Abstract: Systems for tuning external-cavity lasers are provided. A representative system includes a motor and first and second opposing surfaces that are displaceable by the motor. The opposing surfaces operatively engage a support at a drive segment and rotate the drive segment about a pivot point on the support. Between the drive segment and the pivot point of the support, a reflective element is attached. An optical gain medium optically communicates with the reflective element. Other systems are also provided.

Abstract: An electrical relay array using conducting liquid in the switching mechanism. The relay array is amenable to manufacture by micro-machining techniques. In each element of the relay array, two electrical contacts are held a small distance apart. The facing surfaces of the contacts each support a droplet of a conducting liquid, such as a liquid metal. An actuator, coupled to one of the electrical contacts, is energized in a first direction to reduce the gap between the electrical contacts, causing the two conducting liquid droplets to coalesce and complete an electrical circuit. The actuator is then de-energized and the contacts return to their starting position. The liquid droplets remain coalesced because of surface tension. The electrical circuit is broken by energizing an actuator to increase the gap between the electrical contacts to break the surface tension bond between the conducting liquid droplets.

Abstract: A DDS (Direct Digital Synthesis) frequency synthesizer can be adapted to operate as a pseudo random noise generator by including a swept address ingredient that distributes (but does not eliminate) repetitive frequency components that would otherwise appear in the output of the basic DDS technique, (which fetches fixed but randomized values from a waveform memory). These residual distributed long period frequency components in the output of a swept DDS pseudo random noise generator are suppressed by making the sweep itself irregular. The noise generator includes an Address Increment Register (AIR) whose content: (1) alters the address used to fetch fixed randomized values from the waveform memory; and (2) is incremented to produce the swept address (different sequences of addresses). At some point the AIR value has been incremented as high as it will go (i.e., the end of the sweep has been reached), and the process must start over.

Abstract: A clock buffer placement system and method are provided for the placement of clock buffers in a datapath stack. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the system positions at least one track beside the datapath stack in a netlist, and identifies placement of clock buffers needed in the at least one track. Then, the system modifies the netlist by connecting at least one datapath macro to the clock buffers on the at least one track. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning at least one track beside the datapath stack in a netlist, and identifying placement of clock buffers needed in the at least one track. Then, the netlist is modified by connecting at least one datapath macro to the clock buffers on the at least one track.

Abstract: Improved methods of forming PZT thin films that are compatible with industry-standard chemical vapor deposition production techniques are described. These methods enable PZT thin films having thicknesses of 70 nm or less to be fabricated with high within-wafer uniformity, high throughput and at a relatively low deposition temperature. In one aspect, a source reagent solution comprising a mixture of a lead precursor, a titanium precursor and a zirconium precursor in a solvent medium is provided. The source reagent solution is vaporized to form a precursor vapor. The precursor vapor is introduced into a chemical vapor deposition chamber containing the substrate. In another aspect, before deposition, the substrate is preheated during a preheating period. After the preheating period, the substrate is disposed on a heated susceptor during a heating period, after which a PZT film is formed on the heated substrate.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of nodes. The plurality of nodes each communicate signals pursuant to a channel plan. The channel plan includes one or more predefined specifications for each of one or more signal channels on each of the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: A communications network is described comprising a cable and a remote test unit being coupled to the cable. Optical data signals are transmitted with a first wavelength on the cable. The remote test unit is adapted to transmit optical test signals as well as optical result messages with a second wavelength to the cable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid analyzer 20, in particular, a fluid analyzer for use in microfluid analysis, preferably for use in bioanalysis. The fluid analyzer 20 comprises a sturdy base on which instrumentation modules are rigidly mounted, said instrumentation modules include an analysis device for conducting fluid analyses which is preferably configured in the form of a microfluidic chip, and a handling device 32, by means of which a storage device, in particular, a well plate 43, incorporating wells for accommodating fluids may be repositioned from a first position to a second position, in which a transport of the fluids from the wells to the analysis device is possible. Another instrumentation module 24 in the form of a device that is also rigidly attached to the base 28 is provided for the purpose of adding fluids to, and/or extracting fluids from, the wells of the storage device 33 and/or adding fluids to, and/or extracting fluids from, the analysis device.

Abstract: A setup for providing an optical contact adapted for guiding an optical signal comprises an optical waveguide being adapted for guiding the optical signal and comprising a tip on an end of the waveguide, wherein the tip comprises a transparent elastic material covering the end. A detector is provided for detecting a substantial alignment between the waveguide and an optical path within a device under test, and a first moving unit is used to move the waveguide laterally relative to a longitudinal direction of the waveguide and the device under test until the detector substantially detects the alignment. A second moving unit is adapted to reduce the distance between the tip and the device under test until the tip comes in physical contact with the device under test when the detector has detected alignment.

