Abstract: A LED of flip-chip design comprises a light emitting region and one or more transparent substrates overlying the light emitting region. The light emitting region includes a negatively doped layer, a positively doped layer, and an active p-n junction layer between the negatively doped layer and the positively doped layer. At least one of the substrates has a pyramidal shape determined by (1) the composition of electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive material, (2) the number of side surfaces, (3) the degree of offset of an apex or top surface, and (4) the slope angle of each side surface relative to a bottom surface.

Abstract: Converging air lens structure includes a first refractive medium that has a first index of refraction. A second refractive medium that has a second index of refraction is immersed in the first refractive medium. The second refractive index is less than the first index of refraction. The lens structure features converging lens properties. An aperture stop is disposed in the second refractive medium, which is preferably air.

Abstract: A method and circuit for determining the accuracy of a measurement of a bit line voltage or a charge distribution for readout from FeRAM cells uses sense amplifiers to compare a bit line voltage to a series of reference voltages and then determines upper and lower limits of a range of range of reference voltages for which sensing operation provide inconsistent results. One embodiment uses an output signal of a sense amplifier to control a pull-down transistor of an I/O line and alternative precharging schemes for the I/O line allow determining both limits using the same compression circuitry to process a result value stream on the I/O line.

Abstract: Methods for selectively separating at least one component from a multi-component componant fluidic sample are provided. In the subject methods, the fluidic sample is introduced into a micro-fluidic device that includes at least one micro-valve made up of a phase reversible material. The multi-component fluidic sample is then contacted with the microvalve in a microfluidic device under conditions sufficient for the at least one component to enter the microvalve, while the remaining constituents of the fluidic sample remain outside of the microvalve. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods, where the kits include at least a microfluidic device having a microvalve and instructional material (or means for obtaining the same) on how to use the device in the subject methods. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, including sample desalting and concentration applications.

Abstract: A circuit and method for correcting thermal deviations of one or more output signals from an amplifier utilizes Early effect-compensated correcting signals to reduce the thermal deviations of the output signals. The correcting signals are derived from temperature-dependent signals, which correspond to the thermal deviations of the output signal. The temperature-dependent signals, however, include errors due to Early effect. The Early effect errors are compensated in the correcting signals by introducing reverse Early effect errors into the correcting signals. Consequently, the compensating signals can be used to more effectively correct the thermal deviations of the output signals.

Abstract: A test fixture adapter for a printed circuit assembly tester is presented. The test fixture adapter implements the universal portions of the tester-to-fixture interface and allows mounting of a customized fixture interface printed circuit board thereon. The fixture interface printed circuit board and the fixture itself are completely separate. The adapter may be reused from one board design to the next, requiring only that a customized fixture interface printed circuit board and a customized fixture be redesigned and manufactured.

Abstract: A channel plan with a corresponding test plan are implemented in connection with a plurality of nodes that communicate signals. The channel plan has one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the nodes. The channel plan enables a monitoring system to, among other things, conduct automatic periodic test plans, comprising tests, on the nodes, based upon the predefined data specified in the channel plan. Each test plan prescribes measurement of at least one signal parameter, pertaining to one or more nodes as a whole and/or to one or more channels contained within the nodes. The monitoring system includes a spectrum analyzer, a switch enabling the spectrum analyzer to interface with the nodes, and a controller controlling the switch and the spectrum analyzer. The controller is configured to enable creation of and display the channel plan and test plan, based upon user inputs.

Abstract: A three-dimensional optical switch using three-dimensional rewritable waveguides in a photosensitive substrate. At least two light beams are used to illuminate the substrate in the region where the waveguide is to be written. The refractive index of the substrate changes at the points where the beams intersect. Therefore, the light beams can be directed to create a three-dimensional waveguide in the photosensitive substrate. A plurality of inlet ports in one surface of the substrate are thereby connected to a plurality of outlet ports on another surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the inlet ports and the outlet ports may be on the same surface of the substrate. The invention also provides methods of creating waveguides in photosensitive media using the device described herein.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a bonded product, such as a manifold, for gas or liquid chromatographs, and a method for making the same. The bonded product is made using the following steps: (i) contacting two or more steel sheets; (ii) heating the contacted sheets to a temperature substantially below the melting temperature of the sheets; (iii) applying pressure to the contacted sheets; and (iv) cooling the contacted sheets. No intermediate foreign material is used to bond the steel sheets, e.g., no welding material or TLP diffusion bonding plate is utilized. Nonetheless, a strong, leak free bond is generated at temperatures as low as 1700° F. (926.6° C.). The bond is molecular in nature, as evidenced by grains that grow from one sheet to another across the interface between the two sheets.

