Abstract: An electromagnetic optical relay is disclosed in which a solid slug moves within a switching channel formed in relay housing. An optical path passing through the switching channel is blocked or unblocked by motion of the solid slug. Motion of the solid slug is controlled by at least two electromagnetic actuators, such as electrical coils surround the switching channel. Motion of the solid slug is resisted by a liquid, such as a liquid metal, that wets between the solid slug and at least one fixed contact pad in the switching channel. The surface tension of the liquid provides a latching mechanism for the relay. An optical signal may be reflected from the wetted surface of the solid slug and switched to an alternative optical path.

Abstract: A system comprises at least one optical fiber that revolves around an axis when an array assembly that includes a radar array revolves around the axis. The optical fiber receives a light pattern that specifies information from the array assembly. A stationary device remains optically coupled to the optical fiber for receiving the light pattern while the optical fiber revolves around the axis.

Abstract: A method of determining beam twist and/or calibrating tilt angles of an ion beam of an ion beam implanter relative to a first channel of a crystalline target. The method can be used to calibrate the machine to an accuracy which is comparable to the precision of variance of such angle.

Abstract: An optical guide 43 is partly buried in a lens 43 on the diameter of its aperture, the lens 43 converging received light incident from the end face of an optical fiber onto a light receiving element 15 and the optical conductor 33 having a refractive index larger than that of the lens 43. The optical guide 33 is composed of a buried portion 33-1 and an extending portion 33-2, and transmitting light 22 incident on the optical guide 33 from the end face 33c of the extending portion 33-2 is reflected by a reflecting surface 33a and launched into the optical fiber. The transmitting light 22 is guided by the optical guide 33 to the end face of the optical fiber without leakage to the receiving-side portion.

Abstract: A defect inspecting apparatus is provided for generating a less distorted test image to reliably observe a surface of a sample for detecting defects thereon. The defect detecting apparatus comprises a primary electron beam source for irradiating a sample, electrostatic lenses for focusing secondary electrons emitted from the surface of the sample irradiated with the primary electron beam, a detector for detecting the secondary electrons, and an image processing unit for processing a signal from the detector. Further, a second electron source may be provided for emitting an electron beam irradiated to the sample, wherein the sample may be irradiated with the electron beam from the second electron source before it is irradiated with the primary electron beam from the first electron source for observing the sample. A device manufacturing method is also provided for inspecting devices under processing with high throughput using the defect detecting apparatus.

Abstract: A lens (15) for a scanning electron microscope is adapted to be removably mounted on a specimen stage (1). The lens (15) includes a magnetic circuit (2, 3, 4, 7) having a first magnetic pole piece (7) and a second magnetic pole piece (4), and a specimen holder (5). The specimen holder (5) is located between the first and second magnetic pole pieces (4, 7). The magnetic circuit (2, 3, 4, 7) also includes a lens bore (18) to permit an electron beam (9) to strike a surface of a specimen mounted on the specimen holder (5), in use. The lens bore (18) has a width of greater than 1 mm.

Abstract: This invention eliminates the lens/prism assemblies and the multiple pick-up fibers that must be multiply lensed to a detector to get sufficient signal strength for the system to work. This invention also compensates for some of the rapid rise and fall time of the present system. A single pick-up, either a fiber or a photodiode, is placed at the end of a waveguide. A lens or lens system is used to focus a single optical signal on to the fiber face or the photodiode active area. Various light injection techniques, such as fibers, fiber/lens assemblies, lensed VCEL, lasers, or LEDs can be utilized because of the location in the system.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for mass spectrometry using a dual ion trapping system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, three “linear” multipoles are combined to create a dual linear ion trap system for trapping, analyzing, fragmenting and transmitting parent and fragment ions to a mass analyzer—preferably a TOF mass analyzer. The dual ion trap according to the present invention includes two linear ion traps, one positioned before an analytic quadrupole and one after the analytic multipole. Both linear ion traps are multipoles composed of any desired number of rods—i.e. the traps are quadrupoles, pentapoles, hexapoles, octapoles, etc. Such arrangement enables one to maintain a high “duty cycle” while avoiding “memory effects” and also reduces the power consumed in operating the analyzing quadrupole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical particle irradiation apparatus comprising a rotating gantry 1 including an irradiation unit 4 emitting particle beams; an annular frame 16 located within and supported by the rotating gantry 1 such that it can rotate relative to the rotating gantry 1; an annular frame 15 fixedly located opposite the annular frame 16; an anti-corotation mechanism 34 being in contact with both the annular frames 16 and 15 to prevent the annular frame 16 from rotating together with the rotating gantry 1 during rotation of the rotating gantry 1; and a flexible moving floor 17 interposed between the annular frames 15 and 16, the flexible moving floor 17 being engaged with the annular frames 15 and 16 in such a manner as to move freely such that its bottom is substantially level and that it moves as the rotating gantry rotates.

Abstract: The invention provides a step index optical fiber which presents cladding having an index lower than the index of silica and a core with an index higher than the index of silica. The fiber is obtained by drawing a preform made by chemical vapor deposition using a deposition tube of index lower than the index of silica. Inner cladding of index substantially equal to the index of the deposition tube, and then a core of index higher than the index of the inner cladding are deposited in succession therein. The invention makes it possible to obtain a fiber having a large effective area, reduced attenuation, and suitable for being fabricated at low cost by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A method for detecting gases or vapors emitted from materials, such as electrical components, under conditions at which there is a risk of the onset of fire, said method comprising sampling gas from the region of the material using an ion mobility spectrometer tuned to detect specific volatilized materials. The signal can be used to determine a fire risk and to trigger alarms as necessary. The method provides rapid detection with high sensitivity and high selectivity so as to minimize false alarms. Apparatus for use in the method is also described and claimed.

