 Feb 2002||11 Jul 2002||Damer Lewis S.||Multibeam laser servowriting of magnetic data storage media|
|US20020167751 *||7 May 2002||14 Nov 2002||Tzuochang Lee||Optical servo track identification on tape storage media|
|US20030035238 *||20 Aug 2001||20 Feb 2003||George Bellesis||Optical to magnetic alignment in magnetic tape system|
|US20040033311 *||10 Mar 2003||19 Feb 2004||Erwin Bayer||Method for removing coating from power unit components and device for carrying out the method|
|US20050057836 *||5 Feb 2003||17 Mar 2005||George Saliba||Magnetic media with embedded optical servo tracks|
|US20050057846 *||5 Feb 2003||17 Mar 2005||George Saliba||Method and system for tracking magnetic media with embedded optical servo tracks|
|US20050122624 *||9 Dec 2003||9 Jun 2005||Seagate Technology Llc||Aligning servo patterns on different disc surfaces of a disc pack|
|US20050224469 *||29 Nov 2004||13 Oct 2005||Cutler Donald R||Efficient micro-machining apparatus and method employing multiple laser beams|
|US20060114948 *||29 Nov 2004||1 Jun 2006||Lo Ho W||Workpiece processing system using a common imaged optical assembly to shape the spatial distributions of light energy of multiple laser beams|
|US20060262693 *||19 May 2005||23 Nov 2006||Seagate Technology Llc||Apparatus and method for writing multiple radial locations during a single rotation of a disk recording medium|
|US20070099439 *||30 Oct 2006||3 May 2007||Advanced Laser Separation International B.V.||Arrangement and method for forming one or more separated scores in a surface of a substrate|
|US20100091618 *||9 Oct 2008||15 Apr 2010||Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.||Patterned-media magnetic recording disk with optical contrast enhancement and disk drive using optical contrast for write synchronization|
|US20110293907 *||12 Feb 2010||1 Dec 2011||Faycal Benayad-Cherif||Laser parameter adjustment|
|WO2003091473A1 *||25 Apr 2003||6 Nov 2003||University Of Virginia Patent Foundation||Apparatus and method for high rate uniform coating, including non-line of sight|
|WO2010120725A2 *||13 Apr 2010||21 Oct 2010||Applied Materials, Inc.||Hdd pattern apparatus using laser, e-beam, or focused ion beam|
|WO2010120725A3 *||13 Apr 2010||13 Jan 2011||Applied Materials, Inc.||Hdd pattern apparatus using laser, e-beam, or focused ion beam|
|U.S. Classification||216/65, 219/121.68, 216/22, 264/400, G9B/5.222, 219/121.6|
|31 Jul 2000||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: IMATION CORP., MINNESOTA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DAMER, LEWIS S.;FARNSWORTH, STEPHEN W.;JACKSON, ROBERT S.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:011012/0464;SIGNING DATES FROM 19990606 TO 19990628
|27 Sep 2005||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|9 Nov 2009||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|2 Apr 2010||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|25 May 2010||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20100402


This is a practically new XS16X5.8A-XB8 HD Autofocus Zoom Lens. The lens was replaced with another lens with a longer zoom, therefore it was never mounted or used on the camera. There are no scratches or any kind of marks on front or rear glass.
This lens can be used on Sony PDW-F350, PDW-F355, PDW-F335, or PMW-320/PXW-X320 cameras without any adapters with full servo zoom, iris, and focus control. With an optional Fujinon ACM-18 adapter (available for extra $40) it can be used on Sony PMW-EX3 and PMW-300 cameras with autofocus feature. This lens has both manual and auto focus, unlike most 1/2" HD lenses, which are manual focus only. Back focus on this lens is accomplished either through the camera menu or by pressing the F.f. button on the underside of the lens (if the camera menu does not have the back focus function).
All pictures displayed are of the items being sold. The item includes a 30-day warranty.
- Fujinon XS16X5.8A-XB8A 16X AF/MF Zoom Lens
- Lens hood
- Front hood cover
- Rear lens cover


