Abstract: A semiconductor test data analysis system (1) automatically recording, during an analysis operation, operation information of the analysis operation, including analysis conditions or an analysis procedure for input test data, or analysis information obtained by the analysis operation. The analysis system includes a processing means (101), an analysis target data storage means (109), which stores the test data as analysis target data, a historical data storage means (107), which stores as historical data either operation information of the analysis operation or analysis information obtained by the analysis operation, and a display data storage means (112), which stores analysis information obtained by the analysis operation, which stores analysis display data generated by the processing means for the purpose of displaying the analysis information obtained by the analysis operation.

Abstract: A rotational positioning apparatus that comprises an apparatus for moving a head or disk and that positions the head relative to the disk, with this rotational positioning apparatus capable of both static positioning and dynamic positioning, also comprises a processor for generating one positioning command to be input to a movement apparatus from two positioning commands.

Abstract: A system and method compensate for phase noise of a spectrum analyzer when measuring the phase noise of an applied signal based on an established model of the phase noise that accommodates a variety of operating states of the spectrum analyzer. Each operating state has a carrier frequency associated therewith. A frequency offset from the carrier frequency of a designated operating state identifies a frequency range for measuring the phase noise of the applied signal. The model, along with the frequency offset, is used to form an array that is applied to extract an output signal from a phase noise measurement signal that is acquired by the spectrum analyzer.

Abstract: A multimode ionization source includes an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure ionization source downstream from the electrospray ionization source for further ionizing said charged aerosol, and a mode separator, or mask, situated so as to separate a portion of the charged aerosol and prevent the portion from being exposed to the atmospheric pressure ionization source.

Abstract: An isolated direct-current to direct-current (DC-to-DC) converter and associated method are provided which employ a class-D amplifier. An alternating current (AC) input voltage and a DC input voltage drive the class-D amplifier to produce an AC primary voltage. The AC primary voltage then drives a primary winding of a transformer, thereby generating an AC secondary voltage at a secondary winding of the transformer. The AC secondary voltage then drives a rectifier, yielding a rectified voltage. A low-pass filter is then accepts the rectified voltage to produce a DC output voltage.

Abstract: Methods of identifying a sequence of a nucleic acid that is suitable for use as a surface immobilized probe for two or more mRNA transcripts encoded by the same gene are provided. In practicing the subject methods, a consensus region for the two or more transcripts is first identified, and this identified consensus region is then employed to identify the suitable nucleic acid sequence, e.g., by using a probe design protocol. The subject invention also includes algorithms for performing the subject methods recorded on a computer readable medium, as well as computational analysis systems that include the same. Also provided are nucleic acid arrays produced with probes having sequences identified by the subject methods, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: In a method for assigning test numbers, current testflow context information is maintained during the execution of a testflow. Upon generation of a new test number for a result of a subtest in the testflow, a database of test numbers is indexed using the new test number. If the new test number appears as an entry in the database, a unique identifier associated with the entry is compared to index information comprising 1) an identifier of the subtest, and 2) the current testflow context information. If the unique identifier does not match the index information, a test number collision is identified. Otherwise, the new test number is assigned to the subtest. Other methods and apparatus for identifying test number collisions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular device with a housing includes at least one slot adapted for receiving an insert module and including a housing connector, each insert module includes a module connector for providing a connection with the housing connector, a driving device drives at least one of: the insertion and removal of the insert module into and out of the respective slot and includes two driving members and an actuator cooperating with one of the driving members for providing a displacement between the two driving members parallel to the plugging direction of the connectors, one of the driving members is mounted at the housing, while the other is mounted at the insert module, the actuator and one of the driving members are mounted at the housing or at the insert module, and the two driving members of the driving device are a projection extending perpendicularly to the plugging direction of the connectors.

Abstract: A testing method for a TFT array substrate using a self-emitting element drive where pixels are arranged in a matrix and each pixel comprises a drive transistor having a gate formed from a first structural material and a source and a drain formed from a second structural material, and a hold capacitor having a first electrode formed from the first structural material and a second electrode formed from the second structural material, where the testing method comprises a first step for applying a first voltage to the hold capacitor; a second step for applying a second voltage to the hold capacitor after the first step; a third step for measuring the charge in the pixel after applying the second voltage; and a fourth step for calculating the capacitance of the hold capacitor from the charge and the potential difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the collection of optical signals comprises a waveguide, which comprises a structure in a channel adapted for the flow of assay fluid. In one embodiment, fluorophore is coupled to a surface of the structure, where the fluorophore has a receptor for an analyte (ligand) in the assay fluid and the structure is adapted to transmit optical signals from the fluorophore to a detector that is adapted to detect optical signals from the fluorophore coupled to the waveguide.

