Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor device, and a method of fabrication, where a waveguide layer in which light is propagated and an integral photodetector are formed in the device. A light absorbing layer of the photodetector includes a portion of the waveguide layer which is modified to absorb a portion of the light while transmitting the remainder of the light. Additional components, such as a laser, optical amplifier and modulator can be included with the photodetector.

Abstract: An injection molding system with an electric heater has a reusable high temperature electrical connection assembly that provides a very secure small diameter high current inline coupling. The system is comprised of a mold, a heater, connecting wire to a power source and a connector assembly. The heaters and the mold are conventional and well known in the art. The connector assembly, in a preferred embodiment, has a male portion and a female portion. Each is permanently connectable to two wire ends to be removably connected. The male connector portion has a metallic tubular portion with a first end open for insertion and attachment by crimping or brazing of one wire end, and a second end having exterior threads for joining to the female portion. The second end also has a conductive pin integral with the metallic tubing and extending axially outward therefrom.

Abstract: A hybrid integrated optical transmitter comprising a wavelength selectable laser (WSL) source coupled to an optical amplifier/modulator has been realized. Disposed between the optical combiner and the optical amplifier/modulator is an “optical isolator.” The optical isolator includes at least a Faraday rotator and, either solely or in combination with a single polarizer and/or half-wave plate is used to selectively rotate and pass polarized light egressing from the wavelength selectable laser source. Optical isolation is achieved by the egressing radiation from and back reflections incident on the laser source being at two mutually exclusive orthogonal polarization states or by the reflections being totally extinguished. Advantageously, the laser source is unresponsive to orthogonally polarized light, and hence any unwanted back reflections do not substantially affect the operating characteristics of the laser(s).

Abstract: An optical transmitter for generating any one of N carrier signals for use in an M-channel WDM system (M≧N), each channel operating at a different carrier wavelength &lgr;s (s=1, 2 . . . M), includes an optical source for generating the carrier signals at any one of multiplicity of N wavelengths &lgr;i (i=1, 2 . . . N), where (1≦N≦M). A first controller selects a particular one of the wavelengths &lgr;i at which the source operates. An optical modulator receives the carrier signal corresponding to the selected wavelength &lgr;i and impresses information on the received signal. The modulator has a characteristic electronic bandgap and a wavelength &lgr;g corresponding thereto. At a given temperature, &lgr;g is offset from each &lgr;i by an amount &Dgr;&lgr;i. For each wavelength &lgr;i there is a predetermined value of &Dgr;&lgr;i which delivers preferred (e.g., optimum) transmission performance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an expanded beam optical waveguide device (e.g., a laser), comprises the steps of (a) forming a first semiconductor waveguide region having first and second sections of different thickness and an intermediate vertical taper section of varying thickness coupling the first and second sections to one another, the first waveguide region being effective to expand the size of the beam as it propagates from the first section to the second section, (b) forming a second semiconductor region (e.g., a laser active region) on the first waveguide region, (c) etching the second region so as to form an essentially vertical first surface of length A-B which extends obliquely across the propagation axis of the device, (d) forming a third semiconductor region (e.g.

Abstract: A low profile heater for plastic injection molding equipment nozzles utilizes forces provided to the axially ends of a tube portion to radially compress the tube portion onto a coiled heater element thereby compressing the heater element radially inward for optimal heat conduction between said heater element and the nozzle onto which the heater is attached. Further embodiments uses a base sleeve onto which the coiled heater element is placed to engage the nozzle. The base sleeve may utilize a tapered threaded portion with slits in the sleeve to allow tightening of a ring portion to radially compress the sleeve base onto the nozzle.

Abstract: A method and system for enhanced performance multithread operation in a data processing system which includes a processor, a main memory store and at least two levels of cache memory. At least one instruction within an initial thread is executed. Thereafter, the state of the processor at a selected point within the first thread is stored, execution of the first thread is terminated and a second thread is selected for execution only in response to a level two or higher cache miss, thereby minimizing processor delays due to memory latency. The validity state of each thread is preferably maintained in order to minimize the likelihood of returning to a prior thread for execution before the cache miss has been corrected. A least recently executed thread is preferably selected for execution in the event of a nonvalidity indication in association with all remaining threads, in anticipation of a change to the valid status of that thread prior to all other threads.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a wavelength selectable laser source comprises a tunable pump source, an array of waveguide lasers for emitting light at respectively different wavelengths and a router for directing light from the pump source to an appropriate waveguide laser. A second router can be used to direct all laser outputs to a common output waveguide. The result is a wavelength selectable, stable signal source. In preferred embodiments the routers are dense wavelength-division multiplexers (DWDMs) and the waveguide lasers are rare-earth doped fiber lasers. Alternative embodiments provide a variety of ways of routing the pumping source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for holding firearm cartridges, such as shotgun shells, and other related accessories. The system may be utilized on wearing apparel such as hunting vests and belts, on structures such as duck boats and blinds, or on vehicles. The system has a rack portion that may be permanently secured to such apparel, structures, or vehicles. Attachable to the rack portion are rigid receivers with cylindrical bores sized to a particular size of cartridge. Each cylindrical bore has a tab extending inwardly into the cylindrical bore that provides an interference fit with the cartridges to secure the cartridges in place. The receiver and the rack portion have cooperating sliding engagement members to removably secure the receivers to the rack portion. The sliding engagement members on the rack portion are arranged on a plurality of sequential segments with breaks between each sequential segment.

