Abstract: A sample stage of a precision sample positioning system includes a sample plate supported above a base plate on a plurality of slider assemblies. Each slider assembly includes a base slider secured to a surface of the base plate and a stage slider secured to the sample plate. Each slider is made from a common material. The common material possesses the characteristic of not having a yield point, and having a sufficiently high strength so as to permit sliding without surface degradation.

Abstract: An AFM that combines an AFM Z position actuator and a self-actuated Z position cantilever (both operable in cyclical mode and contact mode), with appropriate nested feedback control circuitry to achieve high-speed imaging and accurate Z position measurements. A preferred embodiment of an AFM for analyzing a surface of a sample includes a self-actuated cantilever having a Z-positioning element integrated therewith and an oscillator that oscillates the self-actuated cantilever at a frequency generally equal to a resonant frequency of the self-actuated cantilever and at an oscillation amplitude generally equal to a setpoint value. The AFM includes a first feedback circuit nested within a second feedback circuit, wherein the first feedback circuit generates a cantilever control signal in response to vertical displacement of the self-actuated cantilever during a scanning operation, and the second feedback circuit is responsive to the cantilever control signal to generate a position control signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a probe-based instrument comprises placing a probe of the probe-based instrument in an operative state in which the probe interacts with a heated sample, measuring a parameter of probe operation indicative of a characteristic of the heated sample, and during the measuring step, maintaining interaction between the probe and the heated sample that is substantially free of influences caused by condensation on the probe. The maintaining step includes heating the probe to a temperature at which the measured parameter of probe operation is substantially free of influences caused by condensation on the probe. Heating the probe reduces or eliminates the formation of condensation on the probe from water or materials that have evaporated from the heated sample. The invention is especially useful in connection with atomic force microscopes and other probe-based instruments.

Abstract: A beam deflector comprising a pair of mated microprism arrays with one of the arrays comprised of a variable refractive index material capable of being selectively changed in response to a field whose magnitude or intensity is regulated by regulating voltage applied. The other array preferably is comprised of a material having a constant refractive index. A conductive layer is disposed on both sides of the variable refractive index array. A pane preferably is disposed in front and behind the arrays. Two pairs of the arrays can be arranged parallel to each other with their microprisms generally perpendicular forming a two-dimensional deflector. To achieve a deflection response time faster than 100 &mgr;s, each prism has a height no larger than about 20 &mgr;m and a width preferably no greater than about 100 &mgr;m. Preferably, each prism height is less than about 15 to about 10 &mgr;m to achieve a response time 30 &mgr;s or faster.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for still image compression, video compression and automatic target recognition are disclosed. The method of still image compression uses isomorphic singular manifold projection whereby surfaces of objects having singular manifold representations are represented by best match canonical polynomials to arrive at a model representation. The model representation is compared with the original representation to arrive at a difference. If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the difference data are saved and compressed using standard lossy compression. The coefficients from the best match polynomial together with the difference data, if any, are then compressed using lossless compression. The method of motion estimation for enhanced video compression sends I frames on an "as-needed" basis, based on comparing the error between segments of a current frame and a predicted frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water-resistant gypsum compositions, methods of making such composition, as well as manufacturing methods and products comprising such compositions.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting light on to a predetermined area includes a light source and a transparent element disposed adjacent the light source where in the transparent element is made from a sol-gel type glass, quartz, or other optical material. A plurality of surface micro-structures integral in a surface of the transparent element are provided which both homogenize and control directionality of light passing form the light source through the transparent element. These micro-structures produce a predetermined pattern of highly transmissive, smoothly varying, non-discontinuous light in a predetermined direction which is suitable for any number of applications wherein a sol-gel material transparent element including the diffuser surface structures are particularly well suited.

Abstract: A surface light shaping diffuser (LSD) is formed from a monolithic glass material by recording light shaping structures on a surface of the material during its formation. A surface LSD is produced by embossing or molding light shaping structures onto a high quality optical glass or by embossing light shaping structures on a glass film layer coated onto a substrate. A rubber submaster carrying the light shaping structures is used as the master in such diffusers control the angular spread of transmitted light while homogenizing otherwise spatially noisy light sources such as LCDs and filamented light sources and while maintaining damage thresholds consistent with any glass optical element. The surface LSD has a transmission efficiency of over 90% from the Ultraviolet wavelengths through the physical spectrum and into the near-infrared.

Abstract: An improved method of making laminated optical components through the use of a master and several submasters is disclosed. A glass/photoresist master is made by recording optical surface features in the photoresist with coherent or incoherent light. The master is processed to reveal the surface features. A frame is fastened to the edges of the photoresist/glass master with edges rising slightly above the top surface of the master. Silicone rubber is poured into the frame over the photoresist layer and allowed to cure. The silicone rubber submaster is then separated from the photoresist/glass master. Use of silicon rubber permits separation of the submaster without damaging the master. Additionally, silicone rubber is less prone to shrinkage than prior art submasters thus permitting more accurate copying of the surface features of the photoresist/glass master. Subsequent epoxy replicas may then be made from the silicone rubber submaster.

