Abstract: A heat sink assembly mounting structure includes a base secured to a chassis wall by deformable retainer members. The retainer members are biased towards the chassis wall by screws, and the retainer members transmit the biasing force of the screws to the base. The base exerts a biasing force on a circuit board, and the screws extend through the circuit board and are screwed into nuts on the chassis wall.

Abstract: A configuration system for an application having a plurality of application components is described. The configuration system includes a configuration oracle/initiator that repeatedly asserts a desired state to the application components to operate in that desired state. The desired state is a predetermined state. The configuration oracle only asserts the desired state to the application components and does not control the manner in which each of the application components moves to the desired state. The configuration system also includes a configuration engine in each of the application components that causes the corresponding application components to move to the desired state upon receiving the state assertion of the desired state unless the configuration engine determines that the corresponding application component is already in the desired state. A method of configuring an application having a large number of application components is also described.

Abstract: An optical heterodyne detection system includes an optical pre-selector that has an adjustable passband which is adjusted to track the wavelength of a swept local oscillator signal. In an embodiment, an input signal is combined with a swept local oscillator signal and the combined optical signal is filtered by the optical pre-selector. In another embodiment, the input signal is filtered by the optical pre-selector before the input signal and the swept local oscillator signal are combined. Filtering the input signal or the combined input signal and the swept local oscillator signal to pass a wavelength band that tracks the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal reduces the noise contributed from WDM signals and increases the dynamic range of the optical heterodyne detection system. An embodiment of the optical heterodyne detection system includes an optical combining unit, an optical pre-selector for the combined input and swept local oscillator signals, and a photodetector.

Abstract: A method for depositing an electrically conducting film on an electrode and the film resulting from that method. An electrically conducting film according to the present invention is deposited by immersing the electrode in a solution of a precursor polymer in a predetermined solvent. The precursor polymer includes a plurality of electrochemical polymerizable monomers. Each monomer has first and second polymer-forming active sites that can be joined by electrochemical polymerization and third and fourth polymer-forming active sites that can be joined chemically in solution. The precursor polymer is constructed from the monomers joined by the third and fourth polymer-forming active sites. The precursor polymer is soluble in the solvent whereas a polymer formed by electrochemical polymerization of the first and second polymer-forming active sites is insoluble in the solvent.

Abstract: A microfluidic pumping apparatus and method using the apparatus. The apparatus may include a first pulse jet and working fluid in the pulse jet such that the first pulse jet, in response to activation by a set of electrical pulses, moves corresponding pulses of fluid from a first to an second side of the first pulse jet. A chamber with an opening is in pressure communication and with the first side of the first pulse jet such that activation of the first pulse jet causes a reduced pressure at the opening. The method comprising contacting the opening with a fluid and activating the first pulse jet so as to draw a sample fluid through the opening into the chamber. A second pulse jet, oppositely oriented from the first, may be provided to discharge loaded sample fluid.

Abstract: An embodiment of the instant invention is a ferroelectric capacitor formed over a semiconductor substrate, the ferroelectric capacitor comprising: a bottom electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate, the bottom electrode comprised of a bottom electrode material (304 of FIG. 4a); a top electrode formed over the bottom electrode and comprised of a first electrode material (306and 308 of FIG. 4a); a ferroelectric material (306 of FIG. 4a) situated between the top electrode and the bottom electrode; and a hardmask formed on the top electrode and comprising a bottom hardmask layer (402 of FIG. 4a) and a top hardmask layer (408 of FIG.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit having a quasi-coaxial fully shielded conductor, and incorporating a ground plane on the component side of a substrate, can bypass and/or filter a signal using integrated thick film components and without through holes or vias. A thin pad of suitable dielectric material may be printed onto the ground plane and then have a layer of metal deposited on its top surface, forming a bypass capacitor. The bypass capacitor can be located very near where it is needed, and only a very short conductor is required to connect the metallic top of the bypass capacitor to the location to be bypassed. The short connecting conductor does not go from one side of the substrate to the other, and the thickness and low dielectric constant of the substrate do not compromise the value of the bypass capacitor. Thick film resistors can be included to form filters, and surface mount resistors and capacitors can be used also.

Abstract: In a reflectometer measurement for measuring—in response to a stimulus signal—return signals reflected and/or backscattered in a network to be measured, operation for receiving the return signals is temporarily disabled or at least suppressed during such operation modes, wherein return signals resulting from closer ranges of the network can cause substantial spurious signals to be added to return signals resulting from more distant ranges of the network.

Abstract: An apparatus for tuning a laser comprises an external cavity (2) for receiving a laser beam (4), the laser beam (4) traveling through material along a path (4) between a cavity end element (6) and a tuning element (8), the path (4) having an optical path length. A dispersion element (10) is introduced in the path (4) of the laser for selecting at least one mode of the laser, and a changing element is provided for changing the optical path length of the path (4). The changing element comprises a liquid crystal (32, 42) in at least a part of the path (4), the liquid crystal (32, 42) being sensitive in a characteristic property. The changing element is adapted for changing the characteristic property of the liquid crystal (32, 42) in a way which influences the optical path length of the path (4) to stabilize a mode of the laser.

Abstract: An optical channel (OC) is produced in a tellurite glass (T) by selectively (M) exposing the glass surface to UV laser radiation (L), whereby the exposed areas define an optical channel (OC) photoinduced in the glass (T). The UV laser radiation (L) has a wavelength around 240-270 nm or around 193 nm and may be both continuous wave and pulsed laser radiation. The core of an optical waveguide (OC) can thus be produced in the tellurite glass (T), while a cladding may be provided by means of glass or polymer spinning, sol-gel or other conventional techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of tuning a laser, comprising the steps of: providing a laser beam to an external cavity, the laser beam traveling through material along a path between a cavity end element and a tuning element, the path having an optical path length, selecting at least one mode of the laser by introducing a dispersion element in the path of the laser, rotating the tuning element about a pivot axis theoretically defined by the intersection of the surface planes of the cavity end element, the dispersion element and the tuning element to tune the laser, changing the optical path length of the path in order to at least partly compensate a shift between the real position of the pivot axis and the theoretically defined position.

