Abstract: A system and method for spectroscopic detection of loss in a resonator cavity is disclosed. The system can include a number of components. A tunable laser source can generate a laser beam. A frequency locking system can lock the frequency of the laser beam to a resonance of the resonator cavity or lock the length of the cavity to the frequency of the laser beam. The first modulation element can modulate the laser beam at a first modulation frequency to generate a modulated laser beam. The input coupler can direct the modulated laser beam into the resonator cavity. The first directing element can direct a first portion of light reflected from the input coupler to a first photodetector. The first demodulator can demodulate the first modulation signal to generate a first error signal which is a function of the loss in the resonator cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for spectroscopic detection of a loss in a resonator cavity. The system comprises: a tunable laser source for generating a laser beam; a frequency locking system for either locking the frequency of the laser beam to a resonance of the resonator cavity or locking the length of the cavity to the frequency of the laser beam; a first modulation element for modulating the laser beam at a first modulation frequency to generate a modulated laser beam; an input coupler adapted for directing the modulated laser beam into the resonator cavity; a first directing element for directing a first portion of light reflected from the input coupler to a first photodetector to generate a first detected signal; and a first demodulator capable of demodulating the first modulation signal from the first detected signal to generate a first error signal which is a function of the loss in the resonator cavity.

Abstract: A surgical instrument (11) comprising a handle (13), a retractor blade (15) and an attachment device (17) to releasably secure the retractor blade to a first end (19) of the handle. The surgical instrument is arranged such that in a first condition the attachment device secures the blade to the handle whereby the blade may rotate relative to the handle, whilst in a second condition the attachment means secures the blade to the handle such that the blade is fixed relative thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate material having a diameter in the range of from 5 to 200 microns comprising polymeric matrix and stably incorporated radionuclide, processes for its production and a method of radiation therapy utilising the particulate material.

Abstract: An improved rework nozzle includes an open housing which when lowered onto the surface of a board forms a closed cavity. The housing includes venting means which expend air that is input to the cavity, thereby using flow through concepts to maintain a uniform temperature in the cavity. The housing also positioning mechanisms for both aligning a the housing and a captive integrated circuit to a desired footprint on the circuit board, and for limiting movement of the integrated circuit during rework.

Abstract: The invention relates to a particulate material consisting of a low density radiation-tolerant glass and a radionuclide incorporated into the low density glass or coated on the low density glass, the glass having a density of less than 2.5 g/cm.sup.3, processes for its production and a method of radiation therapy utilising the patentable material.

Abstract: A microparticle composition(s) comprising nanomagnetic particles and a matrix, wherein said microparticle composition(s) have a least one of the following properties: (a) a VAR of at least about 1 Watts/cm3 subject to appropriate field conditions; (b) a density of about 2.7 or less: or (c) a size of about 100 nm to about 200 microns.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient an amount of oxaliplatin in combination with radioactively doped particle, characterised in that the two therapies when introduced into the patient have a synergistic anticancer effect.

Abstract: A re-configurable optical waveguide includes an electro-optic substrate and plurality of electrodes above substrate. Electrodes are forming photonic crystal waveguide with photonic crystal periodic structure which has a slab optical waveguide on the top surface of a substrate and also has refractive index variation areas due to electro-optical effect with a different refractive index from that of the core layer of the slab optical waveguide arranged in a lattice array shape at part of the slab optical waveguide. In this case, the refractive index variation areas are formed of the same material as the material constituting the core layer of the slab optical waveguide. The refractive index variation areas are arranged in the lattice array shape on both the sides of an optical waveguide area, where light is propagated. The refractive index of the core layers of the refractive index variation areas is larger than that of the core layer of an area of the refractive index variation area.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and an optical system for sensing and controlling the frequency for a laser with respect to an optical cavity and for sensing and controlling the length difference of interferometer paths in a two beam interferometer. A misalignment is introduced in the incident laser radiation to produce a fundamental mode (TEM00) in the cavity or interferometer and the reflection of a least one higher order mode (TEM01). A split photodetector (10) allows the interference between these two modes to be measured separately by detecting two spatially distinct portions of the single reflected beam. An error signal indicative of the difference between the fundamental mode frequency and the cavity resonant frequency is obtained by substracting the outputs from the two parts of the photodetector.

