Abstract: Provided among other things is an electrical device comprising: a first component that is a semiconductor or an electrical conductor; a second component that is an electrical conductor; and a strong, heat stable junction there between including an intermetallic bond formed of: substantially (a) tin (Sn) or a mixture of Sn and indium (In) thereof, and (b) substantially nickel (Ni). The junction can have an electrical contact resistance that is small compared to the resistance of the electrical device.

Abstract: Provided among other things is an electrical device comprising: a first component that is a semiconductor or an electrical conductor; a second component that is an electrical conductor; and a strong, heat stable junction there between including an intermetallic bond formed of: substantially (a) tin (Sn) or a mixture of Sn and indium (In) thereof, and (b) substantially nickel (Ni). The junction can have an electrical contact resistance that is small compared to the resistance of the electrical device.

Abstract: Provided among other things is an electrical device comprising: a first component that is a semiconductor or an electrical conductor; a second component that is an electrical conductor; and a strong, heat stable junction there between including an intermetallic bond formed of: substantially (a) indium (In), tin (Sn) or a mixture thereof, and (b) substantially nickel (Ni). The junction can have an electrical contact resistance that is small compared to the resistance of the electrical device.

Abstract: A nuclear radiation detector includes a solid-state detector material of formula Hg2X2, where X is a halogen. The material is formulated to produce an analytically measurable electrical response to nuclear radiation at room-temperature. One or more electrodes are disposed on the detector material at which an electrical response is obtained.

Abstract: Provided among other things is an electrical device comprising: a first component that is a semiconductor or an electrical conductor; a second component that is an electrical conductor; and a strong, heat stable junction there between including an intermetallic bond formed of: substantially (a) indium (In), tin (Sn) or a mixture thereof, and (b) substantially nickel (Ni). The junction can have an electrical contact resistance that is small compared to the resistance of the electrical device.

Abstract: An enhanced sensitivity laser vibrometer with increased output signal strength and more sensitive surface vibration detection, is provided by using a reflective mirror assembly to repeatedly bounce the sensing laser beam against the acoustic pressure-sensing diaphragm to magnify the acoustic incident pressure wave being detected. The enhancement in signal strength, in terms of power spectral density, is a function of the number of bounces squared and the detection of surface vibrations with a displacement of smaller than 4 picometers is demonstrated experimentally.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing stabilized tablet formulations for temperature and moisture sensitive active drugs. Water soluble polyvinyl alcohol is processed with drugs such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and compressed into solid form once excess water is removed. Low dose polyvinyl alcohol ramipril tablets prepared by this process are stable under conditions of high humidity and heat for periods of at least up to six months with less than 8% hydrolysis of the prodrug to the active metabolite diketopiperazine (DKP).

Abstract: Device and method for exposing photoresists on semiconductor wafers without using physical masks while improving significantly the time- and cost-efficiencies for the manufacturing of integrated-circuit chips. Two electromagnetic sources of different wavelengths are used as the light sources, with the one having longer wavelength functioning as the control light beam while the one with an appropriately shorter wavelength is used to eventually expose the photoresists on semiconductor wafers. Images of the desired circuit patterns are first imposed onto the longer wavelength control light beam using, for example but not limited to, laser diode arrays, light emitting diode arrays, and devices similar to liquid crystal displays. The image-carrying control light beam interacts inside the bi-wavelength saturable absorber with the short-wavelength exposure light beam which carries initially a uniform intensity profile.

Abstract: This invention is a device and method for the measurement of optical path length. A frequency chirped electromagnetic wave source, such as a laser beam, is split into two branches. A reference branch is projected directly onto a photosensor, while a probe branch is launched towards a target whose distance relative to the reference path is to be determined. A reflected wave from the target is collected and mixed with the reference onto a photosensor. Due to the unequal path lengths traveled by the reference and the reflected probe laser beams as well as the chirped nature of their frequencies, a certain optical frequency difference exists between the two beams. This frequency difference is linearly proportional to the relative optical path length difference between the two laser beams and the relative optical path length can be readily determined by using a photosensor that generates photocurrents linearly proportional to the relative optical frequency differences between the reference and reflected branches.