Abstract: A light-emitting diode with no fluctuations in optical properties and good sealing properties, and a simple production method for producing this light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode has a base comprising a cup part on which the light-emitting diode is placed, a resin material introduced into cup part, and a lens member placed on top of a cup for focusing light emitted by a light-emitting diode chip. A layer of fluorescent material, which converts the wavelength of at least some of the light from the light-emitting diode chip, is applied to the inner convex face of the lens member. When the lens member is attached to the base, the inner convex face deforms the resin material and air and excess resin material can be pushed to the outside.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source which operates at ambient pressure is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for tomography of a curved surface in an object. One embodiment is a method that includes determining an expected distortion for each of a plurality of points in a projection of the curved surface, and correcting each of the plurality of points in the projection according to the expected distortion of that point by replacing pixel values in the uncorrected projection with corresponding interpolated pixel values at the expected positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that utilize time-domain measurements of a nonlinear device produce or extract a behavioral model from embeddings of these measurements. The method of producing a behavioral model comprises applying an input signal to the nonlinear device, sampling the input signal to produce input data, measuring a response of the device to produce output data, creating an embedded data set, fitting a function to the embedded data set, and verifying the fitted function. The apparatus comprises a signal generator that produces an input signal that is applied to the nonlinear device, the device producing an output signal in response. The apparatus further comprises a data acquisition system that samples and digitizes the input and output signals and a signal processing computer that produces an embedded data set from the digitized signals, fits a function to the embedded data set, and verifies the fitted function.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making a fluid-based switch having a channel plate and a switching fluid. The method comprises 1) ultrasonically milling at least one feature into a channel plate, and 2) aligning the at least one feature cut in the channel plate with at least one feature on a substrate and sealing at least a switching fluid between the channel plate and the substrate. Alternate embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A driver circuit has a laser diode coupled in series between a supply voltage and a driving transistor collector electrode. The diode and transistor respectively have low input and high output impedances. Resonances are caused by the impedance mismatch and reactive components of the diode and transistor impedances. Feedback between the laser diode input and the transistor control electrode minimizes the effects of the resonances.

Abstract: A method of constructing an ion mirror having an axial axis which includes arranging electrode plate elements in parallel alignment along the axial axis and attaching a rigid structure to all of the electrode plate elements with adhesive, thereby fixing the electrode plate elements in their respective axial positions and parallel alignment. In an embodiment of the method, the electrode plate elements are arranged in parallel alignment by turning the electrode plate elements from a single workpiece. In an alternative embodiment, the electron plate elements are arranged in parallel alignment by stacking the electrode plate elements using precisely dimensioned spacers, and the spacers are then removed after attachment of the rigid structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an insulated fiber includes an optical fiber provided with insulation a retention device, which clamps the insulated fiber placed inside it, and a holder-bracket assembly comprising two holder brackets, between which a projecting section of the insulated fiber is located in a starting position beyond the retention device and is clamped in the retention device, which can be adjusted in relation to each other and perpendicular to fiber and which hold a section of the fiber insulation to be removed in a holding position. A cutting device is provided that cuts into the insulation to be removed perpendicular to the fiber. The retention device and the holder-bracket assembly can be adjusted in relation to each other, parallel to the fiber, during which the fiber is fixed in relation to the retention device, while the cut-off insulation is fixed in relation to the holder-bracket assembly.

Abstract: A trigger function display system and methodology for trigger definition development in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The system displays a plurality of graphically selectable icons and an associated protocol profile window. The protocol profile window includes at least a protocol descriptor field and a protocol editors field. The user inputs data into the protocol editors field which causes the system to automatically construct a bit sequence utilizing a plurality of event definitions stored in memory. The event definitions are two bit blocks resulting from the parsing of protocol definition text files. The bit sequence is used to then construct a series of trigger primitives. An optimizing routine is used to consolidate consecutive multiple occurrences of identical bit patterns in the bit sequence into single trigger primitives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying help screen information for measurement devices. The invention includes a measurement device for generating measurement information, and a display coupled with the measurement device for displaying the measurement information, A control panel has a plurality of keys each coupled with the measurement device for controlling a respective operation of the measurement device. A timer is coupled with the control panel for sensing duration of key activation during which a user activates any of the keys of the control panel. A controller is coupled with the display for displaying help screen information in context of the respective operation of the measurement device in response to each key activation, when the duration of key activation is greater than a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of determination of at least one optical parameter of an optical signal includes providing a beam of the optical signal having a diameter, manipulating the beam, the manipulation having polarization properties, the properties being dependent of the position in the beam laterally with respect to a direction of propagation of the beam during manipulation, detecting in intensities at least three parts of the beam in their dependence of the position in the beam laterally with respect to a direction of propagation of the beam during detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a nanopore chip exhibiting one of low photosensitivity, low electrical noise, and low electrical drift. The apparatus provides a thin insulating diaphragm containing a nanopore, the diaphragm being supported on a rigid semiconductor frame, the semiconductor frame having N-type doping in those regions which are to be capacitively coupled to an ionic solution. Also disclosed is a method of making the apparatus.

