Abstract: A thermal event sensor includes a charge storage component formed on a substrate, configured to hold an initial charge, and configured to lose charge at a rate dependent upon temperature. A sensing interface is coupled to the charge storage component and a readout mechanism is coupled to the sensing interface. The readout mechanism senses a remaining charge on the charge storage component and provides a readout value indicative of the remaining charge.

Abstract: An optical communications system comprises a first node comprising a phased array transmitter for generating an optical beam and a receiver, and a second node comprising a phase conjugate mirror for returning the optical beam to be detected by the receiver of the first node. The phased array transmitters allow for electronic steering of the beams in a way that is much faster and with a potentially smaller physical footprint than the mechanical systems. The phase conjugate mirrors return the received beams of photons back over the exact path they were sent from the phased array transmitters, ensuring continuity of communication even in the presence of atmospheric turbulence.

Abstract: An optical communications system comprises a first node comprising a phased array transmitter for generating an optical beam and a receiver, and a second node comprising a phase conjugate mirror for returning the optical beam to be detected by the receiver of the first node. The phased array transmitters allow for electronic steering of the beams in a way that is much faster and with a potentially smaller physical footprint than the mechanical systems. The phase conjugate mirrors return the received beams of photons back over the exact path they were sent from the phased array transmitters, ensuring continuity of communication even in the presence of atmospheric turbulence.

Abstract: A thermal event sensor includes a charge storage component formed on a substrate, configured to hold an initial charge, and configured to lose charge at a rate dependent upon temperature. A sensing interface is coupled to the charge storage component and a readout mechanism is coupled to the sensing interface. The readout mechanism senses a remaining charge on the charge storage component and provides a readout value indicative of the remaining charge.

Abstract: A star tracker has an electronically steerable point of view, without requiring a precision aiming mechanism. The star tracker can be strapped down, thereby avoiding problems associated with precision aiming of mechanical devices. The star tracker images selectable narrow portions of a scene, such as the sky. Each stellar sighting can image a different portion of the sky, depending on which navigational star or group of navigational stars is of interest. The selectability of the portion of the sky imaged enables the star tracker to avoid unwanted light, such as from the sun.

Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope is provided. A substrate can be formed with a substantially planar surface, a substantially hemispherical cavity extending into the surface, an actuation electrode, and a plurality of sensing electrodes. A resonator formed from a substantially hemispherical shell can be suspended within the cavity by a stem coupling the center of the bottom of the cavity to the center of the bottom of the shell. An electronic processor can be configured to cause a voltage to be applied to the actuation electrode, receive signals from the sensing electrodes, and process the received signals to determine rotation of the MEMS gyroscope.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to providing printed structures of polymer that have substantially flat printed surfaces. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a post-printing treatment apparatus for receiving a substrate supporting a polymer printing thereon. The polymer can be PMMA or other suitable polymer. In a related embodiment, the polymer defines a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature. The apparatus can comprise of a chamber, and input manifold, an exhaust manifold, a solvent reservoir and a gas reservoir. The solvent reservoir provides one or more solvent systems adapted to chemically bind, and potentially react, with the polymer. The gas reservoir provides one or more gases for drying the substrate and printed polymer after the solvent treatment step. In one application, a substrate having printed surface thereon is placed in the chamber and exposed to the solvent system for sufficient period of time to provide substantially flat print surfaces.

Abstract: A star tracker has an electronically steerable point of view, without requiring a precision aiming mechanism. The star tracker can be strapped down, thereby avoiding problems associated with precision aiming of mechanical devices. The star tracker images selectable narrow portions of a scene, such as the sky. Each stellar sighting can image a different portion of the sky, depending on which navigational star or group of navigational stars is of interest. The selectability of the portion of the sky imaged enables the star tracker to avoid unwanted light, such as from the sun.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to providing printed structures of polymer that have substantially flat printed surfaces. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a post-printing treatment apparatus for receiving a substrate supporting a polymer printing thereon. The polymer can be PMMA or other suitable polymer. In a related embodiment, the polymer defines a thermoplastic polymer having a glass transition temperature. The apparatus can comprise of a chamber, and input manifold, an exhaust manifold, a solvent reservoir and a gas reservoir. The solvent reservoir provides one or more solvent systems adapted to chemically bind, and potentially react, with the polymer. The gas reservoir provides one or more gases for drying the substrate and printed polymer after the solvent treatment step. In one application, a substrate having printed surface thereon is placed in the chamber and exposed to the solvent system for sufficient period of time to provide substantially flat print surfaces.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, and other embodiments associated with a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) Fabry-Perot interferometric device (FPID) are described. Fabricating a MEMS FPID may include fabricating a pixel plate and a reflector plate so a Fabry-Perot cavity is defined therebetween. Fabrication may include producing a capacitor plate that facilitates electrostatically moving the pixel plate. Fabrication may include producing electrical connections between plates and producing circuitry to control plate voltages to facilitate creating an electrostatic force between plates. The MEMS FPID may include stops fabricated from a conductive material and circuitry for maintaining the stops and plates at an electrical potential that will yield a zero electric field contact event.

