Abstract: Ferroelectric diodes comprising materials such as aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN) or hafnium zirconium oxide (HfZrO2) may be formed atop semiconductor structures such as CMOS wafers to create storage memory cells. search Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) cells, and/neural circuitry. The diodes are non-volatile and field programmable via pulsing to a pulse-number-dependent analog state, with high on/off and self-rectifying ratios. Cells may be formed, for example, with two diodes that are oppositely polarized, and may be achieved without transistors to form, for example, 0T-2R structures.

Abstract: Nonlinear on-chip optical devices using AlScN are described herein. In one aspect, an optical component having nonlinear characteristics can include a first substrate defining a refractive index; and a nonlinear layer, the nonlinear layer disposed on the first substrate, the nonlinear layer comprising an amount of scandium (Sc), and the nonlinear layer defining a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the first substrate.

Abstract: Provided are ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) based memory devices. These devices include aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN) as a ferroelectric dielectric and 2D chalcogenide semiconductors as a semiconductor channel in the transistor. The disclosed materials, devices and fabrication processes involved are compatible with back end of the line (BEOL) processing of a silicon based microchip and also compatible with silicon microprocessor fabrication.

Abstract: Embodiments of neural interfaces according to the present invention comprise sensor modules for sensing environmental attributes beyond the natural sensory capability of a subject, and communicating the attributes wirelessly to an external (ex-vivo) portable module attached to the subject. The ex-vivo module encodes and communicates the attributes via a transcutaneous inductively coupled link to an internal (in-vivo) module implanted within the subject. The in-vivo module converts the attribute information into electrical neural stimuli that are delivered to a peripheral nerve bundle within the subject, via an implanted electrode. Methods and apparatus according to the invention incorporate implantable batteries to power the in-vivo module allowing for transcutaneous bidirectional communication of low voltage (e.g. on the order of 5 volts) encoded signals as stimuli commands and neural responses, in a robust, low-error rate, communication channel with minimal effects to the subjects' skin.

Abstract: A microresonator with an input electrode and an output electrode patterned thereon is described. The input electrode includes a series of stubs that are configured to isolate acoustic waves, such that the waves are not reflected into the microresonator. Such design results in reduction of spurious modes corresponding to the microresonator.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) filter is disclosed which has a plurality of lattice networks formed on a substrate and electrically connected together in parallel. Each lattice network has a series resonant frequency and a shunt resonant frequency provided by one or more contour-mode resonators in the lattice network. Different types of contour-mode resonators including single input, single output resonators, differential resonators, balun resonators, and ring resonators can be used in MEM filter. The MEM filter can have a center frequency in the range of 10 MHz-10 GHz, with a filter bandwidth of up to about 1% when all of the lattice networks have the same series resonant frequency and the same shunt resonant frequency. The filter bandwidth can be increased up to about 5% by using unique series and shunt resonant frequencies for the lattice networks.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing phase noise in oscillator signals. For example, the oscillator may be a low phase noise MEMS-based oscillator and may include a resonator (ex.—a MEMS resonator). Further, the resonator of the oscillator may be operated near a bifurcation point. Still further, the MEMS resonator may be parametrically pumped in such a way so as to redistribute the quadrature signal noise (ex.—phase noise) to in-phase noise (ex.—amplitude noise).

Abstract: A method is disclosed which calculates dimensions for a MEM resonator in terms of integer multiples of a grid width G for reticles used to fabricate the resonator, including an actual sub-width La=NG and an effective electrode width We=MG where N and M are integers which minimize a frequency error fe=fd?fa between a desired resonant frequency fd and an actual resonant frequency fa. The method can also be used to calculate an overall width Wo for the MEM resonator, and an effective electrode length Le which provides a desired motional impedance for the MEM resonator. The MEM resonator can then be fabricated using these values for La, We, Wo and Le. The method can also be applied to a number j of MEM resonators formed on a common substrate.

Abstract: A microfabricated ion frequency standard (i.e. an ion clock) is disclosed with a permanently-sealed vacuum package containing a source of ytterbium (Yb) ions and an octupole ion trap. The source of Yb ions is a micro-hotplate which generates Yb atoms which are then ionized by a ultraviolet light-emitting diode or a field-emission electron source. The octupole ion trap, which confines the Yb ions, is formed from suspended electrodes on a number of stacked-up substrates. A microwave source excites a ground-state transition frequency of the Yb ions, with a frequency-doubled vertical-external-cavity laser (VECSEL) then exciting the Yb ions up to an excited state to produce fluorescent light which is used to tune the microwave source to the ground-state transition frequency, with the microwave source providing a precise frequency output for the ion clock.

Abstract: A microsystem for determining clotting time of blood and a low-cost, single-use device for use therein are provided wherein the device has no moving parts or expensive optical sensors or magnets. The device includes a microfluidic channel and a microsensor at least partially in fluid communication with the channel. By analyzing changes in the sensor as a drop of blood flows down the microfluidic channel, the time at which the blood clots can be determined.