Abstract: An electrical circuit is provided for detecting direction of a current flowing on a line, in particular of a bus of a test equipment. The circuit comprises a sense resistor coupled within the line. A first comparator is connected with its positive input to the line on one of the two sides of the sense resistor and with its negative input connected to the line on the other one of the two sides of the sense resistor. A second comparator with one of its inputs is connected to the line on one of the two sides of the sense resistor and with the other one of its inputs is provided with a voltage divider. Said first comparator provides an output signal depending on the direction of the current flowing on the line, and said second comparator provides a second output signal defining whether the first output signal is valid or not.

Abstract: An organic OLED having a cathode formed from a first conducting layer, an electroluminescent layer including an oxadiazole compound, and an anode constructed from a second conducting layer which is transparent to light generated by the electroluminescent layer. In one embodiment, an electron transport layer is sandwiched between the anode and electroluminescent layers. Other embodiments utilize a hole transport layer between the electroluminescent layer and the anode either with or without the electron transport layer. In one embodiment, the anode is constructed from a layer of indium tin oxide and a layer of a hole transport material that bonds to indium tin oxide and which has an energy band intermediate between that of indium tin oxide and that of the hole transport layer.

Abstract: An output power control system includes an amplifier configured to supply a first current, a reference source configured to supply a second current which is proportional to and less than the first current, and a feedback converter responsive to the second current to control a gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: An electronic instrument includes instrument hardware, core software, and the ability to support custom data processing libraries, separate from the core software. The instrument hardware acquires unprocessed measured data. The core software includes standard measurement objects and standard algorithms. The standard measurement objects produce analysis results of the unprocessed measured data. The standard algorithms are used by the standard measurement objects to aid in production of analysis results of the unprocessed measured data. Custom libraries as supported by the core software include custom measurement objects and custom algorithms. The custom measurement objects produce analysis results of the unprocessed measured data. The custom algorithms are used by the custom measurement objects to aid in production of analysis results of the unprocessed measured data.

Abstract: A two-dimensional photonic crystal slab apparatus having a waveguiding capability is provided. Noncircular holes are introduced to replace the circular holes in the two-dimensional lattice of the photonic crystal to provide waveguiding capability. High guiding efficiency is achieved over a wide frequency region within the photonic bandgap.

Abstract: A nonlinear crystal has increased spectral acceptance. The nonlinear crystal includes a plurality of domains. The domains are arranged serially across the nonlinear crystal. The domains have alternating polarity. The poling periods of the domains are varied across the nonlinear crystal so as to provide nonuniform chirping of phase matching of focused optical signals propagated through the nonlinear crystal.

Abstract: An assembly and an optical element have fiducials for alignment of multiple beam paths during fabrication of an optical device. In an assembly including a substrate with machined grooves for optical fibers, a fiducial can be a carbon-coated fiber or other object disposed in one of the grooves. In an assembly including a collimator array, a fiducial can be an opaque collimator lens. Alternatively, photolithographic processes can provide the required positional accuracy for fiducials on the assembly and/or the optical element. During alignment, a computer-controllable process can use machine vision or distance measurements to identify the position and the orientation of the assembly relative to the optical element. Based on the identified position and orientation, the process moves the assembly to the target position and orientation that provide sufficient optical power flow through the optical element for a fine alignment process.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer comprising a drift tube having a central axis, along which a plurality of ring electrodes are arranged is provided. The plurality of ring electrodes provides a linear potential gradient along the central axis of the drift tube. In addition an RF voltage source coupled to the plurality of ring electrodes generates an oscillating RF potential within the internal region of each of the ring electrodes. The oscillating RF potential influences radial motion of the ions within the drift tube so that the ions remain within a radial space defined by the internal regions of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for forming a high aspect ratio via. In one embodiment, the present method comprises providing a first material into which a high aspect ratio via is to be formed. The present embodiment then deposits a first layer of a second material above the first material. Next, the present method recites forming an opening in the first layer of the second material. A second layer of the second material is then deposited above the first layer of the second material and into the opening formed into the first layer of the second material. The present embodiment then etches the second layer of the second material such that the opening extends through the second layer of the second material and through the first layer of the second material. In so doing, the opening is configured to have a profile conducive to the adherence of overlying material thereto.

Abstract: A tunable optical cavity constructed from a fixed mirror and a movable mirror. The fixed mirror is attached to a substrate having a first electrically conducting surface. A support member having the moveable mirror supported thereon and having a second electrically conducting surface, is suspended above the substrate. A circuit applies an electrical potential between the first and second electrically conducting surfaces thereby adjusting the distance between the fixed and movable mirrors. The fixed mirror and the moveable mirror are positioned such that the mirrors form the opposite ends of the optical cavity. The distance between the fixed mirror and the moveable mirror is a function of the applied electrical potential. The support member has physical dimensions that are chosen such that the amplitude of thermally induced vibrations in the support member are less than 0.01 percent of the wavelength of the resonating light.