Abstract: Spectroscopic chemical analysis methods and apparatus are disclosed which employ deep ultraviolet (e.g. in the 200 nm to 300 nm spectral range) electron beam pumped wide bandgap semiconductor lasers, incoherent wide bandgap semiconductor light emitting devices, and hollow cathode metal ion lasers to perform non-contact, non-invasive detection of unknown chemical analytes. These deep ultraviolet sources enable dramatic size, weight and power consumption reductions of chemical analysis instruments. In some embodiments, Raman spectroscopic detection methods and apparatus use ultra-narrow-band angle tuning filters, acousto-optic tuning filters, and temperature tuned filters to enable ultra-miniature analyzers for chemical identification. In some embodiments Raman analysis is conducted along with photoluminescence spectroscopy (i.e. fluorescence and/or phosphorescence spectroscopy) to provide high levels of sensitivity and specificity in the same instrument.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field optimization apparatus providing a means of more independently modifying the field in either the reactive near-field region or the far-field region while having significantly less modification to the other field. This means that a design to affect the real component of the impedance that affects the radiation in the far-field region does not affect, or minimally affects, the reactive component of the impedance that affects the field in the reactive near-field region.

Abstract: Naphthalene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds VOCs have been identified as serious health hazards. Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for near-real-time in-situ detection and accumulated dose measurement of exposure to naphthalene vapor and other hazardous gaseous VOCs. The methods and apparatus employ excitation of fluorophors native or endogenous to compounds of interest using light sources emitting in the ultraviolet below 300 nm and measurement of native fluorescence emissions in distinct wavebands above the excitation wavelength. The apparatus of some embodiments are cell-phone-sized sensor/dosimeter “badges” to be worn by personnel potentially exposed to hazardous VOCs. The badge sensor of some embodiments provides both real time detection and data logging of exposure to naphthalene or other VOCs of interest from which both instantaneous and accumulated dose can be determined.

Abstract: A power transfer electrical system includes an electrical signal source that generates a current at an output. An electrical load is electrically connected to the output of the electrical signal source. An output of a controllable voltage source is also electrically connected to the electrical load. The controllable voltage source generates a voltage that is proportional to the current generated by the electrical signal source. An input of a controller is electrically connected to the output of the electrical signal source and an output of the controller is electrically connected to a control input of the controllable voltage source. The controller generates a signal that controls the voltage generated by the controllable voltage source so that a desirable amount of power is transferred from the electrical signal source to the controllable voltage source.

Abstract: A simultaneous transmit and receive (STAR) system includes a first bidirectional signal port coupled to an antenna, a second port coupled to a transmit signal path, and a third port coupled to receive signal path. A first switch is electrically connected between the first port and the second port, where a transmit signal propagating in the transmit signal path passes through the first switch when closed and then through the first bidirectional signal port to the antenna where the transmit signal is radiated by the antenna. A second switch is connected between the first port and the third port, where a receive signal is received by the antenna and passes through the bidirectional signal port and then through the second switch when closed to the receive signal path. A controller is electrically connected to a control input of each of the first and second switches.

Abstract: A method of selectively locating a barrier layer on a substrate includes forming a barrier layer on a surface of the substrate. The barrier layer comprises of a metal element and a non-metal element. The barrier layer may also be formed from a metal element and non-metal element. The method further includes forming an electrically conductive film layer on the barrier layer, and forming a metallic portion in the electrically conductive film layer. The method further includes selectively ablating portions of the barrier layer from the dielectric layer to selectively locate place the barrier layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A same-aperture any-frequency simultaneously transmit and receive (STAR) system includes a signal connector having a first port electrically coupled to an antenna, a second port electrically coupled to a transmit signal path, and a third port electrically coupled to receive signal path. The signal connector passes a transmit signal in the transmit signal path to the antenna and a receive signal in the receive signal path. A signal isolator is positioned in the transmit signal path to remove a residual portion of the receive signal from transmit signal path. An output of the signal isolator provides a portion of the transmit signal with the residual portion of the receive signal removed. A signal differencing device having a first input electrically coupled to the output of the signal isolator and a second input electrically coupled to the third port of the signal connector subtracts a portion of the transmit signal in the receive signal path thereby providing a more accurate receive signal.

Abstract: A bi-directional signal interface includes a first waveguide that propagates a first traveling wave. The first waveguide has one end that is coupled to a RF input port that receives a RF transmission signal and another end that is coupled to a RF bi-directional port that receives a RF reception signal and that transmits the RF transmission signal. A second waveguide is positioned proximate to the first waveguide. The second waveguide has one end that is coupled to an output port that passes the received RF reception signal. A non-reciprocal coupler couples fields from the first waveguide to the second waveguide so that the RF reception signal from the bi-directional port couples from the first waveguide to the second waveguide in a substantially non-reciprocal manner and then passes through the output port, and the RF transmission signal from the RF input port passes through the first waveguide to the RF bi-directional port.

Abstract: Naphthalene, benzene, toluene, xylene, and other volatile organic compounds have been identified as serious health hazards. This is especially true for personnel working with JP8 jet fuel and other fuels containing naphthalene as well as other hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Embodiments of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for near-real-time in-situ detection and accumulated dose measurement of exposure to naphthalene vapor and other hazardous gaseous VOCs. The methods and apparatus employ excitation of fluorophors native or endogenous to compounds of interest using light sources emitting in the ultraviolet below 300 nm and measurement of native fluorescence emissions in distinct wavebands above the excitation wavelength. The apparatus of some embodiments are cell-phone-sized sensor/dosimeter “badges” to be worn by personnel potentially exposed to naphthalene or other hazardous VOCs.

