Abstract: The gain-bandwidth (GBW) limitation problem inherent in all amplifiers is overcome to provide wideband amplifiers with specified characteristics for the transfer function. Parasitic capacitances of transistors are absorbed or incorporated into the design of the passive networks, which are inserted between the gain stages of the amplifier. The component values are determined based on conventional low-pass filter structures. A prototype CMOS transimpedance amplifier implemented using the developed technique achieves over 9 GHz bandwidth and 54 dB transimpedance gain from a 0.5 pF photo-diode capacitance.

Abstract: Acoustic energy is used to control the shape of a particle or particle cluster for the purpose of inducing a phase and hence density change as a result of exposure to radiation. This process, known as optical acoustic molding, employs an acoustic transducer and reflector positioned around a particle or particle cluster to generate standing waves. These standing waves apply forces to points on the particle's surface. The locus of such points represents a three-dimensional pressure function, which will ultimately cause the particle or particle cluster to acquire a predefined shape. Once the particle or particle cluster has attained the desired shape or density, a radiation source induces rapid melting or solidification (i.e. rapid change in density) of the particles.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter is coupled to an AC source comprising a rectifier bridge. An input inductor is coupled to the output of the rectifier stage. An auxiliary winding is coupled to the input inductor. The auxiliary winding is characterized by a first number of turns. A storage capacitor is coupled to the auxiliary winding. An output transformer is coupled to the auxiliary winding. A first switch is coupled in series with the primary of the output transformer. The first switch and primary are coupled in parallel with the storage capacitor to the auxiliary winding. The number of turns of the auxiliary is less than the number of turns of the primary so that voltage across the storage capacitor is reduced without load carrying capacity of the DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and a method for generation of random numbers. The apparatus comprises an alpha-radiation source, such as Am 241, for which the decay product produces no secondary radiation with the energy equal or higher than that of the prime alpha radiation. The alpha particles emitted by the isotope and having reached the detector have a narrow energy spectrum and, hence, produce identical electrical pulses in a detector. An alpha-particle detection system is provided which includes a differential discriminator in combination with a logical selector. This combination of elements allows a positive identification of individual events of alpha-decay in the alpha-radiation source to be made and filters out any other signals produced by different radiation sources both inside and outside the apparatus. An electronic unit processes the stream of identical electric pulses into a stream of random numbers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the application of the techniques of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) to ultrasensitive mass detection. A pulsed flux of atoms is adsorbed onto the surface of a 32.8 MHz nanomechanical resonator within an ultrahigh vacuum environment. The mass-induced frequency shifts from these adsorbates are then used to demonstrate a mass sensitivity of ˜1.46×106 Daltons (Da). For resonators operating up to frequencies of 72 MHz, inverse mass responsivities as small as ˜8×10−20 grams/Hz (5×104 Da/Hz) are obtained. Our results offer a new approach to ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry of individual, electrically-neutral macromolecules with clear prospects for single Dalton sensitivity.

Abstract: An agricultural or industrial water filter comprises a spin plate, a flow distributing sleeve, and a cone basin. The spin plate includes fluid passageways disposed at a 20 degree angle relative to the axis of the filter. The flow distributing sleeve is disposed in between the screen and the filter chamber. The screen may be oversize with a screen area that is a multiple of the screen area of a standard screen. The sleeve comprises a plurality of axial slots which are more narrow at the proximal side and wider at the distal side. The end cap is coupled to a bottom of the filter chamber and disposed adjacent to a bottom of the screen. The end cap comprises a cone coupled to the top of a basin. The cone extends upwardly into the space within the screen. A narrow annulus with a small cross-sectional area is formed between the bottom edge of the cone and the top of the basin. The basin includes a flush tube to flush out particles collected in the basin and to cause a high velocity flow through the annulus.

Abstract: A wavelength monitor is provided based on the transmission response of an optical filter. The monitor provides feedback to the laser enabling it to lock to any given wavelength within its tuning range. The invention is also a process for integrating the wavelength monitor directly on chip with a variety of tunable semiconductor lasers. The invention also comprises a method for controlling the wavelength of a tunable laser by using a wavelength monitor to measure the output light and provide feedback to a control system. The laser and wavelength monitor are integrated together on a single indium phosphide chip. The wavelength monitor comprises a filter with a wavelength dependent transmission function and a pair of detectors. One detector is illuminated with light that has passed through the filter and the other provides a reference to measure the input intensity. Taking the ratio of the filtered light level to the unfiltered light provides a wavelength dependent wavelength.

