Abstract: A MALDI ion source includes a sample plate for receiving a sample, a laser for producing laser radiation to ionize the sample, a first optical element arranged so as to direct the laser radiation along a first optical path toward the target area, and a second optical element arranged along the first optical path to focus the laser radiation onto the target area. The first and second optical elements are arranged that light that is reflected from the target area travels along the first optical path through the first and second optical elements, the first optical element reflecting the laser radiation along a first direction and transmitting the light reflected from the target area that has traversed the first optical path in a second direction. An imaging device for viewing the plate surface may be arranged to receive the light that has been reflected from the target area and has traversed the first optical path through the first and second optical elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method for reducing the complexity of a proteomic sample, and preferably also for allowing identification of proteins in the sample. In one aspect, the invention provides a highly efficient method for identifying proteins in a proteomic sample by characterizing a single N-terminal peptide per protein. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for identifying proteins in a proteomic sample by characterizing a single C-terminal peptide per protein. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for quantitative determination of differential protein expression and/or modification in different samples. In another aspect, the invention relates to kits useful for conveniently performing a method in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods of characterizing eye diagrams are described. In one aspect, at measurement times across a measurement interval spanning at least one unit interval of the input signal, corresponding levels of the input signal are classified into groups based on at least one threshold. An eye diagram characteristic width is derived based on a distribution across the measurement interval of the levels in one of the groups.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed which allows for the simultaneous capturing of signals at a plurality of diverse locations. In one embodiment, all transmissions received at each location are recorded for a period of time and after that period of time the recorded transmission is discarded. When a determination is made at any one of the locations that the recorded transmission includes a particular signal configuration, the time of receipt of such particular signal configuration is marked and the recorded transmission at that location is maintained so as to preserve the particular signal. When a location detects a particular signal a control signal is then sent to the other locations to cause the other locations to also “freeze” their recorded transmissions so that the desired particular signal can be retrieved from the recorded transmission. At least a portion of the captured signals at all locations are then communicated to a common point for processing.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a system for assured reliability in DC to AC power converters with application to distributed power generation systems is presented.

Abstract: A refractive optical system may be a collimator, focusing optical system, reducer, or expander and includes an entrance optical element, an exit optical element, and a volume disposed between the entrance and exit optical elements. The volume is configured to have an index of refraction that is insensitive to changes in atmospheric conditions of the ambient environment. A surface of curvature of an input surface of the entrance optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an input light beam and an output surface of the exit optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an exit light beam. Accordingly, the wavefront curvature of the exit light beam is insensitive to the ambient environment permitting the production and operation environments to change without a change to the performance of the optical system.

Abstract: A method is provided to perform an optimized setting of an optical detection device, with the detection device comprising a first and a second waveguide, each having an end face adapted for emitting and receiving light and facing each other in a distance d, and an envelope which at least partially envelopes said distance d and which is adapted for at least partially guiding light between the end sides. The method comprises measuring of a transmission characteristic between the waveguides, which transmission characteristic shows at least one of a minimum and a plateau and which is dependent on the distance d, and setting of the distance d to a working point on the distance d in the minimum or plateau, wherein the variation of the transmission around the working point is low, accordingly the derivation of the measured transmission characteristic is low.

Abstract: An optical coupling system is disclosed. The optical coupling system includes a first optical element, a second optical element and a layer of an optically transmissive elastic material disposed between the first optical element and the second optical element. At least one of the first optical element and the second optical element has a surface facing the elastic layer that is non-planar across the surface. An optical element having the non-planar surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to determining a chirp property) of an optical device, comprising: receiving an input optical signal from the optical device and generating an output optical signal by providing a change of a state of polarization by means of a polarization controller operating at a first setting and an interferometric superposition of two signal parts in any order, determining an optical intensity of the output optical signal, controlling the polarization controller to operate at a second setting in order to provide a different change of the state of polarization and repeating previous steps for determining a corresponding optical intensity, and determining the chirp property by evaluating the optical intensities determined in response to the different polarization controller settings.

Abstract: Methods of forming an internucleotide bond are disclosed. Such methods find use in synthesis of polynucleotides. The method involves contacting a functionalized support with a precursor having an exocyclic amine triaryl methyl protecting group under conditions and for a time sufficient to result in internucleotide bond formation. The functionalized support includes a solid support, a triaryl methyl linker group, and a nucleoside moiety having a reactive site hydroxyl, the nucleoside moiety attached to the solid support via the triaryl methyl linker group.

Abstract: A method for measuring a frequency translation device under test by using a vector network analyzer and a reference frequency translation device that includes measuring the network characteristics of the reference frequency translation device by using the vector network analyzer, measuring the network characteristics of a circuit including the reference frequency translation device and the frequency translation device under test by using the vector network where the reference frequency translation device has an operation complementary to the frequency translation device under test, and removing the network characteristics of the reference frequency translation device from the measured network characteristics of the circuit.