Abstract: An interface between an automation host and a plurality of tools is used to perform a processing step. The interface includes a single communications and process behavioral connection interface to the automation host. The interface also includes a plurality of virtual host interfaces. Each virtual host interface from the plurality of virtual host interfaces provides a communications and process behavioral interface to one of the tools in the plurality of tools. The automation host can control and coordinate operation of all tools in the plurality of tools via the single communications and process behavioral connection interface.

Abstract: A method is provided for exploring alternative architectures for partitioning computer system resources to execute multiple task specifications. An initial master task graph is formed from the multiple task specifications, the initial master task graph including at least one hierarchical task with pointers to either AND sub-task graphs or XOR sub-task graphs. The initial master task graph is processed to provide a selected number of final master task graphs, each of the final master task graphs comprising a list of AND task graphs. A family of architectures is generated for each of the final master task graphs, each of the architectures generated for a given master task graph being capable of executing every AND task graph included therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a multiport measurement path using through, high reflect and line calibration standards presents the through standard between no more than N?1 other pairs of measurement ports where at least one of the other pairs is a proximal pair.

Abstract: Centering a multi-band VCO involves comparing a VCO tuning signal to a pre-established tuning signal window to determine whether to change the frequency band of the multi-band VCO. The frequency band of the multi-band VCO can be changed only when the tuning signal is outside the tuning signal window. Further, the frequency band can be changed as long as the VCO is being controlled by a frequency detector. Once the multi-band VCO achieves lock, the multi-band VCO is changed by at least one more frequency band as long as the VCO tuning signal is still outside the tuning signal window.

Abstract: An on/off switchable source of a continuous optical signal at a respective wavelength (?2) is provided to be turned off when the wavelength (?1) of the modulated incoming signal corresponds to the respective wavelength (?2) generated by the source while turning said source on when the wavelength (?1) of the incoming signal differs from the source wavelength (?2). A Michelson interferometer is provided adapted to receive the incoming signal and the continuous optical signal generated by the source to produce an output signal. The Michelson interferometer is adapted to give rise to destructive viz. constructive interference when the incoming signal has first and second logical values, respectively. When the wavelength (?1) of the incoming signal, which is not generally known a priori, corresponds to the source wavelength (?2), the source is switched off and the output signal is a replica of the incoming signal regenerated at the interferometer.

Abstract: Methods for producing nanoporous structures are provided. In the subject methods, two or more, e.g., first and second, different types of self-assembling molecules are combined with each other under conditions sufficient to produce a composite ordered structure from the two or types of molecules. A feature of two or more molecules that are combined in this first step is that a portion of the molecules include cross-linking functionalities not found in the other portion of the molecules. The resultant self-assembled composite structure is then subjected to conditions sufficient for cross-linking of the portion of the molecules that includes the cross-linking functionalities to produce a stabilized composite structure. Finally, the remaining non-cross-linked molecules of the stabilized composite structure are separated from the stabilized composite structure to produce a nanoporous structure.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wavelength tuning performance in an external cavity laser includes emitting light into the cavity of the laser at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the cavity, and transforming emitted light of narrow beam divergence to light with beam divergence wider than the narrow beam divergence. The method further includes diffractively focusing the light of wider beam divergence.

Abstract: An electronic switch comprises a droplet of conductive liquid located in contact with a surface having an alterable surface configuration, an input contact located on the alterable surface and configured such that the input contact is in constant electrical contact with the droplet, and a micro-electronic mechanical system (MEMS) for altering the surface configuration to change the contact angle of the droplet with respect to the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detection of a target molecule. The apparatus includes a probe labeled with a transition metal-ligand complex that hybridizes with the target to form an initial complex, a metal ion for doping the initial complex and forming a final complex, and a potential means for providing a potential to the final complex to produce a detectable signal indicating the presence of the target after redox reaction. The method of the invention teaches the steps of hybridizing a probe with an attached label to the target to produce an initial complex, adding a metal ion to the initial complex to form a final complex and applying a potential to the final complex to produce a measurable signal.

Abstract: An instrument which utilizes this invention is a pulse generator which has adjustable rise and fall time. The generation of timing of pulses is under control of a digital circuit, and the timing of the beginning and end of each pulse and thus duty cycle is precise. The pulse generator also has an analog-to-digital converter that is used to measure voltages internal to the instrument. Voltage measurements are used to calculate the rise and fall times of the pulses. The rise and fall time of the pulses are adjusted based upon mathematical calculations. Control of rise and fall times is implemented using circuitry internal to the pulse generator. Rise time and fall time circuitry adjusts the rate of change of voltage (dv/dt) on the pulses generated. Rise time and fall time are independently adjustable.