Abstract: A system for monitoring an optical signal includes an optical heterodyne detection system in which an input signal and a swept local oscillator signal are combined to generate a combined optical signal. At least two beams of the combined optical signal are filtered by a filter that passes a wavelength band which tracks the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal. As the local oscillator signal sweeps across a wavelength range, filtering of the beams is adjusted to track the wavelength of the local oscillator signal. Filtering the beams to pass a wavelength band corresponding to the wavelength of the swept local oscillator signal reduces the intensity noise contributed from light sources having wavelengths that are not near the wavelength of the local oscillator signal.

Abstract: An assay plate for detecting the presence of a mobile reactant that binds to a immobilized reactant and the methods of making and using the same. An assay plate according to the present invention includes a substrate and at least one dried aliquot of the immobilized reactant, the immobilized reactant being bound to the surface of the substrate. The immobilized reactant binds the mobile reactant when a solution containing the mobile reactant is brought into contact with the immobilized reactant. The mobile and immobilized reactants may be any pair of biological compounds that have a specific affinity for one another For example the reactants may be nucleic acids or antibody-antigen pairs.

Abstract: An electronic camera that can take pictures in which the subject desired by the photographer appears alone, in which the subject is emphasized relative to the background, and in which a desired hue characteristic of the subject can be emphasized or diminished without requiring the use of complex image processing performed by a computer. The effects of backlight are also eliminated or reduced, and the subject is correctly exposed under backlighting or dark background conditions. The electronic camera comprises a light source arranged to illuminate a subject, an image sensor having a reversible detection sense, a lens arranged to focus light from the subject on the image sensor, and a control system. The control system modulates the light source to generate amplitude-modulated light. The control system also reverses the detection sense of the image sensor in phase with the modulation of the amplitude-modulated light.

Abstract: A miniature display system has light source, display panel, polarized beam reflector film, curved reflector, and quarter wave film. The light source supplies light polarized in a first direction. The light from the light source reflects off the polarized beam reflector film and impinges the display panel. The polarized beam reflector film is configured to reflect light polarized in the first direction but pass the light polarized in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The display panel produces images on its surface (“display surface”). The light hitting the display panel is reflected orthogonally (polarized in a second direction) and bearing the image, thus bearing a pattern. The modulated light passes through the polarized beam reflector film and is reflected on a curved reflector. The quarter wave film is disposed between the polarized beam reflector film and the curved reflector.

Abstract: A chip for performing an electrophoretic separation of micromolecular or macromolecular structures in two dimensions comprises a base substrate comprising a main surface. A channel is formed in the main surface of said base substrate in a first direction, wherein a first voltage is applicable across the channel in order to allow a separation of micromolecular structures or macromolecular structures in the first direction on the basis of a first separation mechanism. In addition, a two-dimensional separation matrix is formed in the main surface of the base substrate, wherein the separation matrix comprises a shallow recess and an array of stand-alone posts arranged in the recess. The recess extends perpendicular from the channel in a second direction, wherein a second voltage is applicable across the separation matrix in order to allow a separation of the structures on the basis of a second separation mechanism.

