Abstract: An image sensor array. The image sensor array includes a substrate. An array of photo diode sensors are electrically interconnected to the substrate. The photo diode sensors conduct charge at a rate proportional to the intensity of light received by the photo diode sensors. A ring of guard diodes are located around the periphery of the array of photo diode sensors. Each guard diode has a guard diode anode connected to a predetermined guard anode voltage and a guard diode cathode connected to a static guard cathode voltage.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) isolation test device providing versatility and flexibility, along with RF shielding, in the testing of various types of devices. The test device includes a removable plate providing connections for access to a device under test when located within the test device. It also includes a base plate for use in securing a removable nest plate within the test device to accommodate testing of various configurations of devices under test.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing neutral noise from a quadrupole mass filter ion beam. A mask plate has a lobed aperture centered on a longitudinal axis and positioned between a quadrupole mass filter exit end and an ion detector. The mask plate operates to remove neutral atoms from the ion beam that may interfere with instrument sensitivities. The lobed aperture passes the ion beam with little loss of the ion beam intensity. The invention substantially maintains signal intensity and removes unwanted noise from a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for positioning a cursor on a display device are provided. For example, an input device is provided which includes a stepper device configured to electrically communicate with a computer. The stepper device incorporates a stepper-enable switch configured to prevent movement information provided by a mouse-type input device from influencing movement of a cursor on a display device and to enable functional information, provided by the mouse-type input device, to provide selected functionality of the cursor. A plurality of cursor repositioning keys also are provided and are configured to reposition the cursor when movement information provided by the mouse-type input device is prevented from influencing movement of the cursor on the display device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optoelectronic module comprising an optical subassembly and an electrical subassembly each having a plurality of electrical connection points and ground plane connection points. The optical and electrical subassemblies are connected by a flexible circuit comprising transmission lines disposed on a substrate having a groundplane. The connection is such that electrical connection of the groundplanes is established. The optical and electrical subassemblies are preferably multi-layered structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device (1) with one or more current confinement regions (20) and to a method of manufacturing such a device, particularly buried heterostructure light emitting devices such as semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes. The device comprising a doped semiconductor substrate (2) of a first conduction type, a buried heterojunction active layer (10) above the substrate (2), a current conduction region (4) above the active layer (10), one or more current confinement regions (20) formed over the substrate (2) adjacent the active layer (10), the current conduction region (4) and current confinement region (20) being arranged in use to channel electric current to the active layer (10).

Abstract: An actuator is formed by using at least one flexure that is continuously flexible between a rigid connection to a stator and a rigid connection to a translator. The one or more continuously flexible flexures provide a long range of translator motion when combined with an electrostatic levitation arrangement. In selected embodiments, the flexures that are continuously flexible are straight beam flexures, so as to provide a high degree of stiffness. In other embodiments, the flexures are pre-bent to provide a longer switching throw from a relaxed state. Where the translator is required to be displaced in a generally straight-line direction, some off-axis displacement will occur, but is preferably accompanied by a stepping of a levitation voltage pattern. In another embodiment one and only one straight beam flexure is used and the levitator is caused to rotate about a rotational axis that is intersected by the one straight beam flexure.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for rhomboid assemblies cuts stacks of glass plates that are glued together with coatings between the glass plates. The cuts are at an angle such as 45° and surfaces resulting from the cuts are finished to optical tolerances. These optical surfaces permit attachment of rhomboid assemblies directly to optical elements such as a polarizing beam-splitter (PBS) in a multi-axis interferometer. Further, elements such as quarter-wave plates, cube corner reflectors, and rhomboid elements that extend the separation of measurement beams can be attached to the PBS to provide integrated beam optics that are compact and thermally stable. Placing a reflective coating or other reference reflector on a quarter-wave plate for the reference beam can keep the entire beam path for the reference beam within the integrated structure. When rhomboid elements extend the separation between measurement beams, an extension to the PBS can match the optical path lengths of reference and measurement beams.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an N-stage ladder circuit is serially connected to a bridge (lattice circuit. The N-stage ladder circuit receives differential inputs, e.g. mixers, while the bridge lattice circuit outputs a singled end output, e.g. amplifier. In another embodiment, a bridge lattice circuit is serially connected to an N-stage ladder circuit. The bridge lattice circuit receives a single ended load while the N-stage ladder circuit provides a differential output. Film bulk acoustic resonators are used in the combination ladder and lattice structure for both embodiments to provide the necessary band-pass functionality as well as make the necessary transition from differential to single ended load.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a high energy radiation mask, such as a laser ablation mask for manufacturing inkjet printheads, includes a multi-stage evacuation process and/or a step of reducing the deposition rate of silicon dioxide during formation of a dielectric stack. When the multi-stage evacuation procedure is combined with the slower deposition rate of silicon dioxide, the resulting mask has a surprisingly low defect density. In the first embodiment, the evacuation procedure is initiated using a low-rate first evacuation connection. The relatively slow purging of a vacuum chamber in which the dielectric stack is subsequently formed controls turbulence and environmental changes that can generate contamination and water along the surface of the substrate on which the dielectric stack is formed. When a pressure setpoint is reached, a second roughing connection is activated to increase the speed of the procedure. The second connection has a higher maximum rate than the first connection.