Eye Surgical treatment
Eye Surgery has come to be a mainstream approach of vision improvement, as well as this write-up will discuss the advantages and also disadvantages of three different approaches being supplied to the clinical customer.
Lasik Eye Surgical procedure
LASIK is the acronym for Laser-Assisted Sitting Keratomileusis and also is an eye surgical system which permanently fixes vision by eliminating a thin layer of the cornea. This procedure functions best on individuals with modest to high levels of myopia (nearsightedness), low to modest degrees of hyperopia (farsightedness) as well as astigmatism related to nearsightedness, and also who have thick corneas. It is the most popular medical vision correction method.
People with normal eye view see items clearly since pictures are brought into an appropriate focal point by the cornea and also lens of the eye. Preferably, the cornea's curvature is uniformly matched to its length in a typical eye. People with astigmatism, nearsightedness or hyperopia have irregularly formed corneas, so the items seen are not focused correctly. LASIK adjustments corneal form by exact removal of corneal cells, and also by doing so fixes the eyes' focusing power.
There are, nonetheless, dangers to LASIK eye surgical procedure.
There is a remote possibility of complete loss of vision. If this takes place, it is normally since the person had a pre-existing condition which should have averted the surgical treatment in the first place, such as maternity, cataracts, joint inflammation, diabetic issues, glaucoma, or lupus. People with big students are also bad prospects for LASIK. Dry eye syndrome will be aggravated by this procedure.
A couple of patients grumble that they completely see "ghost" images, have obscured vision, lessened contrast as well as negative night vision. When LASIK wased initially presented, 5% of patients had post-operative grievances; nevertheless, improvements in the treatment have triggered this rate to go down to less compared to 1% if LASIK is performed by skilled practitioners and individuals are properly screened prior to surgical treatment. If troubles do take place, they can typically be resoved by a retreatment.
FDA has approved LASIK laser eye surgery considering that 1998. While there are a great deal of satisfied patients, there are nonetheless no long-term studies concerning its results. Understand the constraints and the dangers of LASIK eye surgery before you sigh up for the treatment.
Though much less well known, these tiny implants could improve vision in people with mild to moderate myopia without the threat of irreversible eye damage intrinsic in the tissue removal technique of LASIK. Intacs are semi-circular disks implanted in the cornea which extend it to presume a flatter form. Though slightly much less exact compared to LASIK, they are removeable and exchangeable, so if the patient has an unforeseen over- or under-correction, the implant can be removed and also an additional of a different size placed to obtain the preferred improvement. The implants lie beside the cornea, so the main visual area is totally intact as well as intact, and the toughness of the cornea is undiminished, making it a better alternative for pilots and those who participate in call sporting activities where eye injury is a possibility.
Intacs are unsuitable for serious nearsightedness and also greater than small astigmatism (1.00 diopters), as the cornea can only be extended until now. If the Intacs are eliminated, vision go back to its preoperative browse this site degree. In addition to vision use this link modification, Intacs are additionally used to deal with keratoconus.
Intacs are FDA approved and 10 year research studies have actually revealed no major problems with Intacs as well as very few patient grievances; however, due to the fact that the procedure takes more training compared to LASIK, there are fewer eye surgical procedure clinics supplying it. Nonetheless, the Intacs website provides a listing of specialists in each state, also a few in Canada, Europe as well as Mexico.
Due to the fact that many people do not wish to run the risk of LASIK as well as Intacs could not aid those with severe vision troubles, intraocular lens implants (IOL) are a new alternative approved by the FDA in 2004 to remedy modest to severe nearsightedness. The Craftsmen lens, manufactured by Ophtec, resembles the sort of lens implant used to recover vision following cataract eye surgery.
The new IOL, called the Craftsmen, is planned for only individuals that have 2.5 diopters or less of astigmatism.
The fabricated lens does not change the natural lens, however is put before it. The main problem located with the implant was the constant loss of endothelial cells in the corneas of clients that obtained the implants. The endothelium is a layer of cells that line the undersurface of the cornea and also are crucial in keeping the cornea clear. A three-year study showed a regular constant loss of endothelial cells of 1.8 percent a year. At this moment, nobody can forecast whether this loss will continue at the very same rate forever, or perhaps its effect on corneal feature.
To lessen long-lasting impacts of the device on the corneal endothelium, the FDA is calling for that the new lenses be classified to define that they must just be dental implanted in people whose corneal endothelial cells are thick adequate to withstand minor cell loss.
More serious problems were few: retinal detachment (0.6%), cataract development (0.6%), as well as corneal swelling (0.4%). The FDA is requiring Ophtec to conduct a five-year follow-up study of its dental implant individuals to much better examine the post-surgical occurrence of cataract advancement, retinal detachment and also other ophthalmic conditions.
The Artisan lens is planned to be a long-term implant.Though it can be gotten rid of surgically, vision might not constantly return to just what it was prior to getting the lens. Since it does not influence astigmatism, individuals with this issue could still need glasses.


