Abstract: A thin film actuator having transversely oriented structural stiffeners that serve to increase actuation stroke that results from longitudinal curvature. The thin film actuator may be deployed within electromechanical devices such that an actuatable deflection of a tip of the actuator plate produces the actuation stroke. The thin film actuator may include an actuator plate affixed to a substantially rigid frame structure. The actuator plate protrudes along a longitudinal axis away from the frame structure such that the actuator plate is cantilevered from the frame structure by some distance along this longitudinal axis. The thin film actuator includes a piezoelectric film on a surface of the actuator plate. Activation of the piezoelectric film generates tensile stress or compressive stress at the surface, thereby inducing a bending moment that causes the actuator plate to undergo longitudinal curvature and some lesser degree of transverse curvature.

Abstract: A thin film actuator having transversely oriented structural stiffeners that serve to increase actuation stroke that results from longitudinal curvature. The thin film actuator may be deployed within electromechanical devices such that an actuatable deflection of a tip of the actuator plate produces the actuation stroke. The thin film actuator may include an actuator plate affixed to a substantially rigid frame structure. The actuator plate protrudes along a longitudinal axis away from the frame structure such that the actuator plate is cantilevered from the frame structure by some distance along this longitudinal axis. The thin film actuator includes a piezoelectric film on a surface of the actuator plate. Activation of the piezoelectric film generates tensile stress or compressive stress at the surface, thereby inducing a bending moment that causes the actuator plate to undergo longitudinal curvature and some lesser degree of transverse curvature.

Abstract: In an optical system that includes a waveguide with multiple diffractive optical elements (DOEs) incorporating diffraction gratings, light exiting a trailing edge of an upstream DOE enters a leading edge of a downstream DOE. One or more of the DOEs may include a leading and/or a trailing edge that have a graded profile. At a graded trailing edge of an upstream DOE, grating height smoothly decreases from full height to shallow height as a function of the proximity to the trailing edge. At a graded leading edge of the downstream DOE grating height smoothly increases from shallow height to full height as a function of distance away from the leading edge. By reducing a sharp boundary at the interface between the upstream and downstream DOEs, the graded profiles of the DOE edges enable optical resolution to be maintained decreasing sensitivity to misalignment between the DOEs that may occur during manufacturing.

Abstract: A radiation window foil is provided for an X-ray radiation window. It includes a continuous window layer with a first side and a second side. A first mesh or grid layer is stacked on or bonded to the first side of the continuous window layer. A second mesh or grid layer is stacked on or bonded to the second side of the continuous window layer.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a radiation window there is produced a layered structure where an etch stop layer exists between a carrier and a solid layer. A blank containing at least a part of each of the carrier, the etch stop layer, and the solid layer is attached to a radiation window frame. At least a part of what of the carrier was contained in the blank is removed, thus leaving a foil attached to the radiation window frame, wherein the foil contains at least a part of each of the etch stop layer and the solid layer.

Abstract: In an optical system that includes a waveguide with multiple diffractive optical elements (DOEs) incorporating diffraction gratings, light exiting a trailing edge of an upstream DOE enters a leading edge of a downstream DOE. One or more of the DOEs may include a leading and/or a trailing edge that have a graded profile. At a graded trailing edge of an upstream DOE, grating height smoothly decreases from full height to shallow height as a function of the proximity to the trailing edge. At a graded leading edge of the downstream DOE grating height smoothly increases from shallow height to full height as a function of distance away from the leading edge. By reducing a sharp boundary at the interface between the upstream and downstream DOEs, the graded profiles of the DOE edges enable optical resolution to be maintained decreasing sensitivity to misalignment between the DOEs that may occur during manufacturing.

Abstract: A radiation window foil is provided for an X-ray radiation window. It includes a continuous window layer with a first side and a second side. A first mesh or grid layer is stacked on or bonded to the first side of the continuous window layer. A second mesh or grid layer is stacked on or bonded to the second side of the continuous window layer.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a radiation window there is produced a layered structure where an etch stop layer exists between a carrier and a solid layer. A blank containing at least a part of each of the carrier, the etch stop layer, and the solid layer is attached to a radiation window frame. At least a part of what of the carrier was contained in the blank is removed, thus leaving a foil attached to the radiation window frame, wherein the foil contains at least a part of each of the etch stop layer and the solid layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing an optical signal carrying symbols. Modulation conversion means converts the optical signal from a first format, wherein each symbol has a unique nominal phase, to a second format, wherein each symbol has a unique combination of nominal phase and nominal amplitude. The modulation conversion means includes a signal splitter for splitting the optical input signal into two optical partial signals, which are directed to respective optical paths. Delay elements cause a mutual temporal difference between the two optical partial signals, which are processed in at least one non-linear regenerator having at least two ports and a gain which depends on the combined signal power directed to the at least two ports. The apparatus directs the optical partial signals from the modulation conversion means to an internal or external photo detector stage in the second format.

Abstract: An optical signal regeneration technique includes receiving optical symbols in a phase-modulation format. The received symbols are converted to symbols in a phase/amplitude-modulation format. A first amplitude regeneration, which involves reduction of amplitude noise, is applied to a first symbol pair. A modulation format conversion is performed on the optical signal in the phase/amplitude modulation format after the first amplitude regeneration. A second amplitude regeneration is applied to a second symbol pair, wherein the first and second symbol pairs differ from one another in respect of at least one different feature, which is selected from a group that includes a different nominal phase value assigned to the symbols of the symbol pair and a different temporal distance between the symbols of a symbol pair.