Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum housing comprising a first vacuum chamber having a first gas exhaust port; a gas pump (1700) having a first gas inlet port connected to the first gas exhaust port (H1) by a first gas conduit for evacuating the first vacuum chamber, and a first apertured cover (2010) arranged over the first gas exhaust port (H1) or first gas inlet port, or in the first gas conduit therebetween.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum housing comprising a first vacuum chamber having a first gas exhaust port; a gas pump (1700) having a first gas inlet port connected to the first gas exhaust port (H1) by a first gas conduit for evacuating the first vacuum chamber; and a first apertured cover (2010) arranged over the first gas exhaust port (H1) or first gas inlet port, or in the first gas conduit therebetween.

Abstract: Method and system for processing digital works, the method comprising the steps of identifying terms within each digital work of a plurality of digital works, wherein the terms are words and/or phrases. Determining a number of times that the identified terms occur within each digital work of the plurality of digital works. Generating a fingerprint for each digital work of the plurality of digital works, the generated fingerprint based on the identified terms and the number of times that the identified terms occur within each digital work. Using a neural network to find an encoding function, g, that encodes a higher dimensionality space, x, of each fingerprint into a lower dimensionality space, y. Applying the encoding function to each fingerprint of the plurality of digital works to reduce their dimensionality. Determining a similarity between a first fingerprint and one or more dimensionality reduced fingerprints.

Abstract: Method and system for processing digital works, the method comprising the steps of identifying terms within each digital work of a plurality of digital works, wherein the terms are words and/or phrases. Determining a number of times that the identified terms occur within each digital work of the plurality of digital works. Generating a fingerprint for each digital work of the plurality of digital works, the generated fingerprint based on the identified terms and the number of times that the identified terms occur within each digital work. Using a neural network to find an encoding function, g, that encodes a higher dimensionality space, x, of each fingerprint into a lower dimensionality space, y. Applying the encoding function to each fingerprint of the plurality of digital works to reduce their dimensionality. Determining a similarity between a first fingerprint and one or more dimensionality reduced fingerprints.

Abstract: A method of assessment of aspects of one or more electromagnetic signals, the method including, in an electronic processing device: receiving one or more data feeds relating to one or more of: cosmic, atmospheric, and local environmental conditions; receiving one or more data feeds relating to the one or more electromagnetic signals; determining a plurality of metrics at least partially using the one or more data feeds; and, identifying a likely source of interference in the electromagnetic signals by assessing relationships among the plurality of metrics.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer comprising: a vacuum housing comprising a first vacuum chamber having a first gas exhaust port; a gas pump (1700) having a first gas inlet port connected to the first gas exhaust port (H1) by a first gas conduit for evacuating the first vacuum chamber; and a first apertured cover (2010) arranged over the first gas exhaust port (H1) or first gas inlet port, or in the first gas conduit therebetween.

Abstract: A wavelength-interchanging cross-connect for use as an optical switch within a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) communications network in which multiple optical carrier signals at different optical wavelengths are switched in an all-optical process according to their wavelength. The cross-connect of the invention further allows the optical wavelength of the signal being switched to be changed to another WDM wavelength. The cross-connect includes a series of multi-wavelength 2.times.2 spatial optical switches. One serial path is directly connected between the spatial switches. The other serial path leads through intermediate wavelength-interchanging modules that interchange the carrier wavelengths of at least one pair of signals. Preferably, the wavelength interchanging is performed by difference frequency generation relying on second-order non-linear susceptibilities and a pump signal providing parametric gain.