For years, the night vision realm has been tightly gripped by a handful of industry titans. Their exorbitant pricing, influenced in part by rigid US export controls on top-tier night vision equipment and further exacerbated by currency fluctuations, meant that high-quality night vision was a distant dream for most South Africans.
Enter OTACON Night Vision.
This innovative brand is dismantling the status quo, introducing military-standard night vision to the market at prices that resonate with South Africans. Introducing the OTACON-31 and OTACON-14A: devices engineered to military specifications but priced for the everyday enthusiast.
In the past, a quality night vision device would set a South African back by over R160,000. Anything cheaper? Essentially, you’d be investing in an overpriced and glorified child’s toy.
So, what separates a professional night vision device from a mere novelty item?
Modern consumer night vision often employs rudimentary Gen-1 technology that primarily magnifies its own infrared output (that is detectable by other night vision devices), boasting a light amplification of around 1,000 times. In stark contrast, authentic, top-tier night vision devices amplify light over 10,000 times, rendering infrared illumination obsolete and ensuring users aren’t detectable by other night vision devices.
|Consumer Grade Gen 1 Night Vision||Milspec Gen 2+ Night Vision|
|Image Quality||Moderate to low; can be grainy and blurry||High; crisp, clear, and defined|
|Luminance Gain (the factor by which the device amplifies available light to produce a clearer image)||Typically 1,000 to 3,000||Typically 10,000+|
|Figure of Merit (FoM: a metric that combines the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio to gauge the overall performance and clarity)||100-300||1,600+|
|Light Requirement and visibility range||Severely limited due to dependency on IR illuminator. Usually less than 50m.||Uses ambient light; visibility as far as the natural eye can see provided there is enough light from stars, or moon etc.|
|Battery Life||Shorter due to heavy reliance on IR. Less than 10 hours||20 hours + or 40 hours with included battery pack, optimized for extended field operations|
|Applications||Recreational activities||Military, security, advanced surveillance, law enforcement. Especially useful in rural/farm security|
To sum it up, consumer-grade Gen-1 night vision devices often present moderate to low image quality that can appear grainy or blurry, with luminance gains as low as 1,000 and a Figure of Merit (FoM) ranging from 100-300. Their functionality is heavily reliant on IR illuminators, limiting their range to typically less than 50m and resulting in shorter battery life (below 10 hours). These devices are best suited for recreational purposes.
In contrast, Milspec Gen 2+ night vision offers superior image clarity, with luminance gains exceeding 10,000, a FoM of 1,600+, and the ability to capitalize on ambient light sources, giving visibility comparable to the natural eye. With an extended battery life of 20 hours (or even 40 with specific battery packs), they’re designed for professional applications such as military operations, advanced surveillance, and law enforcement, proving invaluable for rural or farm security scenarios.
Conventional high-end night vision devices vs. OTACON
Currently, one of the cheapest alternative options is the AGM NVG-50 at just over R160,000, or the DMS-15 at more than R171,000!
The OTACON-31, AGM NVG-50, and DMS-15 are all top-tier night vision devices, but when it comes to delivering the most bang for your buck, the OTACON-31 takes the lead.
|Min. FOM||1,700||*No min guarantee||1,300|
|Min. Resolution (Sharpness)||64lp/mm||54lp/mm||57lp/mm|
|Min. Gain (the factor by which the device amplifies available light to produce a clearer image)||10,000 +||*No min guarantee||*No min guarantee|
|Min, SNR (how clear an image is compared to background noise)||26||*No min guarantee||23|
|Lead time||Ready to ship (2-3 days for courier)||6-8 weeks!||12-16 weeks!|
Firstly, the OTACON-31, priced at R138,000, is more affordable than its competitors, making it a cost-effective choice for those seeking premium quality without the heftier price tags of the AGM NVG-50 or DMS-15.
Figure of Merit
When it comes to specifications, FOM (Figure of Merit) is a crucial metric in evaluating the performance of night vision devices. A higher FOM typically translates to a clearer and brighter image. The OTACON-31 boasts a minimum FOM of 1,700, which surpasses the DMS-15’s 1,300. The AGM NVG-50, on the other hand, offers no minimum FOM guarantee.
Resolution, measured in line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm), indicates the clarity of the image. The OTACON-31 leads with a minimum resolution of 64lp/mm, outclassing the AGM NVG-50’s 54lp/mm and DMS-15’s 57lp/mm.
Gain measures the device’s ability to amplify light. The OTACON-31 guarantees a minimum gain of over 10,000, ensuring outstanding light amplification for clearer images in low-light conditions. Both the AGM NVG-50 and DMS-15 don’t offer a minimum gain guarantee.
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is another pivotal factor, highlighting the clarity of the image under low-light conditions. With a minimum SNR of 26, the OTACON-31 outperforms the DMS-15’s 23, while the AGM NVG-50 does not provide a guarantee.
Lastly, in terms of availability, the OTACON-31 is ready to ship with a quick 2-3 day courier lead time. In contrast, potential buyers of the AGM NVG-50 and DMS-15 would have to wait 6-8 weeks and a staggering 12-16 weeks, respectively.
In a nutshell
The OTACON-31 not only offers superior specifications across the board but also comes at a more reasonable price and shorter lead time, making it the top choice for those in the market for an exceptional night vision device.
How are Otacon Night Vision Devices so Much More Affordable, without sacrificing quality?
Otacon Night Vision Devices have redefined affordability without compromising on quality, and here’s how they’ve achieved it:
- Emerging Manufacturers: By partnering with new image intensifier producers, notably NNVT, located outside the US, OTACON Night Vision accesses cutting-edge yet economically efficient technology.
- Sourcing parts from outside the US not only sidesteps traditionally high-cost American manufacturers but also negates the substantial US export licensing fees and associated time delays. The result is a swift and cost-effective supply chain that delivers top-tier performance without burdensome overheads.
- Focused Spending: Instead of pouring funds into flashy branding, aggressive marketing campaigns, and ornate packaging, OTACON Night Vision channels its resources directly into the device itself. The result? A top-tier product that doesn’t carry the additional costs of unnecessary frills. Every rand spent aims to enhance the user experience directly.
Binocular vs. Monocular: Understanding the OTACON-31 and OTACON-14A
Shared Core Technology
Both the OTACON-31 dual-tube and the OTACON-14A single-tube night vision devices are equipped with identical image-intensifying technology and optics. Despite their structural differences, their ability to amplify available light and present a clear nocturnal image is consistent across both models.
OTACON-31: The Binocular Advantage
Featuring a dual-tube system, the OTACON-31 provides vision for both eyes, translating to a broader field of view and enhanced depth perception. This binocular setup is invaluable for tasks demanding acute spatial awareness like navigating challenging terrains or nocturnal driving. Offering a viewing experience that closely mirrors human’s natural binocular vision, the OTACON-31 ensures comfort during extended use.
OTACON-14A: The Monocular Flexibility
The OTACON-14A operates as a monocular device, using a single intensifier tube to bolster vision in one eye while the other remains natural. Lighter, more compact, and budget-friendlier than the OTACON-31, its design boasts adaptability. Whether mounted on a weapon, helmet, or held by hand, the OTACON-14A shines in scenarios that necessitate toggling between enhanced and natural vision or retaining ambient awareness.
Identical Image-Intensifying Capabilities
Despite their differing configurations, the foundational night vision technology remains consistent between the OTACON-31 and OTACON-14A. If one visualizes the OTACON-31 as night vision binoculars, the OTACON-14A resembles one-half of that pair, ensuring equally impressive image quality, optics clarity, and low-light performance in both models.
OTACON Night Vision is transforming the landscape of night vision accessibility for South Africans.
While the realm was once dominated by select industry behemoths, with prohibitive prices driven by rigid US export controls and exacerbated by currency challenges, OTACON is heralding a new era. With innovative sourcing strategies, notably partnering with emerging manufacturers like NNVT, and an emphasis on product quality over flashy branding, they’ve successfully brought military-standard night vision devices within reach of everyday enthusiasts.
Both the OTACON-31 and OTACON-14A devices, despite their distinct configurations, epitomize this commitment to quality, offering unparalleled image-intensifying capabilities. Ultimately, for those seeking top-tier night vision performance without the traditionally exorbitant price tags or prolonged wait times, OTACON stands as the go-to choice.


Ultraviolet (UV) light can damage your eyes. Wearing the right kind of sunglasses outdoors may reduce your risk of eye damage from ultraviolet light. UV rays are as strong on cloudy days as on sunny days.
UV light from the sun increases your risk for:
UV protection is not related to how dark the lens is. Look for sunglasses that protect you from 100% of both UVA and UVB light. This includes those labeled as "UV 400". If the label says only "blocks most UV rays", the glasses will not protect your eyes.
Polarized lenses reduce glare reflected from surfaces such as water or snow. However, they don't block UV light unless they are combined with a coating that blocks UV. Mirror coatings alone do not provide UV protection and should be combined with a UV-blocking coating.
Photochromic lenses are almost clear in low light and turn dark in bright light. They react to UV light and not to visible light. A car windshield blocks out most UV light, which means that photochromic lenses will not darken in the car. Ask your eye care provider about tint options.
Lens color does not affect how well sunglasses protect your eyes. Gray and brown are least likely to distort the colors you see. Skiers may choose yellow lenses to help reduce haze in low light.
Wide-brimmed hats may keep about 50% of UV rays from reaching the eyes, but your child should also wear sunglasses. Sunglasses are very important if your child:


