Abstract: A process for configuring a thin film resonator to advantageously shape a desired acoustic mode of the resonator such that the electrical and acoustic performance of the resonator is enhanced. As a result of the contouring or shaping, a minimum amount of acoustic energy occurs near the edge of the resonator, from which energy may leak or at which undesired waves may be created by a desired mode. The process is used during batch-fabrication of thin-film resonators which are used in high frequency RF filtering or frequency control applications. Utilizing photolithography, the shaping can be achieved in a manner derived from the known methods used to manufacture lens arrays. Using the process, the lateral motion of acoustic waves within the resonator may be controlled and the acoustic energy of the sound wave positioned at a desired location within the resonator.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for adjusting the resonant frequency of a mechanical resonator whose frequency is dependent on the overall resonator thickness. Alternating selective etching is used to remove distinct adjustment layers from a top electrode. One of the electrodes is structured with a plurality of stacked adjustment layers, each of which has distinct etching properties from any adjacent adjustment layers. Also as part of the same invention is a resonator structure in which at least one electrode has a plurality of stacked layers of a material having different etching properties from any adjacent adjustment layers, and each layer has a thickness corresponding to a calculated frequency increment in the resonant frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for adjusting the resonant frequency of a mechanical resonator whose frequency is dependent on the overall resonator thickness. Alternating selective etching is used to remove distinct adjustment layers from a top electrode. One of the electrodes is structured with a plurality of stacked adjustment layers, each of which has distinct etching properties from any adjacent adjustment layers. Also as part of the same invention is a resonator structure in which at least one electrode has a plurality of stacked layers of a material having different etching properties from any adjacent adjustment layers, and each layer has a thickness corresponding to a calculated frequency increment in the resonant frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for adjusting different resonant frequencies of a plurality of mechanical resonators formed on a common substrate, in a case where the resonant frequencies of the resonators are a function of each resonator thickness. According to this method the resonators are each formed with an etchable top electrode layer which includes a material having different etching properties as a topmost layer for each of the resonators having different resonant frequencies. By selectively etching these etchable layers one at a time in the presence of the others, one may adjust the resonant frequencies of each of the resonators without need to mask the resonators during the etching process. Associated with this method there is a resonator structure having a top electrode structure having a topmost layer having different etching characteristics for different resonators.

Abstract: A method for forming a dielectric film having a desired composition comprising sputtering a dielectric material onto a substrate to produce an intermediary film, the intermediary film incorporating one or more elements in addition to those elements included in the desired composition of the dielectric film; and removing the one or more additional elements from the intermediary film to produce the dielectric film having the desired composition.

Abstract: An antenna package for use in a wireless communications device. The package includes a metallic leadframe section having a plurality of leads and a paddle shaped as a planar antenna, and dielectric material encapsulating the paddle and portions of the leads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for constructing a temperature insensitive memory cell. This temperature insensitive memory cell operates as a static random access memory (SRAM) cell if a particular capacitor and transistor configuration is used. The temperature insensitive memory cell apparatus includes at least one transistor having a current leakage, and at least one capacitor electrically connected to the transistor. The capacitor acts as a load element for the memory cell. The capacitor has a temperature dependent capacitor leakage that tracks the current leakage of transistor as said at least one transistor as the transistor varies with temperature.

Abstract: The conductive layers corresponding to a patch antenna are formed on a single substrate, as by printing a conductive ink. The substrate is in the form of an elongated, non-conductive, flexible sheet with the consecutive antenna layers printed thereon side-by-side. The layers of the antenna can then be brought into superposed alignment by appropriate folding of the sheet. The non-conductive rectangles can be maintained in spaced alignment to the cut-outs by placing a porous non-conductive block of spacing material therebetween. In a preferred embodiment the assembled structure has the various layers bonded together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially planar illuminating device, a visual display having an internal light source and a method of manufacture therefor. The illuminating device includes a transparent substrate having a pair of substantially parallel major surfaces and an entry point for accepting light from the light source wherein the substrate functions as a guide for the light. The device also includes a plurality of microelements located on one of the pair of surfaces. The microelements have a substantially planar surface with an average roughness less than one micron and a side wall abnormal to the planar surface. In advantageous embodiments, the side wall is curved. The planar surface is configured to re-direct a substantial amount of light received in the substrate from an external light source out of the substrate. The side wall is configured to re-direct light from the internal light source out of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for constructing a capacitor loaded memory cell. This capacitor loaded memory cell operates as a static random access memory (SRAM) cell if a particular capacitor and transistor configuration is used. Normally, capacitors are not an obvious choice as a load device for a memory cell because the intrinsic nature of capacitors is one that blocks the flow of direct current, the invention takes into account the secondary effects such as leakage of a particular dielectric used in the construction of the capacitor to modify the current blocking nature of the capacitor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating electronic components on a semiconductor substrate by etching features in the substrate through a mask including apertures which are separated by a prescribed spacing. Etching is continued until the etched features merge into a single channel. This technique can be used to form channels having nonuniform shapes, or could be used to monitor the end point of an etching operation.