Abstract: A polarizing photonic band gap system has a photonic crystal emitter. The photonic crystal emitter has a crystal end surface. The photonic crystal emitter is configured to generate electromagnetic energy having a wavelength ?. The system has a polarizer. The polarizer is connected to the photonic crystal emitter. The polarizer has a polarizer surface. The polarizer surface is located within a distance of said crystal end surface. The distance is sufficient to quantum mechanically couple the polarizer surface with said crystal end surface at the wavelength ?.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, and other embodiments associated with a micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) Fabry-Perot interferometric device (FPID) are described. Fabricating a MEMS FPID may include fabricating a pixel plate and a reflector plate so a Fabry-Perot cavity is defined therebetween. Fabrication may include producing a capacitor plate that facilitates electrostatically moving the pixel plate. Fabrication may include producing electrical connections between plates and producing circuitry to control plate voltages to facilitate creating an electrostatic force between plates. The MEMS FPID may include stops fabricated from a conductive material and circuitry for maintaining the stops and plates at an electrical potential that will yield a zero electric field contact event.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch comprises a base (216), a flap (211) and one or more electrically conductive landing pads (222) connected to the flap (211). The flap (211) has a bottom portion that is movably coupled to the base (216) such that the flap (211) is movable with respect to a plane of the base (216) from a first orientation to a second orientation. The one or more landing pads (222) are electrically isolated from the flap (211) and electrically coupled to be equipotential with a landing surface.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch comprises a base (216), a flap (211) and one or more electrically conductive landing pads (222) connected to the flap (211). The flap (211) has a bottom portion that is movably coupled to the base (216) such that the flap (211) is movable with respect to a plane of the base (216) from a first orientation to a second orientation. The one or more landing pads (222) are electrically isolated from the flap (211) and electrically coupled to be equipotential with a landing surface.

Abstract: A polarizing photonic band gap system has a photonic crystal emitter. The photonic crystal emitter has a crystal end surface. The photonic crystal emitter is configured to generate electromagnetic energy having a wavelength ?. The system has a polarizer. The polarizer is connected to the photonic crystal emitter. The polarizer has a polarizer surface. The polarizer surface is located within a distance of said crystal end surface. The distance is sufficient to quantum mechanically couple the polarizer surface with said crystal end surface at the wavelength ?.

Abstract: A property of a magnetic sensor, deployed on a micro machined optical element and exposed to a magnetic field, changes as the position of the micro machined optical element changes with respect to a magnetic field or, alternatively, when the magnetic field changes with respect to the micro machined optical element. The electrical, optical and/or mechanical change in sensor property varies according to the position, and a measurement of the property change tracks the change in orientation of a moveable portion of the optical element.

Abstract: An apparatus having magnetic detection sensor deployed on a micro machined optical element is exposed to a magnetic field to sense change in property as the micro machined optical element is manipulated with respect to the magnetic field, and, conversely when the magnetic field is manipulated with respect to the micro machined optical element. The electrical, optical and/or mechanical change in sensor property varies according to said manipulation, and telemetry created by said property change tracks the manipulation of the moveable portion of the optical element. The system includes a configuration capable of compensating for temperature variation.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) apparatus has a base and a flap with a portion coupled to the base so that the flap may move out of the plane of the base between first and second position. The base may have a cavity with largely vertical sidewalls that contact a portion of the flap when the flap is in the second position Electrodes may be placed on the vertical sidewalls and electrically isolated from the base to provide electrostatic clamping of the flap to the sidewall. The base may be made from a substrate portion of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and the flap defined from a device layer of the SOI wafer. The flap may be connected to the base by one or more flexures such as torsional beams. An array of one or more of such structures may be used to form an optical switch.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a MEMS device having a flap that is movable with respect to a base. The method includes applying a force to the flap to move the flap at least partially out of contact with an underlying base. Means for applying such a biasing force may be incorporated into a microelectromechanical (MEMS) apparatus having a base and a flap with a portion coupled to the base so that the flap may move out of the plane of the base between first and second position. The base may have a cavity with largely vertical sidewalls that contact a portion of the flap when the flap is in the second position Electrodes may be placed on the vertical sidewalls and electrically isolated from the base to provide electrostatic clamping of the flap to the sidewall. The base may be made from a substrate portion of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and the flap defined from a device layer of the SOI wafer. The flap may be connected to the base by one or more flexures such as torsional beams.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a MEMS device having a flap that is movable with respect to a base. The method includes applying a force to the flap to move the flap at least partially out of contact with an underlying base. Means for applying such a biasing force may be incorporated into a microelectromechanical (MEMS) apparatus having a base and a flap with a portion coupled to the base so that the flap may move out of the plane of the base between first and second position. The base may have a cavity with largely vertical sidewalls that contact a portion of the flap when the flap is in the second position Electrodes may be placed on the vertical sidewalls and electrically isolated from the base to provide electrostatic clamping of the flap to the sidewall. The base may be made from a substrate portion of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and the flap defined from a device layer of the SOI wafer. The flap may be connected to the base by one or more flexures such as torsional beams.