It took me a while of closely working with members of the original team at the University of Florida (UF) to really understand the physics behind the Delta R technology, and the final ‘aha’ only came when we were visited by the inventor of the technology, Dr. Hummel, and he explained it to me in his words.
The name Delta R already gives some of the idea away; we look at the difference (Delta) of the reflection (R) of a surface. The image below explains the technique visually.
The journey of Delta R technologyhttps://sg11.nl/insights/the-journey-of-delta-r-technology/
The principle of Delta R technology
First, we need to send light towards a surface of which we want to capture the reflection. For this, we use a high-end light source that is incredibly stable because we need to make sure that any differences, we capture do not come from hardware fluctuations. We use a set of optics to manipulate the light into a line, convenient for scanning wide surfaces.
What happens on the surface is that whatever is on there will absorb part of the light and reflect everything it does not absorb. This absorption tells us something about the substance, as it creates an absorption feature which we can use for identification.
The reflection is captured by our spectrometer, specifically designed for our application. Its function is to separate the information (different wavelengths, can also be seen as different colours) from the reflected surface onto the pixels of our camera. This information is then used by our software to calculate the difference between the image coming in and the image before that and running our algorithms on that information will result in a classification. Calculating the difference between two images means that we only see the difference in absorption between two parts of a surface. This gives us a single clear feature for a substance, while negative effects of backgrounds are minimized.
This in principle is how the Delta R technology works. It has proven itself to be capable of detecting very small amounts of substances. So small in fact, that we must think about methods to reliably make samples of amounts that are no longer visible with the naked eye.
Working on this technology means working with a large variety of expertise, from programming to chemistry, never having a dull moment and always having to keep learning to improve our product.


The graphic below is an impossible colors test
Define Chimerical, Stygian Blue, Hyperbolic, What are these impossible colors? These forbidden colors have no basis in reality. Here is a little color theory tutorial.
The human eye can produce a phenomenon that has fatigued cone cells into enabling colors to be perceived in certain circumstances that would not be otherwise.
The chimerical definition is one that the colors don’t appear within the color space of human vision.
As the name suggests they are a construct of the mind. They can be created by inducing a natural process of the eye called color fatigue. If you stare at a color for a long time your eye will temporarily displace the colorspace by the opposing color. The reason the human eye can’t perceive these colors is that signals from the rods (light-dark) and cones (red, green, blue) interpret signals in an antagonistic manner termed the opponent process. So if you stare at yellow, then black, for a short time you will perceive that black to contain blue. The color you are seeing is out of the range of visible colors. It is a pitch black blue; thus it is deemed an impossible color. Above are some examples of chimerical colors to feast your eyes upon. Continue to stare (without shifting your eyes) at one of the many crosses as the image changes.
When the image changes, the impossible colors should be revealed. Some people will see the colors more easily than others. The above image is on a 30-second delay which seems the best to view the chimera. The brightness of the device you are using to view the images will make a huge difference to the effectiveness, and also the effect will vary from person to person. The intensity of the effect increases with longer viewing durations. Chimerical colors don’t appear within the color space of human vision. They are a construct of the mind. They can be created by inducing a natural process of the eye called color fatigue. If you stare at a color for a long time your eye will temporarily displace the color space by the opposing color. So if you stare at yellow, then black, for a short time you will perceive that black to contain blue. The color you are seeing is out of the range of visible colors.
Chimerical colors include:
The stygian definition: these are simultaneously dark and impossibly saturated.
For example, to see “stygian blue”: staring at bright yellow causes a dark blue afterimage, then on looking at black, the blue is seen as blue against the black, but due to lack of the usual brightness contrast it seems to be as dark as the black. The eye retina contains some neurons that fire only in the dark. The figure below figure also shows how normal after-image colors are produced. (The “f/p” in this figure stands for fatigue/potentiation.) Look at the “Acquired f/p vectors” which show that when a particular color is stared at for a long time, the opponent cells become fatigued and tend towards the middle of the cube (towards the 50%, 50%, 50% point). Then when the eye glances away to a different color background, that vector starts at the new color and points to the after-image color (see the “Re-situated f/p vector”). This example shows that the after-image color for red is green. Churchland goes on to explain that this theory can predict that it is possible to create several after-image colors that would be impossible to see on real objects.
The following diagram shows how to create a blue after-image color that is darker than black (Stygian Blue)
these mimic the effect of glowing material, even when viewed on a medium such as paper, which can only reflect and not emit its light. For example, to see “self-luminous red”: staring at green causes a red afterimage, then on looking at white, the red is seen against the white and may seem to be brighter than the white.
Hyperbolic colors: These are impossibly highly saturated for example, to see hyperbolic orange :
Staring at bright cyan causes an orange afterimage, then on looking at orange, the resulting orange afterimage seen against the orange background may cause an orange color purer than the purest orange color that can be made by any normally-seen light. Or, staring at something pure magenta in bright sunlight for two minutes or more, and then looking at green leaves, may result in briefly seeing an abnormally pure green afterimage.
The graphic below is an impossible colors test
What’s the deal with purple?
You may have heard that purple is not a “real” color. While violets are spectral colors, meaning there is a single wavelength of light for various hues of “violet”, “purple” is a combination of blue and red. Your brain interprets it as “purple.”
What resolution is the human eye? According to scientist and photographer Dr. Roger Clark, the resolution of the human eye is 576 megapixels.
check out my graphic design section for more indepth information
Tools and resources for purchase:


Ceiling LED light Dalen Q50TW
- Intelligent and economically light with dimming mode, sleep mode and Glare-free function
- Made from high quality PMMA that means lightness, endurance and easy maintenance with high transmittance rate
- Color temprature is 2800K～6000K: 6 levels adjustable with remote control or ecoCloud App
- Luminosity in 270° guarantees perfect light spreading
- Easy montage without changing your current elektroinstallation
- Eye protection technology: no flickering, no ripple wave
- Net weight: 3,9 kg
- Input power: 50 W
- Dimensions: Ø 600 x 600 x 80 mm
- LED specification: Samsung 2835
- Life Time: 40 000h
Color temperature changing
You can change color temperature from Warm White over Nature White to Cool White (illustration image).
2 800K - 3 500K: Warm white such as light at sunset. Ideal for relaxing activities or watching TV.
4 500K - 5 000K: Natural White. This colour is like usual daylight. Perfect for common activities such as studying, playing with kids or for your work.
5 000K - 6 000K: Cool white, colour is the same like light on bright sunny day. Most often used for studying, reading or activities that require concentration.
Sleep mode: For sweet sleeping. Brightness of the light is turned down on 50% of warm white and in 30 minutes will shut down automatically.
Night Light: Unobtrusive light with ,,warm candle" effect for sufficient orientation in your room at night. Input power in Night Light is only 1W - 3W.
Wall switching mode
Ceiling light Dalen remembers last mode (brightness and color tempretature), that was active before last switching off.
Wall switch control
You can change color temperature without remote control. ON-OFF-ON the light within 2 seconds changes lighting mode between Natural Light, Warm White and Night Light mode.
Ceiling light Dalen doesn´t emit light with 350nm that attract insect.
Dalen Light is equipped with rubber seal that prevents insect and dust intrusion to the lamp.


The AMALi transmits Nd:YAG laser light pulses either upward (zenith configuration) or downward (nadir). The laser light interacts with and is changed by atmospheric constituents influencing the backscattered light intensity. The backscattered light is collected with an off-axis telescope mirror and directed onto the detection system. The detection of the two wavelengths 355 nm and 532 nm (the latter in both perpendicular and parallel polarisation mode) provides an information on existence, distribution, backscatter and depolarisation of aerosols and thin clouds in the troposphere. The applied 2-minute integration time results in a horizontal resolution range from 4.3 km to 12.4 km for a minimum of 130 km/h and a maximum of 370 km/h aircraft cruising speed over ground, respectively. The transient recorders register the backscattered light with a maximum sampling rate of 21 MHz corresponding to a range/height resolution of 7.5 m. The on-line quick look data evaluation allows an immediate interpretation.
The Microwave Radar/radiometer for Arctic Clouds (MiRAC-A) consists of a single vertically polarized Frequency Modulated Continous Wave (FMCW) cloud radar including a passive channel at 89 GHz. The cloud radar of MiRAC-A provides vertically resolved profiles of the equivalent radar reflectivity with a sensitivity of -50 dBZ at an altitude of 2 km with a 10 m vertical resolution and a transmitter power of 1.5 W.
The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Applications (AISA) Hawk instrument consists of a downward-viewing push broom sensor alignedacross the flight track to measure 2D fields of upward radiance. The push broom sensor contains 384 across-track pixels, where each pixel performs spectral measurementsbetween the wavelength range of 930 nm and 2550 nm in 288 channels. With a 36°fieldof view (FOV) and a sampling frequency of 20 Hz, the instrument has a spatial resolutionof 2 m, assuming a distance between aircraft and cloud of 1 km.
The AISA Eagle instrument is the second imaging spectrometer installed on Polar 5. Ituses a measurement approach similar to AISA Hawk but focuses on shorter wavelengthswith higher spectral and spatial resolution. With a single line push broom sensorconsisting of 1024 across-track pixels measurements of 2D fields of upward radiance areperformed in 488 channels covering a wavelength range between 400 nm and 970 nm.The FOV is 36.3°and delivers a spatial resolution below 1 m for a target at a distance of 1 km. During MOSAiC-ACA it was operated with a frame rate of 20 Hz to acquire an along-track spatial resolution comparable to that of AISA Hawk.
The Spectral Modular Airborne Radiation measurement sysTem, SMART-Albedometer, measures upward and downward spectral irradiances and radiances in the spectral range from 0.3 to 2.2 μm. The radiation is collected by optical inlets which are different for the radiance and the irradiance. The collected radiation is transmitted with fibre optical cables to spectrometers of different types. Between 0.3 to 1.0 μm the spectrometers have a spectral resolution (FWHM) of 2-3 μm. Both upper und lower sensor package are actively horizontal stabalized, which is necessary to accurately measure irradiance. The SMART measurements will be used to measure cloud top and surface albedo to quantify the solar energy budget in the Arctic atmosphere. Especially the cloud solar radiative forcing in dependence of surface albedo will be investigated. Spectral radiance from SMART will be used for cloud remote sensing retrieving cloud optical properites such as cloud otpical thickness, partical effective diameter and the cloud thermodynamic phase.