Abstract: A carrier for several cable holders, especially of fiber optical cables, includes a housing that comprises several receptacles on one cable holder side, into which one of the cable holders can be plugged respectively. A cable that is held by the cable holder and that sticks out from it in a plug direction penetrates the housing on a device side that faces away from the cable holder side. The plug directions of several or all receptacles run parallel to each other.

Abstract: A housing carries a male push-lock precision BNC connector. The function of the BNC latch of the male connector carried therein is performed by a spring-biased lock ring captive in a housing and that fits snugly and concentrically over a male sleeve, resulting in a double shell of two rigidly attached cylindrical portions that are coaxial, coextensive, yet separated to accept a BNC female shell. The double shell is held captive by anchoring it to the inside of the housing. The male sleeve has a slot and/or cut-away portion to accept the forward travel of the bayonet pins, which, when the connector halves are engaging, extend beyond the thickness of the sleeve and into the region occupied by the lock ring. The lock ring has grooves having various portions that engage the bayonet pins. As the housing containing these male parts is without rotation moved toward the female connector, the lock ring rotates as the grooves contact the bayonet pins.

Abstract: An optical sampling method and apparatus use a probe pulse source of a predetermined optical wavelength range, e.g., 1560 nm, to sample incoming optical pulses in approximately the same wavelength range. The probe pulse source is frequency-doubled e.g., using a frequency doubler such as a nonlinear PPLN crystal, to obtain an intermediate second harmonic which may be filtered with a 780 nm bandpass filter to eliminate at least source frequency noise background. The filtered intermediate second harmonic is then mixed with the user input signal using an optional polarizing beam splitter and a dichroic beam splitter. The mixed signal is sent to a sum frequency generating (SFG) nonlinear crystal, e.g., a PPLN crystal, where the resulting frequency is near the third harmonic. The output from the SFG PPLN crystal may be filtered using a bandpass 515 nm filter to remove unwanted wavelengths and processed to measure/sense the near third harmonic content using a photomultiplier tube (PMT).

Abstract: Liquid metal micro-switches. Liquid metal micro-switches and techniques for fabricating them in integrally shielded microcircuits are disclosed. The liquid metal micro-switches can be integrated directly into the construction of shielded thick film microwave modules. This integration is useful in applications requiring high frequency switching with high levels of electrical isolation.

Abstract: A symmetrical photo-amplifier circuit with improved power supply rejection includes a signal circuit and a reference circuit, in which the electrical capacitances and parasitic capacitances from mechanical sources, such as bond wires and substrates, are matched between the signal circuit and the reference circuit.

Abstract: Fluid-based switch and methods for reducing oxides and corrosion products on switching fluid are disclosed. In one method, oxides are reduced by depositing a switching fluid on a first substrate, coating the switching fluid with a corrosion inhibitor, and mating the first substrate to a second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate defining therebetween a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states.

Abstract: Optical systems for cooling optoelectronic elements are provided. A representative optical system includes a substrate and a first optoelectronic element supported by the substrate. Additionally, a first channel is formed in the substrate and a first heat transfer fluid is arranged in the first channel. The first heat transfer fluid is thermally coupled with the first optoelectronic element so that at least a quantity of heat produced by the first optoelectronic element is dissipated by the first heat transfer fluid. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A waveform for an input/output signal for a device under test (DUT) is displayed. Data for the input/output signal is captured in accordance with a first data capturing mechanism. The waveform for the input/output signal is displayed using the captured data. A user is provided with an interface that allows the user to select a portion of the waveform for recapture using a second data capturing mechanism. Data for a portion of the input/output signal, corresponding to the portion of the waveform selected for recapture, is recaptured. The recapturing of data is performed using the second data capturing mechanism. The waveform for the input/output signal is redisplayed. The data recaptured using the second data capturing mechanism is used for displaying the portion of the waveform selected for recapture. The data captured in accordance with the first data capturing mechanism is used for displaying remaining portions of the waveform not selected for recapture.

Abstract: A modulation domain divider is disclosed that causes the divider output to be attenuated when the divisor input falls below the divisor threshold. Attenuation is accomplished by implementing the divider in the modulation domain and substituting an unmodulated signal for the normal modulated signal when the divisor is below the threshold value.

Abstract: An electronic circuit and a method of generating an electrical discharge for an ionization detector system. The electronic circuit includes a transformer with a primary portion and a secondary portion. The circuit and method produce an electrical discharge across a set of electrodes. The discharge is stable over time and has relatively low peak currents associated therewith.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser structure includes a substrate and an active region having at least one active laser layer. The active region is included in a ridge protruding from an exposed surface of the substrate. The ridge extends in the direction of the laser cavity and includes at least two opposed and electrically connected lateral extensions defining respective metal bonding pads distributed along the length of the laser cavity.