Abstract: A shut-off system for a dispenser includes a pinch member that moves relative to a guide and which is normally biased against a flexible outlet tube that is disposed therebetween. The flexible outlet tube that carries material, such as soap, supplied from a pump to an outlet nozzle. The pump and the pinch member are in operative engagement with an actuator, such that when the actuator is not engaged, the pinch member closes the outlet tube to prevent residual material retained in the outlet tube from flowing or drooling out of the outlet nozzle. Correspondingly, when the actuator is engaged, the pump is compressed, and the pinch member is moved away from the outlet tube, allowing the material to be pumped through the outlet tube and dispensed from the outlet nozzle.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical interferometer that generates interference phenomena between optical waves to measure multiple distances, thicknesses, and indices of refraction of a sample. An excitation-emission device allows an electromagnetic excitation and emission to pass through an objective in optical communication with the sample. An electromagnetic detector receives the output of the optical interferometer and the excitation-emission device to render a magnified image of the sample. A digital delay generator synchronizes the optical interferometer and excitation-emission device to operate in substantially unison to generate a noninvasive depth of field of the portion of the sample that corrects a plurality of optical aberrations in real-time.

Abstract: An optical system performs imaging in a transmissive and reflective mode. The system includes an optical interferometer that generates interference phenomena between optical waves to measure multiple distances, thicknesses, and indices of refraction of a sample. Measurements are made through a galvanometer that scans a pre-programmed angular arc. An excitation-emission device allows an electromagnetic excitation and emission to pass through an objective in optical communication with the sample. An electromagnetic detector receives the output of the optical interferometer and the excitation-emission device to render a magnified three dimensional image of the sample.

Abstract: An optical system includes more than two optical interferometers that generate interference phenomena between optical waves to measure a plurality of distances, a plurality of thicknesses, and a plurality of indices of refraction of a sample. An electromagnetic detector receives an output of the optical interferometers to render a magnified image of at least a portion of the sample. A controller reduces or eliminates undesired optical signals through a hierarchical phase unwrapping of the output of the electromagnetic detector.

Abstract: An optical system includes more than two optical interferometers that generate interference phenomena between optical waves to measure a plurality of distances, a plurality of thicknesses, and a plurality of indices of refraction of a sample. An electromagnetic detector receives an output of the optical interferometers to render a magnified image of at least a portion of the sample. A controller reduces or eliminates undesired optical signals through a hierarchical phase unwrapping of the output of the electromagnetic detector.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical interferometer that generates interference phenomena between optical waves to measure multiple distances, thicknesses, and indices of refraction of a sample. An excitation-emission device allows an electromagnetic excitation and emission to pass through an objective in optical communication with the sample. An electromagnetic detector receives the output of the optical interferometer and the excitation-emission device to render a magnified image of the sample. A digital delay generator synchronizes the optical interferometer and excitation-emission device to operate in substantially unison to generate a noninvasive depth of field of the portion of the sample that corrects a plurality of optical aberrations in real-time.

Abstract: An optical system performs imaging in a transmissive and reflective mode. The system includes an optical interferometer that generates interference phenomena between optical waves to measure multiple distances, thicknesses, and indices of refraction of a sample. Measurements are made through a galvanometer that scans a pre-programmed angular arc. An excitation-emission device allows an electromagnetic excitation and emission to pass through an objective in optical communication with the sample. An electromagnetic detector receives the output of the optical interferometer and the excitation-emission device to render a magnified three dimensional image of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing plural layers of materials on a substrate within a single vacuum chamber allows high-throughput deposition of structures such as these for GMR and MRAM application. An indexing mechanism aligns a substrate with each of plural targets according to the sequence of the layers in the structure. Each target deposits material using a static physical-vapor deposition technique. A shutter can be interposed between a target and a substrate to block the deposition process for improved deposition control. The shutter can also preclean a target or the substrate and can also be used for mechanical chopping of the deposition process. In alternative embodiments, plural substrates may be aligned sequentially with plural targets to allow simultaneous deposition of plural structures within the single vacuum chamber.