Abstract: A sorting algorithm is applied to an array data structure to arrange array elements according to the predicted frequency by which those array elements are likely to be modified. Higher modification frequency array elements are arranged proximate the end of the array to minimize the number of array elements that will typically need to be updated in response to modification of these array elements, reserving the modifications that require more array elements to be updated to those array elements that have a lower likelihood of modification. A sorting algorithm suitable for use in memory compression arranges blocks for a given page in reverse order since data located proximate the beginning of a page has a higher probability of being modified than the data proximate the end of the page.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stabilizing or otherwise controlling wavelength in tunable semiconductor lasers and other optical sources. A tunable semiconductor laser includes a gain section and at least one tuning section. Spontaneous emission (SE) from the tuning section is detected and used in a feedback control loop to control the amount of current applied to the tuning section. The SE may be detected using an integrated detector on the semiconductor laser chip, an external detector arranged adjacent the chip to detect SE emitted from a side of the tuning section, or an external detector arranged to detect SE coupled from an optical fiber or other signal line connected to an optical signal output of the laser. The feedback control loop may operate to maintain the detected SE at a constant level, such that the current applied to the tuning section is adjusted to compensate for the effects of aging and the laser output wavelength is thereby stabilized.

Abstract: An automatic access code dialer stores a user entered telephone number and compares the first three digits of the stored telephone number to a list of three digit numbers that specify telephone exchanges that may be contacted using an alternative shorthaul long distance service provider. If the stored digits match one of the numbers on the list, the user entered telephone number and an access code for a alternative service provider are passed to the telephone network. If the stored digits do not match one of the numbers on the list, the user entered telephone number is passed to the telephone network.

Abstract: Logic for decreasing the number of cache lines dedicated to user data. When pools for allocation are selected using a dynamic storage allocation procedure, the size of a data block is compared to the size of the allocated pool. If the comparison results meet a predetermined criterion, the logic aligns the data to the beginning of a cache line and places the header in a separate cache line that may be deallocated. And if the data will fit within one-half of a cache slot in the allocated pool, then the line or lines having the header data can be re-used as the header is deallocated. Otherwise, user data blocks are placed in cache lines that are spatially local.

Abstract: The cartridge heater disclosed has a coiled wire heater element with connected lead conductor wires contained within a metallic tubular sheath. Electrically insulative material insulates and supports the heater element and lead conductor wires within said sheath. The tubular enclosure has one or more folds to define parallel longitudinal heater segments containing the heater element. An outer metallic casing surrounds the heater segments defining a body portion. Lead wires comprised of the metallic sheath and the lead conductor wires extend from the body portion.

Abstract: A hinged toilet seat and cover assembly has at least two magnetic latches positioned to control the movement of the seat and cover. A first magnetic latch positioned between the hinge and cover serves to hold the cover in a vertical position once the cover has been raised to such position. A second magnetic latch positioned between the cover and seat at a point spaced from the hinge serves to hold the cover and seat in contact with each other once they are brought into such contact.

Abstract: A fishing line release mechanism has a permanent magnet positioned within a housing with the poles of the magnet arranged to draw a magnetic release plate toward, or into contact with, the magnet. The release plate has a buttonlike configuration with a central aperture which enables the plate to be threaded by a fishline. When a fishline threaded through the magnetic plate aperture is looped several times around the plate and the plate is then positioned in proximity to the permanent magnet, the line cannot unreel until considerable tension is applied to it. The tension limit can be preset. When the preset limit is reached, the buttonlike magnetic plate springs away from the permanent magnet to release the fishline to further control by the reel.

Abstract: A fishing line release mechanism has a permanent magnet positioned within a housing with the poles of the magnet arranged to draw a magnetic tripping member into the housing through an opening in which the tripping member is positioned. The tripping member includes at least one belaying pin which is arranged with its axis across the opening in the housing when the member is in a position where it is near, or in contact with, the permanent magnet. When sufficient tension is applied to a fishing line wrapped around the belaying pin at the time the tripping member is closest to the permanent magnet, the member is pulled away from the magnet and the axis of the belaying pin is lined up with the direction of pull of the fishing line to release the line over the free end of the pin. The release mechanism may include means for variably positioning the magnet with respect to the tripping member as well as a line guide through which a line may be drawn to the belaying pin or pins.