Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a one-dimensionally varying optical filter, a substrate is coated to form a stack of layers of two or more different types. The coating may, for example, employ sputtering, electron-beam evaporation, or thermal evaporation. During the coating, the time-averaged deposition rate is varied along an optical gradient direction by generating reciprocation between a shadow mask and the substrate in a reciprocation direction that is transverse to the optical gradient direction. In some approaches, the shadow mask is periodic with a mask period defined along the direction of reciprocation, and the generated reciprocation has a stroke equal to or greater than the mask period along the direction of reciprocation. The substrate and the shadow mask may also be rotated together as a unit during the coating. Also disclosed are one-dimensionally varying optical filters, such as linear variable filters, made by such methods.

Abstract: A method of making an article includes depositing a plurality of layers to form a three-dimensional preform, sintering the preform to form a sintered preform, and infiltrating the preform with at least one metal to form the article. At least one layer of the plurality of layers is formed from a beryllium-containing composition including beryllium powder. The infiltrating metal can be selected from aluminum and magnesium.

Abstract: Methods of preparing Zr based metallic using Zr sponge refined by a refining process are described. An exemplary method includes heating Zr sponge in a processing chamber with an electron-beam-heating apparatus or an arc-melting apparatus under a desired pressure condition to release volatile contaminants from the Zr sponge, introducing a purge gas into the processing chamber and permitting the purge gas to intermingle with at least some of the released volatile contaminants, evacuating the processing chamber to extract at least some of the purge gas and released volatile contaminants, repeating the heating of the Zr sponge, the introducing of the purge gas, and the evacuating of the processing chamber release and evacuate additional volatile contaminants from the Zr sponge to provide a processed Zr sponge with enhanced purity, and melting the processed Zr sponge with multiple other alloy constituents to provide a Zr-based metallic alloy.

Abstract: An outer lid for an arc furnace includes an outer lid formed from copper or a copper alloy. The outer lid also includes electrode ports, an off-gas chute, and a charge chute. Cooling circuits are present within the outer lid. The bottom surface of the outer lid is exposed to the internal volume of a crucible, and promotes accretion of slag, which can act as a heat barrier.

Abstract: A stiff, lightweight metal laminate includes a first continuous metal layer, a second continuous metal layer, and a reduced density metal core layer disposed between the first and second continuous metal layers. The reduced density metal core layer comprises a core metal and has an average density that is less than the density of the core metal. Planar metallurgical bonds secure the first and second continuous metal layers to the reduced density metal core layer. The metal laminate may be manufactured by press rolling the reduced density metal core layer sandwiched between the two continuous metal layers, after removing or overcoating the native oxide layer on each layer surface that contacts another layer in the metal laminate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising an optical filter array including an array of optical filter elements; wherein each optical filter element has opposing mutually parallel principal faces connected by sidewalls including at least one pair of opposing trapezoidal sidewalls and at least one pair of opposing sidewalls that are not mutually parallel; and wherein the opposing mutually parallel principal faces of the filter elements collectively define optical entrance and exit apertures of the optical filter array and include interference filters. Further disclosed is a method of illuminating such a filter array.

Abstract: A light converter comprises: a solid-state optical member configured to absorb light of an excitation wavelength and generate light of an emission wavelength; a base; and a mechanical fastener attaching the solid-state optical member to the base. The light converter may be part of a light engine, a phosphor wheel or an automotive headlight. A method of manufacturing such a phosphor wheel is also provided.

Abstract: A cold worked and spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi, is used to form a sucker rod coupling or subcoupling. Each coupling is formed from a core having two ends, each end having an internal thread. These box ends engage the pin of a sucker rod or other rod. The exterior surface of the core includes grooves running between the two ends.

Abstract: Phosphor elements comprising phosphors in a host material having a phosphorescence-emitting surface with surface nanostructures are disclosed. Phosphor wheels having such phosphor elements, methods of making such phosphor elements, and methods of using such phosphor elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and apparatuses for optimizing the single pass production of multilayer constructs including metal/transparent conducting oxide (TCO) multilayers. Articles created from such methods are also disclosed. In particular, multilayer constructs are used as an electrochemical test strip, such as a biosensor, and will be described with particular reference thereto.

