Abstract: A solder joint or seal attaching components having dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion is made thin (e.g., less than 20 ?m and preferably about 5 ?m) and of a solder such as an indium-based solder that has a tendency to creep. The solder is toroidal or otherwise shaped to avoid tensile stress in the solder. Axial shearing stress in the solder causes reversible creep without causing failure of the joint or seal. In one embodiment, a toroidal solder seal has a diameter, a footprint, and a thickness in approximate proportions of 5000:200:1.

Abstract: Block error rate (BLER) measurements are made on a mobile telephone handset without imposing an undesirable processing burden on the handset. An information block flow is maintained by sending repeated message blocks from a test set which are defined at a selected layer in the protocol stack below the topmost layer. Ack/nack messages sent by the handset in response to the message blocks are monitored to determine whether the message blocks have been correctly transported, and thus derive the BLER. The message blocks sent by the test set can either be empty GMM_INFORMATION messages, or LLC frames with invalid frame check sequences.

Abstract: A method for measuring in-band crosstalk in an optical amplifier, such as a Raman amplifier, in which a modulated optical signal is generated using an input modulator. The modulated optical signal is passed through the optical amplifier to obtain a first output optical signal, the power level of which is measured when the input modulator is in its off-state. The modulated optical signal is then attenuated by a factor equal to the extinction ratio of the input modulator to obtain an attenuated modulated optical signal which is passed through the optical amplifier to obtain a second output optical signal. The power level of the second output optical signal is measured when the input modulator is in its on-state. The in-band crosstalk is calculated by subtracting the power level of the second output optical signal from the power level of the first output optical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for calibrating the DC voltage level of measurement equipment supplies a calibration voltage through a DC voltage superposition means to the measurement equipment, detects the voltage level supplied to the measurement equipment, and adjusts the calibration voltage. Therefore, in the high-frequency range, the calibration apparatus can reduce the effect on the measurement accuracy of the measurement equipment and supply a highly accurate calibration voltage to the measurement equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for separating the components of a fluid sample. A cover plate is arranged over the first surface of a substrate, which, in combination with a microchannel formed in the first surface, defines a separation conduit for separating the components of the fluid sample. An inlet port in fluid communication with the separation conduit allows a mobile phase containing a gradient of a selected mobile-phase component to be introduced from an integrated gradient-generation means to the separation conduit. A method is also provided for separating the components of a fluid sample using a mobile phase containing a gradient of a selected mobile-phase component, wherein the gradient is generated within a small volume of mobile phase.

Abstract: A print mechanism and method for printing are disclosed. The print mechanism includes a print head assembly, an actuator for moving the same, and a controller. The print head assembly includes a position detector and a marking device. The position detector includes an imaging device for periodically forming an image of a portion of a print medium. The actuator moves the print head assembly relative to the print medium in a predetermined direction. The controller compares first and second images formed by the imaging device at first and second times, respectively, while the print head assembly moves relative to the print medium and determines a displacement of the print head assembly between the first and second times from the images. The controller causes the marking device to mark the print medium at locations determined by the determined displacement.

Abstract: A self-calibrating scanning system and method are used in the analysis of biomolecules on a microarray. The self-calibrating scanning system comprises an excitation light source, an optical portion, a detection portion and a calibration portion that includes a calibration apparatus and compensation portion. The calibration apparatus comprises a light source having a highly reproducible or calibrated light based on a preselected or reference light level. The calibration apparatus emits the calibrated light that is measured by the detection portion of the scanning equipment. If the detection components are stable, the components will measure a constant output value for the calibrated light over time. As a detection component changes with time, the output value will change for the same calibrated light. The method comprises the steps of initially calibrating the detection portion of the scanning system and subsequently calibrating the detection portion to compensate for sensitivity changes.

Abstract: Tunable cross-coupling evanescent mode optical devices and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a tunable optical device includes a first layer, a second layer, a metal layer disposed between the first and second layers, and an electrode. The first layer is supportable of electromagnetic field modes over a range of wavelengths that includes a target wavelength range. The second layer is disposed between the metal layer and the electrode and has an index of refraction that is adjustable over a range of values. The metal layer is disposed between the first and second layers and has at least one corrugated metal film region with a corrugation periodicity enabling cross-coupling of evanescent modes of equal wavelength within the target wavelength range and localized on opposite sides of the metal layer with different respective wavenumbers.

Abstract: A novel probe block assembly which independently floats multiple probe blocks in a single frame is presented. The independently floating probe blocks allow multiple probes to align independently with respective multiple mating features on a device under test. The use of a single frame allows multiple insertion probe testing via one actuation motion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facilitating detection of, and recovery from, data contamination in a non-volatile storage device coupled to an interconnect device includes receiving data to be written to a content area on a non-volatile storage device coupled to an interconnect device, updating a contamination indicator stored in a supplemental area of the non-volatile storage device with a first value indicating potential data contamination in the content area, and transferring the data to the non-volatile storage device for a write to the content area. Further, if a determination is made that the write of the transferred data has completed, the contamination indicator is updated with a second value indicating lack of data contamination in the content area.

