Abstract: Provided are methods of tuning the emission wavelength from a tunable infrared plasmonic emitting structure, which structure comprises: (a) a perforated or patterned first conductive layer having a plurality of relief features provided in a periodic spatial configuration, wherein the relief features are separated from each other by adjacent recessed features, wherein the distance between features is between 1-15 ?m; (b) a dielectric layer underlying the first conductive layer; (c) a second conductive layer underlying the dielectric film; and (d) a substrate underlying the second conductive layer; wherein the emission wavelength is tuned by applying a force in a biaxial direction parallel to the substrate, changing the distance between relief features, or changing the resistivity and dielectric constant of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a spherical object, which includes suspension means for supporting a spherical object in a fixed position relative to its center. The suspension means holds the sphere by simultaneously contacting its surface with contacting elements at at least four points spatially independent of each other on the surface. Each of the contact elements is of regular shapes, such as, spheres, cylinders, cones or other shapes having symmetry about an axis of rotation. At least one of the contact elements is rotationally driven by a rotating drive means. The rotating drive means is rotated at a fixed or time-varying speed to impart controlled movement to the sphere about an axis through its center. The speeds or time-varying functions thereof cause the resultant controlled rotational motion of the sphere by manipulating an axis of rotation through its center.

Abstract: A scheme for encoding an article involves marking the article with a first material of at least one element, at least one compound of at least one element or a mixture located at a predetermined position on the article. The article is also marked with a second material of at least one element or a mixture thereof located at a predetermined position on the article. The first and second materials each have the property of emitting x-rays when subjected to a primary source of electromagnetic radiation of appropriate wavelength. The emission wavelength/wavelengths, and intensity/intensities for the first material are a predetermined, coded indication of the location of the second material. The emission wavelength/wavelengths and intensity/intensities of the second material are a predetermined identification or verification code for the article.

Abstract: A scheme for encoding an article involves marking the article with a first material of at least one element, at least one compound of at least one element or a mixture located at a predetermined position on the article. The article is also marked with a second material of at least one element or a mixture thereof located at a predetermined position on the article. The first and second materials each have the property of emitting x-rays when subjected to a primary source of electromagnetic radiation of appropriate wavelength. The emission wavelength/wavelengths, and intensity/intensities for the first material are a predetermined, coded indication of the location of the second material. The emission wavelength/wavelengths and intensity/intensities of the second material are a predetermined identification or verification code for the article.

Abstract: A merchandise tagging technique includes a transmitter and receiver module, called hereinafter the interrogator, located at the merchandise inspection point. When a piece of merchandise containing an activated tag passes in the vicinity of the interrogator, an alarm signal occurs. The transmitter produces a pulsed magnetic field which excites the tag. The magnetic oscillations produced by the tag are detected by the receiver-each tag magnetic burst being coherently accumulated.The tag is a small, passive, magnetically-permeable core with a winding on it which results in a self resonant structure that produces magnetic oscillations when excited by the transmitter. These oscillations are detected by the receiver and processed for optimal enhancement during the residence time of tagged merchandise passing by the interrogator. The tags can be small and mass-produced at low cost, which makes this scheme an economically valuable technique.