Abstract: A sensing unit is disclosed. The sensing unit includes: a first compartment which includes a first group of polymer beads carrying genetically engineered cells configured to produce a reporter when exposed to a target material; and a first detector configured to detect the reporter; and a second compartment having: a second group of the polymer beads carrying the genetically engineered cells configured to produce the reporter when exposed to the target material; and a second detector configured to detect the reporter. The second compartment is impenetrable to the target material and the first compartment is penetrable to the target material.

Abstract: Conversions between digital, parallel-electronic and digital, serial-optic words are presented, specifically for interconnection networks with optical communication links.

Abstract: A communication system is presented for managing data transfer via a communication network. The communication system comprises a server system connected to a plurality of client systems via a first management network of said communication network. Such first management network may for example be operable as multi-hops network. The server system is configured and operable to be responsive to data pieces from the client systems via said first management network, to selectively switch between first and second modes of operation. In the first operational mode, the server system manages and executes data transfer to and from the client systems through the first management network. In the second operational mode, the server system operates to manage direct data transfer between the client systems via a second data network of said communication network connecting the client systems between them. The second data network may for example be operable as ad-hoc circuits.

Abstract: A method and system for non-invasive determination of at least one condition of a living organism selected from physiological conditions and emotional states of the living organism are described. The method comprises sensing electromagnetic waves emanated from a skin portion in an extremely high frequency (EHF) band, and obtaining from the sensed electromagnetic waves at least one unique biometric signature of the living organism indicative of the organism condition. The system includes an antenna array unit configured for sensing the electromagnetic waves emanated from the skin portion; and a receiving unit configured and operable for obtaining the unique biometric signature. The sensed electromagnetic waves are indicative of bioelectric activity of neurally connected and electromagnetically interacting structures distributed in a skin portion of the living organism.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for monitoring detectable responses from multiple biosensing elements while in contact with multiple samples located in an array. The system (1000) comprises an exciting unit (100), and a detection unit (120). The exciting unit (100) is configured for producing an array of exciting signals (102) each characterized by a frequency differing from those of the other exciting signals, and exciting a corresponding array of the biosensing elements (110), thereby enabling each biosensing element to generate a response signal (130) tagged by the different frequency. The detection unit (120) comprises a single receiving element associated with said array of biosensing elements (110) and configured for concurrently receiving the multiple response signals and generating a single output signal (140) indicative thereof. The system thereby enables to identify signal parts corresponding to the response signals of the spatially separated biosensing elements.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for monitoring detectable responses from multiple biosensing elements while in contact with multiple samples located in an array. The system (1000) comprises an exciting unit (100), and a detection unit (120). The exciting unit (100) is configured for producing an array of exciting signals (102) each characterized by a frequency differing from those of the other exciting signals, and exciting a corresponding array of the biosensing elements (110), thereby enabling each biosensing element to generate a response signal (130) tagged by the different frequency. The detection unit (120) comprises a single receiving element associated with said array of biosensing elements (110) and configured for concurrently receiving the multiple response signals and generating a single output signal (140) indicative thereof. The system thereby enables to identify signal parts corresponding to the response signals of the spatially separated biosensing elements.

Abstract: A structure is presented for use in optic and electro-optic devices. The structure comprises at least one region of an amorphous KLTN-based material in a KLTN-based material. Also provided is a method of processing a KLTN-based material, comprising at least one of the following: bombarding said KLTN-based material with light ions: and etching said KLTN-based material when in amorphous state by an acid; thereby allowing fabrication of one or more optical components within the KLTN-based material.

Abstract: A method and system for non-invasive determination of at least one condition of a living organism selected from physiological conditions and emotional states of the living organism are described. The method comprises sensing electromagnetic waves emanated from a skin portion in an extremely high frequency (EHF) band, and obtaining from the sensed electromagnetic waves at least one unique biometric signature of the living organism indicative of the organism condition. The system includes an antenna array unit configured for sensing the electromagnetic waves emanated from the skin portion; and a receiving unit configured and operable for obtaining the unique biometric signature. The sensed electromagnetic waves are indicative of bioelectric activity of neurally connected and electromagnetically interacting structures distributed in a skin portion of the living organism.