Abstract: A single longitudinal mode laser, such as a distributed feedback laser, that comprises a filter. The filter selectively attenuates wavelengths that are lower than the wavelength of the laser's dominant mode, such that when operating at extremes of temperature, the power of the gain peak does not become too great relative to the dominant mode of the laser.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical bus. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical bus. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical bus, and the optical receiver detects optical signals differentially. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor-based optical switch engine switches input light from an input switch element to an output switch element and directly couples through an optical waveguide each output of the input switch element to a respective input of the output switch element. The switch architecture reduces signal cross-talk because each signal passes through the optical switch engine using a dedicated optical path. The optical switch engine also maintains a consistent signal-to-noise ratio among all the paths through the switch and reduces the total number of switch points through which an optical signal may pass.

Abstract: The interleaved clock generator generates N interleaved clock signals in response to an input clock signal. The interleaved clock generator comprises an interleaved clock generator of a first type for receiving the input clock signal and for generating M interleaved intermediate clock signals in response to the input clock signal. The interleaved clock generator of the first type includes either a multi-stage serial-delay circuit or a ring counter circuit. The interleaved clock generator additionally comprises M interleaved clock generators of a second type, each of which is each for receiving a respective one of the intermediate clock signals from the clock generator of the first type and for generating N/M of the N interleaved clock signals in response to the respective one of the intermediate clock signals.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device is provided having an active alignment. The lens and the optoelectronic device are mounted on their respective carrying members, and the carrying members are placed proximate to each other in a loose alignment controlled by alignment pins loosely engaging oversized alignment opening. An alignment range is created by a difference in the diameter of the alignment pins and the alignment opening, allowing the lens and optoelectronic device to be moved with respect to each other and actively aligned. The member carrying the lens may also include a connector stop cooperatively arranged with the alignment pins to provide an aligned coupling between an optical fiber connector and the optoelectronic component.

Abstract: A sub-assembly or package for a die in the receiving section of an optical transceiver includes a semiconductor sub-mount that is electrically connected to the die and a cap that is bonded to the sub-mount to hermetically seal the die in a cavity. The die can be flip-chip bonded to the sub-mount and can include a diffractive optical element fabricated on a back side of the die. Active circuitry such as an amplifier for an output signal from a photosensor on the die can be integrated into the sub-mount. For an OSA, a post can be attached to the package along a path of an optical signal to the photosensor. The post facilitates alignment of an optical fiber. A flexible or rigid circuit can be soldered to external terminals of the sub-mount.

Abstract: An optical coupler converts a light distribution from a light source into a small angle distribution that extends over a volume larger than the variations in the alignment of an optical fiber. In one embodiment, a diffractive or hybrid diffractive/refractive bifocal lens forms first and second images of the light source respectively in first and second image planes. An input face of the optical fiber is between the first and second image planes and receives light diverging from the first image plane and light converging toward the second image plane. The net optical power coupling into the fiber is uniform over a large range of fiber positions and provides the optical coupler with a relaxed tolerance for misalignment of the fiber or the light source. The relaxed alignment tolerance facilitates low cost manufacture of multi-channel optical transmitters using single-mode optical fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing optical signals. The apparatus includes first and second optical waveguides coupled via an optical coupler. The optical coupler has a coupling waveguide and an optical switching wedge attached to a piezoelectric actuator. In operation, first and second optical signals are received by the first and second optical waveguides, respectively. If the signals are to be combined, the optical switching wedge is moved to a first position where it is optically coupled to the first optical waveguide. The first optical signal is then transmitted, via the coupling waveguide, to the second optical waveguide, where it is combined with the second optical signal. If the signals are not to be combined, the optical switching wedge is moved to a second position where it is optically uncoupled from the first optical waveguide.

Abstract: The invention pertains to method and system for generating low jitter optical data encoded in a first format, enabling the transmission of low jitter optical data encoded in the first format. Moreover, the invention pertains to utilizing an optical pulse stretcher to convert optical data encoded in a second format to optical data encoded in the first format.

Abstract: An impedance measuring apparatus comprising an automatic balanced bridge has four numerically controlled oscillators that supply sine-wave signals and cosine-wave signals to the quadrature detector and vector modulator of the narrow-band amplifier inside the automatic balanced bridge. The frequency or phase of the output signals of the four numerically controlled oscillators are updated by numeric control from the outside. The four numerically controlled oscillators of the impedance measuring apparatus are oscillators whose frequency or phase is changed a pre-determined time after they have been controlled from the outside. Furthermore, the impedance measuring apparatus has control means with which the change in the frequency or the phase of the output signals of the four numerically controlled oscillators is synchronized.