Abstract: Catalytic compositions and processes for depolymerizing polyolefin-based feed into useful petrochemical products are described. The compositions are a composite of a zeolite catalyst component and a co-catalyst comprising an activated clay component and/or a solid base component. These catalyst systems, along with heat, are used to both increase the depolymerization reaction rate of the feed streams and suppress poisoning effects of impurities that may be present in the polyolefin-based feed. This results in a shorter residence time in the depolymerization unit and more efficient process.

Abstract: An optical communication apparatus comprises a laser, a laser driver chip, a photodetector, an amplifier chip, an assembling plate and at least two I/O interfaces. The laser, the laser driver chip, the photodetector and the amplifier chip are disposed on the assembling plate. The laser is connected to the laser driver chip via transmission lines and the photodetector is connected to the amplifier chip via transmission lines. A plurality of conducting vias are formed in the assembling plate, the laser driver chip and the amplifier chip are respectively connected to different I/O interfaces via electrical transmission lines passing through the conducting vias. The laser is connected to an optical fiber to transmit optical signals, and the photodetector is connected to another optical fiber to receive optical signals. A method of assembling such an optical communication apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a communications system which, in one embodiment, includes a phase-correlated, orthogonally-polarized, light-stream generator (POLG) for preparing light into phase coherent light streams having defined states of polarization and spectral composition. In one embodiment, the POLG includes a light source configured to emit light having a predetermined wavelength and a polarization apparatus configured to prepare light from the light source into particular states of polarization. The POLG also includes a phase modulator configured to produce light having a plurality of wavelengths and configured to retard the phase of propagation of light with a first state of linear polarization while not retarding the phase of light with a state of linear polarization orthogonal to the first state of linear polarization when an external electric field is applied.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a millimeter-wave waveguide communication system. The millimeter-wave waveguide communication system may comprise: a clock component, and at least two sets of millimeter-wave receiving/transmitting channels. The clock component is configured to provide a clock signal to sending ends and receiving ends of the two sets of millimeter-wave receiving/sending channels respectively. Each set of millimeter-wave receiving/sending channels comprises: a transmitter component, a receiver component and a transmission waveguide. The transmission waveguide is located between the transmitter component and the receiver component and is configured to provide a channel for millimeter-wave transmission. The top face, side face and/or bottom face of the transmission waveguide, except for active devices and accessories thereof, are plated with a metal conductive wall to form an electromagnetic shield from a transmission waveguide in an adjacent millimeter-wave receiving/sending channel.

Abstract: An optical communication apparatus comprises a laser, a laser driver chip, a photodetector, an amplifier chip, an assembling plate and at least two I/O interfaces. The laser, the laser driver chip, the photodetector and the amplifier chip are disposed on the assembling plate. The laser is connected to the laser driver chip via transmission lines and the photodetector is connected to the amplifier chip via transmission lines. A plurality of conducting vias are formed in the assembling plate, the laser driver chip and the amplifier chip are respectively connected to different I/O interfaces via electrical transmission lines passing through the conducting vias. The laser is connected to an optical fiber to transmit optical signals, and the photodetector is connected to another optical fiber to receive optical signals. A method of assembling such an optical communication apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a communications system which, in one embodiment, includes a phase-correlated, orthogonally-polarized, light-stream generator (POLG) for preparing light into phase coherent light streams having defined states of polarization and spectral composition. In one embodiment, the POLG includes a light source configured to emit light having a predetermined wavelength and a polarization apparatus configured to prepare light from the light source into particular states of polarization. The POLG also includes a phase modulator configured to produce light having a plurality of wavelengths and configured to retard the phase of propagation of light with a first state of linear polarization while not retarding the phase of light with a state of linear polarization orthogonal to the first state of linear polarization when an external electric field is applied.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly and a method of assembly thereof. The optical fiber assembly includes a support plate defining an array of support plate through holes, and an alignment template plate defining an array of alignment template plate through holes. At least one support plate through hole or alignment template plate through hole may be flared. At least one support plate through hole or alignment template plate through hole may include a compliant film.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly and a method of assembly thereof. The optical fiber assembly includes a support plate defining an array of support plate through holes, and an alignment template plate defining an array of alignment template plate through holes. At least one support plate through hole or alignment template plate through hole may be flared. At least one support plate through hole or alignment template plate through hole may include a compliant film.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a millimeter-wave waveguide communication system. The millimeter-wave waveguide communication system may comprise: a clock component, and at least two sets of millimeter-wave receiving/transmitting channels. The clock component is configured to provide a clock signal to sending ends and receiving ends of the two sets of millimeter-wave receiving/sending channels respectively. Each set of millimeter-wave receiving/sending channels comprises: a transmitter component, a receiver component and a transmission waveguide. The transmission waveguide is located between the transmitter component and the receiver component and is configured to provide a channel for millimeter-wave transmission. The top face, side face and/or bottom face of the transmission waveguide, except for active devices and accessories thereof, are plated with a metal conductive wall to form an electromagnetic shield from a transmission waveguide in an adjacent millimeter-wave receiving/sending channel.

Abstract: A wireless communication system adapted to transmit data between two locations, for example between a plurality of processors and memory. Digitally coded millimeter waves can be used to transfer data between antenna arrays. A global optical clock can provide network coherence, frequency self-tracking, and a local oscillator signal for data digital symbol coding/decoding and symbol up-down conversion to/from the millimeter wavelength carrier.