Abstract: A lapping surface patterning system includes a patterning apparatus which can be removably mounted over the lapping surface of a continuous polishing tool. The patterning apparatus includes a radial arm having a movable cutting tool carriage mounted thereon. The cutting tool carriage positions a cutting tool at a desired radius from the center of the lapping surface. The patterning apparatus further includes an outer support having a carriage which positions an outer end of the radial arm, thereby positioning the cutting tool at a desired angular position. A motion control system transmits control signals to the two carriages, thereby driving the cutting tool over a desired pattern. This system can be used to repeatedly and consistently form a pattern of grooves in the lapping surface of the polishing tool.

Abstract: A tunable optical cavity constructed from a fixed mirror and a movable mirror is disclosed. A circuit applies an electrical potential between 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 thermally induced vibrations are reduced by utilizing an electrical feedback circuit that measures the distance between the mirrors. The feedback circuit dynamically changes the potential between the substrate and the support member so as to reduce fluctuations in the cavity resonance frequency.

Abstract: A non-marring ejector mechanism for aiding a separation of a first component from a second component comprises an arm moveably mounted to the first component so that the arm is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. A wheel mounted for rotation on the arm rolls along a contact surface provided on the second component as the arm is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. The wheel provides a disengagement force to the first and second components aiding in their disengagement.

Abstract: A flex circuit system has a support member on which a first subsystem of the flex circuit system is mounted. A second subsystem of the flex circuit system is remote from the first subsystem. A lead is bonded to bonding points on the first and second subsystems and woven through apertures in the support member to secure the lead in relation to the first subsystem and minimize the tension and bending loads seen at the bonding points of the first subsystem.

Abstract: An integrated circuit incorporating test access provisions and a system addressable command control register; and provisions for selectably enabling and accessing one or the other for purposes of evaluating integrated circuit functionality.

Abstract: An optomechanical mounting includes an upper spring assembly and a lower spring assembly that support and secure a sphere containing an optical element. The materials in the mounting have the same or nearly the same CTEs and spring assemblies provide opposing radial forces so that thermal expansions are compensated, giving the mounting superior thermal stability. Frictional forces on the sphere from the upper and lower spring assemblies maintain the orientation of the sphere (and the optical element) during operation, but smooth surfaces of the sphere and springs still permit sensitive, precision rotation of sphere for alignment without post-alignment clamping of the sphere. The spring assemblies can be ring-shaped to permit an opening through the spring assembly to the sphere for light paths or for tools that adjust the alignment of the sphere.

Abstract: In a 3D MEMS optical switch titling mirrors are actively aligned to minimize losses in optical power. In one embodiment the optical signals in the output fibers are tapped and detected and the sensed outputs are used by a control circuit with a feedback loop that adjusts the alignment signals sent to the MEMS actuators. In a second embodiment, an emitter which is either a single LED or laser diode is optically coupled to the output fibers for injecting alignment beams back into the fibers. The alignment beams have a frequency bandwidth outside that of the information beams. The alignment beams are detected at the input fibers via directional optical couplers and the sensed outputs are used by a control circuit with a feedback loop to adjust the alignment signals. The alignment signals are dithered and their phase and amplitude shifts are used to generate the appropriate feedback signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical component tester for determining the wavelength dependent characteristics of an optical component. The tester comprises as functional units a tunable laser source for providing a stimulus signal to the optical component and one or more response units for receiving a response of the optical component on the stimulus signal; The tester further comprises a control unit coupled to the functional units for controlling the functioning thereof. The control unit preferably comprises a microcontroller connected to a signal processor, whereby the signal processor is connected to the functional units and responsible for processing all timing critical operations within the tester.

Abstract: A track and hold circuit including a MOS transistor switch, a holding capacitor, and a bulk potential of the MOS transistor switch changed in phase with an input signal in order to reduce harmonic distortions.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a print media transport assembly which routes a print medium through the inkjet printing system, a carriage assembly which holds an inkjet printhead assembly and traverse the print medium, and a single motor operatively coupled to both the print media transport assembly and the carriage assembly. As such, the single motor selectively drives both the print media transport assembly and the carriage assembly.