Abstract: Provided herein is a set of reagents comprising: a plurality of at least three probe libraries, wherein each library of the plurality comprises one or more probe sets that are each specific for a target; and at least one of the libraries comprises a probe set that is present in another of the libraries. The plurality of libraries can be hybridized to spatially separated targets, simultaneously or sequentially. The identity of a spatially separated target can be determined by identifying which combination of the multiple libraries hybridize thereto.

Abstract: A power sensor applies respective first and second currents having substantially equal magnitudes to a reference detector and a measurement detector that are thermally coupled to each other. The power sensor senses an input signal with the measurement detector, and it adjusts the respective magnitudes of the first and second currents by substantially equal amounts to correspondingly adjust a measurement characteristic of the measurement detector.

Abstract: A method of automatically controlling an extendable robot arm to avoid collisions while returning to a first position from a second position includes periodically storing locations of the robot arm as the robot arm moves along a forward path from the first position to the second position; applying heuristic algorithms to the stored locations to determine a return path to the first position, the return path including at least a portion of a retrace path retracing the stored locations of the forward path; and controlling the robot arm to return to the first position using the determined return path.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip comprises a first substantially linear separation column having a first length, the first separation column comprising a first stationary phase particle density distribution along the first length; and a second substantially linear separation column having a second length connected in series with the first separation column, the second separation column comprising a second stationary phase particle density distribution along the second length.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: a first signal source; a dopant profile measurement module (DPPM) configured to receive a portion of the signal from the signal source; a probe tip connected to the reflective coupler; a load connected in parallel with the probe tip; and a second signal source connected to a load, wherein the signal source is configured to provide an amplitude-modulated (AM) signal to the probe tip. A method is also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a heterojunction, comprises a first region comprising a first III-V semiconductor; a second region adjacent to the first region and comprising a second III-V semiconductor material, wherein the second III-V semiconductor material comprises a material of graded concentration over a width of the second region; and a third region adjacent to the second region and comprising a third III-V semiconductor material, wherein the graded concentration is selection to provide substantially no conduction band discontinuity at a junction of the second region and the third region, or to provide a type I semiconductor junction at the junction of the second region and the third region.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus, comprises a phase accumulator configured to provide an output comprising a truncated phase word representative of an instantaneous phase; a multiplexer configured to provide an output representative of a phase rotation, wherein the output representative of the phase rotation is randomly selected from a group of phase rotation representation outputs; an adder configured to receive the output from the phase accumulator and the output from the multiplexer, wherein the adder provides an output representative of the instantaneous phase rotated by the phase rotation; a lookup table configured to receive the output representative of the instantaneous phase and to provide an amplitude output; and a rotator configured to receive the amplitude output and substantially to cancel the phase rotation. Other embodiments do not comprise a rotator. A method is also described.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a location of a first device that emits a signal: provide at least three sensors separated and spaced apart from each other; at each of the sensors, receive the signal emitted by the first device; determine the received signals for each of the sensors; determine cross-correlations of the received signals for pairs of the sensors; and determine the location of the first device from the magnitudes of the cross-correlations of the received signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the performance of a mass spectrometer system when multiple measurements are made. For example, the total settling time of different components or stages of a mass spectrometer, such as a tandem mass spectrometer, are decreased by optimally ordering the measurements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a signal control system has a signal output and includes: 1) a phase-locked loop (PLL) having a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a phase error detector, an oscillating output coupled to the signal output of the signal control system, and a programmable frequency divider coupled in a feedback path between the oscillating output and the phase error detector; 2) at least one automatic level controller (ALC), coupled to the oscillating output; and 3) a plurality of switchable integrators, including first and second switchable integrators that are respectively coupled between the phase error detector and the VCO, and in the at least one ALC. Each of the switchable integrators is switchable between a narrow bandwidth mode that provides for stable operation of the signal control system, and a wide bandwidth mode that enables fast signal transitions at the signal output.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is presented for controlling the slew rate of a transitioning signal on an integrated circuit transmission line. The signal driver which drives the signal onto the transmission line is connected to the transmission line via redistribution metal characterized by a characteristic capacitance appropriate to adjust the RC time constant of the transmission line to shape the signal edges to a slope resulting in the desired slew rate.

Abstract: Methods of end-labeling ribonucleic acids with non-radioactively labeled ribonucleotides, and particularly fluorescently labeled ribonucleotides, are provided. In the subject methods, a ribonucleic acid is contacted with a non-radioactively labeled ribonucleotide in the presence of a prokaryotic, usually bacterial, poly(A) polymerase under conditions sufficient for covalent bonding of the labeled ribonucleotide to the 3′ end of the ribonucleic acid to occur. Also provided are kits for practicing the subject method. The subject methods and kits find use in a variety of applications where labeling of the 3′ end of a ribonucleic acid with a non-radioactive label, particularly a fluorescent label, is desired.

Abstract: An optical mount has a frame and a barrel moveably positioned within the frame, the barrel including an optical connector housing optical wave-guide. The optical connector is mounted within the barrel at a mount angle, the optical connector having an end face polished at a polish angle relative to the axis of the optical connector. The frame has two angled contact surfaces symmetric relative to each other across a plane of symmetry, a leaf spring having an end adapted to maintain contact with the barrel along a plane of symmetry. The barrel is axially and rotationally moveable within the frame allowing for precise positioning of the optical wave-guide relative to the frame thereby minimizing polarization dependent loss (PDL). A focus tool having an offset eccentric pin can be used with a circumferential groove of the barrel to allow for precise axial movements of the barrel within the frame.

Abstract: An optical switch that is constructed on a substrate having first and second waveguides that intersect at a gap having a predetermined width. The first and second waveguides are positioned such that light traversing the first waveguide enters the second waveguide when the gap is filled with a liquid having a first index of refraction. The gap is part of a trench in the substrate having a first region that includes the gap and a second region adjacent to the first region. The second region has a width greater than the width of the first region. A liquid having the first index of refraction is disposed in the first region. The liquid generates a gas when heated to a predetermined temperature. A first heater is disposed in the first region for heating the liquid to the predetermined temperature thereby generating a gas bubble in the liquid at the gap. Light traversing the first waveguide is reflected by the gap when the gap is filled with a gas.

Abstract: A palladium contact and a gasket are formed on a first wafer. The gasket and contact are simultaneously engaged with a silicon layer of a second wafer. The wafers are then heated to a temperature that both forms a bond between the palladium contact of the first wafer with the silicon layer of the second wafer and that fuses the gasket to the second wafer. Therefore, when the temperature is decreased, the palladium-silicon bond maintains the alignment of the two wafers with respect to one another, and the gasket hardens to form seal around a periphery of the two wafers. By placing the two wafers in a vacuum environment prior to engaging the two wafers, the space encompassed by the gasket and the two wafers forms a sealed vacuum during the heating process. Therefore, the heating process not only forms a palladium-silicon bond between the two wafers, but it also forms a vacuum seal around selected components included within either of the two wafers.