Abstract: An integrated low cost thick film RF module and method for making same. An improved thick film dielectric is employed to build three-dimensional, high frequency structures. This new dielectric can be utilized to create novel RF and microwave modules that inexpensively integrate the I/O and electrical isolation functions of traditional microcircuits without using the usual set of expensive components. In particular, the module comprises a substrate; a conductive ground plane disposed above the substrate; a first dielectric layer printed on top of the ground plane; a microstrip disposed on top of the first dielectric; a second dielectric layer printed on top of the microstrip; a top ground plane disposed on top of the second dielectric; and a shield, electrically coupled to the top ground plane.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for carrying out multiple chemical reactions. A plurality of electrodes supported by a semiconductor substrate is brought into proximity with a reaction medium, which comprises reagents for carrying out the chemical reactions. An item of numerical data is sent to storage means in each of a plurality of cells within the semiconductor substrate by means of a data bus. The item of numerical data is representative of an electric signal. An address is sent to address decoders in communication with the storage means. As a result, the item of numerical data is stored in the storage means. Electric signals are selectively applied to each of the electrodes by means of a plurality of digital analog converters, each electrically coupled to a respective electrode. Each of the digital analog converters is associated with a respective cell.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip having a substrate with several overlaying metal layers. A lower metal layer is adjacent the substrate and an upper layer is spaced above the lower layer. The chip has circuitry including a number of circuit elements, and a number of access elements, each associated with and electrically connected to one of the circuit elements. Each access element includes first and second terminals in the lower layer, and an elongated span element in the upper layer. The span element has a first end overlaying and electrically connected to the first terminal and a second end overlaying and electrically connected to the second terminal. One of the terminals may be connected to provide power or a connection to the input or output of the associated circuit element. The chip may then be modified by severing the span element, or by connecting the span element to other circuitry on the chip to disable or enable operation of the circuit element.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of an optical switch having at least one dual axis micromirror, the micromirror is manipulated about two generally perpendicular axes by varying voltage patterns along two electrostatic arrangements. The two electrostatic arrangements may be formed to independently drive two movers, or may be formed to control a mover that is displaceable in two directions. The micromirrors and the movers that control the micromirrors may be integrated onto a single substrate. Alternatively, the micromirrors may be formed on a substrate that is attached to the substrate that includes the mover or movers. In a second embodiment of an optical switch in accordance with the invention, the switch includes two collimator arrays and two dual axis micromirror arrays. Each first micromirror in the first micromirror array is dedicated to one of the collimators in the first collimator array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending a resolution of a clock in which the resolution is limited by a period of an oscillator in the clock. The present method and apparatus employs delays which are adapted to the period of the clock and which enable the determination of corrections to be applied to the timing function performed by the clock. The corrections effectively extend the resolution of the clock without increasing the frequency of the oscillator.

Abstract: An optically pumped vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device and a method of fabricating the device utilize two separate substrates that perform a filtering operation to selectively transmit only light having a long peak wavelength that is generated by the device. The optically pumped VCSEL device is a self-pumped device that can generate the pump light to drive the device to emit output laser light having a long peak wavelength. The optically pumped VCSEL device includes a short-wavelength VCSEL formed on one of the two substrates and a long-wavelength VCSEL formed on the other substrate. The short-wavelength VCSEL is a current-driven VCSEL that generates short-wavelength light to drive (i.e., optically pump) the long-wavelength VCSEL. The short-wavelength VCSEL and the long-wavelength VCSEL are bonded together such that the two substrates are separated by the two VCSELs.

Abstract: A PCS that comprises a photo-conductive layer of NB material sandwiched between a top confinement layer and a bottom confinement layer. Both confinement layers are layers of WB material. NB material and WB material are semiconductor materials. NB material has a smaller band-gap energy than WB material. The top confinement layer and the photo-conductive layer have opposite conductivity types. A first electrode and a second electrode, separated from each other by a gap and are located on the surface of the top confinement layer remote from the photo-conductive layer. The photo-conductive layer provides a low-resistance conduction path between the electrodes when the photo-conductive layer is illuminated with incident light of an appropriate wavelength and intensity.

Abstract: An automatic external defibrillator (“AED”) is described that includes a high voltage delivery circuit for producing a biphasic electrical pulse to defibrillate a patient. The delivery circuit includes a plurality of capacitors controlled by IGBTs. The bridge circuit has four SCRs which are selectively switched to produce, for example, a biphasic steering of current.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for predicting the potential of an oligonucleotide to hybridize to a target nucleotide sequence. A predetermined number of unique oligonucleotides is identified. The unique oligonucleotides are chosen to sample the entire length of a nucleotide sequence that is hybridizable with the target nucleotide sequence. At least one parameter that is independently predictive of the ability of each of the oligonucleotides of the set to hybridize to the target nucleotide sequence is determined and evaluated for each of the above oligonucleotides. A subset of oligonucleotides within the predetermined number of unique oligonucleotides is identified based on the evaluation of the parameter. Oligonucleotides in the subset are identified that are clustered along a region of the nucleotide sequence that is hybridizable to the target nucleotide sequence. The method may be carried out with the aid of a computer.