Abstract: A subassembly for coupling a laser to an optical fiber comprises a substrate having an asymmetrical, pyramidal cavity, a spherical lens located in the cavity, and a semiconductor laser positioned on the substrate. The output face of the laser is located along an edge of the cavity (without overhanging the edge), and its active region is aligned with the center of the lens along the optic axis of the subassembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed, an optical subassembly includes a platform on which a laser and photodiode are mounted. The laser has a rear facet through which passes a small portion of the light emitted by the laser. The photodiode is mounted on the surface of the platform with a light admitting facet for receiving a portion of the light emitted from the rear facet of the laser being substantially perpendicular to the light emitting facet of the laser. The surface of the platform may include a channel. The channel may be tapered from a narrower end near the laser to a wider end near the photodiode, and may be coated with a light-reflective material.

Abstract: A novel and advantageous cathode structure for a field emission display apparatus is disclosed. A given pixel comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart emitter bodies on a support. A given emitter body comprises diamond and/or rare earth boride, and has a relatively sharp geometrical feature that facilitates electron emission from the emitter body. By way of example, the emitter body comprises diamond bodies grown on a support, or it comprises a pre-existing diamond particle that was placed on the support. Such emitter bodies generally can be provided easily and at low cost, and typically have naturally occurring sharp geometrical features such as points and edges. We have also discovered that appropriately grown rare earth boride films of thickness 30 nm or less may substantially improve electron emission from emitter bodies, and some preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a cathode structure that comprises a thin layer of, e.g., LaB.sub.6 on the emitter bodies.

Abstract: A method for making a microlens comprising the steps of uniformly distributing a volume of Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) across a major surface of a substrate, hardening the PMMA layer on the substrate surface, patterning the PMMA layer and forming patterned PMMA and reflowing the patterned PMMA to form at least one microlens on the substrate.

Abstract: An active optical device comprises a glass, waveguiding structure disposed on a substantially planar principal surface of a substrate. The structure includes a silica-based, erbium-doped active core. The active core has an absolute erbium concentration of at least about 0.5.times.10.sup.20 atoms per cubic centimeter, and a radiative lifetime of the erbium lasing level of at least about 5 milliseconds. The active core does not contain significant amounts of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals but does contain at least two modifier metals. Also disclosed is a method for forming an active optical device, including the step of depositing an erbium-doped active core by sputtering.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a self-aligned optical subassembly for supporting an optical fiber and associated optical component(s). In particular, sequential masking layer/silicon substrate etch operations are performed so as to etch, in series, the largest opening first and the narrowest opening last. By following this procedure, axial alignment between tandem grooves is maintained.

Abstract: Plural planar optical devices are simultaneously pumped by a single pumping source. Various arrangements for accomplishing such pumping are disclosed. By utilizing these arrangements, the topology and routing of integrated arrays including optical devices are simplified.

Abstract: Plural planar optical devices are simultaneously pumped by a single pumping source. Various arrangements for accomplishing such pumping are disclosed. By utilizing these arrangements, the topology and routing of integrated arrays including optical devices are simplified.

Abstract: Tapered optical waveguides (33') can be easily made by using photolithographic masking and etching to define on a substrate (21) a first polymer structure (22) having a substantially uniform thickness and a tapered width. The first polymer structure is heated sufficiently to form a meniscus along its entire length. The fluidity causes the material to redistribute itself such that, rather than being of uniform thickness, it has a thickness that varies with its width; consequently, the thickness as well as the width of the first polymer structure becomes tapered. The first polymer is cooled and hardened to form a second polymer structure (22') that has a tapered width and a tapered thickness as is desirable for a tapered optical waveguide. The second polymer structure itself can be used as a tapered optical waveguide, or it can be used to control the reactive ion etching of the underlying substrate.