Abstract: A device for measuring the displacement of a movable object includes a stationary light source (10) that produces an incident light beam. A target feature (17), attached to, or integral with, the object, reflects the incident light beam and forms a first image of the light source in close proximity of the target feature. An imaging lens (26) receives the reflected light beam and reforms the first image of the light source as a second image on the photodetector (20). The photodetector, spaced from the object, receives the reflected light beam and produces an electric signal having a characteristic which is proportional to a received location on the photodetector of the second image and which represents a position of the object. The target feature includes a curved surface that reflects the light beam such that a small, point-like or line-like first image of the light source is formed and reformed as a second image on the photodetector.

Abstract: A system for determining an optical loss of a device under test DUT includes a fiber coupler for receiving an optical input power (Ps) at a first input, coupling out a stimulus signal at a first output derived from the optical input power (Ps), receiving a response signal on the applied stimulus signal, and for providing a returning optical power (P) at a third output derived from the received response signal. For calibration, a reference cable with a reflectivity Rref is coupled to the first output of the fiber coupler and a value Pref of the returning optical power is measured. The reference cable is exchanged for a customer cable, whereby an end of the customer cable is provided in a way that no, or substantially no, reflection occurs, and a value Ppara of the returning optical power is measured. The calibration uses the values Rref, Pref, and Ppara.

Abstract: “A miniaturized planar device is described for use in a liquid phase analysis system. The device comprises a separation compartment that is in fluidic communication with a make-up flow channel and a channel compartment that terminates in an on-device mass spectrometer delivery means. The device is formed by microfabrication of microstructures in novel support substrates.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a novel apparatus and method to restrict pneumatic flow in a planar manifold. A forming tool of specific geometry is pressed into a planar manifold causing the pneumatic channel inside to collapse onto itself in a predictable and controllable way, therefore restricting the fluid flow in the pneumatic channel. The geometry of the forming tool is provided with angles and radii so that the planar manifold is not ripped during the pressing operation. Further, the geometry limits the deformed area so that distortion of adjacent pneumatic channels, and the potential for springing leaks between layers is minimized. In a preferred embodiment, the tooling also provides flow measurement while the forming tool is pressed into the planar manifold at a specific orientation.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of connecting a merchant straight through coaxial RF connector to an quasi-coaxial transmission line formed on the substrate of a hybrid is to, if necessary, gradually increase the height of the center conductor of the quasi-coaxial transmission line by increasing the thickness of underlying deposited dielectric until the center conductor of the transmission line matches the position of the center conductor of the connector, which two may then be joined with solder or conductive adhesive. One style of coaxial RF connector of interest has four prongs disposed in a rectangle around the center conductor on the permanent and non-threaded side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply capable of being configured to produce an equivalent negative output resistance or to produce both negative and positive output resistances. The power supply comprises components that can provide equivalent output resistance values that transition from negative values through zero to positive values, and vice versa. By selecting an appropriate negative output resistance for the power supply, the power supply can compensate for the load lead voltage drop caused by the elements (e.g., cabling) between the output sense leads of the power supply and the load. This allows the voltage level provided to the load to be set, or controlled, by setting a voltage level VSET at the power supply. Preferably, a multiplier chip is used that enables the output resistance values of the power supply to be programmably varied from a negative resistance value through 0 to a positive resistance value, and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for inhibiting bubble formation during a chemical reaction. The apparatus comprises a base having a substantially planar surface with at least a portion of the surface representing a fluid contact area and a fluid comprising a liquid component in contact therewith. A cover and the base form an enclosure containing the fluid and a gas. A non-free-floating fluid-distribution member is provided that has a substantially flat surface in contact with the fluid. The member surface is disposed in an opposing and substantially parallel manner at a specified distance from fluid contact area. A gas-fluid interface having an interface radius is formed between the fluid and the gas. The apparatus also comprises means for maintaining a desired vapor pressure of the liquid component in the gas and means for immobilizing the cover with respect to the base. The interface radius is selected to result in a predetermined critical radius below which a bubble will shrink.

Abstract: Methods and devices for depositing a nucleic acid on a substrate surface are provided. In the subject methods, a thermal inkjet head loaded with nucleic acid fluid composition is positioned in opposing relationship to, e.g. over, a substrate surface. Actuation of the thermal inkjet results in the expulsion of volume of the nucleic acid composition onto the substrate surface. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, particularly in the preparation of nucleic acid arrays, and more particular arrays of oligonucleotides or polynucleotides, e.g. cDNAs.

Abstract: An optical switch array has row and column waveguide segments, on a waveguide substrate. Each waveguide segment terminates in a trench positioned in one of two patterns. In the first pattern, the trenches are positioned along the diagonal while in the second pattern, the trenches are positioned in a regular array. The row and column waveguide segments are in fixed relation and generally parallel to the surface of the waveguide substrate. A heater substrate has heaters aligned to the waveguide substrate in accordance with the trenches. A liquid, disposable within the trenches, is responsive to the heaters. The liquid has an index of refraction such that optical transmission from a first selected waveguide segment to a second waveguide segment is determined by presence of the liquid within the trenches.

Abstract: A chassis for housing components includes a shell having an intake duct and an exhaust duct. The intake duct is coupled to an intake port for directing cooling air from the intake port into the chassis, and the exhaust duct is coupled to an exhaust port for directing cooling air out of the chassis. The intake duct and the exhaust duct include active and/or passive noise attenuating features for attenuating noise generated within the chassis, which allows the chassis to operate more quietly. The ducts are also dimensioned to attenuate electromagnetic radiation generated within the chassis, which prevents the escape of electromagnetic radiation from the chassis.

