Abstract: A titanium alloy strip has a reduced cross section in the central region of the strip. By concentrating heat in this central region the process of bonding laser devices to a substrate is greatly improved. Furthermore, the present invention allows for the possibility of removing the laser device from the substrate without destroying the laser device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method of optical characterization of a DUT by measurement of its optical return loss, comprising the steps of: providing an incident polarized optical signal to the DUT, detecting a reflected power of a reflected optical signal reflected by the DUT as a function of the polarization of the incident optical signal, and evaluating the optical return loss of the DUT as a function of the polarization of the incident optical signal on the basis of the detected reflected power.

Abstract: A modular, portable device is used to measure or test components in optical networks. It contains a base module with base electronics, which features controls and a display device on the front; at least one function module, which is attached by means of a mechanical interface to the outside of the back of the base module, and contains a functional unit with measurement or test electronics, which work together with the base electronics through a functional interface, wherein the function module is detachably joined to the base module and, depending on the application, may be replaced with another function module with another functional unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a resistive fault in an electrical conductor is presented. The apparatus of the invention includes an oscillating signal generator that applies an oscillating signal to the electrical conductor under test. The apparatus includes a measuring device for measuring the potential between the electrical conductor under test and a reference node. Such measurements are obtained both when the apparatus is disconnected from the electrical conductor under test and when the apparatus is connected to the electrical conductor under test. A difference in the measurements indicates that the connectivity of the electrical conductor is intact, whereas no difference indicates that a resistive fault exists somewhere in the electrical conductor. For greater accuracy, the longitudinal balance of the disconnected apparatus and connected apparatus measurements are calculated to determine connectivity.

Abstract: A heterodyne polarimeter is disclosed where a polarization state is measured by using a polarization diversity receiver employing a polarization beam splitter to output two heterodyne signals. The amplitude and relative phase of the two detected heterodyne signals uniquely determine the polarization state.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) capable of producing long-wavelength light has a substrate of InP and an active region with alternating quantum wells and barrier layers. The target wavelength range is preferably between 1.2-1.4 um. The quantum well is made of AlGaAsSb or GaAsSb, and the barrier layers are made of AlGaAsSb, AlInGaAs, or AlInAs. The active region is sandwiched between two mirror stacks that are preferably epitaxially grown Distributed Bragg Reflectors. The active region has large conduction and valence band offsets (&Dgr;Ec and &Dgr;Ev) for effective carrier containment over the wide range of ambient temperatures in which the VCSEL is expected to function. The active region can be designed to have little or no lattice strain on the InP substrate.

Abstract: Systems for performing time domain measurements of a device under test (DUT) are provided. One such system includes a normalization system that receives information corresponding to a model of a test system used for providing differential input signals to a DUT, receives information corresponding to first and second differential input signals provided to the DUT, receives information corresponding to first and second reflected waveforms corresponding to the DUT response to the first and second differential input signals, and computes first and second normalized waveforms using at least a first inverse transfer function of the test system, the first and second normalized waveforms including fewer test system error components than the first and second reflected waveforms, respectively. Methods, computer-readable media and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: The vector-detecting apparatus of an impedance measuring apparatus comprising a signal source, an automatic balanced bridge, and a vector-detecting apparatus comprises a first and a second filter, whose impulse responses are weighted by a sine function and a cosine function, and the vector of the signals input to the vector-detecting apparatus is determined using the first and second filters. Moreover, the frequency of the signals input to the frequency converter is an integer multiple of the frequency of the signals output from the frequency converter when the input signals are frequency-converted at the step before the vector-detecting apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a plurality of electric fields and of orthogonal spray configurations of vaporized analyte are so combined as to enhance the efficiency of analyte detection and mass analysis. The invention provides reduced noise and increased signal sensitivity in both API electrospray and APCI operating modes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring system adapted for providing a measurement of an optical parameter of an optical device under test —DUT—, comprising a measuring instrument adapted to perform the measurement and to provide a measurement signal comprising a plurality of values of the measured optical parameter of the DUT over the time. To improve the measurement the measuring system is adapted to receive a temperature signal comprising a plurality of values of the measured temperature of the DUT over the time, and to provide an output signal wherein values of the measured temperature are associated to such values of the measured optical parameter of the DUT that correspond in time.

