Abstract: A pulse management system for use by an operator that automatically performs measurements on a subset of pulses of an acquired signal stored in an acquisition memory, and generates an accessible data structure that stores characteristics of the chosen subset of acquired signal pulses, including pulse measurement results. The system searches the data structure for pulses of the acquired signal that satisfy operator-provided search criteria. In addition, the operator can sort the selected pulses in any desired manner by specifying a desired sort criteria. The system displays selected pulses along with the associated measurement results, and enables the operator to advance through the selected pulses in any mannerism to display different pulses together or separately along with the associated pulse measurement results. A method for analyzing pulses of an acquired signal is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to reduce harmonic distortion, a track and hold circuit comprising a MOS transistor switch, a hold capacitor, and a voltage stabilizer for biasing bulk potential of the MOS transistor switch at a certain voltage is disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing a sample are disclosed. The system may include a light source operable to transmit light onto the sample, a detector operable to detect intensity of the light emitted from the sample, and a power modulator. The power modulator modulates the light source power such that light is emitted from the light source in more than one mode to reduce changes in the emitted light due to temperature changes in the light source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system (110), particularly a microfluidic chip, with at least one operational channel (170), in which a fluid and/or the constituents contained therein are moveable in the direction of the operational channel (170) by a driving force, particularly by using pressure, acoustic energy, or an electrical and/or a magnetic field. At least one measurement sensor (185) used to measure a measurable value assigned to the fluid and derivable in the region of the fluid and at least one regulator (192) is provided to regulate the driving force and/or a parameter that may be influenced by it, wherein the regulator (192) is coupled with a measurement sensor (185) and a device used to alter the driving force (189) and/or the parameter that may be influenced by it. The invention further relates to a procedure to transport and guide a fluid and/or the constituents contained therein within a microfluidic system of the type described above.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for efficiently generating a number of icons. The system includes a computer system having a processor electrically coupled to a local interface and a memory electrically coupled to the local interface. The computer system is employed to execute a software application that includes imaging logic. The imaging logic is, therefore, stored on the memory and executed by the processor. The imaging logic preferably includes modified image encoding logic to generate at least one modified raw icon from a base image object. The base image object includes at least one first indicator region filled with a first indicator color, and the modified raw icon(s) include at least one second indicator region filled with a second indicator color. The shape of the second indicator region corresponds to or is identical to a shape of the at least one first indicator region.

Abstract: An optical splitter/combiner has a split end, i.e., input/output end that has at least a first input/output segment, a second input/output segment, a third input/output segment, and a fourth input/output segment. The optical splitter/combiner has an upper first stage junction that joins the first input/output segment and the second input/output segment, which define an upper first stage bisector. A lower first stage junction joins the third input/output segment and the fourth input/output segment, which define a lower first stage bisector. An upper intermediate segment communicates with the upper first stage junction. A lower intermediate segment communicates with the lower first stage junction. A second stage junction joins the upper intermediate segment and the lower intermediate segment to form a single input output segment. The upper intermediate segment and the lower intermediate segment define a second stage bisector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing for images in an x-ray inspection system are provided. One embodiment is a system for analyzing images in an x-ray inspection system. Briefly described, one such system comprises: a means for receiving an image of an object that is generated by an x-ray inspection system, the image of the object having a first field of view (FOV); a means for determining whether the first FOV associated with the image of the object matches a reference FOV corresponding to design data that models the object being inspected by the x-ray inspection system; and a means for modifying the design data based on the difference between the first FOV and the reference FOV.

Abstract: An epitaxial material grown laterally in a trench allows for the fabrication of a trench-based semiconductor material that is substantially low in dislocation density. Initiating the growth from a sidewall of a trench minimizes the density of dislocations present in the lattice growth template, which minimizes the dislocation density in the regrown material. Also, by allowing the regrowth to fill and overflow the trench, the low dislocation density material can cover the entire surface of the substrate upon which the low dislocation density material is grown. Furthermore, with successive iterations of the trench growth procedure, higher quality material can be obtained. Devices that require a stable, high quality epitaxial material can then be fabricated from the low dislocation density material.

Abstract: A method compares an input value of the input signal stream with an output value of an integration function of a previous binary value to generate a new binary value based upon the comparison. The method then stores a plurality of successive binary values from the comparing step, and simulates an integration function for a plurality of possible bit sequences of the plurality of successive binary values. Finally, the method determines which sequence results in the smallest error between the input signal stream and the output value of the integration function, and uses the most significant bit of the determined sequence to adjust the integration function. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An optical attenuator (10) for attenuating an incident optical beam (15) comprises at least two attenuating devices (20A, 20B), each having a polarization dependent attenuation characteristic with a preferred orientation. The attenuating devices are arranged in the optical beam (15) in a way that the preferred orientations of the polarization dependent attenuation characteristics substantially compensate each other, at least partially in defined locations (C). At least one attenuating device (20A, 20B) provides an attenuation characteristic wherein the attenuation for the incoming light beam varies in a defined direction. The preferred orientation of the polarization dependent attenuation characteristic of the at least one attenuating device (20A, 20B) is substantially in the same direction as the varying attenuation characteristics or substantially perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: For measuring a polarization dependent parameter of an optical device under test —DUT—(30), an optical source (10) provides an optical stimulus signal at variable wavelengths, and a polarization translator (20) translates the polarization state of the optical stimulus signal applied from the optical source (10) at its input to its output in a deterministic way dependent on the wavelength of the optical stimulus signal. A receiving unit (40) receives an optical response signal from the DUT (30) to the applied optical stimulus signal, and an analyzing unit (60) analyzes received optical response signals for different wavelengths for determining values of the polarization dependent parameter of the DUT (30).

