Abstract: A fiber collimator is provided, comprising at least two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a collimating lens or a plano—plano pellet) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than the surface of the other optical component(s) (e.g., at least one optical fiber). The optical components are joined together by fusion-splicing, using a laser. A gradient in the index of refraction is provided in at least that portion of the surface of the optical element to which the optical fiber(s) is fusion-spliced or at the tip of the optical fiber. The gradient is either formed prior to or during the fusion-splicing. Back-reflection is minimized, pointing accuracy is improved, and power handling ability is increased.

Abstract: A method of absorbing microwave radiation is provided. The method comprises placing a structure in the path of the microwave radiation, the structure comprising an array of metal plates supported over a metal substrate by vertical conducting vias. The structure finds specific use in missiles having a dome portion that operates in a stealth mode. At least the inside of the dome portion is provided with the above-described structure for absorbing microwave radiation. The structure also finds use in anechoic chambers for use in testing microwave-emitting devices. Such anechoic chambers have walls, a floor, and a ceiling, which are provided with the above-described structure for absorbing microwave radiation. Surface patterning is thus used to enhance the micro-wave absorption. In addition, the frequency over which the material is highly absorptive can be shifted by changing the height of the structure, thus allowing active control (“tunable in real time”).

Abstract: A concentrating photovoltaic module is provided which provides a concentration in the range of about 500 to over 1,000 suns and a power range of a few kW to 50 kW. A plurality of such modules may be combined to form a power plant capable of generating over several hundred megaWatts. The concentrating photovoltaic module is based on a Photovoltaic Cavity Converter (PVCC) as an enabling technology for very high solar-to-electricity conversions. The use of a cavity containing a plurality of single junction solar cells of different energy bandgaps and simultaneous spectral splitting of the solar spectrum employs a lateral geometry in the spherical cavity (where the cell strings made of the single junction cells operate next to each other without mutual interference). The purpose of the cavity with a small aperture for the pre-focused solar radiation is to confine (trap) the photons so that they can be recycled effectively and used by the proper cells.

Abstract: Ashing of an organic film from a substrate is carried out by providing a plasma comprising a gas or gas mixture selected from the following groups: (a) sulfur trioxide alone; (2) sulfur trioxide plus one supplemental gas; and (3) sulfur trioxide plus at least two supplemental gases. Any of the following gases may be employed as the supplemental gas: oxygen, ozone, hydrogen, nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, helium, argon, or neon. Also, a process is provided for forming a plasma in a reaction chamber from reactant gases containing sulfur trioxide. The process includes introducing the sulfur trioxide into the reaction chamber from a storage vessel through a delivery manifold by independently heating the storage vessel and the delivery manifold to a temperature sufficient to maintain the sulfur trioxide in its gaseous state or liquid state and by heating the reaction chamber to control the reaction rate of the sulfur trioxide and also control condensation of the sulfur trioxide to maintain a stable plasma state.

Abstract: A sandwich device was prepared by electrodeposition of an insoluble layer of oligomerized tris(4-(2-thienyl)phenyl)amine onto conducting indium-tin oxide coated glass, spin coating the stacked platinum compound, tetrakis(p-decylphenylisocyano)platinum tetranitroplatinate, from toluene onto the oligomer layer, and then coating the platinum complex with aluminum by vapor deposition. This device showed rectification of current and gave electroluminescence. The electroluminescence spectrum (&lgr;max=545 nm) corresponded to the photoluminescence spectrum of the platinum complex. Exposure of the device to acetone vapor caused the electroemission to shift to 575 nm. Exposure to toluene vapor caused a return to the original spectrum. These results demonstrate a new type of sensor that reports the arrival of organic vapors with an electroluminescent signal.

Abstract: A fiber optics switch has a retro-reflector mirror assembly which reflects a light beam received from an input fiber in an anti-parallel, displaced manner, into one of a plurality of output fibers. Insensitivity to temperature changes, wear and tear, and vibration is achieved as well as very compact size and high speed.