Abstract: A drum pedal for enhanced mating of a drummer's foot is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a foot pad is employed for attachment to a pedal of a drum having an upwardly extending protrusion that enables improved sensory perception to properly locate a drummer's foot and to enable learning and consistently applying a force to a sweet spot during drumming. The foot pad also includes shock absorption to reduce the negative effects of repeated impact to the user's foot during drumming. A variety of embodiments include traction treads, a plurality of protrusions or built up portions in different respective locations of the footpad, and an additional stiffening layer to effectively widen the foot pedal. A method of use includes locating the foot pad on a the foot pedal, and in particular locating a protrusion on the foot pedal to enable consistent drumming by improved sensory perception and positioning of a drummer's foot during drumming.

Abstract: Room temperature lasing from optically pumped single defect in a two-dimensional photonic bandgap crystal is illustrated. The high Q optical microcavities are formed by etching an array of air holes into a half wavelength thick multiquantum well waveguide. Defects in the two-dimensional photonic crystal or used to support highly localized optical modes with volumes ranging from 2 to 3 (&lgr;/2n)3. Lithographic tuning of the air hole radius and the lattice spacing is used to match the cavity wavelength to the quantum well gain peak, as well as to increase cavity Q. The defect lasers were pumped with 10-30 nsec pulse of 0.4-1 percent duty cycle. The threshold pump power was 1500 milliwatts. The confinement of the defect mode energy to a tiny volume and the enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate make the defect cavity an interesting device for low threshold, high spontaneous emission coupling factor lasers, and high modulation rate light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A xenon arc search lamp has a lamp beam focused by relative movement of a reflector by advancing or retracting it along its optical axis of symmetry on which the lamp is aligned. The battery and lamp assemblies are field replaceable without tools. The beam output is usable with a combination of filters to allow the most varied intensity and wavelengths for a particular application, such as smoke filled environments, infrared illuminations and underwater illuminations. The xenon arc lamp is oriented within the searchlight with respect to the reflector to provide the most uniform field of illumination on which the lamp is capable, namely with the anode of the lamp turned away from the forward beam direction in the reflector.

Abstract: Hollow cathode microdischarges in a tube geometry provides the formation of stable, high-pressure discharges in a variety of flowing gases including argon, helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Direct current discharges are ignited in stainless steel capillary tubes (dhole=178 &mgr;m) which are operated as the cathode and using a metal grid or plate as the anode. Argon discharges can be sustained at atmospheric pressure with voltages as low as 260 V for cathode-anode gaps of 0.5 mm. In one embodiment using a molybdenum substrate as the anode, microjets are struck in H2/CH4 mixtures at 200 Torr to deposit diamond films with well-faceted crystals. Optical emission spectroscopy of discharges used for growth confirms the presence of atomic hydrogen and CH radicals. Ballasting of individual tubes allows parallel operation of the microjets for larger area materials processing.

Abstract: An unidirectional gyrotropic photonic crystal allows electromagnetic wave propagation in a certain direction at a certain frequency and, at the same time, impedes electromagnetic wave propagation in the opposite direction. The electromagnetic wave with impeded propagation, called the “frozen mode”, ideally has zero group velocity and does not transfer the electromagnetic energy. A unidirectional gyrotropic photonic crystal is a periodic composite, incorporating a component displaying Faraday rotation. The property of unidirectionality can be achieved in gyrotropic photonic crystals by proper choices of constituents and their space arrangement. The invention can be used to enhance the capability and performance of microwave, millimeter wave, and submillimeter wave antennas, delay lines, nonlinear and nonreciprocal elements. It can also be used in integrated microwave circuitry.

Abstract: The training device is comprised of two vertically mounted separated rods, which are connected by two strings. The vertically erected rods have two component structures, namely a base rod subsection and a height adjustable rod subsection. Each rod comes with a rotatable hook that can be mounted in slits to hook to the two strings. The rods are equipped with a bubble level on their top to adjust for a perpendicular mounting position. The ball is placed on the ground immediately under the lower one of two strings which serve as a sightline by which the direction of the swing of the putter is defined and to which the striking face of the putter is perpendicularly maintained.

