Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing arrays of polymeric binding agents. In the subject methods, the individual polymers of the array are synthesized using solid phase synthesis techniques on the surface of a substrate. A critical feature of the invention is that one or more locations on the substrate surface are spatially and temporally protected by a protective bubble during the synthesis protocol, where the protective bubble may be produced using any convenient bubble producing means. The bubble producing means may be a component of either a substrate or a structure separate from the substrate. Also provided are the arrays produced by the subject methods, kits for use in practicing the subject methods, and methods of using the arrays in analyte detection assays, including hybridization assays, such as gene discovery, differential gene expression and gene sequencing assays.

Abstract: A method and system for growing a layer of semiconductor material is disclosed. The method can be used to grow a layer of a semiconducting material comprising at least one Group III element, nitrogen and at least one other Group V element as constituent elements thereof, the method comprising providing a reactor and supplying precursors to the reactor. The precursors include a precursor for each of the at least one Group III element, a precursor for the nitrogen, a precursor for each of the at least one Group V element other than nitrogen, and a precursor for an element having a stronger bond strength with nitrogen than each of the at least one Group III element has with nitrogen. The method can be implemented in, for example, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) reactor.

Abstract: A polymeric optical switch in which a switching channel is formed in a polymer layer. The channel is formed by a micro-machining technique such as laser ablation or photo-imaging. A liquid metal switch is contained within the switching channel. The liquid metal switch operates by blocking or unblocking the optical path through the switching channel using a volume of liquid metal. Contact pads within the switching channel are wettable by the liquid metal and provide a latching mechanism for the switch. The polymer layer may be located between two transparent switch substrates. Solder rings are attached to the perimeters of the transparent switch substrates. The solder rings are wettable by solder and facilitate the creation of a hermetic seal between the substrates. Optical connectors allow optical signals to be coupled through the transparent layers and the switching channel.

Abstract: A network for connecting a plurality of devices and the components used in constructing the network. The network includes at least one fan-out device for connecting the devices to each other. The fan-out device includes a controller, a top port and a plurality of downstream ports. The controller monitors messages received by the ports and generates messages that are sent via the ports. The network also includes a plurality of network cables, one per port. The network preferably utilizes a cabling system that includes twisted pairs for communicating the messages via the Ethernet protocol and power conductors for distributing power to the various network devices. The fan-out device includes one power component associated with each of the ports. Each power component provides connections between the power lines in the network capble and the ports of the fan-out device. The power components are used to power the devices on the network and to monitor the power lines for problems.

Abstract: A monolithic optical module of injection-molded high temperature polymeric resin combines an optical turn of typically 90 degrees together with dual or triple beam paths. No additional piece parts are necessary for achieving the optical turn, since this occurs by total internal reflection (TIR), and no additional piece parts are necessary for dual monitoring, which is realized by means of an air-gap functioning as a dual beam-splitter plate. The monolithic optical module further includes integrally surfaces for accurate alignment of the module with external optical elements, and can additionally include integral optical elements, for example lenses and thin film coatings.

Abstract: The push-on latching function of a male BNC latch carried in a housing, and the positive locking of fully mated male and female connectors, are performed by three parts: The first is a male double shell assembly having two male sleeves that receive an intervening BNC female shell. An outer portion near the middle of the male double shell carries several turns of an exterior left-hand thread. The second is a spring biased self-latching BNC latch having an interior bore by which it snugly engages, and then rotates upon, the exterior of the male double shell. One end of the BNC latch has ramps and detents for engaging the bayonet pins of a female BNC connector, and the other end has a section of exterior right-hand threads proximate the exterior left-hand threads of the male double shell. The third is a barrel that has a bore therethrough with both left and right hand internal threads that engage the exterior threads of the BNC latch and the male double shell.

Abstract: A MEMS switching system includes a power diverter interposed between a signal source and a bank of MEMS switches. The power diverter has an activated state wherein signal power from the signal source is diverted from the bank of MEMS switches, and a deactivated state wherein signal power from the signal source is not diverted from the bank of MEMS switches. A control signal selects between the activated state and the deactivated state of the power diverter.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupling reduces power loss by creating breaks in one or both of the optical fibers being joined so that destructive interference between modes of the signal escaping at the coupling and the breaks reduces total power loss. The breaks can be in the receiving and/or transmitting optical fiber, and each break generally correspond to a small region of changed refractive index in the cladding and/or core of an optical fiber. The breaks can be created using a laser or by removal and replacement of small regions of cladding material. An active alignment process can position the optical fibers for physical attachment.

Abstract: An integrated-optic attenuator/equalizer device comprising a photorefractive substrate, at least one optical waveguide channel formed in the substrate, at least one diffractive-Bragg grating formed in the substrate, and a diffractive-Bragg grating modulator that is capable of modulating the diffractive Bragg grating(s). The diffractive-Bragg grating(s) intersects the optical waveguide channel. When a diffractive-Bragg grating formed in the substrate is modulated, at least a fraction of light of a wavelength associated with the modulated diffractive-Bragg grating is re-directed by the modulated diffractive-Bragg grating, thereby preventing the re-directed fraction of light from arriving at the output of the optical waveguide channel.

