Abstract: An optical inspection apparatus, including: an optical metrology tool configured to measure structures, the optical metrology tool including: an electromagnetic (EM) radiation source configured to direct a beam of EM radiation along an EM radiation path; and an adaptive optical system disposed in a portion of the EM radiation path and configured to adjust a shape of a wave front of the beam of EM radiation, the adaptive optical system including: a first aspherical optical element; a second aspherical optical element adjacent the first aspherical optical element; and an actuator configured to cause relative movement between the first optical element and the second optical element in a direction different from a beam axis of the portion of the EM radiation path.

Abstract: In an immersion lithography apparatus in which immersion liquid is supplied to a localized space, the space is substantially polygonal in plan substantially parallel to the substrate. In an embodiment, two corners of the space have a radius of curvature no greater than the width of a transition zone between the space configured to contain liquid and a surrounding configured not to contain liquid.

Abstract: A device for securing fiber optic cables to telecommunications equipment. The device includes a cable receiver for receiving fiber optic cables, a mounting base for mounting to telecommunications equipment, and a neck extending between the cable receiver and the mounting base. The neck includes a flexible area to flex the cable receiver along at least two different planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double jib slewing pedestal crane comprising a main jib and a secondary jib, and a secondary jib positioning device to support and position the secondary jib with respect to the main jib and actuate the pivotal movement of the secondary jib. The secondary jib positioning device comprises a secondary jib positioning cable; a spoke structure fixed to the secondary jib and extending radially outward; a tension chain connected at one end to the secondary jib positioning cable and at the other end to the secondary jib and/or to the spoke structure, wherein the spoke structure is adapted to support the tension chain.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a power converter connected to mains voltage and configured to provide a driving current responsive to a control signal. A voltage measurement circuit is configured to provide a voltage sense signal indicative of an amplitude of the mains voltage. A light-emitting diode (LED) module includes at least one string of LEDs that emit light responsive to the driving current, and is configured to detect an LED current through the at least one string and output a current feedback signal indicative of the detected LED current. A driver controller is configured to output the control signal responsive to the voltage sense signal and the current feedback signal.

Abstract: A sensor system for sensing a physical quantity is disclosed. The sensor system includes a first sensor path comprising a first first sensing element and a second first sensing element and a first intermediate node being provided in between the first first sensing element and the second first sensing element. The sensor also includes a second sensor path comprising a first second sensing element and a second second sensing element and a second intermediate node being provided in between the first second sensing element and the second second sensing element. A third sensor path is provided and comprises a first third sensing element and a second third sensing element and a third intermediate node being provided in between the first third sensing element and the second third sensing element. A signal processing device is also included.

Abstract: A column-store database engine operates in response to database requests for the update and retrieval of data from within a stable data table and provides for the storage of database tuples within a column-store organized database structure. A positional delta tree data structure is implemented in the memory space of the database engine and is operatively coupled in an update data transfer path between a database engine interface and the stable data table. The positional delta tree data structure includes a differential data storage layer operative to store differential update data values in positionally defined relative reference to database tuples stored by the stable data table.

Abstract: A method is provided for converting image data from a source format into a target format in a system including a converter for converting a sequence of data from the source format into an intermediate format, and an image processing system for converting the data from the intermediate format into the target format. The inverter is capable of dividing the data in the intermediate format into separate files. The method includes the steps of processing a first file in the image processing system; compiling a second file in the converter; and when the first file has been processed completely, instructing the converter to close the second file and send it to the image processing system and to open a new file for the next data to be converted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chain guide, respectively a chain tensioner for use in a lubricated sliding system, comprising a surface layer or bearing or comprising a sliding element comprising a surface layer, the surface layer being mainly made of a polymeric material containing a matrix polymer and optionally other components dispersed in said matrix polymer, wherein the matrix polymer consists of a semi-crystalline polyamide (SCPA) having a tensile modulus at 140° C. of at least 800 MPa (measured by the method according to ISO 527-1A). The invention also relates to a power train drive system comprising an engine, a transmission differential and a drive shaft system, a drive chain and a plastic component comprising a sliding element in contact with the lubricated drive chain, wherein the chain guide, the chain tensioner, respectively the sliding element has a coefficient of friction (Co F), measured in lubrication oil at 140° C. at a nominal contact pressure of 1 MPa and a speed of 1 m/s, of at most 0.07.