Abstract: A signal canceller includes a dual-drive electro-optic modulator having separate first and second electrical inputs. The first electrical input is coupled to a first portion of a first signal and the second electrical input is coupled to a second signal and to a second portion of the first signal. A laser generates an optical beam that propagates from the optical input to an optical output of the electro-optic modulator. The dual-drive electro-optic modulator modulates the optical beam with the first and second portions of the first signal and with the second signal. The modulation cancels at least some the first signal and generates a modulation signal with reduced first signal modulation component.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reflector includes an antenna that receives an incoming signal and that transmits an outgoing signal. A three-port device, such as a circulator, has a first port electromagnetically coupled to the antenna. An RF circuit has an input that is electromagnetically coupled to the second port of the three-port device and an output that is electromagnetically coupled to the third port of the three-port device. The RF circuit changes at least one of a gain and a phase of the incoming signal to generate a desired outgoing signal that passes through the three-port device to the antenna.

Abstract: A same-aperture any-frequency simultaneously transmit and receive (STAR) system includes a signal connector having a first port electrically coupled to an antenna, a second port electrically coupled to a transmit signal path, and a third port electrically coupled to receive signal path. The signal connector passes a transmit signal in the transmit signal path to the antenna and a receive signal in the receive signal path. A signal isolator is positioned in the transmit signal path to remove a residual portion of the receive signal from transmit signal path. An output of the signal isolator provides a portion of the transmit signal with the residual portion of the receive signal removed. A signal differencing device having a first input electrically coupled to the output of the signal isolator and a second input electrically coupled to the third port of the signal connector subtracts a portion of the transmit signal in the receive signal path thereby providing a more accurate receive signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reflector includes an antenna that receives an incoming signal and that transmits an outgoing signal. A three-port device, such as a circulator, has a first port electromagnetically coupled to the antenna. An RF circuit has an input that is electromagnetically coupled to the second port of the three-port device and an output that is electromagnetically coupled to the third port of the three-port device. The RF circuit changes at least one of a gain and a phase of the incoming signal to generate a desired outgoing signal that passes through the three-port device to the antenna.

Abstract: A light source includes a hot electron source comprising a cathode that generates an electron beam and an anode comprising a germanium containing material positioned adjacent to the cathode. The anode is biased so that the electron beam accelerates towards the anode where some electrons are absorbed and then relax to both direct energy bands and indirect energy bands causing stimulation of low energy electrons from the indirect energy band to the direct energy band, thereby creating electroluminescence.

Abstract: A bi-directional signal interface includes a carrier signal source that generates a carrier traveling wave at an output. A first traveling wave structure includes a first and a second waveguide having an input that is coupled to the output of the carrier signal source. The first and second waveguide propagate the carrier traveling wave. A second traveling wave structure includes an outgoing signal port that receives an outgoing signal and a bi-directional signal port that receives an incoming electrical signal and provides the outgoing signal. The first and second traveling wave structures have an electromagnetic interaction region with a geometry that is chosen for a desired outgoing-to-incoming signal isolation. A detector having an input coupled to the output of the first traveling wave structure generates an electrical signal related to the incoming electrical signal.

Abstract: Spectroscopic chemical analysis methods and apparatus are disclosed which employ deep ultraviolet (e.g. in the 200 nm to 300 nm spectral range) electron beam pumped wide bandgap semiconductor lasers, incoherent wide bandgap semiconductor light emitting devices, and hollow cathode metal ion lasers to perform non-contact, non-invasive detection of unknown chemical analytes. These deep ultraviolet sources enable dramatic size, weight and power consumption reductions of chemical analysis instruments. Chemical analysis instruments employed in some embodiments include capillary and gel plane electrophoresis, capillary electrochromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, flow cytometry, flow cells for liquids and aerosols, and surface detection instruments. In some embodiments, Raman spectroscopic detection methods and apparatus use ultra-narrow-band angle tuning filters, acousto-optic tuning filters, and temperature tuned filters to enable ultra-miniature analyzers for chemical identification.

Abstract: A light source includes a hot electron source comprising a cathode that generates an electron beam and an anode comprising a germanium containing material positioned adjacent to the cathode. The anode is biased so that the electron beam accelerates towards the anode where some electrons are absorbed and then relax to both direct energy bands and indirect energy bands causing stimulation of low energy electrons from the indirect energy band to the direct energy band, thereby creating electroluminescence.

Abstract: A modulator includes an electro-optical substrate and a first and second waveguide formed of a doped semiconductor material positioned on a surface of an electro-optical substrate forming a slot therebetween. A doping level of the semiconductor material being chosen to make the first and second waveguide conductive. A dielectric material is positioned in the slot which increases confinement of both an optical field and an electrical field inside the slot. A refractive index of the semiconductor material and a refractive index of the dielectric material positioned in the slot being chosen to reduce the V?·L product of the modulator.

Abstract: A bi-directional signal interface includes a first waveguide that propagates a first traveling wave. The first waveguide has one end that is coupled to a RF input port that receives a RF transmission signal and another end that is coupled to a RF bi-directional port that receives a RF reception signal and that transmits the RF transmission signal. A second waveguide is positioned proximate to the first waveguide. The second waveguide has one end that is coupled to an output port that passes the received RF reception signal. A non-reciprocal coupler couples fields from the first waveguide to the second waveguide so that the RF reception signal from the bi-directional port couples from the first waveguide to the second waveguide in a substantially non-reciprocal manner and then passes through the output port, and the RF transmission signal from the RF input port passes through the first waveguide to the RF bi-directional port.

Abstract: A signal interface includes a dual-drive device having a first and a second input port that receive an outgoing signal. One of the first and the second input ports also receive an incoming signal. The dual-drive device passes the incoming signal to an output port while isolating the outgoing signal from the incoming signal.