Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber system and method for separating the different wavelengths of transmitted light transmitted therethrough and for monitoring the respective optical power in the separated spectral components. More specifically, embodiments of the invention scan or modify the physical parameters of in-fiber gratings that couple light between spatially different modes of light within a wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) optical fiber system, separate the spatial modes using a mode-discriminating device (MDD) and monitor or detect the separated spectral components using a conventional or other suitable detector. By scanning the in-fiber gratings, the peak wavelength of coupling between two dissimilar modes is modified, thus allowing control of the coupling within the fiber optic system. Scanning the grating is performed, e.g., by changing the temperature or modifying the physical dimensions of the grating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an off-axis amplitude and phase encoding optical system, apparatus and method of storage in which a holographic optical element (HOE) is used advantageously to reconstruct optical elements typically used to phaseencode an object beam emanating from a spatial light modulator (SLM). The optical system includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) such as a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), a data storage device such as a holographic memory cell (HMC), and the holographic optical element (HOE) for duplicating the phase-encoding functions typically performed on an object beam emanating from the SLM prior to alignment with the holographic memory cell (HMC). Conventionally, a phase mask along with one or more optical elements comprising a four-F lens system typically are needed to phase encode the amplitude-encoded light pattern that propagates from the SLM.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit having a plurality of combinations of an integrated unit capacitor connected in series with a controlled channel of an integrated transistor switch. The series-connected capacitor and switch combinations are connected in parallel and the switches include a control gate coupled to a bit output of a register via a control line. In this manner, the capacitance of the variable capacitor depends on what word is stored in the register. Control gates for a different number of capacitor and switch combinations are connected to each bit output, and the numbers are weighted using, e.g., a binary weighting scheme. The variable capacitor is coupled to a balanced signal line pair, with capacitor and switch combinations comprising a switch connected between two capacitors that are connected to a line of the balanced signal line pair. Such arrangement is highly linear and even order distortion is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and arrangement of integrated circuit components for enhancing the integrity of communication signals transmitted through a multi-device communication system. Embodiments of the invention provide controllable impedance arrangements for coupling to one or more integrated circuit components coupled along a bus transmission line within the communications system. The coupled impedance arrangements establish damping impedances for selected devices between the signal transmitting component and the signal receiving component along the bus transmission line to advantageously reduce distortion and ringing associated with the LC parasitic network behavior of the devices. Typically, a damping impedance is coupled to the integrated circuit component immediately adjacent to the signal transmitting component along the bus transmission line between the signal transmitting component and the signal receiving component.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in an anisotropic, soft magnetic thin film article comprising a cobalt-iron-chromium-nitrogen (Co--Fe--Cr--N) alloy. The thin film is formed such that the alloy has a relatively high saturation magnetization (4.pi.M.sub.s), e.g., greater than approximately 8 kilogauss (kG), a relatively low coercivity (H.sub.c), e.g., less than approximately 2.0 oersteds (Oe), a relatively high squareness ratio (M.sub.r /M.sub.s), e.g., greater than approximately 0.90, and a relatively high anisotropy field (H.sub.k), e.g., greater than approximately 20 Oe, in an as-deposited condition or, alternatively, with a relatively low temperature treatment, e.g., below approximately 300.degree. Celsius. The inventive films are suitable for use in electromagnetic devices, e.g., in microtransformer cores, inductor cores and in magnetic read-write heads.

Abstract: A method for thermocompression bonding structures together including structures having different coefficients of thermal expansion, for example, thermocompression bonding optical diode arrays or other semiconductor structures to silicon substrates to form electronic or optoelectronic devices. The method includes aligning and contacting the structures to be interconnected, thermocompressing the structures via their contact pad elements at a bonding temperature, establishing an encapsulation temperature, applying an encapsulant material between the bonded structures, and curing the encapsulant material at the encapsulation temperature. Conventional bonding processes, which treat encapsulation as a separate step apart from bonding processes, melt the bonded assembly together and include at least one thermal cycle in which the bonded assembly is cooled to room temperature and then is re-heated to the encapsulation temperature before applying the encapsulant material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for determining values for data reproduced or retrieved from data storage media such as in holographic memory systems. The method includes initially approximating the value of data members retrieved initially from the data storage medium of interest (e.g., by their intensity levels based on an absolute scale), using those approximations collectively to establish one or more threshold levels for defining ranges for the data values to be determined, and determining values for the retrieved data members by comparing the initial data value approximations of the retrieved data members to the established threshold levels. Alternatively, the threshold level(s) are set initially and adjusted iteratively based on the initial approximations of the individual data members until a final established threshold level is established.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an amplifier such as a differential amplifier having an improved common mode voltage range (CMVR). The amplifier includes a translator coupled to a second stage amplifying circuitry wherein the translator uses feedback and a parallel connection of input devices to improve the common mode voltage range of the amplifier while providing for enablement of the circuit functionality. The translator uses parallel connections of N-channel and P-channel devices such as transistors to extract alternating current (ac) signals riding on a common mode voltage and to translate the extracted ac signals to ride on a constant reference voltage (V.sub.ref). The translated signals are then amplified in a conventional manner, such as by a gate thresholding or a self-biasing technique. An input sensing circuit within the translator provides an offset detection signal to a correction circuit, also within the translator.

