Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for switching an optical signal from one or more input ports to one of a plurality of output ports. A beam is launched into the input port. By controllably switching a switching element, such a liquid/air switch selection can be made selecting a plurality of deflections along a first plane to direct a beam along the first plane to one of a plurality of output locations; the beam is received from one of the plurality of locations and is directed along a second plane intersecting the first plane, to direct the beam to one of the output ports. In a preferred embodiment, the switch includes two prisms each having switching elements at end faces of the prisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical logical AND gate comprising an erbium doped waveguide which is attenuating at a signal wavelength and responsive to pump light energy to be transmissive at a signal wavelength. A first laser pump excites a portion of the waveguide. A second laser pump excites a remaining portion of the waveguide. The waveguide is only transparent to transmit a signal if both the first and second pumps excite the waveguide together. The optical AND gate of the present invention can be used as the control element of an N.times.N matrix. A number of first ports and a number of second ports are interconnected by erbium waveguide AND gates. Pump light is switched to a selected first port. Pump light from a second pump is switched to a selected second port. Only the erbium waveguide gate interconnecting the selected first and second port is transmissive to switch a signal. All other gates are attenuating and other signals are accordingly blocked.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for in situ spectral measurement is disclosed. The apparatus uses a low-resolution grating to disperse light and thereby image a spectrum thereof. The imaged spectrum is converted into a digital electrical signal and is processed in order to enhance the spectral information. The resulting spectral information is analogous to that captured using a higher resolution spectral imager with optical processing of the spectral data.

Abstract: A novel design for producing bandpass filters with essentially square shapes with little or no ripple in the passband zone. Filters are of the all-dielectric type that consist of multiple cavities of bandpasses with the first and last cavities consisting of four less layers than the inner cavities. The inner cavities are all identical. All of the cavities are separated from each other by quarter wave thick layers of low index material. Layers of low index material may be added between the filter and the entrance and exit mediums. The thickness of the first few layers and last few layers may be altered to enhance the transmission of the filter by matching the index structure of the passband to the adjacent mediums.

Abstract: In the design of transcutaneous energy transfer devices variation in spacing between the coils results in energy transfer efficiency changes. These changes may have other causes. It is proposed to use an autotuning circuit and a voltage control circuit in cooperation with feedback from the internal coil in order to better maintain energy transfer levels as desirable. The feedback is typically provided via IR communication; however, when skin is highly pigmented, IR communication is inefficient. A method and system for using RF signals to accomplish the communication is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for spectral measurement is disclosed. The method uses a low-resolution grating to disperse light and thereby image a spectrum thereof. The imaged spectrum is converted into a digital electrical signal and is processed in order to enhance the spectral information. The resulting spectral information is analogous to that captured using a higher resolution spectral imager with optical processing of the spectral data. The method is equally applicable to enhancing resolution of spectra captured using high resolution spectral imaging devices.

Abstract: An at least 3-port optical circulator has first group of optical components, and a second group of optical components, the first group being separated from the second group by an optical distance "1". Each group of optical components has a divider and combiner for dividing an input beam into two beams having orthogonal polarizations and for combining two beams having orthogonal polarizations into a single beam. Furthermore, each group has a GRIN lens for at least substantially collimating or focussing input light, and a polarization rotator between the first divider and combiner and the GRIN lens for making two orthogonal polarization vectors parallel or the two parallel polarization vectors orthogonal to one of or both of the first and second group of optical elements having beam shifting means disposed to shift two beams having a predetermined same polarization.

Abstract: In the past, contact imaging devices were large and costly. It has been proposed that for contact imaging device adoption for the personal computing market, cost and size must be reduced. In an attempt to address these concerns, a biometric pointing device such as a mouse is presented incorporating therein a contact imager. The contact imager fits within a small enclosure. Further, data transmission means within the mouse provides a signal to a single port on a computer indicative of the output data from both the contact imaging means and the pointing device.

Abstract: An integrated controller for controlling both pan and vergent movements of a stereoscopic vision system, having two cameras, is described. The controller determines motion and direction based on a provided retinal error. Each of the cameras is moved until no retinal error remains which results from camera orientation. A butterfly controller accepts data input relating to retinal errors from any number of sources and provides a single signal relating to common motion and another signal relating to vergent motion to each control circuit. The circuits are designed to operate in common mode or differential mode thereby causing sensors to move in different directions when controlled by same control signals.