Abstract: A device which uses a detection circuit to determine whether an output current thereof is source-induced or load-induced, and the method therefor. The device which performs some type of operation based upon the determination as to whether the output current thereof is source-induced or load-induced, and method therefor. The detection circuit determines whether polarities of the output current and an output voltage are the same, and determines the output current to be source-induced if the polarities are the same and load-induced if the polarities are opposite each other. Such a device may have many applications, including use in systems where distinctions between source and load-induced currents are employed in feedback systems to control the system voltage source, systems where the system voltage source is not controlled, but other sources are controlled to influence a summation of voltages and currents at sensing locations, and systems for measurement instrumentation.

Abstract: An ionization detector includes a unique combination of elements including a non-radioactive glow discharge source, a gas flow area designed to promote mixing of sample gas with a reagent gas, a GC column interface which directs air leaks away from the sample area, and a signal electrode designed to discriminate against ion collection. This embodiment includes a body defining a detector cavity and a sample flow area. A plurality of electrodes are disposed within the body including a glow discharge source having a first and second discharge electrode located near one end of the body, a guard electrode located longitudinally intermediate to the discharge electrode and the sample flow area, and a signal electrode disposed within a signal electrode cavity located near an end opposite to the guard electrode. A column interface depends from the body, in communication with the sample flow area.

Abstract: A polarization device comprising: a light path; a micro lens array disposed in the light path for separating light into a plurality of individual beams of light; a polarization filter disposed in the light path to receive a plurality of the beams of light and to transmit the received light of a desired polarization state and reflect the received light of a perpendicular polarization state that is perpendicular to the desired polarization state; and a reflecting polarization converter disposed to receive and reflect the reflected light of the perpendicular polarization state and to convert the perpendicular polarization state to the desired polarization state.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch and manufacturing method therefor is provided which includes a planar lightwave circuit having a number of optical waveguides and trenches. The planar lightwave circuit has a first waveguide and a second waveguide that intersect the trench such that optical coupling between the first and second waveguides is dependent upon a presence of a fluid at an intersection of the trench with the first and second waveguides. A mounting base, having a channel and through openings provided therein, has fill tubes disposed in the groove and through openings of the mounting base. A reservoir pedestal having through openings provided therein and bonded to the reservoir pedestal with the fill tubes extending through the through openings therein to form a reservoir substrate.

Abstract: In an optical communications system, it is necessary to control the extinction ratio of a laser device (192) of an optical transmission unit. The laser device (192) is typically used to transmit a signal that can be approximated by a pseudo-random bit stream. The bit stream is monitored by collecting light from a back facet of the laser device (192) using a photodiode (194) in a control loop. Due to band limiting effects of the photodiode (194) and parasitic circuit track capacitances, a feedback signal generated by the photodiode (194) becomes distorted, leading to difficulties in controlling the extinction ratio. The present invention therefore provides an apparatus that simulates a signal generated by the photodiode (194) and subsequent processing of the photodiode signal. The simulated signal and the processed photodiode signal are compared so as to generate a control signal for controlling modulation amplitude of the laser device (192) and hence the extinction ratio.

Abstract: A laser driver circuit includes a pair of transistors having base electrodes respectively coupled to a differential input signal. The respective collector electrodes are coupled to a first power supply rail and the respective emitter electrodes are coupled to a laser diode via respective impedances and to respective controllable current sources to provide an average modulation voltage at the more positive of the emitter electrodes. By having the transistors in an emitter follower configuration, rather than the usual collector open collector configuration, the problem of mismatch between the output impedance of the transistors and the input impedance of the laser diode is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radio frequency amplifier and a method of driving the radio frequency amplifier, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radio frequency amplifier and a method of driving the radio frequency amplifier which are excellent in the controllability at the time of a low power output while keeping the advantage of a high efficiency and give the heating generated by a power loss of such a degree that dewing generated due to over-cooling by the cooling system is not generated at the time of a low power output. The radio frequency amplifier is structured by a variable wave height and variable wave width pulse wave generating circuit 11 that generates a pulse wave (rectangular wave) having an arbitrary pulse height and pulse width, and a power amplifier 12 that is driven by the rectangular wave.

Abstract: A method for aligning an optical fibre to a semiconductor laser device (1) having an active lasing region (2) and at least one fiducial (3) made of the same layer as the active lasing region (2). The laser die is etched with HCI to expose a top surface of the fiducial (3), whilst masking the die at least in the region of the active lasing region. The exposed surface of the fiducial (3) can then be detected in all three X, Y and Z dimensions so that an exact position of the active lasing region (2) can be calculated. The optical fibre can then be accurately aligned with the active lasing region based on the exact calculated position thereof.

Abstract: Selected data (LSP1, LSP2) is monitored among other data passing through label switched paths (LSPs) of a communications network of interconnected label switching routers (LSR1-LSR4). The method comprises designating at least one of the routers (LSR3) as a monitoring station and at least one of the routers (here LSR3 also) as a probe interface station, and connecting a probe apparatus to that interface station. The monitoring station (LSR3) is configured to multicast forward the selected data for monitoring additionally to the probe apparatus via the probe interface (506). Also disclosed is a probe apparatus including means for configuring the router to perform multicast forwarding of selected data to the interface.