Abstract: Improved plasma displays utilize electrodes including low electron affinity (LEA) materials such as diamond. In dc displays the LEA materials are disposed on the cathode. In ac displays the LEA materials are disposed on the dielectric layers of both electrodes. The improved displays exhibit reduced operating voltage, higher resolution, and enhanced robustness.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a transformer device having a saturation region for limiting ingress noise and other noise. The transformer comprises a magnetic core, an input coil and an output coil arranged so that the output signal caused by the magnetic linkage between the input and output coils through the magnetic core is based on the magnitude of the input signal. According to an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic core includes a saturation region that limits the output signal regardless of the magnitude of the input signal once the saturation region reaches its saturation magnetization state. The saturation region comprises a reduced saturation magnetization level caused by a geometrically constricted region of the magnetic core or, alternatively, by a modified, magnetic-equivalent region having properties similar to a geometrically constricted region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating Bragg reflector gratings using an amplitude mask and an amplitude mask apparatus for fabricating Bragg reflectors. The inventive Bragg reflector gratings have periodicities greater than conventional short period gratings but much less than conventional long period gratings. Short period, Bragg reflector gratings according to embodiments of the invention have periodicities, e.g., within the range from 1 .mu.m to 10 .mu.m. The fabrication method includes positioning an amplitude mask having appropriate slits formed therein over the photosensitive waveguide of interest and then illuminating the waveguide through the slits thereby photoinducing a periodic pattern of refractive index perturbations characteristic of a Bragg reflector. The short period, Bragg grating produced by the inventive amplitude mask is a reflective grating whose reflection characteristics approach approximately 99.99%.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and method for stabilizing the operation of lithium niobate devices such as modulators due to charge accumulation caused by, e.g., pyroelectric and piezoelectride effects. The apparatus comprises a substrate having a waveguide formed therein, a buffer layer formed on the substrate, a Si.sub.2 Ti.sub.x N.sub.8/3+x charge dissipation layer (CDL) formed on the buffer layer and a set of electrodes formed on the charge dissipation layer. According to embodiments of the invention, the Si.sub.2 Ti.sub.x N.sub.8/3+x charge dissipation layer has a resistivity of approximately 15-150 k.OMEGA.cm. Alternatively, the apparatus includes a second charge dissipation layer formed on the opposing surface of the substrate. The charge dissipation layer according to embodiments of the invention is advantageous in that it provides a suitable resistivity and is a composition that is easily reproducible using conventional formation techniques such as sputtering.

Abstract: A distributed feedback (DFB) laser is made with a spatially graded optical coupling (.kappa.) between its diffraction grating and its active layer by means of selective area epitaxial growth of the epitaxial layer from which the grating is formed. More specifically, the epitaxial layer is formed on a major surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a mask, such as a silicon dioxide mask, has been formed. The mask has a pair of segments spaced apart by a fixed distance, the segments having spatially variable widths. Advantageously the epitaxial layer has a refractive index that is different from that of the substrate at the operating wavelength of the laser. The epitaxial layer is then etched into stripes. In this way the heights of the resulting grating stripes will be spatially variable, and so will the coupling .kappa. between the grating and the active layer. In this way, the properties of the optical output of the laswer can be adjusted.

