Abstract: Three dimensional electronic and optical coupling devices that are capable of providing high speed coupling over a large frequency range while limiting the amount of space consumption in the communications network. An optical or electrical coupling device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate adjacent to the first substrate having one or more optical waveguides or microstrips formed thereon. The substrates will have disposed thereon conductive microstrips and/or dielectric elements. The one or more optical waveguides or microstrips formed on the first substrate correspond to at least one optical waveguides or microstrips formed on the second substrate so as to facilitate optical coupling between the corresponding waveguides. Precise spacing between the substrates and precise spacing between the optical waveguides or microstrips facilitate the requisite optical/RF coupling.

Abstract: Impedance control elements that are implemented in conjunction with the transition region of an electromagnetic waveguide to diminish the effect of reflective pulses on the signal transmission and to create linear impedance transition in the transition region are provided for. The device of the present invention provides the stated benefits in electromagnetic waveguides that are capable of high bandwidth signal transmission.

Abstract: Three dimensional electronic and optical coupling devices that are capable of providing high speed coupling over a large frequency range while limiting the amount of space consumption in the communications network. An optical or electrical coupling device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate adjacent to the first substrate having one or more optical waveguides or microstrips formed thereon. The substrates will have disposed thereon conductive microstrips and/or dielectric elements. The one or more optical waveguides or microstrips formed on the first substrate correspond to at least one optical waveguides or microstrips formed on the second substrate so as to facilitate optical coupling between the corresponding waveguides. Precise spacing between the substrates and precise spacing between the optical waveguides or microstrips facilitate the requisite optical/RF coupling.

Abstract: An improved through-via vertical interconnect, through-via heat sinks and associated fabrication techniques are provided for. The devices benefit from an organic dielectric layer that allows for low-temperature deposition processing. The low-temperature processing used to form the through-via interconnects and heat sinks allows for the formation of the interconnects and heat sinks at any point in the fabrication of the semiconductor device, including post-formation of active devices and associated circuitry. The through-via vertical interconnects of the present invention are fabricated so as to insure conformal thickness of the various layers that form the interconnect constructs. As such, the interconnects can be formed with a high aspect ratio, in the range of about 4:1 to about 10:1, substrate thickness to interconnect diameter.

Abstract: A flexible optoelectronic circuit is assembled on and released from a substrate, and therefore independent of a substrate. The substrate includes semiconductor substrates having a release layer. The release layer is etched to release the optoelectronic circuit such that the resulting circuit is flexible. Both optical elements, such as waveguides, and conductive elements are formed in layers, generally between insulating layers. The elements may be formed and patterned using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: Three dimensional electronic and optical coupling devices that are capable of providing high speed coupling over a large frequency range while limiting the amount of space consumption in the communications network. An optical or electrical coupling device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate adjacent to the first substrate having one or more optical waveguides or microstrips formed thereon. The substrates will have disposed thereon conductive microstrips and/or dielectric elements. The one or more optical waveguides or microstrips formed on the first substrate correspond to at least one optical waveguides or microstrips formed on the second substrate so as to facilitate optical coupling between the corresponding waveguides. Precise spacing between the substrates and precise spacing between the optical waveguides or microstrips facilitate the requisite optical/RF coupling.

Abstract: Impedance control elements that are implemented in conjunction with the transition region of an electromagnetic waveguide to diminish the effect of reflective pulses on the signal transmission and to create linear impedance transition in the transition region are provided for. The device of the present invention provides the stated benefits in electromagnetic waveguides that are capable of high bandwidth signal transmission.

Abstract: An optical-inclusive, dWDM local area network and the accompanying signaling protocol necessary to facilitate communication between nodes in a network. This network architecture provides for a packet-oriented network, independent of the number of nodes and the number of supported wavelengths, and provides for scheduled access to the medium, which guarantees higher utilization.

Abstract: A miniature electrical relay including a piezoelectric actuating element where the piezoelectric actuating element includes a piezoelectric thin-film material sandwiched in between two metal electrode layers that function as piezoelectric electrodes. The metal electrode layers are connected to a positive and negative terminal, respectively, of a power source, which results in actuation of the piezoelectric actuating element. The piezoelectric actuating element is affixed to a deformable metal contact through an insulating layer, such that when actuated, the piezoelectric actuating element selectively deforms the deformable metal contact to cause the contact to move into or out of electrical and mechanical connection with a fixed metal contact.

Abstract: A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) electrostatically operated high voltage switch or relay device is provided. These devices can switch high voltages while using relatively low electrostatic operating voltages. The MEMS device comprises a substrate, a substrate electrode, and one or more substrate contacts. The MEMS device also includes a flexible composite overlying the substrate, one or more composite contacts, and at least one insulator. The switch or relay device is provided overdrive potential through protrusions on the contact surface of the switch or relay contacts. In one embodiment the substrate contacts define protrusions on the contact surface that extend toward the flexible composite contacts. In another embodiment the flexible composite contacts define protrusions on the contact surface that extend toward the substrate contacts.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus adapted to track or other wise communicate with a remote object is provided, comprising a plurality of individually actuatable laser devices, each laser device emitting a laser beam. The scanning apparatus further comprises a moveable lens member disposed adjacent to the output ports such that the laser beams are directed therethrough, the lens member being moveable and cooperable with the laser devices such that each laser beam is directed in a different direction after passing through the lens member. The scanning apparatus is further configured to provide laser beam agility by selectively actuating individual laser devices so as to coarsely track the remote object and to provide laser beam steerability by moving the lens member with respect to an actuated laser device so as to finely track the remote object. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A simplified MEMS optical display device driven by electrostatic forces and associated arrays are provided for. The optical display device includes an optically transparent substrate, an optically transparent fixed electrode disposed on the substrate and a pigmented translucent film disposed on the substrate. A moveable optical shutter is affixed to the substrate and is generally aligned with the fixed electrode and the pigmented translucent film. The moveable optical shutter comprises an electrode element and a biasing element. In addition, a fixed portion attached to the substrate and a distal portion adjacent to the fixed portion defines the optical shutter. When an electrostatic voltage differential is established between the fixed electrode and the optical shutter electrode element the distal portion of the optical shutter will move to controllably regulate the pigmentation of an optical signal.

