Abstract: A compact linear bi-directional motor is driven by one or more induced strain actuators, such as piezoelectric actuators, fabricated in its preferred embodiment using MEMS technology and incorporating a plurality of multi-clamps that alternately engage, forced by electrically energized auxiliary actuators, the rails or micro-ridges located on the base of the motor, on which they ride. This function is synchronized with energizing of the main actuator that alternately extends and contracts causing incremental motion of the multi-clamp assembly. An external load can be attached through a shaft to the multi-clamp assembly or the base.

Abstract: An inertial impact drill for diverse applications in cytology such as in-vitro fertilization, genetic research, pharmaceutical research, cloning, etc., is designed to operate in conjunction with micropipettes, microelectrodes, and micromanipulators. The drill includes two opposing actuators, one version of which is comprised a plurality of individual piezoelectric elements, the other version is comprised of a plurality of electrostrictive elements. The actuators drive a small inertial mass to produce sharp short reciprocal movements of this mass. The movements of the inertial mass result in repetitive impacts that are transferred to the micropipette or a microelectrode, which is mechanically coupled to the body of the inertial impact drill. In addition, the impacts cause mechanical oscillation of the tip of a micropipette or a microelectrode at its resonant frequency that is higher than the repetition rate of the impacts.

Abstract: A support device for a scanned-probe microscope comprises a horizontal base member and a vertical bridge member that are transverse to one another. The horizontal and vertical members are connected at their respective opposite ends by a common chord member extending between the ends. The device preferably includes means for attaching a scanned-probe microscope to a forward surface of the vertical bridge member. The support device preferably further includes one or more bracket members, each attached at one end to the rearward surface of the vertical bridge member and at the opposite end to a rearward surface of the chord member. Each bracket includes a section extending away from the chord member. The horizontal base member and the chord member each has an upper surface substantially coplanar with one another. The substantially coplanar upper surfaces together provide support for a readily separable sample plate.

Abstract: The electrostrictive actuator device of the present invention, which controls relative movement in a scanned-probe microscope between the tip of a probe and the surface of a sample, comprises two thin-walled cylindrical members formed of electrostrictive material. The first cylindrical member, which is connected to the microscope, has on each of its inner and outer surfaces a conductive layer that forms at least one electrode. Applying voltages to the electrodes on the inner and outer surfaces of the first cylindrical member controls the two-dimensional X-Y horizontal relative movement between the probe tip and the sample surface. The second cylindrical member of the actuator device is coaxially connected at one end with the first cylindrical member and at its opposite end with the sample or the probe. Both the inner and outer surfaces of the second member have conductive layers, each of which forms an electrode.

Abstract: A peristaltic driver, also known as an Inchworm.RTM. actuator using stepping, "clamp-extend-clamp", action of a piezoelectric actuator device provides motion in high resolution (steps) of an object, such as a probe of a scanning probe microscope or other optical, electrical and computer elements. The actuator device is an integral body made up of successive pusher and clamping sections. The clamping sections selectively clamp to members which are spaced from each other. An object is moved along a path between the members by being coupled to a pusher section which is disposed in symmetrical relationship with pairs of other pusher sections and pairs of clamping sections. Voltages are applied across the various sections and provide clamping action without transferring net forces in directions along which the object is pushed, thus reducing motion discontinuities each time the clamping sections extend or retract.

Abstract: A surface probe microscope such as a scanning tunneling microscope has a platform on which an actuator and a sample (specimen) holder are disposed in proximity to each other; the actuator being adapted to move a electrode tip into surface probing relationship with the specimen. Holders for retaining samples at storage stations and a carrier for retaining a plurality of electrode tip units are supported on opposite sides of a region in which a laterally extending portion of a longitudinally and rotationally movable arm is disposed. The lateral arm portion has, on one side thereof, a member for engaging an electrode tip unit in the actuator and moving it to the carrier for location in a receptacle therein. Rotation of the arm also indexes the carrier to present different tip units for engagement so that tip units can be exchanged between the actuator and the carrier. On the opposite side of the carrier are the holders for sample retainers.

Abstract: An electromechanical translator apparatus (24) which is especially suitable for use as the coarse positioner in a scanning tunneling microscope (10) (STM) which enables a specimen to be positioned with a resolution in the order of atomic distances (in the nanometer range) has a housing (26) containing a piezolectric driver in the form of a sleeve (32) surrounding a shaft (21) on one end of which the specimen (18) may be mounted. The driver sleeve (32) has an extension element (2) with clamping elements (1, 3) on opposite ends thereof and is connected and referenced to the housing at a region (4) thereon spaced from the extension element and preferably between the extension element (2) and the one of the clamping elements (1) closest to the end of the shaft (22) on which the specimen (18) is mounted (in the direction of controlled movement toward the scanning tip (16) of the STM).

Abstract: A tissue photoradiation system uses a hematoporphyrin or hematoporphyrin derivative dye in tissue to be irradiated and arranges a xenon ion laser 10 for simultaneous lasing. Deep blue light is produced at wavelengths of about 406-427 nanometers and red light at a wavelength of about 627 nanometers by using partially transmitting mirrors 12 and 13 arranged at opposite ends of the laser resonator. Mirror 12 has a coating 14 that substantially reflects blue light and partially transmits red light to produce a red light output, and the coating 15 of mirror 13 substantially reflects red light and partially transmits blue light producing a blue light output. The blue light output is transmitted to a diagnostic tissue irradiator 21 to illuminate the tissue and diagnose its condition. A transmission system using an optical fiber 25 delivers the red light to the tissue for treatment purposes. The red light is radiated out the side of an optical fiber region 30a to be directed into large area of tissue.

Abstract: A dual beam interferometer in which the motion of a mirror produces optical path variation resulting in fringes at photodetectors provides direct, selectable measurement of wavelength and frequency of an input laser beam with high accuracy and over a large frequency and wavelength range without the need for correction due to differences in the index of refraction over the range.

Abstract: An infrared laser is described which is optically pumped by a pump laser operating at a visible wavelength. The polarization of the pump, is opposite from the lasing polarization, and is coupled colinearly with the laser beam by a Brewster angle polarization beam splitter in the laser beam path which reflects the pump polarization while transmitting the lasing polarization. Leakage of the pump polarization through the beam splitter provides a visible tracer propagating colinearly with the laser beam which permits the location of the invisible infrared beam and its alignment with respect to apparatus which utilizes the beam.

Abstract: A rigid thermally stable structure provides a platform on which devices may be supported in precise positional relationships. The platform is provided by a thin plate of material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is relatively low, such as may be fabricated from an iron nickel alloy of the type manufactured under the trade names Invar and Super-Invar. A rigid base of material which may have a high thermal expansion coefficient is also provided. The thin plate is attached to the rigid base by an array of posts which imparts thereto the rigidity of the base for preventing flexural movement of the plate while permitting the base and plate to move with respect to each other as their longitudinal dimensions change with temperature. The thin plate therefore provides a rigid and thermally stable platform.