Abstract: Surface light assemblies are disclosed that are particularly useful as edge light assemblies for illuminating the outer boundaries of a deck of a ship or a heliport and as line-up light assemblies for illuminating a path on a surface such as a ship deck, a runway or the like. The light assembly includes a fiber optic cable connected to the bottom of a housing or enclosure which distributes light from a terminal end of the cable. The terminal end may include a transformer which produces a particular spread or cone of a light output pattern. Alternatively, a diffuser or optical element may be placed directly adjacent the terminal end of the cable or transformer which shapes, directs and homogenizes light emanating from the cable. The light assembly can include a durable glass window which protects the diffuser and cable and which can be adapted to filter out certain wavelengths of light producing a light output in a desired color. Such a construction is particularly useful for deck edge lighting.

Abstract: An illuminator for a high energy remote lighting system includes a light source for generating light energy and a selectively positionable light output modifying apparatus having a plurality of light output modifying elements, each element corresponding to a predetermined position of at least a portion of the apparatus. At least some of the light output modifying elements of the apparatus are configured to filter light energy to provide either dimmed or colored light. The illuminator can be implemented in a system having a plurality of area control panels, each control panel generating a control signal indicative of a corresponding light characteristic, the illuminators each being coupled to a corresponding one of the area control panels to receive the control signal and to output a particular type of light in response thereto.

Abstract: A lubricant transfer device such as a lubricant metering device is provided that includes a lubricant dispenser that can use a standard replaceable lubricant storage cartridge as a lubricant source. The dispenser includes an adapter that is configured for mounting on a lubricant metering pump or the like and that can selectively receive the standard storage cartridge. The adapter permits the coupling of the storage cartridge to the pump so as to prevent unintended axial movement of the storage cartridge with respect to the pump and so as to provide an air-tight seal between the storage cartridge and the adapter, thereby permitting lubricant to be drawn out of the storage cartridge under negative pressure generated by operation of the pump.

Abstract: A method for compressing multiple channels of data using an MPEG-compatible motion estimation technique. The method determines the differences between frames within each channel and among the channels and encodes those differences. To facilitate compression, some of the frames are predicted and some of the frames are skipped. The differences between the current frame and the predicted frame for each channel are computed for each successive group of frames, and then compared, after each group of frames of each channel is encoded, to a threshold level E.sub.0. In the event that, for any of the groups of frames, the difference between the current frame and the predicted frame of any of the channels reaches the threshold, the method of the present system will insert an I-frame into the sequence of encoded frames, thus restarting the encoding process with an I-frame.

Abstract: Process for producing an electronic card comprising a micromodule inserted in the card body, wherein one layer of the body contacting the micromodule is of polymerized plastic material. A mixture containing a low viscosity liquid monomer is spread on a substrate used for producing the card and the polymerization of the monomer is initiated with a polymerization initiator. The process is particularly useful for the production of microcircuit cards such as contactless cards and advantageously uses an acrylic or methacrylic compound.

Abstract: A long-interval grating in an optical fiber is designed to enable the making of a mode-coupling filter. In particular, it has periodic variations of the diameter of the optical fiber and a symmetry of revolution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an LGD with a collimated backlight and a non-Lambertian diffuser are described.

Abstract: A simple, fast, and reliable method and apparatus are provided for replicating a light shaping surface structure on a laminated surface of a relatively rigid substrate. More specifically, after the substrate is mounted on a table and a layer of epoxy is deposited between the substrate and a submaster to produce a layered structure, the layered structure is automatically compressed in a nip formed between the table and an outer surface of a rotating impression roller, thereby replicating the surface structure in the epoxy layer. The epoxy is then cured, and the submaster is separated from the substrate to leave a laminated structure having the light shaping surface structure on a surface thereof. Preferably, the submaster is wrapped around the impression roller, and the impression roller is rotated while the table is reciprocated linearly to compress the layered structure in the nip.

Abstract: A pavement cutting machine having a rotary cutting wheel with a generally horizontal axis of rotation where rotation of the cutting wheel is selectively controlled by a clutch on either the drive shaft of the engine or a driven shaft of the cutting wheel with the clutch being activated by a deadman's switch. The machine preferably also includes a stand that enables the entire machine to be tipped forwardly about its support wheels to expose the cutting wheel so it can be serviced. The clutch preferably is an electromagnetic clutch mounted to the engine drive shaft that is selectively energized by a deadman's switch on a handle of the machine that is constructed and arranged to close upon an operator gripping handle grips of the handle. When energized or engaged, a pulley of the clutch rotates in unison with the drive shaft, transmitting torque from the engine through an endless flexible member to a driven shaft carrying the cutting wheel causing the cutting wheel to rotate.

Abstract: A mixing system for mixing and dispensing viscous material comprising a mixer, cartridge assembly, and dispenser. This timesaving mixing and dispensing system utilizes a self-contained cartridge assembly that can be transferred directly from the mixer to the dispenser without exposing the reactive materials to the external environment. The cartridge assembly includes a cup having a nipple where a nozzle may be attached for dispensing, a plunger, a cap for the cup, and a removable seal over the opening of the dispensing nipple.

Abstract: A palletizer/depalletizer system includes a palletizer assembly and depalletizer assembly stacked one beneath the other on a common frame assembly. Both assemblies are adapted to handle layers of articles and stacks of pallets. The palletizer loads articles on stacks of empty pallets by transferring layers of articles one at a time onto the uppermost pallet until the pallet is fully loaded, conveying the loaded pallet away from the system using a conventional automated storage and retrieval (ASR) machine, and then loading the next pallet on the stack. The depalletizer creates stacks of empty pallets by repeatedly unloading layers of articles from a pallet to empty the pallet and then accepting a loaded pallet on top of the recently-emptied pallet.