Abstract: Tungsten-doped tin-fluorophosphate glasses are described herein which exhibit excellent humidity resistance, thermal resistance, and have a low glass transition temperature which makes them suitable for low temperature sealing applications, such as for encapsulating electronic components. In one embodiment, these glasses comprise 55-75% Sn, 4-14% P, 6-24% O, 4-22% F, and 0.15-15% W on a weight percent elemental basis.

Abstract: An optical reader system and method are described herein that directs a non-coherent light towards a biosensor, collects the non-coherent light which is reflected (or transmitted) from (or through) the biosensor, and then angularly filters the collected non-coherent light to obtain a narrow spectral response which can be analyzed to determine if a biological substance is located on the biosensor or if a biomolecular event took place on the biosensor.

Abstract: A planar waveguide grating (PWG) sensor is described herein which exhibits a low signal drift and an enhanced sensitivity due to the use of a fully dense silicon-rich nitride surface layer. In the preferred embodiment, the silicon rich silicon nitride surface layer has a composition which includes Si and N, and optionally H, Ge and/or O, where a Si/N atomic ratio is greater than 0.75. In addition, the silicon rich nitride surface layer has a refractive index that is greater than 2.45 and less than 3.2 at a wavelength of operation. A method is also described herein for manufacturing the PWG sensor with acceptable costs and high yields by utilizing well known semiconductor processes and tools.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and method are described herein that are capable of generating light beams that have desired optical properties which are directed towards a specimen array. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system includes a light source, a diffractive element and a collimating optic (e.g., simple lens(es), f-? lens(es), segmented mirror, fiber array). The light source emits a light beam to the diffractive optic which receives the light beam and outputs an array of light beams to the collimating optic. The collimating optic receives and conditions the light beams emitted from the diffractive optic and then outputs the conditioned light beams which have desired optical properties towards a specimen array. Several other embodiments of the optical interrogation system are also described herein.

Abstract: A system and method for suppressing the formation of gaseous inclusions in glass sheets and the resulting glass sheets are described herein. The system includes a melting, fining, delivery, mixing or forming vessel that has a refractory metal component (e.g., platinum component) which has an inner wall that contacts molten glass and an outer wall coated with an oxygen ion transportable material (e.g., zirconia) which is coated with a conductive electrode. The system also includes a DC power source that supplies DC power across the oxygen ion transportable material which causes oxygen ions to migrate from the refractory metal component to the conductive electrode and enables one to control the partial pressure of oxygen around an exterior of the vessel which helps one to effectively prevent hydrogen permeation from the molten glass in order to suppress the formation of undesirable gaseous inclusions and surface blisters within the glass sheet.