Abstract: A method of, computer system for, and computer program product for causally relating costs to products comprises, identifying resource costs for manufacturing the product, computing load factors for each of the resource costs, producing weighted resource costs based on the resource costs and the load factors, summing the weighted resource costs for the product, determining a volume of the product manufactured, and dividing the weighted resource costs by the volume to produce a weighted cost per product.

Abstract: A method of, computer system for, and computer program product for causally relating costs to products, including relating costs to a wafer having semiconductor chips comprising identifying resource costs for manufacturing the wafer including identifying equipment costs, computing load factors for each of the resource costs (the computing load factors for the equipment costs comprising determining a number of exposure fields on the wafer, computing a raw processing time for the wafer based on the number of exposure fields, and determining a percentage the raw processing time represents of a manufacturing time period on an equipment element, the equipment element having the equipment costs), producing weighted resource costs based on the resource costs and the load factors, (the producing weighted resource costs for the equipment costs comprising multiplying the equipment costs by the percentage), summing the weighted resource costs for the wafer, determining a volume of the wafer manufactured, and dividing th

Abstract: An improved optical polarization switch which provides a wide field-of-view and achromatic action. Two liquid crystal cells are used and are selectively operated in a preferred embodiment to provide three distinct optical states. Interposed between the two nematic liquid crystal cells is a compensating member such as an half-wave retarder or an optical rotator. Such switches are of utility in shutter applications and in high-performance field-sequential color filters.

Abstract: A fluorescence imaging system for epi-illumination wherein the usual dichroic beamsplitter is replaced by a polarizing beamsplitter (PBS). The sample is excited with light that is linearly polarized to a significant degree, and fluorescent emission light is collected in the orthogonal linear polarization state. Excitation light that is scattered or reflected by the sample is rejected by the PBS, while the desired emission light is captured for imaging by a detector. By eliminating the usual dichroic beamsplitter member, the imaging system removes the barriers to multi-spectral imaging that such members conventionally impose.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device which uses parallel transparent plates having a nematic crystal material which is free of chiral or twisting additives positioned therebetween. The device applies an AC carrier modulated signal to establish an electric field across the material, the modulation level thereof controlling the state of the directors thereof over a range from a selected partially driven state to a fully driving state. The device can be used in a system to measure and to control the retardance of the device and in systems for controlling the intensity of light being transmitted through the device. The devices can further be used in a system to provide a birefringent filter.

Abstract: A device mountable within the thumb opening or thumb hole of a bowling ball which is manually adjustable to constrict the opening i.e., narrow the diameter of the opening of the thumb hole. A screw is threaded directly against a movable shoulder which narrows the opening for the thumb. Unscrewing or reversal of the screw causes the shoulder to move outwardly toward its orginal position to enlarge the opening for the thumb. The screw includes a bottom lip to prevent it from being totally unscrewed and the possible risk of loss.In a second embodiment, a screw serves as a cam rotator to move a cam on an eccentric toward the movable shoulder thereby forcing the shoulder to move inwardly and thus constrict the thumb opening.