Abstract: A wavelength-determining unit for determining the wavelengths of a plurality of successive optical signals &lgr;(t) includes a wavemeter unit for determining first wavelength values &lgr;1(t) for the optical signals &lgr;(t). An absolute-measuring unit having unambiguous wavelength properties at known absolute wavelength values determines second wavelength values &lgr;2(t) as such of the known absolute wavelength values covered by the optical signals &lgr;(t). An evaluation unit receives the determined first &lgr;1(t) and second &lgr;2(t) wavelength values and provides forcorrected wavelength values &lgr;1′(t) based on a comparison of the determined first &lgr;1(t) and second &lgr;2(t) wavelength values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a mass spectrometer by internally introducing calibration masses at a post-source stage of the mass spectrometer is provided. A source of lock mass ions adjacent the ion optics creates lock mass ions within the ion optics. Lock mass ions mix with the analyte ions in the ion optics prior to mass analysis. The source of lock mass ions may include various means for ionizing lock mass molecules including but not limited to photoionization, field desorption-ionization, electron ionization, and thermal ionization means. An apparatus and method of mass calibrating a tandem mass spectrometer is also provided. The mass calibration apparatus includes a collision cell for fragmenting analyte ions and a source of lock mass ions adjacent said collision cell for creating lock mass ions in the collision cell.

Abstract: A method is described for removing residue from a fluid deposited on the interior surface of an inkjet printhead after the printhead has contained or dispensed the fluid at least once. The method makes use of a reverse flushing technique optionally used in combination with sonication. A cleaning station for flushing an inkjet printhead with a wash fluid, rinse fluid, and/or inert gas is provided as well.

Abstract: Methods are provided for depositing a quantity of fluid onto the surface of an array. In the subject methods, a thermal inkjet head loaded with the fluid is positioned in opposing relationship to, e.g. over, the array surface. Actuation of the thermal inkjet results in the expulsion of a quantity of fluid onto the array surface. The subject methods find particular use in array-based binding assays in which an array of binding agents is employed for the detection of an analyte(s), particularly array-based hybridization assays.

Abstract: A novel floating probe block assembly with self-centering capability is presented. In accordance with the invention, a single probe block frame floatably seats a probe block on one or more self-centering springs within the frame along a first axis to center the floating probe block in the vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of probing. Countersunk spring receptacle openings center the floating probe block in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A system that allows an end user to optimize the performance of a logic analyzer quickly and easily is disclosed. A visual display allowing a user to see a data valid window and relative sample positions is provided. Direct graphical manipulation of the sample position allows for quick and accurate setting of sample positions. The present invention provides a graphical user interface generally comprised of the following components: a stable and transitioning data display; bus/signal labels; sample position time scale; an information icon; a timestamp icon; a graphical representation of suggested and selected sample position; a text display of selected sample position; and a legend. The present invention sets up the logic analyzer to correctly sample data from high speed, low margin systems. It measures data signals from the device under test relative to the user's state clock and automatically suggests the sampling position offset for each channel of the analyzer.

Abstract: A DC-block includes a capacitor incorporated into a conductor, such as a center conductor of a coaxial structure. The DC block provides low insertion loss at high frequencies, and a low cutoff frequency. The small physical size and high capacitance of the DC block provides for a high self-resonant frequency and ultra-broadband performance.

Abstract: Bubble stability within an optical switch is enhanced by controlling the expansion or movement of a bubble from a liquid-containing trench into available adjacent spacing. Typically, the adjacent spacing is formed between an optical waveguide substrate and a heater substrate, where the heater substrate includes a microheater for forming the bubble. The bubble enhancement is provided by intentionally altering surface features along at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: A pressure actuated optical relay containing a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of two optical paths. A solid slug is moved within a channel passing through the transparent mirror housing by the action of pressure exerted by an actuation fluid. The solid slug is moved in or out of the transparent mirror housing to select between the optical paths and is wetted by a liquid metal. When the solid slug is within the optical path, an incoming optical signal is reflected from a wetted surface of the slug. The liquid metal forms a surface tension bond between the slug and wettable metal surfaces within the channel to provide a latching mechanism.

Abstract: The switch device comprises a pair of cavities, an elongate passage, a non-conductive fluid having a high electrical resistance, a conductive fluid having a high electrical conductivity and an electrical path. The passage is in fluid communication with the cavities and has a substantially elliptical cross-section over at least part of its length. The non-conductive fluid is disposed in each of the cavities. The conductive fluid is located in the passage. The electrical path is changeable between a connected state and a disconnected state by the non-conductive fluid separating the conductive fluid in the passage into non-contiguous conductive fluid portions.