Abstract: An automatic oven cooks or bakes a food product over a timed period of time during which a burner delivers heat to the oven cavity. Thermocouple sensors in the cavity control a modulator which regulates the amount of gas flowing to the burner to maintain a uniform temperature in the oven. A conveyor carries the food product in order to time the baking period.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for inspecting a circuit board having a surface that includes at least one circuit board component. The apparatus includes a base, and a set of reflective members that includes at least one reflective member. Each reflective member of the set of reflective members is (i) supported by the base and (ii) movable relative to the base to enable that reflective member to move to an angle that reflects light from a respective portion of a circuit board component (e.g., a solder region between the component and the circuit board) in a direction away from the surface of the circuit board when the base rests on the surface of the circuit board. Since the base can rest on the surface of the circuit board, a technician does not need to hold the apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from scrap metal is disclosed. The process is carried out in a furnace maintained at a relatively constant temperature and having a first zone in which volatiles contained on the surface of the metal are vaporized and a second zone in which carbon contained on the surface of the metal is pyrolyzed. The furnace also has a conveyor for transporting metal therethrough at a specific speed to ensure complete vaporization and pyrolysis of the contaminants. The process includes the steps of sufficiently vaporizing the volatiles without oxidizing the metal, the vaporizing producing fumes containing unburned hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon fumes are then burned to produce hot gas which is recirculated to the furnace. The hot gas contacts the incoming metal and vaporizes the volatiles contained thereon.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants from scrap metal is disclosed. The process is carried out in a furnace maintained at a relatively constant temperature and having a first zone in which volatiles contained on the surface of the metal are vaporized and a second zone in which carbon contained on the surface of the metal is pyrolyzed. The furnace also has a conveyor for transporting metal therethrough at a specific speed to ensure complete vaporization and pyrolysis of the contaminants. The process includes the steps of sufficiently vaporizing the volatiles without oxidizing the metal, the vaporizing producing fumes containing unburned hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon fumes are then burned to produce hot gas which is recirculated to the furnace. The hot gas contacts the incoming metal and vaporizes the volatiles contained thereon.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrocarbon combustibles from the surface of metal particles and recovering the heat content therefrom is disclosed. The process is carried out in a system having a smoke collection zone, a heating zone and burner means supplied with fuel and air. The process includes charging the metal particles into a moving molten metal bath contained in the smoke collection zone. The charging generates smoke and vaporizes the hydrocarbon combustibles to provide unburned hydrocarbon fumes. A burner means is fired to draw transporting gas into the smoke collection zone to entrain and transport the smoke and fumes from the smoke collection zone to a jet stream exiting the burner means. The smoke and fumes are incinerated in the jet stream to provide hot gas. The transporting gas also contains oxygen for incinerating the smoke and fumes. The hot gas provided by incinerating the smoke and fumes is then jetted via the jet stream into the heating zone where its heat content is recovered.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making CMOS transistors in combination with self-aligned fully oxide isolated Schottky clamped bipolar transistors.

Abstract: A bonding pad structure for an LED includes a first layer of nickel-chromium in contact with the contact face of a gallium arsenide wafer with further layers of either gold, palladium, or both, with palladium being the top layer of the first pad structure laid down by vaporization with a raised structure overlying the first structure by means of plating and including layers of nickel, gold and/or other conducting metal.

Abstract: In an electric battery comprising a plurality of interconnected cells within an insulating casing, internal connections between the cells and to external terminals are provided by a member which is preformed as a single unitary conducting member, secured in the casing while still in unitary form and subsequently severed in situ in the casing to form a plurality of separate connections.

Abstract: A layer of chromium is removed from the metalization system on a silicon integrated circuit wafer that also includes copper and aluminum. By electrolytic etching in a sulfuric acid solution containing about 10% by volume water saturated with chromium sulfate, chromium can be removed without excessive removal of copper or aluminum.