Abstract: A polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK)-based microfluidic device having an integrated electrospray emitter is disclosed. Bonding of at least one PAEK substrate forming the microfluidic device is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive, such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. By providing the PAEK-based microfluidic device with an integrated electrospray emitter, efficient and effective analysis of fluid samples is enabled.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising at least one inlet port, at least one flow path coupled to the inlet port, and at least one fluid separation element coupled to the flow path, wherein the fluid separation element comprises a packing material and is adapted for separating different components of a fluid, wherein the microfluidic device comprises at least one retaining device for keeping the packing material of the fluid separation element fixed in place and protecting the microfluidic device from debris polluting the analyte.

Abstract: A time synchronization system synchronizes local clocks of locating units within a communication system using a known external signal. Each of the locating units receives a radio frequency (RF) signal from a transmitter at a known geographical location and measures the RF signal to produce a respective measurement of the signal and a respective timestamp of the measurement recorded at substantially the same time of the local clocks of the locating units. A controller determines a measured time difference of arrival between the locating units using the measurements and timestamps, computes a time synchronization error between the locating units from a difference between the measured time difference of arrival and an expected time difference of arrival and provides a respective time adjustment to each of the locating units to offset the time synchronization error.

Abstract: Methods for correcting systematic errors in the measured position of deposited features of a nucleic acid array on a substrate. Systematic errors are modeled by an algorithmic model based on measuring the positions (and possibly other properties) of a subset of the features, and a model is constructed for predicting deviations in feature position from an ideal grid. Deviations arising in the deposition process, the scanning process, or both may be corrected.

Abstract: A test system includes a circuit assembly having an IC and an external circuit. The IC includes test circuitry used to observe data indicative of target resistances in the external circuit. The test system evaluates the data to determine target resistance values. A first embodiment measures two output voltages responsive to a time varying reference voltage. The two output voltages can be used to determine resistance values in the external circuit. A second embodiment enables logic contention on the IC, controllably fixes a pull-down element on the IC, and controllably sweeps a pull-up element on the IC until the voltage at a node between the pull-down and pull-up elements and coupled to an external circuit exceeds a reference voltage.

Abstract: Generally, the embodiments presented are directed to circuits and methods for triggering an event at a fraction of a clock cycle. A triggering circuit can comprise two or more input circuits that output an event signal. The event signal is received by one of two or more delay circuits that trigger the event signal at a predetermined phase of the clock cycle by moving the event signal from a first clock domain to another clock domain. By triggering the event at a phase division, the triggering circuit outputs signals at a rate faster than the clock cycle.

Abstract: A Logic Analyzer has an intuitive and informative analog presentation of signal activity and threshold settings formed by gathering a collection of factors pertaining to the measurement to be performed, such as information about which channels are members of labeled collections. A scan of signal activity is performed for each assigned channel as its threshold is briefly swept. This produces a range of voltage that describes that signal's signal activity. For each Probe Pod these ranges are then displayed in columns as adjacent vertical segments of a voltage swing Y axis along a channels-within-a-probe-pod X axis. The Y axis is labeled with actual voltage values. Superimposed upon this analog style display is a horizontal line indicating the associated threshold for that Probe Pod. Further annotations include channel identifiers and signal activity indicators whose shapes connote recurring transitions and signals that appear to be ‘stuck’ either HIGH or LOW.

Abstract: A transmission system for RF signals, power and control signals over RF coaxial cables is disclosed. A coaxial cable line interconnects two devices, such as an instrument and a remote coupler. A control signal (e.g., data bit) and RF signals are multiplexed onto the coaxial cable line using a bias network at each end of the coaxial cable. In certain embodiments, power is generated at the coupler based on the state of the control bits. Each coaxial cable carries one control bit on the center conductor of the cable. A table maps the states of the one or more control bits to the desired states in the remote coupler. The all-zeroes state for the control bits is disallowed, such that at any given time, at least one of the control lines is high (e.g., at +5V). A passive network at the coupler generates the power voltage for the coupler from the control bits. In further embodiments, a power supply filter is provided at the coupler to supply power to the coupler during transitions of the passive network.

Abstract: A multimode ionization source with improved ionization characteristics that comprises an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source including a corona needle having an end positioned downstream from the electrospray ionization source for producing a discharge that further ionizes the charged aerosol, an assist gas inlet positioned adjacent to the corona needle for providing assist gas, the assist gas facilitating ionization of the charged aerosol by the corona discharge, and a conduit having an orifice for receiving ions from the charged aerosol.