Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Brag grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Bragg grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: A metal oxide TFT-based sensor with multiple sensing modalities including an ion sensitive detector having an extended gate, a reservoir constructed to receive a sample carrying solution, and an ion sensitive electrode. The sensor further including a photodiode, a plurality of metal-oxide thin film transistors and a signal output. A pair of the metal-oxide thin film transistors are coupled to the photodiode, the ion sensitive detector and the output so as to provide output signals at the output alternately representative of ion emissions sensed by the ion sensitive detector and fluorescence events sensed by the photodiode.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength are disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Bragg grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: Electro-chemical manipulation and charge sensing apparatus includes a chemical/biochemical testing pad positioned on a dielectric substrate, a sensing circuit coupled to the testing pad, the sensing circuit including at least one MOTFT device, and a manipulation and control circuit coupled to the testing pad, the manipulation and control circuit including at least one MOTFT device. The electro-chemical manipulation and charge sensing apparatus can include a plurality of chemical/biochemical testing pads distributed in a matrix formation of rows and columns and positioned on a dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Bragg grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser (HECL) system comprises a diode laser, collection and collimation optics, and a volume Bragg grating, emits radiation at a single wavelength with a short-term wavelength stability in the order of at least one part in a billion The wavelength stability is achieved by use of a thermal management system, comprising inner and outer housings, each containing a temperature sensor, and electronic circuitry that monitors the temperatures and controls both the laser diode current and a thermoelectric cooler based on temperatures determined from said temperature sensors. The laser system is packaged in a compact enclosure that minimizes waste heat, facilitating use in applications that have heretofore employed stable, single-frequency lasers, including He—Ne lasers.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Bragg grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Bragg grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as an optical modulator for pulsed signals. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the SOA can be biased with a negative voltage to suppress transmission and improve modulator extinction and biased with a positive pulsed signal with sufficient amplitude to forward bias the amplifier (SOA), both transmitting the carrier and increasing its amplitude by means of a gain provided by the SOA under forward biased conditions. In addition, the forward bias voltage may be selected to compensate for losses within the SOA.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as an optical modulator for pulsed signals. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the SOA can be biased with a negative voltage to suppress transmission and improve modulator extinction and biased with a positive pulsed signal with sufficient amplitude to forward bias the amplifier (SOA), both transmitting the carrier and increasing its amplitude by means of a gain provided by the SOA under forward biased conditions. In addition, the forward bias voltage may be selected to compensate for losses within the SOA.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser (HECL) system comprises a diode laser, collection and collimation optics, and a volume Bragg grating, emits radiation at a single wavelength with a short-term wavelength stability in the order of at least one part in a billion The wavelength stability is achieved by use of a thermal management system, comprising inner and outer housings, each containing a temperature sensor, and electronic circuitry that monitors the temperatures and controls both the laser diode current and a thermoelectric cooler based on temperatures determined from said temperature sensors. The laser system is packaged in a compact enclosure that minimizes waste heat, facilitating use in applications that have heretofore employed stable, single-frequency lasers, including He—Ne lasers.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing nutritional drinks, and the stabilized drink, including the steps of forming edible oil microparticles, dissolving polyphenol concentrate in a liquid, and associating the polyphenol from the concentrate with the microparticles in the liquid to prevent free radicals from reaching the surface of the microparticles.

Abstract: A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.

Abstract: A circuit for control of an output current in a multiple unit cell array includes an array of unit cells arranged in rows and columns. Each unit cell includes a column select transistor being adapted for control by a column selector and a row select transistor being adapted for control by a row selector. The column select transistor and the row select transistor are connected together in series to each other and between an output node and a first supply. A return electrode is provided to complete the circuit.

Abstract: A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.

Abstract: A method of preparing a water soluble microstructure includes the steps of providing a saturated solution of a payload with poor water solubility, providing a solution of helper molecules, and combining the saturated solution of the payload with the solution of helper molecules. The combined saturated solution of the payload with the solution of helper molecules is mixed with an aqueous solution to form a water soluble microstructure. The water soluble microstructure includes the helper molecules forming an outside portion of the microstructure, and the payload having poor water solubility contained within the outside portion and forming an inside portion of the microstructure.

Abstract: A method of forming water soluble microparticles is disclosed that includes the steps of providing a water insoluble food supplement, mixing the food supplement in a water miscible polar solvent, heating the mixture to increase the solubility and dissolve the food supplement into the solvent to form a saturated solution, and streaming the solution into water to form a solvent-water mix such that microparticles of the food supplement are produced

Abstract: An ultrasonically active microparticle is taught that includes a porous interior particle having hydrophobic pores, a gas in the hydrophobic pores and a hydrophilic exterior shell surrounding the interior particle forming an ultrasonically active microparticle and allowing the microparticle to be suspended in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.