Abstract: A four-wave mixing squeezed light source includes: a mixing medium having chi(3) non-linear characteristics including two atomic ground states coupled to each other by transitions through optically-excited states; a pump beam having a polarization and a frequency, said frequency being near the ground-to-excited atomic transition but far enough from the atomic transition such that the pump beam is substantially unabsorbed; and a probe beam having a polarization that is orthogonal with respect to the pump beam polarization, the probe beam having a frequency of the pump beam frequency plus or minus a frequency splitting of the two atomic ground states. The mixing medium, the pump beam and the probe beam interact to produce a phase conjugate beam having a polarization that is orthogonal to the pump beam polarization, such that the beams are non-degenerate with the pump beam, and the probe beam is amplified.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensing apparatus is disclosed, comprising a magnetic film having a zig-zag shaped structure, a central axis, and a magnetization associated with the magnetic film, wherein the zig-zag shaped structure biases the magnetization direction alternately at positive and negative angles thereof, thereby permitting the magnetoresistive sensing apparatus to be sensitive to a magnetic field parallel to the axis of the magnetoresistive sensing apparatus and insensitive to magnetic fields perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for image deblurring based on correctly specifying the lack of smoothness in the unknown desired sharp image, in terms of Lipschitz (Besov) space classification. The method makes essential use of Singular Integrals and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms to estimate the image's Lipschitz exponent ?. Such Singular Integrals and Fast Fourier Transforms are then used in a method for regularizing the ill-posed deblurring problem, resulting in a fast, direct, (i.e., non-iterative) computationally effective deblurring procedure.

Abstract: The process of this invention involves first adsorbing a catalyst on the surface of a specimen by immersion in a catalyst-containing solution, followed by electrolytic deposition in a second solution that need not contain catalyst. This two-step superconformal process produces a seam-free and void-free metal microelectronic conductor.

Abstract: This invention is the NOAA Deep ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) system, which utilizes a seafloor tsunameter linked to an ocean surface buoy via bi-directional communication system for near real-time measurement and reporting of tsunamis. The buoy is equipped with a bi-directional satellite and acoustic modem communication system for transmitting data between remote locations, such as tsunami warning centers and the tsunameter on the seafloor.

Abstract: A non-destructive detection method and system enables detecting a moisture patch located inside a building wall or the like. A transmitter generates a series of ultra-wideband pulses while an ultra-wideband antenna unit, preferably in the form of an antenna array including a plurality of switchable antenna pairs, directs the pulses toward the building structure so that the pulses are reflected therefrom, and receives the reflected pulses. A receiver processes the reflected pulses received by the antenna unit and produces a corresponding output. A controller controls the operation of the transmitter, receiver and antenna unit, and analyzes the output of the receiver for the presence of moisture inside of the building wall.

Abstract: A composition formed from Group II fluorides in which the composition has little or no intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength. The composition is a mixed solid solution of CaF2 with a second crystal of SrF2 or BaF2. The resulting composition is in the form of Ca1?xSrxF2 or Ca1?xBaxF2, or a combination of SrF2 and BaF2, in the form of Ca1?x?ySrxBayF2. The specific form of the composition that effectively nulls out the intrinsic birefringence at a selected wavelength within the UV range is determined in one preferred method from the magnitudes of the intrinsic birefringences of the components, CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2.

Abstract: A high spectral purity microwave oscillator is provided. The Oscillator uses an air-dielectric cavity and employs the known carrier-suppression technique. In one embodiment, the oscillator employs a high-Q cavity to self-sustain an oscillating signal formed by feeding back into its input a power-amplified output signal of the cavity in which residual phase noise in the amplifier stages is suppressed. A bandpass filter selects the cavity mode. FIG. 1 illustrates this embodiment. Another embodiment suppresses the noise of a voltage-controlled oscillator whose frequency and power-amplified output interrogates the cavity mode. FIG. 2 illustrates this embodiment.

Abstract: The invention is directed to optical devices comprising a solid-state structured glass substrate having at least one waveguide incorporated therein, particularly waveguides and lasers incorporating such structure. The invention is also directed to methods for modifying such devices and their properties. The waveguides and lasers of the invention provide advantageous high power and increased slope efficiency and find use, for example, in telecommunications applications.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for concentrating and separating ionic species in solution within a fluidic device having a fluid conduit such as a channel or capillary. The concentration is achieved by balancing the electrophoretic velocity of an analyte against the bulk flow of solution in the presence of a temperature gradient. Using an appropriate buffer, the temperature gradient can generate a corresponding gradient in the electrophoretic velocity so that the electrophoretic and bulk velocities sum to zero at a unique point and the analyte will be focused at that point. The method and device may be adapted for use with a variety of analytes including fluorescent dyes, amino acids, proteins, DNA and to concentrate a dilute analyte.