Abstract: A means and method are provided for enhancing or replacing the natural excitation of the human vocal tract by artificial excitation means, wherein the artificially created acoustics present additional spectral, temporal, or phase data useful for (1) enhancing the machine recognition robustness of audible speech or (2) enabling more robust machine-recognition of relatively inaudible mouthed or whispered speech. The artificial excitation (a) may be arranged to be audible or inaudible, (b) may be designed to be non-interfering with another user's similar means, (c) may be used in one or both of a vocal content-enhancement mode or a complimentary vocal tract-probing mode, and/or (d) may be used for the recognition of audible or inaudible continuous speech or isolated spoken commands.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling trajectory of an object (47) to a first predetermined position. The apparatus has an input layer (22) having nodes (22a-22f) for receiving input data indicative of the first predetermined position. First weighted connections (28) are connected to the nodes of the input layer (22). Each of the first weighted connections (28) have a coefficient for weighting the input data. An output layer (26) having nodes (26a-26e) connected to the first weighted connections (28) determines trajectory data based upon the first weighted input data. The trajectory of the object is controlled based upon the determined trajectory data.

Abstract: A dual field of view optical system and a single, lower cost detector are utilized, rather than using a large CCD camera or multiple CCD cameras, to view a sample that has two or more small areas that need to be measured, which are too far apart to fall on the detector but are within the field of view of the objective, or to measure a long, narrow strip that is too long for the detector, but whose total area is less than the detector area. The dual field of view optical system is employed in a microscope which comprises: (1) an illuminator arm with an illumination source and a field stop, (2) a beam splitter, (3) an objective, (4) a sample plane for location of a sample to be observed, and (5) a detector arm, with the illuminator arm configured to illuminate the sample plane through the beam splitter and the objective and with the detector arm configured to receive an image of the sample and including the dual field of view optical system.

Abstract: A cluster tool architecture and method are provided for processing substrates by exposure to a process environment, including a reactive gas, such as sulfur trioxide, as well as prior and subsequent treatments thereto.

Abstract: An impulse radar guidance system and method for use with a spinning projectile. The system and method tracks the flight of the spinning projectile using an all-weather radar or tracker. A linearly polarized asymmetric waveform is transmitted at the projectile that comprises a series of repeating pulses having a relatively strong, short, positive electric field pulse followed by a relatively weak, long, negative electric-field baseline. The projectile contains a dipole antenna having a switching diode disposed between respective halves thereof.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for simultaneous spatial modulation of a set of angularly multiplexed individually coherent but mutually incoherent optical beams is disclosed, comprising means for generating a set of two or more individually coherent beams that have at least one optical wavelength in common, pairwise, and are assured to be mutually incoherent, and means for directing the set of individually coherent but mutually incoherent beams to a spatial modulation means, such that a spatially overlapping group of individually coherent but mutually incoherent beams overlap spatially in at least one region of the spatial modulation means and are angularly multiplexed within the region. Such simultaneous spatial modulation is a key feature, for example, in highly multiplexed photonic interconnection, memory, and display systems with maximum optical throughput efficiency and minimum crosstalk, based on parallel incoherent/coherent double angularly multiplexed holographic recording and readout principles.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope system is provided comprising: (a) an illumination source for illuminating a sample; (b) a lens system for viewing the illuminated sample, including an objective, defining an optical axis; (c) a DIC prism having a shear angle for separating an input light beam into two, orthogonally polarized output beams that are separated by the shear angle; (d) at least one detector system for receiving a sample image; (e) a mechanism for modulating the phase of the DIC image; (f) a mechanism for selecting the wavelength of light used in acquiring at least two sets of DIC data taken in a single shear direction; and (g) a mechanism for manipulating the multiple DIC data sets to synthesize data that appear to have been taken at a longer synthetic wavelength. The various approaches disclosed and claimed herein permit the measurement of surfaces with a greater slope than is possible with a single wavelength or shear distance.

