Abstract: Screening methods and systems that can detect semiconductor junction devices that may exhibit sudden failure.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems, for high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, that detect the anomalies in the local temperature at small areas of the junction and protect the device from accelerated aging and premature catastrophic damage. In an embodiment of the method of this invention for protecting a high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, anomalies in the electrical or optical behavior of the junction are detected and, upon detection of the anomalies, power is diverted away from or around the device.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions. The protection methods and protection systems detect the anomalies in the behavior of the junction and protect the device from damage.

Abstract: Image acquisition methods and systems are provided. The image acquisition system comprising a pixellated optical transducer capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation in a first range of wavelengths received from an input source and also capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation in a second range of wavelengths, an optical system, a detector and an analysis component, wherein each pixel in the pixellated optical transducer is substantially thermally isolated from each other pixel in the pixellated optical transducer and an image is obtained from alteration in optical thickness of one layer of material of the pixellated optical transducer.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems, for high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, that detect the anomalies in the local temperature at small areas of the junction and protect the device from accelerated aging and premature catastrophic damage. In an embodiment of the method of this invention for protecting a high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, anomalies in the electrical or optical behavior of the junction are detected and, upon detection of the anomalies, power is diverted away from or around the device.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions. The protection methods and protection systems detect the anomalies in the behavior of the junction and protect the device from damage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems enabling enhanced bit-rate QKD fiber-based key delivery. In one embodiment, a secure communications network of this invention includes a number of communication nodes, each of the communication nodes being connected to a quantum channel. At least one of the communication nodes (a sending node) includes a multiplexing system capable of assembling a succession of substantially single photons in a predetermined order. At least another of the communication nodes (a receiving node) includes a receiving system capable of receiving at least some of the assembled succession of substantially single photons, a demultiplexing system capable of separating the received assembled succession of substantially single photons into a number of separated successions of substantially single photons, and, a number of detector systems, each one of the detector systems being capable of detecting one separated succession of the successions of substantially single photons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: Methods and systems enabling enhanced bit-rate QKD fiber-based key delivery. In one embodiment, a secure communications network of this invention includes a number of communication nodes, each of the communication nodes being connected to a quantum channel. At least one of the communication nodes (a sending node) includes a multiplexing system capable of assembling a succession of substantially single photons in a predetermined order. At least another of the communication nodes (a receiving node) includes a receiving system capable of receiving at least some of the assembled succession of substantially single photons, a demultiplexing system capable of separating the received assembled succession of substantially single photons into a number of separated successions of substantially single photons, and, a number of detector systems, each one of the detector systems being capable of detecting one separated succession of the successions of substantially single photons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: A dense plasma focus radiation source for generating EUV radiation using Lithium vapor and including a coaxially disposed anode and cathode. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for enhancing the efficiency of EUV radiation production, for protecting, cooling and extending the life of the anode and cathode, for protecting and shielding collecting optics from debris and pressure disturbances in the discharge chamber, and for feeding Lithium into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the precision of distance or position measurements using a two-wavelength interferometer is disclosed. The invention provides for the direct measurement of air density fluctuations, thus allowing for correction of measurement errors, including those due to air turbulence and air thermal variations in a measurement path of a distance measuring interferometer. The invention can function both as a precision enhancement to an existing interferometric measuring system, or as a stand-alone system, measuring both “uncorrected” distance and air density and providing a corrected distance value. A novel measurement head design removes the constraint that a measurement and a reference component of the interferometer optical signals travel a shared path at any point in the interferometer, and thus substantially reduces errors due to polarization leakage.

Abstract: A solid state power supply is provided which may be formed of a plurality of modules sufficient to support a selected voltage output from the supply. Each module includes a capacitor or capacitor bank for storing a high voltage, a thyristor switch through which the capacitor discharges, a trigger circuit for the thyristor switch and a nonlinear impedance element, preferably a saturable magnetic output stage, which initially provides a high impedance to current flow in a given direction, delaying significant current flow through the thyristor switch until there has been substantial spacial currents spread therein, and decrease as the current flow continues. The nonlinear impedance element also protects the thyristors and other elements of the power supply from voltage and current spikes generated by a nonlinear load.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plasma focus source for generating radiation at a selected wavelength, the invention involving producing a high energy plasma sheathe which moves down an electrode column at high speed and is pinched at the end of the column to form a very high temperature spot. An ionizable gas introduced at the pinch can produce radiation at the desired wavelength. In order to prevent separation of the plasma sheathe from the pinch, and therefore to prolong the pinch and prevent potentially damaging restrike, a shield of a high temperature nonconducting material is positioned a selected distance from the center electrode and shaped to redirect the plasma sheathe to the center electrode, preventing separation thereof. An opening is provided in the shield to permit the desired radiation to pass substantially unimpeded.

Abstract: Provided is the ability to selectively irradiate a designated irradiation target portion of a target material with a beam of electrons. Target material is moved at a substantially constant velocity in one direction along a path that is intersected by an electron beam. The electron beam is translated in a direction transverse to the direction of the target material movement to intersect the designated portion of the target. This enables the designated target portion, e.g., a target irradiation path, to be followed by the electron beam as the target material moves past the beam. Also provided is control of electron beam dose delivered to the designated irradiation target portion.

Abstract: An ultra high resolution wave focusing method and apparatus is disclosed. The invention provides a focusing system having an effective numerical aperture greater than that possible using known conventional focusing techniques. By the method and apparatus of the invention, a wave of arbitrary wavefront profile and wavelength .lambda. is focused to a region of high amplitude having a spot size that approaches the fundamental limit of 0.25.lambda.. Imaging and patterning systems employing such a wave focusing method and apparatus provide ultra high resolution and ultra small feature sizes beyond the capabilities of systems utilizing conventional focusing elements.

Abstract: A phase-separated elastomeric adhesive formulation and method of using the same are provided. The phase-separated elastomeric adhesive formulation does not require high temperatures in order to achieve bond strength. The material and methods are particularly advantageous for adhesively bonding both thick and irregularly shaped structures through which relatively low doses of electron-beam energy may not penetrate.

Abstract: The present invention describes materials and methods for forming radiation curable polymer network materials, including coatings, pre-pregs and fiber-reinforced composites. The polymer network materials of the present invention exhibit much lower shrinkage after radiation curing than previous materials and methods, improving the adhesion associated with coatings and pre-pregs, and part fit-up when used to make composite articles.The present invention also describes an improved method for bonding together articles made by the materials and method of the invention, which results in high-strength bonds between articles.