Abstract: Absolute delay of a FTD is characterized by applying a stimulus signal to a first port of the FTD. A second port of the FTD is coupled to a delay element having a known delay and a reflective termination. A drive signal is applied to a third port of the FTD. A time domain reflection response to the stimulus signal is obtained and a signal peak within the response that corresponds to a return signal from the reflective termination is identified. Absolute delay of the frequency translation device is then extracted based on the known delay of the delay element and a time that corresponds to the occurrence of the identified signal peak. Delay versus frequency is characterized by isolating a segment of the obtained time domain reflection response that corresponds to a return signal from the reflective termination. Inverse frequency transforming the isolated segment of the time domain reflection response provides delay characteristics of the FTD versus frequency.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus and a method is provided for measuring performance characteristics of a recording unit including a circular recording medium on which one track is divided into a plurality of sectors, where the recording unit records a data signal on the recording medium by using a magnetic head. A mechanism device including micro actuator and a piezo-electric stage moves the magnetic head in a direction substantially perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the recording medium in response to a control signal. The measuring apparatus writes a write signal for respective sectors while moving the magnetic head by outputting the control signal having different levels corresponding to respective sectors to the mechanism device, and reads out the written write signal, then measuring a read-out write signal as a read signal relative to a position of the magnetic head.

Abstract: The apparatus measures timing variations, such as the jitter or wander in a timing signal (100) of a telecommunications network. A recovered clock signal is sampled and digitised to produce a series of digital clock samples which are then processed (135) with reference to a local digital reference signal to produce digital baseband frequency in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components (165, 170) these being further processed (145) to produce the digital phase information of said clock signal to determine (175) the required parameters of the network. The step of digitally processing said clock samples with reference to a local reference signal can be conveniently and cheaply implemented using a digital signal down-converter IC (135), for example of a type existing for digital radio receiver implementations. For jitter measurement, the local reference signal may be generated by a phase-locked loop (as in FIG. 2). For wander measurements an external reference clock is used (as in FIG. 3).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) for measuring and/or testing of components of optical and/or electrical networks, with a casing (2) and an optical and/or electrical connection jack (5) attached to the casing (2), to which an optical and/or electrical lead (8) can be connected directly or indirectly via an adapter (9), wherein a lift device (11) is provided, with which the connection jack (5) can be moved relative to the casing (2) between a lifted position and a lowered position.

Abstract: A method of providing an ion packet to an analyzer section of a mass spectrometer from an ion beam, a pulser which can execute such a method, and a mass spectrometer which includes such a pulser. In the method, a field pulse is applied to extract an ion packet from the beam at a sideways direction to the beam and provide it to a mass analyzer section of the mass spectrometer, which pulse simultaneously causes non-extracted ions of the beam to be deflected onto an electrode of opposite charge. The pulse ON time is significantly longer than conventionally used. For example, the pulse ON time may be longer than the pulse OFF time or at least twice as long as or several times longer than required to extract the ion packet and provide it to the mass analyzer section, so as to reduce stray ions entering the mass analyzer section.

Abstract: The number of masking operations needed to connect photo-return current to ground or a bias potential can be reduced by collecting and rearranging the conventional steps to become: (A) Depositing a P layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) upon an underlying layer of intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon, and a layer of conductive ITO on top of the P layer; (B) Patterning all three of the layers deposited in step (A); and (C) Depositing and then patterning the layer of W that serves as the optical barrier. The above steps (A)-(C) require only two masking operations, in comparison to three for the conventional method. In addition, the W layer can be used to connect the ITO to ground or the bias potential.

Abstract: A positioning device for determining the position of an object includes an anchoring surface, a first movable carriage on which the object is loaded and which has a means for suctioning onto the anchoring surface, a second movable carriage which has a drive assembly and which is connected with the first movable carriage as needed, and a connecting means which controls the connection of the first and second movable carriages. The first and second movable carriages are connected by the drive assembly and the first movable carriage is conveyed to a predetermined position on the anchoring surface and is suctioned and anchored on the anchoring surface at this position by a means for breaking the connection between the first and second movable carriages and for performing the suctioning to position the object.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fibre optic transceiver in which the optical components, interface, management functionality and management interface are all integrated on a single module capable of being plugged into and removed from the telecommunication's parent system. The optical transceiver module comprises a housing having disposed therein a transmitter and a receiver. The housing further comprises a pair of rails disposed on opposite sides of the housing to enable the module to be plugged into a suitably configured board. The module is designed primarily for use in 10Gbit serial optical systems, but is equally applicable for use in WDM applications, as well as at other speeds and wavelength.

Abstract: A method for testing a digital circuit as a Device under Test—DUT (110), comprising the steps of determining a Bit Error Rate—BER—value for each one of a determined number of sample points, the BER value representing the ratio of erroneous digital signals to the total number of regarded digital signals, executing a test for each one of the number of sample points by determining whether the determined BER value exceeds a threshold BER value for that sample point, and analyzing the results of the tests of step (b) for providing a statement about the condition of the DUT (110).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a supporting device (7) for a portable device to measure and/or test components of electrical and/or optical networks. It contains a supporting plate (8), which is built in, or may be attached to, the equipment; a supporting frame (12), which may stand at one end on the sub-surface and may be adjustably fitted at the other end to a sliding guide (11) arranged on at least one supporting frame (8); and at least one lever (8), which at one end may be swivel mounted on a supporting frame (12) between both ends (20, 31) around a first swivel axis (19) that essentially runs parallel to the support surface, and may be swivel mounted at the other end onto a supporting plate (8) under the sliding guide (11) around a second swivel axis (23) running parallel to the first swivel axis (19).