Abstract: A sandwich-type, organic p-n junction photodiode is prepared by electrode-position of an insoluble layer of oligomerized tris(4-(2-thienyl)phenyl)amine onto conducting indium-tin oxide coated glass, spin-coating the stacked platinum compound, bis(cyanide)-bis(para-dodecylphenylisocyanide)platinum (II), from chloroform onto the oligomer layer, and then coating the platinum complex with a micro-array of aluminum electrodes by vapor deposition. This device shows rectification of current and gives a measurable photocurrent. The photocurrent action spectrum follows the absorption spectrum of the platinum complex; changes in the action spectrum with layer thickness point to a p-n junction formed at the interface of the molecular layers as the site of rectification. Exposure of the device to acetone vapor causes the action spectrum to shift dramatically to longer wavelength. Exposure to chloroform vapor causes a return to the original spectrum.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope system is provided comprising: (a) an illumination source for illuminating a sample; (b) a lens system for viewing the illuminated sample, including an objective, defining an optical axis; (c) at least one detector system for receiving a sample image; (d) mechanisms for wavelength multiplexing the shear direction or shear magnitude or both on the sample and demultiplexing the resultant DIC images on the detector; and (e) a mechanism for modulating the phase of the interference image. Various approaches are disclosed to accomplish wavelength multiplexing of shear direction and demultiplexing the two DIC images that result. It is possible for the two, wavelength multiplexed DIC images to differ in either or both shear direction or magnitude.

Abstract: An infrared-transparent structure includes a first infrared-transparent element that is transparent to infrared radiation in the 3.6-7 micrometer wavelength range, preferably coated with a zinc-sulfide antireflective coating, and a layer of a solvent-free, infrared-transparent polymer transparent on the first infrared-transparent element. The polymer is formed of an addition-cured silicone, such as addition-cured dimethyl silicone, and a small amount of an adhesion promoter, such as 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane. The polymer layer may either be a surface layer, or it may be used as an adhesive between the first infrared-transparent element and a second infrared-transparent element.

Abstract: A fiber optics switch has a retro-reflector mirror assembly which reflects a light beam received from an input fiber in an anti-parallel, displaced manner, into one of a plurality of output fibers. Insensitivity to temperature changes, wear and tear, and vibration is achieved as well as very compact size and high speed.

Abstract: Novel low VOC solvent-based adhesives are provided, comprising a mixture of low vapor pressure, isomeric dimethyl-2-piperidones (DMPD) blended with (1) a non-solvent diluent, specifically, acetone (a VOC-exempt compound), or with mixtures of acetone and other known ketonic solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), diethyl ketone (DEK), methyl propyl ketone (MPK), and methyl iso-butyl ketone (MIBK), cyclohexanone, and (2) thermoplastic PVC or CPVC resins. Omission of the resin provides a novel primer for pipes. The blended mixture yields PVC or CPVC pipe adhesives and primers that: (1) result in low VOC formulas (e.g., less than 510 g/l for PVC pipe and less than 490 g/l for CPVC pipe); (2) are very economical in the industry; (3) yield strong, quick setting, durable pipe joints that meet the required standards and performance criteria (e.g., ASTM D-2564 lap shear for PVC); (4) yield stable, low viscosity solutions that, in the case of adhesives, can be readily adjusted with thixotropes (e.g.

Abstract: A self-cleaning holster for holding an electrosurgical instrument and for cleaning a blade secured to the electrosurgical instrument is provided. The holster has a portion for securely supporting the holder portion of the instrument, as well as a portion for securely supporting and cleaning the blade. A separate blade-cleaning portion is provided for cleaning the blade during surgery.

Abstract: A fiber collimator is provided, comprising at least two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a collimating lens or a plano-plano pellet) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than the surface of the other optical component(s) (e.g., at least one optical fiber). The optical components are joined together by fusion-splicing, using a laser. A gradient in the index of refraction is provided in at least that portion of the surface of the optical element to which the optical fiber(s) is fusion-spliced or at the tip of the optical fiber. The gradient is either formed prior to or during the fusion-splicing. Back-reflection is minimized, pointing accuracy is improved, and power handling ability is increased.