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 APT electrospray and APCI operating modes.

Abstract: A sample inlet liner includes a novel matrix that serves to retain an injected sample. The preferred inert matrix is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that serves to retain an injected sample and is provided in lieu of a conventional packing material. The contemplated inert matrix may be selected from a range of configurations of PTFE so as to provide a supporting material capable of retaining an ample quantity of injected sample in the sample inlet liner. The contemplated matrix nonetheless provides a tortuous path for the retained quantity of injected sample so as to facilitate known injection techniques such as split/splitless injection and large volume injections.

Abstract: Wideband balun suitable for millimeter wave applications. An input stripline couples energy equally into branches of a slotline. Output striplines are coupled to the branches of the slotline to produce output signals 180 degrees out of phase. A phase matching section is placed in one output stripline so that the two output striplines are electrically equivalent in length. Using radial stub terminations, the resulting balun is compact and wideband.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gas chromatograph having a plurality of layers or channels. The chromatograph typically comprises an inlet that receives a sample to be analyzed, a column disposed in each of the plurality of chromatograph layers, each column being in fluid communication with and downstream from the inlet and having a stationary phase coating its inner surfaces, and a detector in fluid communication with and downstream from at least one of the columns. In a preferred arrangement, the chromatograph includes a pre-column disposed in each of the chromatograph layers upstream of the columns, each pre-column being in fluid communication with the inlet and having a stationary phase coating its inner surfaces.

Abstract: A spectrum analyser used for making a spectrum emission mask measurement reorganises execution of the measurement so that all frequency bands to be measured at the same resolution bandwidth are measured in a single sweep, extending between the extreme frequency limits of those bands, thereby avoiding setup delays involved in specifying successive measurements for each band individually. Portions of each measurement which correspond to frequency bands to be measured at the respective resolution bandwidth of that measurement are extracted, resized as necessary, and assembled into a complete spectrum measurement.

Abstract: A cooler for electric and/or electronic components with a cooling body (33) consisting of a first flat outer wall (4) and a second flat outer wall (5) at a certain distance from each other and each creating a cooling area. There are cavities (10, 12) between the outer walls (4, 5) on the inside of the cooling body (33), creating a cooling channel (6) connecting an inflow (7) with an outflow (8) through which a liquid cooling agent can flow. The cooling channel (6) between inflow (7) and outflow (8) runs completely on the inside of the cooling body (33), and the cooling body (33) is made up of a first part (2) and a second part (3). The first part (2) has the first outer wall (4), and at least the first part (2) has a first set of indentations (10) on a first inner wall (9) opposite to the first outer wall (4), and wherein those indentations are closed off by the second part (3) on the wall opposite of the first outer wall (4) when the cooling body is assembled, thus creating the cooling channel (6).

Abstract: A method for head positioning utilizing a positioning device that moves a head includes receiving position commands that control the positioning device and determining whether or not the distance between the current position and the movement target position exceeds the predetermined threshold, and if the above-mentioned distance does not exceed the above-mentioned predetermined threshold, moving the head along a predetermined fixed path, while if the above-mentioned distance exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined threshold value, selecting one of a plurality of other paths and moving the head along the selected path. Thus, the speed of head positioning is increased.

Abstract: An optical mouse images as an array of pixels the spatial features of generally any micro textured or micro detailed work surface below the mouse. The photo detector responses are digitized and stored as a frame into memory. Motion produces successive frames of translated patterns of pixel information, which are compared by autocorrelation to ascertain the direction and amount of movement. A hold feature suspends the production of movement signals to the computer, allowing the mouse to be physically relocated on the work surface without disturbing the position on the screen of the pointer. This may be needed if the operator runs out of room to physically move the mouse further, but the screen pointer still needs to go further. The hold feature may be implemented with an actual button, a separate proximity detector or by detecting the presence of a characteristic condition in the digitized data, such as loss of correlation or velocity in excess of a selected limit.

Abstract: A method of determination of a property of an optical device under test, comprising the steps of: using a first initial coherent light beam, changing a first initial property of the first initial light beam, coupling the first initial light beam to the device under test, detecting a first signal of the first initial light beam received from the device under test, correcting any a non-linearity in the first signal by interpolating the first signal on a linear scale.