Abstract: A monolithic Offner spectrometer is described herein as are various components like a diffraction grating and a slit all of which are manufactured by using a state-of-the-art diamond machining process. In one embodiment, a monolithic Offner spectrometer is directly manufactured by using a diamond machining process. In another embodiment, a monolithic Offner spectrometer is manufactured by using molds which are made by a diamond machining process. In yet another embodiment, a diffraction grating is directly manufactured by using a diamond machining process. In still yet another embodiment, a diffraction grating is manufactured by using a mold which is made by a diamond machining process. In yet another embodiment, a slit is directly manufactured by using a diamond machining process.

Abstract: A reference microplate is described herein which can be used to help calibrate and troubleshoot an optical interrogation system. In one embodiment, the reference microplate has a frame with an array of wells each of which contains an optical biosensor and each optical biosensor is at least partially coated with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy). In another embodiment, the reference microplate in addition to having its optical biosensors at least partially covered with a substance (e.g., elastomer, optical epoxy) also has a controllable heating device attached thereto which is used to heat the optical biosensors.

Abstract: A non-linear modification to telecentric object space together with alteration of working distance provides a distortion adjustment feature. The modification to telecentric object space can be manifest as a spherical aberration in an entrance pupil. The change in working distance can be made by relatively translating the imaged object through the modified telecentric object space. The distortion adjustment can be made to compensate for distortions accompanying changes in ambient or operating conditions. Distortions accompanying magnification corrections can also be corrected.

Abstract: An optical reader system and method are described herein that can detect a lateral and/or angular misalignment of one or more biosensors so that the biosensors can be properly re-located after being removed from and then reinserted into the optical reader system. In one embodiment, the biosensors are incorporated within the wells of a microplate.

Abstract: A light pulse conditioning apparatus has at least first and second curved reflective surfaces that share a common focus and a light-redirecting element disposed between the first and second curved reflective surfaces to redirect at least a portion of an incident light beam toward the second curved reflective surface as a delayed beam portion. A beam-shifting compensating element is disposed between the first curved reflective surface and the light-redirecting element and in the path of the delayed beam portion, for shifting the optical path of the delayed beam portion as it returns toward the light-redirecting element.

Abstract: An optical element mount has an outer member and an inner member. The inner member has a central axis and is suspended within the outer member by a plurality of fold flexures. Each fold flexure has a fold that lies along a line that intersects the central axis at one common point, where the common point serves as a pivot point for rotational movement of the inner member.

Abstract: A monolithic optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member and movable with respect to the outer member along an axis. A first set of fold flexures extends from the inner member to the outer member, so that each fold flexure in the first set has a fold that lies on a tangent to a first circle lying in a first plane that is orthogonal to the axis. A second set of fold flexures extends from the inner member to the outer member, so that each fold flexure in the second set has a fold that lies on a tangent to a second circle lying in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. With respect to a view taken along the axis, the folds for the first set do not align with the folds for the second set.

Abstract: An optical reader system is described herein that uses a scanned optical beam to interrogate a biosensor to determine if a biomolecular binding event occurred on a surface of the biosensor. In one embodiment, the optical reader system includes a light source, a detector and a processor (e.g., computer, DSP). The light source outputs an optical beam which is scanned across a moving biosensor and while this is happening the detector collects the optical beam which is reflected from the biosensor. The computer processes the collected optical beam and records the resulting raw spectral or angle data which is a function of a position (and possibly time) on the biosensor. The processor can then analyze the raw data to create a spatial map of resonant wavelength (peak position) or resonant angle which indicates whether or not a biomolecular binding event occurred on the biosensor. Several other uses of the raw data are also described herein.

Abstract: A swept wavelength imaging optical interrogation system and a method for using the same to interrogate one or more biosensors are described herein. The swept wavelength imaging optical interrogation system is built upon a swept wavelength optical interrogation technology where a 2-D label free image is extracted from a series of high speed spectral images of the biosensor(s) without the need of performing mechanical scanning.

Abstract: Local data maps of an optical imaging system are stitched together into a composite global data map based on a merit function supporting closed-form processing. Overlapping regions of the local data maps are defined as difference maps that are given a parametric description. Corrective orientations of the local data maps are derived by collectively matching parametric descriptions of the corrective orientations for the overlapping local data maps to the parametric descriptions of the corresponding difference maps.