A commercial Nikon DF camera is used in combination with a 180° fish-eye lense to measure the angular distribution of solar radiance in the lower hemisphere below the aircraft. The fish-eye camera is calibrated similar to SMART-Albedometer and provides images with high spatial resolution up to a frequency of 4 s. In combination with the SMART-Albedometer downward irradiance, the hemispherical-directional reflectivity distribution function (HDRF comparable to BRDF) can be derived. The measurements will be analyzed for sea ice surfaces as well as for clouds. The sea ice, snow HDRF will be characterized in dependence of sea ice fraction, snow cover and surface roughness. Measurements above clouds provide cloud thermodynamic phase and for liquid clouds, particle diameter by analyzing the backscatter directions with cloud bow and glory.
The Sun-Photometer is installed under a quartz dome of Polar 5 to derive the spectral aerosol optical depth. Therefore, it uses a filter wheel with ten selected wavelengths. The optics of the Sun-Photometer use an aperture with a field of view of 1° to measure the direct solar irradiance. Knowing the extraterrestrial signal the spectral optical depth of the atmosphere and the spectral optical depth of aerosol can be derived.
AVAPS Lite dropsonde system using Vaisala RD-41 sondes to measure temperature with an accuracy of 0.1 °C, humidity with an accuracy of 2 %RH, pressure with an accuracy of 0.4 hPa. Winds are derived from GPS position measurements.
The microwave radiometer operated on Polar 5 is a Humidity And Temperature PROfiler (HATPRO). Usually, this instrument is looking upward when operated on ground. It has seven channels along the water vapor absorption line at 22.24 GHz and seven close to the oxygen absorption complex at around 60 GHz. The humidity channels can be used to retrieved humidity profiles, integrated water vapor, and liquid water path, wheres the ones in the oxygen complex can provide information on the temperature profile. In addition to measure atmospheric parameters, it can be used to derive the microwave emissivity of ocean and sea ice.
The Polar-Nephelometer is able to measure the phase function of ambient aerosol particles.
The Precipitation Imaging Probe (PIP) measures particle sizes in a range from 100 µm to 6.2 mm using an optical array with 64 elements.
The Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) is an optical spectrometer and measures cloud particle sizes in a range from 25 µm to 1550 µm. In addition it measures the liquid water content in a range from 0.01 g/m3 to 3 g/m3.
The 2D-S is an optical imaging instrument and records two dimensional images of cloud particles with two 128 photodiode arrays.
The cloud combination probe (CCP) combines a cloud imaging probe (CIP) and a cloud droplet probe (CDP) and covers a size range between 2 µm and 1000 µm.
The Nevzorov probe measures the total and liquid water content in a range from 0.003 to 3 g m−3.
The Counterflow Virtual Impactor (CVI) inlet is developed for the in-situ collection of cloud droplets and ice particles by simultaneous discrimination of non-activated particles.
The condensation particle counter (CPC) measures the cloud particle residual and ambient aerosol particle number concentration for diameters larger 10 nm.
The ultra-high sensitivity aerosol spectrometer (UHSAS) measures the cloud particle residual and ambient aerosol particle number size distribution in a diameter range between 60 and 1000 nm.
The optical particle counter (OPC) measures the cloud particle residual and ambient aerosol particle number size distribution in a diameter range between 0.25 and 10 µm.
The particle soot absorption photometer (PSAP) measures the absoption coefficient of cloud particle residual and ambient aerosol particles, which can be transferred into a BC mass concentration.
The single-particle soot photometer (SP2) quantifies the concentration and size distribution of refractory black carbon. It is based on a laser-induced incandescence technique that allows for quantifying the mass of refractory BC particles.
The Aircraft-based Laser Ablation Aerosol Mass spectrometer (ALABAMA) is a bipolar-ion single particle analysis instrument that samples aerosol particles and cloud particle residuals with diameters ranging from 200 nm up to 3 µm. The ALABAMA can identify size and bipolar mass spectra of these particles.
The Aerolaser AL5002 measures the carbon monoxide (CO) mixing ratios based on vacuum ultraviolet- (VUV) fluorimetry by using the excitation of CO at 150nm.
The LI-7200 is a commercial high precision Non Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) CO2/H2O Analyzer from LI-COR Biosciences GmbH which was modified for aircraft operations. The mixing ratios of CO2 and H2O are determined via the infrared absorption ratios of both gases measured within the absorption sample cell.
The 2B Technologies Dual Beam Ozone Monitor 205 is designed to enable accurate measurements of atmospheric ozone over a wide dynamic range extending from a limit of detection of 1 ppbv to an upper limit of 100 ppmv based on the well-established technique of absorption of ultraviolet light at 254 nm.
High Volume Aerosol Sampler (HERA), designed for aircraft operations. HERA collects aerosol particles on polycarbonate pore filters. A shrouded inlet diffuser is used to get the particles into the aircraft.
Nose Boom is equipped with a five-hole probe to perform high frequency measurements of 3D wind vector, temperature and humidity, which are needed to calculate e.g. the turbulent kinetic energy flux.


