Abstract: An optical modulator used for optically modulating electromagnetic energy. The optical modulator comprises a substrate and three substantially planar reflectors arranged substantially mutually orthogonal to each other. The planar reflectors comprise a base reflector disposed substantially in the plane of the substrate and first and second side reflectors operably coupled to the base reflector. The optical modulator further comprises a pair of electrically conductive traces operably connected to the base reflector, an electrically conductive pad operably connected to each of the conductive traces, at least one material layer deposited on the base reflector by which its reflection properties may be altered or modulated with an applied voltage, and a biasing source operably coupled to said conductive pads for providing a modulated voltage to the base reflector.

Abstract: A 3D Photonic Bandgap Device in SOI (NC#98374). The structure includes a substrate having a semiconductor layer over an insulator layer and a 3D photonic bandgap structure having at least one period operatively coupled to the substrate. The apparatus has a funnel waveguide configuration.

Abstract: A method for feeding wires through a braided shield, comprises steps of wrapping the ends of the wires with tape to create a plug end; inserting the plug end into a flexible tube that is mounted to an insert tool having a tapered end; feeding the insert tool through the braided shield to pull the wires through the braided shield; removing the plug end from the flexible tube; and unwrapping the tape from around the wires.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a) a sapphire substrate; b) a single crystal silicon structure disposed on the sapphire substrate to create a silicon-on-sapphire structure; c) a plurality of liquid crystal capacitors disposed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure; d) integrated self-aligned circuitry formed from the crystal silicon structure, where the circuitry modulates the liquid crystal capacitors such that a video image is generated; and e) an integrated audio transducer disposed on the silicon-on-sapphire structure for generating an audible signal.

Abstract: A chemical detection sensor system comprises a support structure; multiple SERS chemical detection sensors supported by the support structure; multiple chemical reaction sensors, wherein each of the chemical reaction sensors is disposed for undergoing a state change in response to an occurrence of a chemical reaction at one of the SERS chemical detection sensors; a processor supported by the support structure for recording data representing occurrence of a chemical reaction at any of the chemical detection sensors in response to sensing the state change; and a power source for energizing the processor.

Abstract: A sensor system employs a thermo-electrically cooled surface enhanced Raman (SERS) structure that is positioned in a sample chamber. Gas or vapor that may contain an analyte of interest is introduced into the sample chamber so that the analyte may come into contact with the SERS structure. The SERS structure may be cooled to facilitate condensation of selected analytes onto the SERS structure. When in contact with each other, the analyte and SERS structure may be optically stimulated by an optical excitation signal to produce a unique spectral response that may be detected by a spectroanalysis system. The spectral response then may be correlated to a specific analyte, i.e., identified.

Abstract: A method for detecting targets comprises: a) receiving spectral data; b) using a normal compositional model for estimating background parameters from the spectral data and target components; c) estimating abundance values of classes of the normal compositional model from the background parameters and the spectral data; d) estimating target class covariance values from the spectral data, the background parameters, and the target components; e) estimating target-plus-background abundance values from the target class covariance values, the background parameters, the spectral data, and the target components; f) employing a normal compositional model for determining a likelihood ratio detection statistic from the target class covariance values, target-plus-background abundance values, spectral data, target components, background parameters, and background abundance values; and g) generating a determination output signal that represents whether an observation includes a target from the likelihood ratio detection st

Abstract: A high voltage bushing includes an electrically conductive coupling having an aperture; first and second dielectric tubes mounted to the coupling so that they are coaxially aligned and have first and second ends, respectively, first and second end plates mounted in a fluid tight manner to the first and second ends of the first and second tubes, respectively; an electrically conductive ground shield mounted in the aperture, and having an inwardly profiled end for moderating an electric field along the bushing, and having second and third apertures; and a center conductor that extends through the second and third apertures of the ground shield, and is mounted to the first and second end plates.

Abstract: An antenna system includes: a) a ground plane; b) an array of antennas affixed to the ground plane, wherein each antenna element includes a stack of antenna elements; c) a dielectric spacer affixed to the array of antennas, and e) a frequency selective surface affixed to the dielectric spacer. Each antenna element includes a radio frequency element affixed to a dielectric layer.

Abstract: An electrically adjustable spectrometer uses collimated, P-polarized light made incident on a surface of an optically transparent liquid crystal input material. The material transmits the light to a boundary surface between the input material and an output optically transparent material. The input material is preferably highly dispersive, making Snell component values at the boundary surface markedly different for different wavelengths. The output material is preferably of low dispersion and high birefringence. Only one wavelength at the boundary surface has a Snell component value tangent to its corresponding index surface in the output section. Within this section, the ray vector for this wavelength is parallel to the boundary surface. Because optical energy propagates in the ray vector direction, only the narrow range of wavelengths having ray vectors substantially parallel to the boundary surface reach an output of the device.

Abstract: A nondestructive acoustic emission testing system using electromagnetic excitation, comprises: a) an electromagnetic wave generator for generating electromagnetic waves that stimulate a test sample to generate acoustic energy; b) an acoustic energy sensor for detecting the acoustic energy and generating a first output signal that represents the acoustic energy; and c) a data processor for comparing the output signal with a reference and for generating a second output signal that represents a characteristic of the test sample.