Abstract: A catadioptric imaging system for micro-lithographic projection features a high numerical aperture objective where most of the focusing power is produced by reflection and refraction angles are limited to avoid additional aberration. A field correcting optic is appended to a Mangin mirror in an immersive configuration for raising the numerical aperture. The optical connection between the Mangin mirror and the field correcting optic is arranged to control refraction angles by limiting angles of incidence or refractive index differences. A radially symmetric polarizing effect is achieved in a pupil to improve image contrast.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structures, including large area SOI structures, are provided which have one or more regions composed of a layer (15) of a substantially single-crystal semiconductor (e.g., doped silicon) attached to a support substrate (20) composed of an oxide glass or an oxide glass-ceramic. The oxide glass or oxide glass-ceramic is preferably transparent and preferably has a strain point of less than 1000° C., a resistivity at 250° C. that is less than or equal to 1016 ?-cm, and contains positive ions (e.g., alkali or alkaline-earth ions) which can move within the glass or glass-ceramic in response to an electric field at elevated temperatures (e.g., 300-1000° C.). The bond strength between the semiconductor layer (15) and the support substrate (20) is preferably at least 8 joules/meter2. The semiconductor layer (15) can include a hybrid region (16) in which the semiconductor material has reacted with oxygen ions originating from the glass or glass-ceramic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor-on-insulator structures having strained semiconductor layers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a semiconductor-on-insulator structure has a first layer including a semiconductor material, attached to a second layer including a glass or glass-ceramic, with the strain point of the glass or glass-ceramic equal to or greater than about 800° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of generating short wavelength radiation, methods of transporting short wavelength radiation, and apparati used in these methods. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of transporting short wavelength radiation using a photonic band gap fiber. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of transporting short wavelength radiation using a bundle of photonic band gap fibers. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of generating ultraviolet radiation using high harmonic generation by pumping a noble gas-filled photonic band gap fiber with a pulsed laser source.

Abstract: A semiconductor-on-insulator structure including first and second layers which are attached to one another either directly or through one or more intermediate layers. The first layer includes a substantially single crystal germanium semiconductor material while the second layer comprises a glass or a glass-ceramic material having a linear coefficient thermal of expansion (25-300° C.) which is within the range of +/?20×10?7/° C. of the linear coefficient thermal of expansion of the germanium first layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing a semiconductor on glass (SOG) structure include: subjecting an implantation surface of a donor semiconductor wafer to multiple ion implantation processes to create an exfoliation layer in the donor semiconductor wafer, wherein at least one of: (i) the type of ion, (ii) the dose, and/or (iii) the implantation energy of at least two of the multiple ion implantation processes differ from one another.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring dimensional changes in materials, such as ultra-low thermal expansion materials, contains an optically balanced measuring loop. Both an object beam and a loop beam propagate around the measuring loop. The object beam encounters both opposite side surfaces of the test object and the loop beam encounters remaining components of the measuring loop in common with the object beam. The object and loop beams can be separately compared to reference beams for producing heterodyne signal beams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a semiconductor wafer; at least one porous layer in the semiconductor wafer; an epitaxial semiconductor layer directly or indirectly on the porous layer; and a glass substrate bonded to the epitaxial semiconductor layer via electrolysis.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor on glass structure includes: establishing an exfoliation layer on a semiconductor wafer; contacting the exfoliation layer of the semiconductor wafer to a glass substrate; applying pressure, temperature and voltage to the semiconductor wafer and the glass substrate, without a vacuum atmosphere, such that a bond is established therebetween via electrolysis; and applying stress such that the exfoliation layer separates from the semiconductor wafer and remains bonded to the glass substrate.

Abstract: Increased yield of optical elements from cubic crystal rods, such as made of calcium fluoride, is made possible by orienting the optical elements for supporting the propagation of light along one of the <1 1 2>, <1 2 1>, or < 2 1 1> alternative crystal axis, which extend perpendicular to a main <1 1 1> crystal axis. A cleave is taken through the crystal rod along a primary crystal plane {1 1 1} normal to the <1 1 1> main axis. One of the <1 1 2>, <1 2 1>, or < 2 1 1> alternative crystal axes is located by optical inspection and indicated on the crystal rod with an orientation label. Additional cuts are taken parallel to the {1 1 1} primary crystal plane to divide the crystal rod into disks each containing a portion of the orientation label.