Abstract: An electrical relay that uses a conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. In the relay, a pair of moveable switching contacts is attached to the free end of a piezoelectric actuator and positioned between a pair of fixed electrical contact pads. The electrical connections to the switching contacts and the fixed electrical contact pads are ground shielded. A surface of each contact supports a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. The piezoelectric actuator is energized to deform in a bending mode and move the pair of switching contacts, closing the gap between one of the fixed contact pads and one of the switching contacts, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. At the same time, the gap between the other fixed contact pad and the other switching contact is increased, causing conducting liquid droplets to separate and break an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate using a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid, and using a dispensing head. The head has a reservoir chamber and at least one jet which can dispense droplets onto a substrate. The jet includes a capillary delivery chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber, which delivery chamber has an orifice. The jet further includes an ejector which, when activated, causes a droplet to be ejected from the orifice. The method includes loading the head by positioning the head with the orifice adjacent and facing a biomonomer or biopolymer fluid, and providing a load pressure to the reservoir chamber. The load pressure is sufficiently negative such that the fluid is drawn into the reservoir chamber through the orifice and delivery chamber, while simultaneously being insufficient to result in ambient atmosphere entering the delivery chamber through the orifice once the head has been loaded and no further fluid is facing and adjacent the orifice.

Abstract: Fluid-based switches and methods for producing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a switch comprises depositing a first alignment pad on a first substrate, depositing a second alignment pad on a second substrate with a perimeter relief surrounding the second alignment pad, depositing solder on at least one of the alignment pads, depositing a switching fluid on the first substrate, mating the first substrate to the second substrate by aligning the alignment pads and heating the solder, the substrates defining there between a cavity holding the switching fluid, the cavity being sized to allow movement of the switching fluid between first and second states to form a liquid switch, forming a perimeter ring around the liquid switch on at least one of the two substrates, depositing wettable material in the perimeter ring, depositing solder paste containing uncured epoxy on the wettable material in the perimeter ring, and reflowing the solder paste.

Abstract: A method and apparatus operable to provide pseudo 2-port RAM functionality using 1-port memory cells. A pseudo 2-port RAM functionality is provided using an array of 1-port memory cells to perform read and write operations during a single clock cycle. Control logic is used to determine when the read and write operations occur. The pseudo 2-port RAM uses the control logic to divide the clock cycle into four phases in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The first phase is used to set up the addresses and register values, the second phase is used to prepare for the read operation, the third phase is used to perform the read operation and prepare for the write operation, and the fourth phase performs the write operation.

Abstract: An optical device having a photonic band gap element operative such that the refractive index can be varied through application of an electrical signal. This enables the manufacture of tuneable lasers, optical add/drop multiplexers and tuneable optical wavelength converters.

Abstract: Conductors to interconnect electronic devices, the conductors being formed on a detachable substrate. The substrate is aligned with a package containing electronic devices. The conductors are bonded to pads on the devices. Then, the substrate is detached. Each conductor is self supporting between the devices, has a two dimensional shape and has a surface that is substantially parallel to a surface of the pads.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for velocity matching an optical signal propagating in a traveling-wave optical modulator with a modulating signal. The optical signal and the modulating signal are propagated at an angle greater than zero degrees with respect to one another to adjust a path length of at least one of the signals relative to the other of the signals.

Abstract: A packaged die having a die pad, leads, and a power ring is disclosed. The die includes an electrical circuit thereon and is attached to the die pad. The leads are arranged around the die pad with at least one of the leads being connected to the die. The power ring includes a conductor disposed between the leads and the die pad, at least one power connection on the die being connected to the power ring. A layer of encapsulating material covers the die, die pad, the power ring, and the leads. The layer has a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces. Each of the leads includes a conductor having a portion thereof exposed on the bottom surface. In addition, a portion of the conductor in the power ring is exposed on the bottom surface. In one embodiment, the exposed portions of the conductors include solder balls.

Abstract: A heterodyne optical network analyzer and method for device characterization reduces the effect of relative intensity noise (RIN) in interferometric optical measurements by subtracting the measured intensities of first and second interference signals derived from an optical interferometer. The first and second interference signals are produced by combining a first lightwave transmitted to an optical device being characterized with a second lightwave, which is a delayed version of the first lightwave. The first and second lightwaves are derived by splitting an input lightwave having a continuously swept optical frequency generated by a light source, such as a continuously tunable laser.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes a spectrum analysis unit having an input for receiving an input signal to be measured. The input signal includes a carrier signal located within a predetermined band of frequencies and the spectrum analysis unit is arranged to store a set of user definable parameters including the location of the carrier signal within the predetermined band of frequencies, and to use the set of user definable parameters to measure a quantity associated with the carrier signal.

Abstract: An electrical relay that uses a conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. In the relay, a pair of moveable electrical contacts is attached to the free end of a piezoelectric actuator and positioned between pair of fixed electrical contacts. The contacts each support a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. The piezoelectric actuator is energized to deform in a bending mode and move the pair of moveable contacts, closing the gap between one of the fixed contacts and one of the moveable contacts, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and form an electrical circuit. At the same time, the gap between the other fixed contact and the other moveable contact is increased, thereby causing conducting liquid droplets to separate and break an electrical circuit. The piezoelectric actuator is then de-energized and the moveable electrical contacts return to their starting positions.