Abstract: A cap assembly for optical communications comprising a housing that includes a front side perpendicular from a bottom side, opposing parallel first and second sides perpendicular from the bottom side, and a back side disposed perpendicularly between the first side and the second side offset from respective ends of the first side and the second side opposite the front side. The back side includes an opening there-through and a three-sided ledge formed along an interior of the first side leg, an exterior of the back side, and an interior of the second side leg. The cap assembly further includes a window configured to contact the three-sided ledge of the back side, the glass panel covering the opening there-through and attached to the assembly via a solder pre-form.

Abstract: A light converter (200) comprises: a solid-state light conversion material (201) that generates emission light from excitation light incident on its surface; a filler layer (230, 240) on the surface of the solid-state light conversion material (201); and an optical coating (220, 250) on the filler layer. The optical coating (220, 250) may be a thin film, such as an anti-reflective coating (220) and/or a high-reflective coating (250). A metallic coating (260) may additionally be provided. The light converter (200) may be used for an optical device, such as a phosphor wheel or automotive headlight.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising an optical filter array including an array of optical filter elements; wherein each optical filter element has opposing mutually parallel principal faces connected by sidewalls including at least one pair of opposing trapezoidal sidewalls and at least one pair of opposing sidewalls that are not mutually parallel; and wherein the opposing mutually parallel principal faces of the filter elements collectively define optical entrance and exit apertures of the optical filter array and include interference filters. Further disclosed is a method of illuminating such a filter array.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant optical device is disclosed. The device includes a substrate, a silver layer upon the substrate, and an insulating layer that provides abrasion resistance. The device is immersed in a thiol-rich solution. The thiols form a corrosion-inhibiting monolayer upon any exposed silver surface. This increases the environmental resistance of the optical device, keeping water from interacting with the silver layer.

Abstract: A frame lid for use with a semiconductor package is disclosed. First, a mask is applied to a top surface of the lid and over a central area of the top surface to define a peripheral area. Next, a seal ring is formed by metallizing the peripheral area and the sidewall of the plate. The mask can then be removed obtain the frame lid. Next, a solder preform can be attached to the seal ring. This reduces pullback and shrinkage of the metallized layer, while lowering the manufacturing cost and process times.

Abstract: Methods for making a high purity (>99.99%) and low oxygen (<40 ppm) sputtering target containing Co, CoFe, CoNi, CoMn, CoFeX (X?B, C, Al), Fe, FeNi, or Ni alloys with a column microstructure framed by boron intermetallics are disclosed. The sputtering target is made by directional casting a molten mixture of the metal alloy, annealing to remove residual stresses, slicing, and optional annealing and finishing to obtain the sputtering target.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multilayer constructs for producing metabolite strips. The multilayer constructs include a substrate layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, a thin film metal conductor layer formed on the top surface of the substrate layer and configured to act as an electrode, and a Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) protective layer deposited on top of the metal conductor layer. The metabolic strips can be used, along with various measuring devices, for determining the presence of certain analytes in a specimen and for various like applications.

Abstract: A spinodal copper-nickel-tin alloy with a combination of improved impact strength, yield strength, and ductility is disclosed. The alloy is formed by process treatment steps including solution annealing, cold working and spinodal hardening. These include such processes as a first heat treatment/homogenization step followed by hot working, solution annealing, cold working, and a second heat treatment/spinodally hardening step. The spinodal alloys so produced are useful for applications demanding enhanced strength and ductility such as for pipes and tubes used in the oil and gas industry.

Abstract: A three-dimensional inkjet printer and method for printing an aperture mask on a multi-spectral filter array. A custom tray is used by the printer allowing for printing on a prefabricated filter array. Photopolymer resin is deposited on the prefabricated filter array to form the aperture mask of dark mirror coating. An ultraviolet lamp illuminates the deposited photopolymer resin on the surface of the prefabricated multi-spectral optical filter array to cure the resin, thereby forming the mask. The prefabricated multi-spectral optical filter array includes an optical coating on at least one side, the aperture mask being formed on the optical coating, without the use of heat, chemical etching, or deformation of the optical coating.

Abstract: An air cavity package includes a flange and a pedestal extending upward from the flange. A dielectric frame is joined to the flange and surrounds the pedestal. The semiconductor die is placed on the pedestal, which reduces the length of the wires joining the die to the leads of the air cavity package.