Abstract: A lamp comprising a driver assembly, the driver assembly including a driver board with driver electronics, at least one point light source and a heat sink, the heat sink including a top side and a bottom side, a central space extending from the bottom side to the top side and adapted for receiving the driver board of the driver assembly, a zone provided at the top side and adapted for receiving the at least one point light source, wherein a plurality of fins adapted for dissipating heat are extending on opposite sides of the central space, and an extension of the central space in at least one radial direction of the heat sink is larger than an extension of the zone in the radial direction of the heat sink such that the central space is provided with at least one section arranged offset from and radially adjacent to the zone.

Abstract: Methods for rendering three-dimensional photo meshes having dynamic content include: (a) detecting a shadow in a three-dimensional photo mesh; (b) removing the shadow from the three-dimensional photo mesh to form a modified photo mesh having a shadow-free texture; (c) simulating a real-time condition in the modified photo mesh; and (d) rendering an image that shows an effect of the real-time condition. Systems for rendering three-dimensional photo meshes having dynamic content are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of depositing a thin film. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of depositing a thin film, including: a step of forming a protective layer containing silicon on a substrate; and a step of forming a sacrificial layer on the protective layer, wherein the protective layer and the sacrificial layer may include silicon (Si), and the step of forming the protective layer may include a step of supplying a precursor containing silicon and a step of supplying plasma activating a purge gas.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and integrated circuit for broad-range current measurement using duty cycling are disclosed. Embodiments of an apparatus for sensing current through a transistor device may include an interface configured to receive a current from the transistor device for sensing. Additionally, embodiments may include a sensor component coupled to the interface and configured to receive the current from the transistor device and to generate a responsive sensor voltage. Embodiments may also include a sense control circuit configured to control a duty cycle of the sensor component.

Abstract: Switched mode power supply (SMPS) with adaptive reference voltage for controlling an output transistor and method of operating the SMPS are described. The adaptive reference voltage is implemented using a timer that starts when the voltage on a conduction terminal of the output transistor reaches a reference voltage and stops when the current through the output transistor reaches zero. The voltage difference between a target voltage and a voltage accumulated when the timer was active is then sampled to produce a sampled voltage, which defines a new reference voltage if the accumulated voltage is not equal to the target voltage so that the reference voltage is adaptively adjusted in accordance with an operational characteristic of the output transistor.

Abstract: A phase locked loop, comprising: a phase detector configured to determine a phase difference (??) between a reference signal and a feedback signal; a loop filter configured to perform a filtering operation on a signal derived from the phase difference, and to provide a control signal; a frequency controlled oscillator configured to receive the control signal and provide an output signal with a frequency that varies according to the control signal; wherein a low-pass filter is provided between the phase detector and the loop filter and/or between the loop filter and the frequency controlled oscillator to reduce quantization noise from the phase detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a capacitive sensor circuit in which a capacitance to be sensed is selectively coupled into a ring oscillator circuit. The ring oscillator frequency is measured with the capacitance coupled and not coupled, and a capacitance is derived from the change in ring oscillator frequency.

Abstract: The current invention provides for methods and medicaments that apply oligonucleotide molecules complementary only to a repetitive sequence in a human gene transcript, for the manufacture of a medicament for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a cis-element repeat instability associated genetic disorders in humans. The invention hence provides a method of treatment for cis-element repeat instability associated genetic disorders. The invention also pertains to modified oligonucleotides which can be applied in method of the invention to prevent the accumulation and/or translation of repeat expanded transcripts in cells.