Abstract: A method for reading out data from microlocations of a microelectronic array involves activating multiple microlocations in parallel and simultaneously detecting the responses from the activated microlocations to determine concentrations of molecular biological material at each microlocation. In a preferred embodiment, the microelectronic array includes electronically addressable electrodes at each microlocation which can be individually activated via a control system. An electrochemiluminescent detection technique is used to detect the presence and determine the concentration of bound molecular biological material that is located at each microlocation. Electrochemiluminescent material is utilized because it gives off light when excited by an applied electrical field. With an addressable microelectronic array, electrical fields can be applied to various combinations of microlocations simultaneously to allow readout of several microlocations in parallel.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor having an amorphous silicon sensing layer and a semiconductor readout layer. A plurality of P-I-N photodiodes are disposed in the sensing layer. The photodiodes define subpixels that are arranged in a hexagonal grid layout. The subpixels can have a hexagonal shape or a circular shape. The sensing layer can include color filters for implementing a color pattern, an infrared filter to absorb infrared radiation, and a microlens for focusing an image on the subpixels. The subpixels can be arranged in a triangular configuration to form a pixel and adjacent pixels can be arranged in the hexagonal grid layout. The readout layer includes a plurality of readout rectangular readout cells that correspond to the subpixels in the sensing layer. The readout cells can be arranged in a triangular configuration to match the subpixels in the sensing layer. The P-I-N photodiodes have an output for generating an output signal that is communicated to the readout cells in the readout layer.

Abstract: Energy efficiency of a thermal zone in an analytical instrument is improved by use of an oven housing module having an enclosure body defining an oven cavity, wherein the enclosure body exhibits a size and shape sufficient to receive a component to be subjected to temperature control within a thermal zone located in the oven cavity. A temperature control assembly includes a vent assembly communicating with ambient air, a fan, and a fast cooling flap, wherein the temperature of the thermal zone may be modulated by supplementing the oven cavity air with ambient air. The fast cooling flap may be operated for opening one side of the oven cavity to ambient conditions such that ambient air may be rapidly introduced to the oven cavity and the cavity air may be rapidly exhausted from the oven cavity for rapid cooling of the thermal zone.

Abstract: The analog drive circuit drives a pixel electrode in response to an analog sample derived from a video signal. The analog drive circuit comprises a sample selection section and a drive signal generator. The sample selection section receives and temporarily stores the analog sample during a sample load period. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal and applies the drive signal to the pixel electrode during a display period that follows the sample load period. The drive signal is composed of a sequence of a first temporal portion and a second temporal portion. The first temporal portion has a time duration substantially proportional to the analog sample temporarily stored in the sample selection section. The second temporal portion is the temporal complement of the first temporal portion.

Abstract: Wavelength reference standard using multiple gasses and calibration methods using same. A wavelength reference using absorption lines of multiple gasses provides stable reference wavelengths over multiple regions of interest of the optical spectrum. The gasses may be in separate cells or combined in one cell. Improved calibration using the reference is achieved by performing calibration measurements at a plurality of known wavelengths and using an average calibration constant derived from the plurality of measurements. In a second embodiment, improved calibration is achieved by performing calibration measurements at a plurality of known wavelengths and calculating a higher order calibration model, such as a least-squares linear fit. Both approached may be extended by segmenting the wavelength range and using calculated calibration values for each segment.

Abstract: An integrated display device and method of driving liquid crystal within a display area of the device include providing dual port memory cells that isolate write operations to the pixels from read operations within the pixels. Preferably, each pixel has an array of integrated dual port memory cells, with the number of cells in the array being equal to the number of bits per pixel within each frame of pixel data. The dual port memory cell may be an electrical series connection of a bit-storage device having write access circuitry (e.g., a write access transistor) on one side and read access circuitry (e.g., two read access transistors) on the opposite side. Such a series connection of devices enables the rate of driving the liquid crystal to be set independently from the rate of receiving pixel data at the pixels. The integrated display device also includes an on-chip frame buffer circuitry, as well as other circuitry for read and write operations.