Abstract: A method is described for modifying performed channels fabricated in a variety of substrate materials including PMMA. The method involves exposing a portion of a fluid flow channel to light at a fluence and wavelength which modifies the surface charge of the substrate at the exposure site. The method can be used to modulate electroosmotic flow in channels or to immobilize chemical compounds or biological species in the fluid flow channels at the modified surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for integrating lasers and optics on glass substrates. An optical (e.g., laser) component formed from a glass substrate doped with a optically active lanthanides species with a plurality of waveguides defined by channels within the substrate. The laser component optionally includes a monolithic array of individual waveguides in which the waveguides form laser resonator cavities with differing resonance characteristics. Another aspect is directed toward pumping the laser wherein a superstrate waveguide cavity, or cladding, Ls positioned adjacent the substrate waveguide for supplying the latter with pump light. A closed crucible processing of optical waveguides on a glass substrate is also described. Waveguides are created by exposing a surface of the substrate to an ion-exchange solvent (e.g., a molten salt). A tightly sealed multi-part crucible is provided in order that gas does not leak in or out of the crucible during cooling or heating of the system.

Abstract: A system for projecting images on an object with a reflective surface. A plurality of image projectors are spaced around the object and synchronized such that each projector projects an individual image whose union on the surface of the object forms a composite image. The composite image displayed totally covers the surface. The object may represent the Earth with the projected images representing topographical features of the Earth. If environmental satellite data, such as data from a Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellite System is used, real time weather conditions may be displayed on this Earth representation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the mixing of two microfluidic channels wherein several wells are oriented diagonally across the width of a mixing channel. The device effectively mixes the confluent streams with electrokinetic flow, and to a lesser degree, with pressure driven flow. The device and method may be further adapted to split a pair of confluent streams into two or more streams of equal or non-equal concentrations of reactants. Further, under electrokinetic flow, the surfaces of said wells may be specially coated so that the differing electroosmotic mobility between the surfaces of the wells and the surfaces of the channel may increase the mixing efficiency. The device and method are applicable to the steady state mixing as well as the dynamic application of mixing a plug of reagent with a confluent stream.

Abstract: A microchannel device is provided with a plastic substrate having a microchannel formed therein. Polyelectrolyte multilayers are disposed along selected surfaces of the microchannel. The polyelectrolyte layers comprise alternating net positively charged layers and net negatively charged layers. A microchannel lid has a surface facing the microchannel. In making the microchannel device, selected surfaces of the microchannel are alternatively exposed to solutions comprising positively charged polyelectrolytes and negatively charged polyelectrolytes to form the desired number of polyelectrolyte layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for image deblurring based on correctly specifying the lack of smoothness in the unknown desired sharp image, in terms of Lipschitz (Besov) space classification. The method makes essential use of Singular Integrals and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms to estimate the image's Lipschitz exponent a. Such Singular Integrals and Fast Fourier Transforms are then used in a method for regularizing the ill-posed deblurring problem, resulting in a fast, direct, (i.e., non-iterative) computationally effective deblurring procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for stabilizing the carrier-envelope phase of the pulses emitted by a femtosecond mode-locked laser by using the powerful tools of frequency-domain laser stabilization. Control of the pulse-to-pulse carrier-envelope phases was confirmed using temporal cross correlation. This phase stabilization locks the absolute frequencies emitted by the laser, which is used to perform absolute optical frequency measurements that were directly referenced to a stable microwave clock.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the performance of laser-pumped atomic frequency references with respect to the laser detuning and other operating parameters. This method is based on the new understanding that the frequency references short-term instability is minimized when (a) the laser frequency is tuned nominally a few tens of MHz away from the center of the atomic absorption line, and (b) the external oscillator lock modulation frequency is set either far below or far above the inverse of the optical pumping time of the atoms.

Abstract: A solution-based method for attaching metal contacts to molecular films is described. The metal contacts are attached to functional groups on individual molecules in the molecular film. The chemical state of the functional group is controlled to induce electroless metal deposition preferentially at the functional group site. The functionalized molecules may also be patterned on a surface to give spatial control over the location of the metal contacts in a more complex structure. Spatial control is limited only by the ability to pattern the molecular film. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, self-assembled monolayers of model, molecular-electronic compounds have been prepared on gold surfaces, and these surfaces were subsequently exposed to electroless deposition plating baths. These samples exhibited selective metal contact attachment, even on patterned surfaces.

Abstract: A method of measuring the adhesive strength of polymer materials that are arranged in a combinatorial library which involves providing a lens array having a plurality of individual lens elements on a surface thereof and a substrate. A pattern of different polymer materials, processing variables or environmental conditions is applied to either the individual lens elements of the lens array or to the substrate. The individual lens elements of the lens array are brought into contact with the substrate and, as the lens array and substrate are separated from one another, changes in contact area of the individual lens elements with the substrate are monitored and used to calculate the adhesive strength of the polymer.