Abstract: A microdevice is provided for controlling fluid flow. The microdevice includes a substantially planar contact surface and a plurality of fluid-transporting features associated therewith. Also included is a substrate having a substantially planar contact surface and a fluid-transporting feature associated therewith. The contact surfaces are positioned in slidable and fluid-tight contact to allow for controllable formation of a plurality of different flow paths upon alignment of the substrate fluid-transporting feature with each cover plate fluid-transporting features in succession. Typically, at least one of the cover plate and substrate is comprised of a biofouling resistant polymer, and the flow paths are of different lengths. Optionally, a plurality of fluid-transporting features is associated with the substrate so that flow paths are formed as a result of a different alignment of the fluid-transporting features.

Abstract: An improved circuit inspection system incorporates an automated measuring technique that accounts for acceptable Z-axis elevation variance across both a printed-circuit device and a mounting surface when making solder-joint pass/fail decisions. The improved solder-joint inspection system applies a near neighbor solder joint diameter error analysis for each solder joint on a printed-circuit device. A near neighbor solder joint diameter error outlier analysis is used to identify solder joint defects with improved accuracy.

Abstract: A system includes an interconnect that is seated and retained in a connector using a number of bumpletts arranged in the system to exert a cam force that encourages retention of the interconnect in the connector. The connector is coupled to a target board. The connector comprises a spacer nest and a pair of boards, such as printed circuit boards, that may contain electrical circuitry. The cam bumpletts may reside at the interconnect, or on either or both of the pair of boards of the connector.

Abstract: A re-connectable optical interface system and method for optically interconnecting and disconnecting optical devices utilizes an optical insert with a reflective element and an optical structure with a displaceable optically bridging element, which can be positioned between two waveguides of the optical structure, to optically connect the optical devices. The optical insert is a part of a first optical device, while the optical structure is a part of a second optical device. The optical insert and the optical structure can be interconnected to establish an optical connection between the optical insert of the first optical device and at least one of the waveguides of the second optical device. When the optical insert and the optical structure are not interconnected, the optically bridging element is positioned between the waveguides to provide an optical connection between the waveguides.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling flow of fluid inside a chamber. A device comprises a chamber comprising at least one wall, a first opening for introducing a fluid into the interior of the chamber, and a second opening opposite the first opening. The at least one wall of the chamber is designed to provide a contracting section, a section having substantially constant cross-sectional area and a diffusing section through the chamber from the first opening to the second opening. The device may be employed as a gas outlet in a reaction chamber for conducting reactions where it is desired to control the internal atmosphere of the reaction chamber. The apparatus may be employed in the manufacture of biopolymers on the surface of a support such as an array of biopolymer features on the support. Also disclosed is a holding element for a support wherein the holding element is a low drag body.

Abstract: A beam splitter comprises a splitting device receiving at a first surface a first incident beam in an angle ? with respect to the optical axis. A portion of the first incident beam will be reflected at the first surface at the angle ? to the optical axis on opposite side with respect to the first incident beam. A second beam will be transmitted through the splitting device. The angle ? is selected that the reflected portion is substantially independent of the state of polarization of the first incident beam.

Abstract: A method for power plane splitting. The method enables the traces on a power plane to be organized so that the conductor area is expanded while still ensuring that components with similar power supply requirements are coupled to the same trace. A potential field of a power plane of a printed circuit board is calculated by assigning one or more potential values to one or more components coupled to the printed circuit board and solving for a plurality of potential field values at a plurality of locations between the one or more components. One or more boundaries between the one or more components are defined by selecting contours of constant potential within the calculated potential field. One or more traces on the power plane are created using the one or more boundaries, wherein the one or more traces connect a corresponding one or more pluralities of components and each plurality of components of the one or more.

Abstract: In a system for operation or handling of a laboratory microchip (41) for chemical processing or analysis, the microchip (41) is mounted in a first physical unit (42). The microchip (41) is arranged on a mounting plate, such that it is readily accessible from the top and thus the fitting and removal of the microchip is considerably simplified. Furthermore, the first physical unit (42) comprises an optical device (43) for contactless detection of the results of the chemical processes conducted on the microchip. The supply systems necessary for the operation of the microchip are arranged in a module unit that has a separable connection with a second physical unit. The proposed modular layout enables ease of interchangeability of the required supply systems and thus, overall, ease of adaptability of the proposed system for various types of microchips.