Abstract: An edge viewing semiconductor photodetector may be provided. Light may be transmitted through an optical fiber conduit comprising a core region surrounded by a cladding region. The light may be received at the edge viewing semiconductor photodetector having an active area. The active area may be substantially contained within a first plane. The edge viewing semiconductor photodetector may further have conducting contact pads connected to the active area. The contact pads may be substantially contained within plural planes. The first plane may have its normal direction substantially inclined with respect to a normal direction of the plural planes. The first plane may further have its normal direction substantially inclined with respect to a direction of the received light incident to the active area. Next, a signal may be received from the pads. The signal may correspond to the transmitted light.

Abstract: A flexible optical harness containing lasers and photodetectors that are pre-aligned to light conduits may be provided. Light may be transmitted through an optical conduit comprising a core region surrounded by a cladding region. The coupling between optical conduits and emitting laser and receiving photodetector occurs via an interface between each designated optical conduit and between each photodetector and each designated optical conduit. A detector's active area forms an interface with the designated light conduit's core. The laser's emission area forms an interface with the designated light conduit's core. The said optical harness may, in addition, be combined with a flexible conducting harness between common blocks.

Abstract: An edge viewing semiconductor photodetector may be provided. Light may be transmitted through an optical fiber conduit comprising a core region surrounded by a cladding region. The light may be received at the edge viewing semiconductor photodetector having an active area. The active area may be substantially contained within a first plane. The edge viewing semiconductor photodetector may further have conducting contact pads connected to the active area. The contact pads may be substantially contained within plural planes. The first plane may have its normal direction substantially inclined with respect to a normal direction of the plural planes. The first plane may further have its normal direction substantially inclined with respect to a direction of the received light incident to the active area. Next, a signal may be received from the pads. The signal may correspond to the transmitted light.

Abstract: Flared and non-flared metallized deep vias having aspect ratios of about 2 or greater are provided. Blind vias have been fabricated in silicon substrates up to a depth of about 300 microns, and flared through vias have been fabricated up to about 750 microns, the approximate thickness of a silicon substrate wafer, enabling the formation of electrical connections at either or both ends of a via. In spite of the depth and high aspect ratios attainable, the etched vias are completely filled with plated copper conductor, completing the formation of deep vias and allowing fuller use of both sides of the substrate.

Abstract: Flared and non-flared metallized deep vias having aspect ratios of about 2 or greater are provided. Blind vias have been fabricated in silicon substrates up to a depth of about 300 microns, and flared through vias have been fabricated up to about 750 microns, the approximate thickness of a silicon substrate wafer, enabling the formation of electrical connections at either or both ends of a via. In spite of the depth and high aspect ratios attainable, the etched vias are completely filled with plated copper conductor, completing the formation of deep vias and allowing fuller use of both sides of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing light between two waveguides is disclosed. The switch, or router, comprises a movable waveguide, the movable waveguide having two positions, wherein in a first position the movable waveguide is interposed between the two waveguides and transmits light between the two waveguides by evanescent wave coupling, and in the other position the movable waveguide is retracted from the two waveguides and is not transmitting light between the two waveguides. Means for moving the movable waveguide between the two positions is also disclosed. The optical switches are used in M×N optical routing arrays being capable of directing light from any one of the M input ports to any one of the N output ports with additional ADD/DROP functions.

Abstract: An optical switch for routing light between two waveguides is disclosed. The switch, or router, comprises a movable waveguide, the movable waveguide having two positions, wherein in a first position the movable waveguide is interposed between the two waveguides and transmits light between the two waveguides by evanescent wave coupling, and in the other position the movable waveguide is retracted from the two waveguides and is not transmitting light between the two waveguides. Means for moving the movable waveguide between the two positions is also disclosed. The optical switches are used in M×N optical routing arrays being capable of directing light from any one of the M input ports to any one of the N output ports with additional ADD/DROP functions.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a circuit defect, such as a short or an incipient open, in an electric circuit in a workpiece, such a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or MultiChip Module (MCM). The circuit is connected to a device for sensitively measuring any resistance change. A thermal stimulus is applied to various subsets of the surface of the workpiece, the thermal stimulus being temporally modulated, and the resistance change measurement correlated with this modulation. By applying well-designed thermal stimulus subsets, resistance measurements may be logically combined which correspond to the plural thermal stimulus subsets. Further, the search region where the defect may be located may be iteratively refined. By measuring the time delay between the thermal stimulus and corresponding resistance change, the depth of a defect below the surface of the workpiece is further determined.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a circuit defect, such as a short or an incipient open, in an electric circuit in a workpiece, such a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) or MultiChip Module (MCM). The circuit is connected to a device for sensitively measuring any resistance change. A thermal stimulus is applied to various subsets of the surface of the workpiece, the thermal stimulus being temporally modulated, and the resistance change measurement correlated with this modulation. By applying well-designed thermal stimulus subsets, resistance measurements may be logically combined which correspond to the plural thermal stimulus subsets. Further, the search region where the defect may be located may be iteratively refined. By measuring the time delay between the thermal stimulus and corresponding resistance change, the depth of a defect below the surface of the workpiece is further determined.

Abstract: A rapid thermal processing apparatus and a method of using such apparatus for the continuous heat treatment of at least one workpiece, which apparatus includes a cavity of generally elongated shape, a process chamber defined by interior walls inside the cavity, a device for delivering, regulating and extracting process gases from the chamber, a device for transporting at least one workpiece through the chamber in a substantially forward direction, a device for heating at least a section of the chamber, and a device for cooling the at least one workpiece downstream from the heating device. The cavity for the apparatus may also be provided in either a curved or a linear configuration for carrying out the present invention method.