Abstract: A retrofittable collision warning apparatus for vehicles comprises a base unit within the vehicle cabin and a plurality of remote units located around the periphery of the vehicle. The remote units generally operate in a low-power sleep mode, and periodically go partially active to listen for wakeup inputs from the base unit, at which time the remote units enter a highest-power active mode to measure the distance between the vehicle and obstacles in the proximity, and use wireless transmission to communicate obstacle position information to the base unit. The base unit accepts operator commands, use wireless communication to transmit control signals to the remote units and receives obstacle position information from the remote units, communicates obstacle position information to the operator through audio and/or visual signals, and controls operation of the collision warning apparatus.

Abstract: A micromachined coupler for coupling a capillary having a first size to an orifice having a shape and a second size, has a body which has a shape conforming the shape of the cavity into which the body must fit. A through hole is defined through the body. The through hole has a size conforming to the first size of the capillary. The capillary is disposable into the through hole so that the capillary is communicated to the orifice without the first and second sizes necessarily being the same. The cavity and the body have conforming slanting surfaces, and in particular the cavity and the body define truncated pyramidal shapes. The cavity and the body each have a truncated pyramidal shape. The pyramidal shape may be square, triangular, or conical. A method of fabricating the micromachined coupler is achieved either by micromaching or micromolding.

Abstract: The invention is a technique for dynamic measurements of the heat transfer coefficient to the outer layer of the skin surface using a high thermal conductivity metal in an insulating block as the standardized target. The coefficient is dependent on the specific design of the cryogen valve and nozzle, and values up to 11 500 W/m2K values were measured for a 100 ms long spurts. The values for longer spurts are dependent on air humidity, as ice/snow formation then tends to form a thermally insulating layer. The average value of the heat transfer coefficient for a 200 ms long spurt was determined to 8000 W/m2K for conditions of normal room humidity and temperature. The technique enables an improved prediction of the temperature profile and cooling efficiency during therapy, and may thereby contribute to an improved therapeutic outcome.

Abstract: An illuminator and a reflectance microscope or system utilizing the illuminator for eliminating the need of a special light source, a reflected light vertical illuminator, and condenser lenses. The system may utilize an ordinary light source. The illuminator includes embedded chromophoric and diffusion properties. The illuminator further has a size and a shape to enable proximate positioning relative to the specimen to be observed. The illuminator further has an opening or aperture through which the specimen may be viewed. As such, the opening of the illuminator permits placement of the illuminator between the objective lens and the specimen. This positioning enables reflectance type or dark field microscopy with a simple and durable illuminator without complex optics. A method of using the reflectance microscope includes illuminating a specimen by the illuminator on a same side of the specimen as is the objective lens relative to a plane of the specimen normal to the optical path.

Abstract: An umbrella frame includes a hub, a center pole coupled to the hub for supporting the hub, and a plurality of ribs disposable into the hub. The ribs serve to extend, stretch or support the cover. The hub has a corresponding plurality of pairs of bores defined therein. One of the bores of each pair is used for deploying the ribs in a configuration to support the cover and the other for storing the ribs. One of the bores of the pair is inclined relative to a horizontal plane defined by the hub, and the other is vertical to a horizontal plane. Each rib has an end disposable into the hub and a spring lock to selectively lock into the hub. The pair of bores coact with the spring lock to selectively lock the rib in the bores in both the deployment and storage configurations.

Abstract: An integrated microsensor includes a bowed micromachined membrane coupled to a substrate to define a microcavity therebetween. An integrated strain sensor is coupled to the micromachined membrane to generate a signal responsive to (deformation of the membrane and hence responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the microcavity. A frame is coupled to the peripheral edge of the membrane to assist in enlarging the microcavity. The membrane is composed of a nitride of B, Al, Ga, In, Tl or combinations thereof, or more particularly of p-type GaN where the frame is comprised of n-type GaN. The membrane and frame are fabricated using a photoelectrochemical etching technique. The fabrication of the integrated strain sensor creates stresses across the membrane. The strain sensor comprises an integrated circuit strain-FET. The strain-FET comprises an AlGaN/GaN heterostructure having an AlGaN/GaN interface where deformation of the membrane is coupled as strain to the AlGaN/GaN piezoelectric interface.