Abstract: Conversions between digital, parallel-electronic and digital, serial-optic words are presented, specifically for interconnection networks with optical communication links.

Abstract: Amorphous and crystalline potassium lithium tantalate niobate (KLTN) structures for electro-optic devices. Amorphous regions are formed in KLTN crystal by ion bombardment using light ions (protons, helium etc.) >1 MeV. Amorphous regions (cladding) have a lower refractive index (n) than the crystalline material to define waveguide regions in crystals. Selective bombardment via a metal shadow mask produces produce three dimensional structures for: ring resonators, tunable electro-optic resonators, electroholographic alpha gratings, photonic crystals and modulators. Vertical layers of amorphous/crystalline material form a Bragg grating (Raman-Nath diffraction). KLTN (ferroelectric with oxygen perovskite structure) has a large quadratic electro-optic effect in paraelectric phase above the composition dependent Curie (transition) temperature TC.

Abstract: Methods for addressing a designated temperature operational range in a measurement that uses an optical readout of temperature and for enhancing that range are disclosed. The range is enhanced through providing at least one active detector with a periodic response, operative to provide a detector temperature through an electric field-dependent optical readout, and performing at least two measurements of the detector temperature to obtain a non-degenerate reading of an object temperature. The at least two measurements may include three same wavelength/different electric field measurements or two same electric field/different wavelength measurements.

Abstract: A laser power grid for operation with data networks employs WDM and incorporates wavelength addressing. The laser power grid (100) includes a laser power supply station (110) comprising a plurality of continuous-work laser sources (112, 114, 115, 116, 118), a laser distribution grid (130) for distributing light propagations of different wavelengths throughout a data network and an optical switching network (142, 144, 145, 146, 148) coupled to the laser distribution grid for locally turning the laser power on when it is needed. The laser power grid replaces systems of tunable lasers. It is considerably faster and cheaper than systems of tunable lasers and produces less waste heat within the data network surroundings. The laser power grid incorporates parallel fast optical communication in complex multi-node communication and computer networks and enables the implementation of burst switching and packet switching by wavelength addressing.

Abstract: An optical interconnection network in which more than one communication can ccur at any give time is disclosed. The interconnection network can form part of a parallel computer, a fiber optic switching network, a massive video or data server or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. The network includes transmission network elements, reception network elements and a holographic storage element. The holographic storage element is located equidistant form all the transmission and reception network elements and stores therein a multiplicity of holograms. Each volume hologram is responsive to a different angle of incidence of wavelength.

Abstract: Photorefractive crystals having the formula K.sub.1-y Li.sub.y Ta.sub.1-x Nb.sub.x O.sub.3 wherein x is between 0 and 1 and y is between 0.0001 and 0.15. The crystals are useful as a photorefractive material for use in optical systems. The crystals may be doped with various first transition elements and lanthanides including copper, vanadium, chromium, iron, and manganese, nickel, europium and cerium.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing analog multiplication of a first value by a second value, including: 1) a variable capacitor whose capacitance represents the first value and 2) a second value voltage receiver, serially connected to the variable capacitor, wherein the second value voltage represents the second value, wherein a voltage level of the variable capacitor resulting from the provision of the second value voltage to the second value voltage receiver represents the multiplication of the first and second values.

Abstract: Photorefractive crystals having the formula K.sub.1-y Li.sub.y Ta.sub.1-x Nb.sub.x O.sub.3 wherein x is between 0 and 1 and y is between 0.0001 and 0.15. The crystals are useful as a photorefractive material for use in optical systems. The crystals may be doped with various first transition elements and lanthanides including copper, vanadium, chromium, iron, and manganese, nickel, europium and cerium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spatial light modulator device comprising a photo-refractive crystal addressed by means of a write light beam and a read light beam. The crystal is placed in the cavity of an interferometer system having a transmittivity-optical path length characteristic of steep slope so as to give rise to a dynamic range of maximum transmittivity variation for minimum variation in the refractive index or optical path length of the photo-refractive crystal. The device is applicable to conoscopic holography systems of large dynamic range and to pattern recognition in real time.