Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: A method for supplying hierarchical supplementary information related to printed books in a portal can include several steps. The method can include the steps of first establishing a portal of supplementary information related to printed books. Second, a plurality of different printed books can be distributed to a user base. Third, each different printed book can be associated with a common uniform address. Fourth, a kiosk can be provided for interacting with the portal. Fifth, a user-specified common address can be received from a user in the user base through the kiosk, the user-specified address corresponding to the printed books. Sixth, upon receiving the user-specified common address, a first hypermedia document corresponding to the user-specified common address can be displayed through the kiosk in the portal. The seventh step can include identifying in the first hypermedia document corresponding to the user-specified common address a user class associated with the user.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a construction in which a PVD target is bonded to a backing plate. The target has a bonding surface utilized in forming the bond to the backing plate, and the backing plate has a bonding surface utilized in forming the bond to the target. One or more holes extend into the target through the target bonding surface and/or one or more holes extend into the backing through the backing plate bonding surface. The invention also includes methods of forming PVD target/backing plate constructions, and methods of utilizing holes extending into one or both of the target and the backing plate of the target/backing plate construction during ultrasound determination of a thickness of the target.

Abstract: Analog control of a plurality of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), to generate multiple colors of light. An electronic circuit controls three or more analog outputs in response to a single analog input, each of the analog outputs controlling a different one of the light sources.

Abstract: A data collection system that is attachable to an optical fiber splicer and is connectible to the splicer's serial port and/or video output. The device captures text data from the serial port and stores this data along with digitized video images of the fibers before, during, and/or after the splice. This data may be stored on a high-capacity storage medium, which may be removable. The date, time, and/or other external data may be recorded as well. The record of each splice is uniquely identified by a serial number or other indicium that is labeled on the splice. This serial number may be read into the data collection device by a laser scanner or optical wand. This device may also interface with a computer and may have full handshaking and a faster, better configured serial port connection than the splicer itself. Advantages of the data collection system include providing remote access of splice data, accountability for defective or problematic splices, and more efficient troubleshooting.

Abstract: The invention includes an ionizing radiation detector which includes a chamber within a housing. A receiving member within the chamber has a plurality of spaced holders for receiving samples. The samples are maintained in an array of substantially parallel samples with the samples functioning as electrodes within the chamber. The invention includes a method of counting emissions from samples. An odd number of electrodes are introduced into a detector chamber. Each of the electrodes includes at least one sample to be analyzed. The electrodes are organized into an array of substantially parallel electrodes, each electrode being in electrical communication with a contact surface. The electrode array includes cathodes and anodes where the number of cathodes differs from the number of anodes by one. A voltage is applied across the electrodes and particle emission is detected from the samples based upon ionization of counting gas within the chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaving an optical fiber having a first end and a second end are provided, including circumferentially scoring the outer surface of the optical fiber with at least one blade and applying tension to at least the first end or the second end of the optical fiber until the optical fiber cleaves.

Abstract: A method for supplying hierarchical supplementary information related to printed books in a portal can include several steps. The method can include the steps of first establishing a portal of supplementary information related to printed books. Second, a plurality of different printed books can be distributed to a user base. Third, each different printed book can be associated with a common uniform address. Fourth, a kiosk can be provided for interacting with the portal. Fifth, a user-specified common address can be received from a user in the user base through the kiosk, the user-specified address corresponding to the printed books. Sixth, upon receiving the user-specified common address, a first hypermedia document corresponding to the user-specified common address can be displayed through the kiosk in the portal. The seventh step can include identifying in the first hypermedia document corresponding to the user-specified common address a user class associated with the user.

Abstract: A method for supplying supplementary information related to printed books comprises the steps of: distributing a plurality of different printed books having respective content; supplying a common internet web access address together with each one of the plurality of different printed books; making a first web site accessible on the internet at the common address; firstly displaying at the first web site, in response to each internet access of the first web site, a first set of respective hyper links corresponding to each of the different printed books; and, secondly displaying at the first web site, in response to selection of any one of the hyper links on the first web page, a further and respective set of hyper links identifying further web sites having information relevant to and underlying the respective content of the printed book corresponding to the selected hyper link of the first web page.

Abstract: A method for supplying supplementary information related to printed books comprises the steps of: distributing a plurality of different printed books having respective content; supplying a common internet web access address together with each one of the plurality of different printed books; making a first web site accessible on the internet at the common address; firstly displaying at the first web site, in response to each internet access of the first web site, a first set of respective hyper links corresponding to each of the different printed books; and, secondly displaying at the first web site, in response to selection of any one of the hyper links on the first web page, a further and respective set of hyper links identifying further web sites having information relevant to and underlying the respective content of the printed book corresponding to the selected hyper link of the first web page.