Abstract: A transducer is provided with an integral smart card reader. For security applications the transducer is a biometric information input device. The device provides co-operative operation of the smart card and the transducer to provide user specific processing of biometric information provided by the user. Because of the integral smart card reader, tampering and monitoring of security operations is prevented.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for monitoring simultaneously the temperature and velocity of a thermal spray jet. The apparatus has a sensor head directed at the jet, the sensor head having two optical fibers carrying radiation from the jet to a remote detection unit which comprises two or three photodetectors. The radiation carried by the separate optical fibers is filtered at two different wavelengths before being passed to the photodetectors. The temperature of the jet is determined by analyzing the ratio of the energy radiated at the two wavelengths. The velocity of the jet is determined, knowing the distance between the fibers, by measuring the time delay between the signals carried by the separate fibers using cross-correlation.

Abstract: Structured packing for mass-exchange or energy-exchange processes uses a stack of parallel, flat sheets forming flat channels therebetween. A number of tabs extends between adjacent pairs of sheets to form both bridges for fluid flow and spacers for structural rigidity of the packing. Some of the tabs serve predominantly to divert fluid over the entire surface of a given sheet to prevent so-called channeling, while other tabs are disposed to predominantly enhance fluid transfer between the adjacent sheets. Fluid communication between both sides of each sheet is facilitated due to perforations caused by the manufacturing of the tabs. The design allows for the use of very thin sheets resulting in a light-weight packing assembly.

Abstract: A 1.times.n optical deflection switch has an array of k transmissive light deflectors to switch an incident light beam into one of n=2.sup.k directions. The switch can steer the light through the deflectors into one of a plurality of beam directions, by selectively individually inserting them into the light path. One embodiment uses four glass rectangular blocks as light deflectors having parallel upper and lower surfaces oriented at a predetermined oblique angle to the incident light beam. The thicknesses of the blocks follow an increasing order in proportion to successive powers of 2, i.e. t, 2t, 4t and 8t, giving a total of 16 switching positions. Another embodiment uses two arrays of 4-block switches, and selectively activates blocks from either array to provide a 1.times.32 switch. Yet, another embodiment uses four stepped deflectors each having two selectable sections of dissimilar thicknesses to give a total of 15 switching positions.

Abstract: A positionable face mask support for attaching to a pair of glasses. The positionable face mask support is adaptable to be used with any pair of glasses for protecting individuals who work with bodily fluids of humans or animals from direct contact with such fluids. The positionable face mask support comprises attachments, releasable latching members and biasing means for attaching to the face mask and allowing the face mask to be positioned in one of a plurality of positions ranging from being against a wearer's face to being substantially lifted away from the wearer's face. The mask support further comprises flexible members depending therefrom for attaching to cheek portions of the face mask and for conforming to the wearer's face.

Abstract: A dielectric resonator antenna system is disclosed wherein a dielectric material having a high dielectric constant is placed between a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) and the antenna feed. Preferably the dielectric material having a high dielectric constant is either in the form of an insert within a cavity of the DRA or alternatively is in the form of a thin layer between the feed and the DRA for enhancing coupling therebetween. It is preferred that the high dielectric constant material be at least twice the value of the dielectric resonator antenna.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical demultiplexor having a narrow band filter for separating a narrow band channel prior to utilizing one or more wide band filters for separating a plurality of channels into groups of channels. The groups of channels can then be further separated or demultiplexed by a plurality of narrow band filters. Advantageously, a plurality of closely spaced (i.e. 50 Ghz) channels can be separated using conventional dichroic filters.

Abstract: A radiating antenna capable of generating or receiving circularly polarized radiation is disclosed using a single feed and a dielectric resonator. The dielectric resonator has slightly differing dimensions along two axes. Substantially polarized radiation can be generated in each of two mutually orthogonal modes by placement of the probe at each of two locations. When the feed is situated substantially between these two locations, two orthogonal modes are excited simultaneously.

Abstract: A device for compensating the birefringence normally associated with an integrated optical waveguide grating device has a polarization compensating slab waveguide region. This compensating region can be provided within the slab waveguide region normally present in the grating device by etching, doping, ion implanting a sub-region of a predetermined shape and dimension to change its birefringence. Alternatively, or in combination with changing the birefringence in this sub-region, electrodes can be provided for electro-optically changing the birefringence dynamically as required. This device can be applied to reflective and transmissive diffraction gratings and to phased array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: A structural panel, board, or beam and method of making same, with straw that is oriented is provided. The straw is preferably oriented such that strands are parallel oriented in one or more directions. The straw strands are chopped, split, and a binder such as MDI is added.

Abstract: A compact non-reciprocal optical waveguide-circulating device comprising three optical waveguides disposed along side one another at an input end adjacent a thin birefringent crystal to which they are optically coupled. The circulating device also includes at a distal end, a mirror for reflecting light backwards and providing a folded configuration. The device is capable of accepting a non-collimated beam of light that is launched from the input end through the birefringent crystal and rotating elements. By providing end faces at one end of the waveguides that are mode field expanded, light is effectively coupled between the waveguides and the adjacent crystal.