Abstract: Feedback is employed in a holographic memory system to facilitate rapid access to information in a stored data page. This feedback technique provides compensation for thermal, optical and/or mechanical variations in the system components that tend to interrupt the projection of a data page image on a sensor array. A page indicator or mark is stored in a holographic storage medium with a page of data such that, during playback, a quality, e.g., intensity, of its projected image is indicative of the quality of the corresponding projected data page image. A corresponding page indicator sensor is employed with the associated sensor array to detect the quality of a projected page indicator image. The projected data page image can then be read by sensor elements of the detector based on the detected quality of the page indicator image. Such a detector can be implemented in an active pixel sensor (APS) array with the page indicator sensor being implemented as a region of the APS array.

Abstract: Measuring and setting techniques for relative component orientations and separations is accomplished by projecting a coherent light beam into one end of a gap formed between facing surfaces of adjacent components. This light beam projection causes a corresponding light ray pattern to be projected out of an opposite end of the gap. The arrangement of light rays in the resulting pattern is indicative of the relative positions of, and distance between, the facing surfaces. Such a projected pattern is used for determining the relative positions between adjacent components, alone, or as feedback for adjusting such component positions to achieve a desired orientation and/or separation distance between the components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an amplifier having an enhanced feedforward arrangement. In a typical operational amplifier output stage of this type, conventional feedforward arrangements comprise one or more active electrical components coupled between the second stage amplifying transistor and the negative output driver. The enhanced feedforward arrangement includes a resistor connected between the second stage amplifying transistor and the negative voltage source and a second resistor connected between the second stage amplifying transistor and the negative output driver. Alternatively, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the second resistor. In this manner, feedforward arrangements according to embodiments of the invention advantageously provide stable, enhanced frequency response, including high frequency response, e.g., above approximately 10 kHz, using economically advantageous passive rather than active electrical components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and method for making a DRAM in which the capacitive elements are fabricated to be planar or nearly planar and to be located above the metal regions (M1) that connect the sources and drains of the transistor through conductive windows (W1). Embodiments of the invention fabricate the DRAM by forming a transistor on a suitable substrate in the appropriate manner and depositing a first oxide layer that is subsequently planarized by suitable technique. A window is then formed within the oxide layer and a conductive plug is formed within the window. A first patterned metal region, which functions as a memory cell bit line or as a coupler between conductive plugs, is then formed on the oxide layer. A second oxide layer is formed thereon and appropriate windows and conductive plugs are formed therein. Then, a capacitor is formed thereon in a planar or near planar configuration. A second patterned metal region is formed on the capacitor.

Abstract: A controllable magnetic field generator applies a magnetic field to a transistor device at a particular orientation for producing a corresponding Lorentz force on the flow of carriers in the device to advantageously deflect the carriers to facilitate performance of a corresponding desired circuit function. Such a component arrangement is useable in a variety of circuit configurations for performing different circuit functions with a reduced number of devices and complexity relative to conventional circuit configurations. Exemplary circuit configurations for signal mixers, differential amplifiers, switches, and multiplexers and demultiplexers are possible using as little as one or two devices. According to another aspect of the invention, an inductor coil is used for the magnetic field generator and is formed on a substrate containing the transistor device to provide a component arrangement having relatively compact dimensions.

Abstract: The invention is an image transmitting method and system including receiving encoded images, decoding those images and post-processing the decoded images. The post-processing reduces visual artifacts, such as blocking artifacts and mosquito noise, through separate detection, mapping and smoothing operations while avoiding many of the complexities associated with existing techniques. In detecting blocking artifacts, the inventive method employs DCT-domain detection rather than edge detection in the pixel domain. Also, the interior of a detected block is updated based on the surrounding blocks without disturbing the surrounding blocks. In reducing mosquito noise, the inventive method smooths the non-edge pixels within blocks containing edge pixels rather than smoothing the edge pixels. Also, distortion-induced false edge pixels are distinguished from true edge pixels and heavily smoothed.

Abstract: Feedback is employed in a holographic memory system to facilitate rapid access to information in a stored data page. This feedback technique provides compensation for thermal, optical and/or mechanical variations in the system components that tend to interrupt the projection of a data page image on a sensor array. A page indicator or mark is stored in a holographic storage medium with a page of data such that, during playback, a quality, e.g., intensity, of its projected image is indicative of the quality of the corresponding projected data page image. A corresponding page indicator sensor is employed with the associated sensor array to detect the quality of a projected page indicator image. The projected data page image can then be read by sensor elements of the detector based on the detected quality of the page indicator image. Such a detector can be implemented in an active pixel sensor (APS) array with the page indicator sensor being implemented as a region of the APS array.