Abstract: A nonlinear oscillator method and apparatus. According to one embodiment, a nonlinear oscillator is closed. The nonlinear oscillator includes a first linear amplifier, a second linear amplifier and nonlinear amplifier having a substantially similar design that includes an adjustable linear transconductance region width. The input/output characteristics of the nonlinear oscillator can be represented by van der Pol equations. In another embodiment, a method for providing nonlinear oscillations is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrolytic tilt sensor comprises: a) forming sensing electrodes on a generally planar surface of a dielectric substrate; b) forming a reference electrode on the surface; c) mounting a housing to the substrate so that the sensing electrodes and the reference electrode are contiguous to a volume defined between the housing and the substrate; d) forming a fluid tight seal between the housing and the substrate; e) injecting an electrolytic fluid into the volume; f) sealing the electrolytic fluid in the volume; and g) forming an electrical circuit on the substrate for generating an output signal representing the angle of the dielectric substrate with respect to a gravitational field, wherein the electrical circuit includes an oscillator mounted on the surface.

Abstract: A fused silica substrate is processed to a thickness that allows it to be easily flexed. An opening is etched in the substrate. A die having a patterned topside is processed to the thickness of the substrate by lapping the die. The thinned die is positioned within the opening of the substrate. Non-conducting glass is then spun on top and backside surfaces of the die/substrate combination and is allowed to flow between the surfaces of the die and substrate. Conductive traces are constructed to provide electrical connection from the embedded die to the periphery of the enclosure for external electrical interconnect. The flexural properties of the thin fused silica (or equivalent) permit the enclosure to be arched and inserted into a printed circuit board without solder.

Abstract: The present invention has applications in the field of color displays, including computer monitors, video games, television, and other applications that may require a variety of light wavelengths. In one aspect of the invention, a light generator can generate light having selected proportions of red, green, and blue wavelengths from a single source of blue light. In a specific embodiment, the light generator includes a blue laser for generating a first beam of blue light. In another aspect of the invention, beamsplitters are used to split the beam of blue light into separate beams to generate light having a single color in each beam. In one such embodiment, upconversion lasers are used to generate each of the single colors.

Abstract: An ultra-broadband antenna incorporated into an electrically nonconductive garment, with radiation absorber material to mitigate radiation hazard. The antenna includes first and second RF elements attached to the garment so that a gap exists between them, where the RF elements each form a band when the garment is worn by a wearer. RF and ground feeds are electrically connected to the first and second RF elements, respectively. A shorting strap electrically connected between the first and second RF elements on the anterior side of the garment generally opposite the feeds helps match the antenna impedance to an external signal source. Radiation absorber material disposed over the gap between the first and second RF elements and in a pocket in the region of the RF feed limits the wearer's exposure to electromagnetic field to acceptable levels.

Abstract: A dual-chambered anechoic chamber used in conjunction with spatial averaging for making transmission measurements of electromagnetic devices. The anechoic chamber includes a first tapered chamber with a first aperture, a second tapered chamber with a second aperture opposed to the first aperture, an alignment apparatus for aligning the two chambers and, if necessary, for positioning a test device between the apertures, and a positioning mechanism for mounting and determining the position of a transmitter antenna. A receiver antenna in the second chamber receives test signals transmitted from the transmitter antenna. At selected transmitter antenna positions, measurements are taken at different frequencies. For each transmitter position, a measurement is made with the test device positioned between the apertures, and another without the test device. When all desired measurements have been made, the measurement data are spatially averaged; i.e.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic gain control system that is implemented by digital hardware. The digital hardware determines the range of a set of digital data values, and then examines each digital data value in a sequence. An index counter increments a sample count index i each time a new digital data value is examined and determines the absolute value of the ith digital data value. The digital hardware also counts both the number j of digital data values that exceed a high percentage value of the range, and the number k of digital data values that are less than a low percentage value of the range as the digital hardware runs through the sequence. If the digital hardware determines that a digital data value is greater than the high percentage value, the ratio j/i exceeds a first threshold value, and the gain level is not set to the lowest gain level, then the gain is decreased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating a rapid and long-lasting pH change to a pH dependent polymer or other pH driven reactant is provided by a pH jump molecule in solution. Visible light is used to excite the pH jump molecule. The attendant pH change occurs rapidly (in nanoseconds) and can be maintained by continuous wave light or by an appropriately pulsed light. Heat resulting from the light activation is efficiently discharged by radiative decay through room temperature phosphorescence lifetimes existing on the order of milliseconds.

Abstract: An integrated optical waveguide sensor system includes: an optical waveguide having a monolithic and roughened metallic layer on which a self-assembled monolayer is formed; an optical energy source for generating an optical excitation signal; and a spectrometer for detecting spectra of optical energy emitted from the optical waveguide. The waveguide facilitates multiple SERS responses resulting from interactions between the optical excitation signal and an analyte of interest that may be present on the surface of the self-assembled monolayer. Thus, the sensor system provides a sensor for detecting organic contaminants with a sensitivity of ppm and even ppb in some cases.