The Download: An Up-Close Look
Smart technologies that automate visual inspection can overcome human limitations
- Quality Progress
- March 2023
- Volume 56 Issue 3
- pp. 43-45
- Tarantino, Anthony G.
- Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA
Automated visual inspection using deep learning has proven that it can overcome the limitations of human inspection and do so at lower costs and faster times than traditional manual methods. Examples of successful applications can be found in virtually every industry and in all stages of manufacturing and distribution.


Neuvition is a high-tech company focused on development of solid-state HD video LiDAR sensors, supporting software and cloud services. The solid-state 3D HD video LiDAR are mainly used in the fields of autonomous driving, ADAS, security, machine vision, 3D imaging and UAV.
Neuvition provides online help that is ready to jump in to help our potential customers with any questions they have. Just use the chat box to chat with our team member. Software download also available on the download page


2 Concerns Individuals Do Not Really Realize Relating To LASIK Eye Surgical TreatmentThe eye can be examined with relative ease regarding both its function and its structure. A functional examination includes the capability to relocate the orbit and the reaction of the pupil to light and lodging.
The function of the eye may be checked in a number of methods. The client might be asked to identify illuminated letter or items of differing sizes on what is called the Snellen chart.
On the other hand, the evaluation of the structural part of the eye might be made in several methods. Tension within the eyeball is measured by a "tonometer." In specific diseases, specifically in glaucoma, the tension in the eyeball is increased markedly.
However, it needs to be well bore in mind that a client with an eye problem may have other problems also. Frequently other physical conditions are primary and affect the eye as a repercussion. The look of the eye can notify the doctor and the client to difficulties in some disruptions of other parts of the body even prior to other signs present themselves.
One's reliance on sight is highlighted when one faces a possible or momentary long-term loss of this vital sense. Hence, when corrective measures are looked for, particular types of vision correction such as contact lenses or glasses are recommended.
On the other hand, some people are bothered with the reality that they have actually some framed lenses or contact lenses in front of their eyes.
For this reason, advanced surgical operations were developed to motivate reduced usage of contact lenses or glasses. Among which is the now popular LASIK eye surgical treatment.
Basically, LASIK eye surgical treatment is the short term for "Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis." Like its tangible equivalent, LASIK eye surgical treatment is another kind of vision correction. The only difference is that with this type of surgery, Get More Info one's vision is corrected permanently.
With LASIK eye surgical treatment, the refractive mistakes in the cornea are permanently changed. This can be done using an "excimer laser."
The primary purpose of this surgery is to develop a threadlike, rounded "flap" in the cornea utilizing a blade called "microkeratome." In a series of unfolding and laser processing, the cornea is finally reformed, allowing much better the eye to direct more light into the retina.
Popularity vs. Disadvantages
Amidst the growing popularity of LASIK eye surgical treatment, there are still disadvantages that individuals need to understand. Probably, the primary reason why this type of eye surgery has ended up being well accepted is since most of its cases had actually achieved success.
However, in spite of its success, there are still some drawbacks. Here is the list:
1. It is an operation applied to the most delicate part of the eye
Due to Web Site the fact that LASIK eye surgery involves the operation of the retina, which is among the most delicate portions of the eye, the majority of people state that the operation can be very risky.
Simply puts, a simple error could nearly trigger an individual's lifetime blindness. For this reason, it is you could try this out very important to think about lots of elements before deciding whether LASIK eye surgery is the right restorative procedure one needs to go through.
2. It is not a perfect procedure
LASIK eye surgery may correct your vision but it does not always indicate that it can offer you a ideal vision. Even if analytical reports show that 70% of the clients may have 20/20 vision, this does not necessarily mean they have ideal vision as well.
Given all these things, it can be deduced that, in spite of the popularity of the operation, LASIK might not always be the ideal eye surgical treatment the way the majority of people see it
Alternatively, the evaluation of the structural part of the eye might be made in a number of ways. It ought to be well kept in mind that a client with an eye problem may have other problems. Often other physical conditions are primary and affect the eye as a effect. The look of the eye can notify the client and the doctor to difficulties in some disturbances of other parts of the body even before other symptoms provide themselves.
Like its tangible equivalent, LASIK eye surgery is another form of vision correction.


Beyond embedded - integrated machine vision
Abstract: like all automation products, baccalais' machine vision system uses off the shelf MAPP technology component programming. The resulting applications cover everything from process control and motion to machine vision and HMI
the old proverb tells us, "seeing is believing". In fact, vision is the most trustworthy of human senses - and it is also something we often use to interact with the world. "In contrast," andreaswaldl, product manager of integrated machine vision at baccalais, said, "many machines today are more or less running blindly."
OEMs have been trying to solve this problem through machine vision for many years. When enterprises are committed to implementing industry 4.0, such a visual system may become a valuable tool. "At present, however, machine control products have been registered for too long and machine vision still lives in two different worlds," waldl said. Integrating machine vision into applications is still a very complex task
baccalais' machine vision
"we have developed an embedded vision system whose flexibility and unprecedented integration have eliminated the defects previously associated with these systems," waldl said. The core of the solution is a wide range of smart camera technology. Low end products will replace simple machine vision sensors, while high-end series will give full play to the potential of high-end smart cameras. These cameras can perform various machine vision tasks that are still performed by PC based systems
a key component of the baccalais machine vision system is intelligent lighting technology, which can be integrated into the camera, used as an external device, or a combination of the two. Automatic dimming can prevent stray light and other difficult lighting conditions from affecting performance. In addition, it is also easy to achieve high-precision synchronization of high-speed image capture before installing the experimental machine, or implementing specific object requirements, such as light field or dark field lighting
"baccalais' machine vision system can be integrated at all levels: engineering tools, real-time operating systems and application software," waldl stressed. The overall approach covers all aspects of automation solutions: from control systems to safety technology, from motion control to robots and CNC. "Now it also includes machine vision."
cameras and lighting are like integrated i/o modules, servo drivers and safety controllers, and interfaces are no longer required in the operating system. Tasks such as programming and configuring image processing routines and setting up cameras and lighting have all become part of the entire automation project
control programmers can perform a large number of machine vision tasks by themselves. All data, parameters and variables are standardized throughout the system – machine vision does not require separate process variables. Only when the professional knowledge of visual experts is needed, such as dealing with difficult lighting conditions
baccalais has integrated machine vision into its automation studio engineering tool
baccalais MAPP technology framework provides ready-made software components, and machine vision applications can be easily created with less programming. Since the MAPP component can realize the intuitive communication between each other, it only needs a few clicks to integrate the images captured by the smart camera into the P view HMI application for the comprehensive realization of customer satisfaction. None of this requires writing a single line of code. Camera and lighting parameters and trigger conditions can be changed at any time, so that product type change and other operation time adjustment are very easy to implement
the potential applications of the baccalais machine vision system range from relatively simple tasks - such as reading bar codes, OCV and OCR - to the most demanding tasks in the pharmaceutical, printing and textile industries
different camera models can be seamlessly expanded, and they are all based on the same technology. In this way, OEM manufacturers can equip different machine vision system configurations for different models. No matter what kind of hardware is installed, the software only needs to be created once. Since the application program is also stored on the controller, if the camera is replaced during maintenance, the data will not be lost
like all automation products, baccalais' machine vision system uses off the shelf MAPP technology component programming. The resulting applications cover everything from process control and motion to machine vision and HMI
sub microsecond synchronization
cameras and lighting are directly integrated into the real-time network through Powerlink, which not only ensures the close synchronization between the machine and motion control, but also handles HMI communication
the trigger signal comes directly from the controller or sports application, rather than the detour they were forced to take in the past. The ability to synchronize image triggers and lighting controls with the entire automation system - with hard real-time and sub microsecond accuracy - opens up a new world full of opportunities. For example, in dynamic applications with frequent speed changes, a separate encoder is no longer required on the camera
by fully integrating machine vision into its automation system, baccalais now allows machine manufacturers to achieve control and machine vision tasks through a single tool. As waldl concluded, "unlike the shortcomings of traditional vision systems, they can refocus on optimizing the value-added process of machines with high-end fine chemicals such as catalysts, pharmaceutical intermediates and electronic chemicals."
"the first fully integrated machine vision system brings new opportunities to mechanical equipment manufacturers." Andreaswaldl, product manager, baccalais – integrated machine vision