Abstract: An objective lens arrangement is presented for mounting in a charged particle beam column adjacent to an anode tube that defines a beam drift space for a charged particle beam propagating towards a sample. The lens arrangement comprises a magnetic lens and an electrostatic lens, wherein the electrostatic lens includes upper and lower electrodes arranged in a spaced-apart coaxial relationship along an optical axis of the lens arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-component gas analyzing method using FTIR, which can correct for an influence of a coexistent gas due to an intensity change in the spectrum itself that occurs depending on the base gas composition so that it is possible to carry out, a measurement with high precision. A plurality of components in a sample are quantitatively analyzed based upon an absorption spectrum obtained by FTIR. After having calculated multi-component concentrations from a mixed gas spectrum by using a quantitative algorithm, calculations are further carried out so as to correct for a change in spectrum due to a coexistent gas component with respect to part of target components.

Abstract: A device for converting a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is adapted to be mounted on a conventional SEM. The device has a casing mountable on the SEM and provides support for a specimen to be scanned by a beam of primary electrons exiting the objective lens of the SEM. The casing defines a pathway allowing transmission electrons that have passed through the specimen to be detected. The device may have a magnet mountable on the casing for generating a transverse magnetic field to deflect the transmission electrons within the casing. A magnetic lens may be mounted within the casing for focusing the beam of primary electrons onto the specimen. The secondary electron detector of the SEM may be used to detect secondary electrons emitted from a target excited by the transmitted electrons. Alternatively, an electron detector may be mounted within the casing for detecting the transmitted electrons.

Abstract: An optical phase detector comprising coupling means for receiving two optical inputs and for producing two combined optical outputs, means for detecting the two combined optical outputs and producing two corresponding electrical signals, and means for measuring the difference between the two electrical signals and generating an output difference signal which may be used to provide an indication of the phase difference between the two optical inputs. The optical phase detector comprises a voltage-tuneable electro-optic phase modulator for modulating the phase of an optical input to the optical phase detector to provide a linearized response. In this arrangement the output difference signal may be maintained at a constant level by varying the voltage applied to the electro-optic phase modulator, the applied voltage providing an indication of the phase difference between the two optical inputs. Applications include frequency discriminators, various sensors, and a laser stabilization apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing atomic and molecular nano-deposition by means of atomic or molecular focusing through a plurality of optical standing waves. A stacked set of standing light waves, preferably arranged as gratings in a predetermined form and of predetermined intensities, is used to sequentially compress or squeeze the width of the incident atomic or molecular beam into ultra-narrow, spatially localized spots or lines. The result is a focused beam of particles with improved resolution compared with prior art atomic focusing. Furthermore, spherical and chromatic aberrational effects can be reduced.

Abstract: An optical packet header identifier having a simplified configuration and being superior in reliability, stability, and economical efficiency, an optical router incorporating the identifier therein, and a routing method using the optical router are provided. The optical packet header identifier includes an optical waveguide, optical focusing elements, and a photo receiver. Tilted gratings for diffracting an incident optical beam and emitting the beams as diffracted optical beams to the outside of the waveguide are formed within the optical waveguide. The tilted gratings are not formed uniformly in a longitudinal direction of a core of the optical waveguide, but are arranged at intervals. The length of a portion containing a set of gratings and the length of a portion containing no gratings can be defined in increments of length “L”. “L” equals to the spatial length which 1 bit in an optical signal occupies.

Abstract: A photonic circuit includes a tunable drop filter arrangement that includes a plurality of resonators. The drop filter arrangement is tuned to remove a selected frequency from an input data stream from a waveguide. A wavelength sensor coupled to the drop filter to monitor the selected frequency to which the drop filter arrangement has been tuned. A tunable laser presents a new signal of a defined frequency indicative of a signal to be added to the input data stream. A modulator coupled to the tunable laser for receiving the new signal and forming a modulated signal. An add filter arrangement coupled to the modulator for receiving the modulated signal and adding the modulated signal to the data stream.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for the active alignment and coupling of separate optical components consisting of a light-emitting component and a light-receiving component. It comprises first alignment means having a relatively lower optical resolving power stage that is adapted to perform coarse alignment of the light-emitting component to locate an approximate location of its point of highest intensity, and second alignment means having a relatively higher optical resolving power stage that is adapted to perform fine alignment of the light-emitting component to locate a more precise location of the said point of highest intensity. Accordingly, coarse alignment may be performed using a multi-mode fiber and fine alignment may be performed using a single-mode fiber that may further be coupled to the light-emitting component.

Abstract: In the obtainment of image signals by receiving emitted light, generated by a stimulable phosphor sheet due to irradiation thereof by an excitation light, at the light receiving surfaces of photoelectric conversion elements, then obtaining an electrical image signal based on the charges stored in the photoelectric conversion elements by an image signal obtainment means comprising a charge transfer path and an output circuit, the area surrounding the light receiving surfaces of the photoelectric conversion elements have been covered by a filter that absorbs only blue light, and the emitted light is received.