Abstract: A flexible optoelectronic circuit is assembled on and released from a substrate, and therefore independent of a substrate. The substrate includes semiconductor substrates having a release layer. The release layer is etched to release the optoelectronic circuit such that the resulting circuit is flexible. Both optical elements, such as waveguides, and conductive elements are formed in layers, generally between insulating layers. The elements may be formed and patterned using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: A sample analysis device is provided, the device comprising a frame adapted to accept at least one analysis apparatus, with each analysis apparatus having an analysis distance associated therewith. A eucentric goniometer is operably engaged with the frame and is adapted to eucentrically support a sample at a eucentric point within a reference system defined by the eucentric goniometer. The reference system of the eucentric goniometer is independent of the analysis distance. An axial adjustment device is operably engaged with at least one of the frame and the eucentric goniometer and is configured to coincidentally position the eucentric point and the analysis distance for the respective analysis apparatus. An associated device and method are also provided.

Abstract: A three terminal tunneling device that has a smaller voltage transition between off-current and on-current states and which also has less dependence on the lateral dimensions of the device. The device is a hybrid between a MOS transistor, a gated diode and a tunneling diode. The semiconductor device includes a lightly doped substrate of a first conductivity type. The lightly doped substrate will include a first heavily doped region of a first conductivity type formed in the substrate and a lightly doped layer of a first conductivity type disposed on the substrate and the first heavily doped region. The device also including a gate insulator layer disposed on the lightly doped layer and underlying a portion of the first heavily doped region and a gate electrode that is disposed on the gate insulator layer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic emission source identification apparatus is provided, the identification apparatus comprising a sensor device, a data transmitter, and a computer device. The sensor device is configured to sense an electromagnetic emission from a source, wherein the electromagnetic emission is sensed by the sensor device as corresponding sensed emission data. The data transmitter is in communication with the sensor device and is configured to transmit the sensed emission data from the sensor device. The computer device is configured to be in communication with the data transmitter. The computer device is further configured to process digital emission data, the digital emission data corresponding to the sensed emission data, so as to determine an identification indicator, an operational characteristic indicator, and/or an accessory characteristic indicator corresponding to the source.

Abstract: A method for providing a cost quote for a complex model data analysis is provided, wherein the analysis is performed on a computer device remotely disposed with respect to a computer terminal adapted to be used by a user. First, the user at the remote computer terminal is prompted to select an input data and an analysis parameter for an analysis of the data input according to a complex model. An automated cost calculator function is then executed in response to the selected input data and analysis parameter, wherein the cost calculator function is particularly configured with respect to the complex model so as to provide a cost quote for execution of the corresponding analysis by the computer device. The cost quote is thereafter provided to the user at the remote computer terminal.

Abstract: A passive microwave component with constant impedance and electrically adjustable phase length utilizes a microstrip or stripline transmission line geometry incorporating a composite dielectric having both ferroelectric (FE) and ferromagnetic (FM) properties. These properties can be varied with externally applied electric and magnetic fields such that the phase length (or electrical length) of the line can be varied without varying the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. Thus, the component can be electrically tuned without adversely affecting the impedance match. The component can be used in microwave devices such as phase shifters, frequency filters, directional couplers, power dividers and combiners, and impedance-matching networks.

Abstract: A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) valve device driven by electrostatic forces is provided. This valve device can provide for fast actuation, large valve force and large displacements while utilizing minimal power. The MEMS valve device includes a substrate having an aperture formed therein, a substrate electrode, a moveable membrane that overlies the aperture and has an electrode element and a biasing element. Additionally, at least one resiliently compressible dielectric layer is provided to insure electrical isolation between the substrate electrode and electrode element of the moveable membrane. In operation, a voltage differential is established between the substrate electrode and the electrode element of the moveable membrane to move the membrane relative to the aperture to thereby controllably adjust the portion of the aperture that is covered by the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved electromagnetic radiation detector having a micromachined electrostatic chopping device. The MEMS flexible film chopping device provides reliability, efficiency, noise reduction and temperature fluctuation compensation capabilities to the associated electromagnetic radiation detector. An electromagnetic radiation detector having an electrostatic chopper device comprises a detector material element, first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the detector material element and electrically isolated from one another. Additionally, the chopper device will incorporate a flexible film actuator overlying the detector material layer and moveable relative thereto. The flexible film actuator will typically include an electrode element and a biasing element such that the actuator remains in a fully curled, open state absent electrostatic voltage and moves to a fully uncurled, closed state upon the application of electrostatic voltage.