Colour laser marking is not a recent process but was founded 10years back, although barely utilized. The Color Marking technique was originally noticed as a promising tool for marking craft metal and jewellery. Over the years we notice this method in a tremendous market as manufacturers of consumer goods are glancing for fresh strategies with promising output differentiation.
The technique of colour marking entails a variety of elements which comprises titanium and stainless steel. Additionally, broadening the parameters of a laser about the colour application. This strategy can bring about a monotonous item refreshed with shades of colour, that could be of vast benefit.
What is Colour Marking?
Colour laser marking, or colour laser inscribing as it’s widely known, is the manner of the colour upswing to an item that is being inscribed. “Marking” is the more qualified word since engraving wipes out a fraction of the material’s body, formulating a cavity.
Utilizing colour for laser marking or engraving enables you to broaden your potentials and deliver extra versatility in your commodity offerings, as well as appealing characteristics for your clients.
Colour laser engraving can be toppled into two subsets, that colour laser engraving on metal and colour laser marking on the plastic item. You can refer to this website for further information.
Colour Laser Marking on Plastics
As of this procedure, colour laser markings for plastics is still exclusive, but lately, progressive processes may rapidly alter that across the business. At prevailing times, plastic substances that are inscribed remains in the identical colour as the actual original stuff, with fixed alternatives in light and dark shades.
Colour Laser Engraving on Metals
Colour engraving metal has more comprehensive abilities and applications, with laser colour marking stainless steel being extremely prominent in a lot of enterprises. This pattern of marking alters the surface coating of the element and can generate different colours on the article.
Applications for Colour Laser Engraving
Companies have operated colour laser engraving and marking for various objectives, such as through:
· Personalizing commodities for customers
· Adding graphics, designs, and images to modify an output
· Improving their branding skills by marking a piece with their company colours
· Ornamenting craft metal works, watches, and jewellery
· Marking cameras, mobile phones and other electrical equipment
· Marking metal fittings in the bathroom to denote hot and cold water
· Marking parts for use in medical products, automobiles, aircraft, and more
· Marking firearms and knives for personalization
Difference between Laser Marking, Engraving and Laser Etching
All three processes are very prominent, three of these laser assistances furnish a lasting marking solution, fulfilling regulations and amplifying distinction to your commodities and parts.
The distinction between laser marking, laser engraving, and laser etching primarily have to do with what each technique does to the marking surface, involving how intense the laser gets on and how it remakes the all-around impression.
Laser marking discolours the surface of the item, whereas laser etching and engraving eliminate a fraction of the surface area as it marks. The major difference between laser etching and engraving is the depth to which the laser penetrates the surface.


Zoll M Series Capnostat Co2 Monitoring Cable Refurbished
For use with the Zoll M-series defibrillator
•A patented IR source capable of being pulsed on and off very rapidly, which eliminates the need to interrupt the IR beam with a rotating chopper wheel.
•A beam splitter allows a single beam infrared pulse to simultaneously strike reference and measurement detectors, replacing a sealed gas reference cell rotating on a chopper wheel. Since reference and measurement signals occur at precisely the same time, changes in the optical signal due to contaminants in the airway are effectively removed from the signal. This results in superior performance under adverse clinical conditions.
The resulting rugged design allows the CAPNOSTAT to withstand the demands of the harsh hospital and EMS environment.
Initial CO2 indication in just 15 seconds.
In addition to being extremely rugged, the CAPNOSTAT can display a capnogram 15 seconds after power-up and is fully operational within an additional 15 seconds.


Photometry is the branch of science that deals with the measurement of light intensity.
optek inline photometric analyzers are based on the interaction of light with process fluids or gases. This interaction can be measured with great exactness, as described by the Lambert-Beer Law.
Because of their accuracy and robustness, inline, photometric instruments are able to provide precise, real-time process stream analyses when installed at strategic locations in pipelines, reactors, tanks and vessels.
Photometry is ideal for a wide variety of process applications
- Suspended solids
- Trace contaminants
- Interface detection
- Filter control
- Separator control
- Oil in water/water in oil
- ClO2, S02
- BOD reduction
- And many more...
|See the applications menu for more information on how photometry is used in industry.


Two identical telescopes called Keck I and Keck II are the largest reflecting telescopes in the world. Each has a segmented mirror 10 m (33 feet) in diameter. The telescopes are on Mauna Kea, a mountain in Hawaii.
The telescopes in an optical observatory which stands under a large dome with shutters. The dome and the shutters protect the telescope from the weather. Motors and precision gears keep the telescope pointed in the desired direction as the Earth rotates. Observatories use two principal kinds of optical telescopes—reflecting telescopes and refracting telescopes. Reflecting telescopes use a curved mirror or a set of such mirrors to focus light, and refracting telescopes use a system of lenses.
Refracting telescopes need thick lenses of high magnification. The refracting telescope at the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, is the world's largest lens. It measures 102 cm (40 in) in diameter.


The emitting facet of the single-mode laser diode is typically 1-micron high and 3-5 microns wide. Its output beam is highly divergent in a so-called "fast-axis" direction perpendicular to the emitter and less so along the facet or "slow-axis". The collimation of such an asymmetrically divergent beam with a combination of the fast- and slow-axis collimating lenses, or FAC and SAC lenses, yields a rectangular beam cross-section not convenient for all applications.
Alternatively, the Fast-Axis Reducer (FAR) lens collimates the fast-axis of a laser diode beam with its convex acylindrical surface. Then, its concave cylindrical surface re-introduces the fast axis beam divergence equal to that of the slow axis. The appropriate lens thickness takes care of beam astigmatism. Pairing the Fast Axis Reducer with a rotationally symmetric lens produces a collimated and round beam.
Code Description Glass Diode Aspect Ratio (F:S)
ZEMAX D142-0404 FAR_1:3_STIH53_520 S-TIH53 1 : 3
520 0.100 0.412 0.438 D142-0402 FAR_1:5_STIH53_780 S-TIH53 1 : 5 780 0.069 0.500 0.550
Dimension Tolerance +/- 0.02 mm
Length Tolerance +/- 0.05 mm AR Coating Specification R < 0.5%, AOI 0-30°
Fast Axis Reducer lens