Abstract: A ply sorting device is disclosed, comprising a picker and a buffer. The picker is arranged to pick planar plies of cut fiber material and move them to the buffer. The buffer comprises a plurality of substantially planar supports each arranged to receive phes from the picker and to support the plies in planar orientation. The planar supports are movably arranged relative to each other to receive the plies. In addition, a method of sorting plies of differing geometry is disclosed. Planar plies of cut fiber material are picked and moved to supports of a buffer where plies are received in a planar orientation, and supports are moved relative to each other to receive the plies.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive Wheatstone bridge includes two bridge branches connected in parallel between a supply potential Vb, wherein two series-connected resistor arrangements R1 and R3 or R2 and R4 are arranged in each bridge branch with an interposed measuring potential Vout. The resistor arrangements of the two bridge branches are situated diagonally opposite one another and at least two magnetoresistive resistor arrangements have a magnetically sensitive preferred direction. The preferred directions of diagonally opposing resistor arrangements of the bridge branches R1 and R4 or R2 and R3 differ by an angle other than 0° or 180°. An angle sensor includes at least two of the Wheatstone bridges offset by a predefined angle for determining an angular orientation of a magnetic field by a sine bridge and a cosine bridge. The measuring bridge reduces harmonics and optimizes resistance values, improving the accuracy of a phase-angle sensor signal and the sensor resolution.

Abstract: A measurement substrate for measuring a condition pertaining in an apparatus for processing production substrates during operation thereof, the measurement substrate including: a body having dimensions compatible with the apparatus; a plurality of sensor modules embedded in the body, each sensor module having: a sensor configured generate an analog measurement signal, an analog to digital converter to generate digital measurement information from the analog measurement signal, and a module controller configured to output the digital measurement information; and a central control module configured to receive the digital measurement information from each of the module controllers and to communicate the digital measurement information to an external device.

Abstract: A photothermal interferometry apparatus and method for detecting a molecule in a sample, in particular for detecting a trace gas species, comprising: a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a first mirror, a second mirror and a first cavity for containing the sample extending between the first and the second mirror, a probe laser for passing a probe laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer, an excitation laser for passing an excitation laser beam through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer for exciting the molecule in the sample, and a photodetector unit for detecting the transmitted probe laser beam passed through the first cavity of the Fabry-Perot interferometer.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprising an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a support structure constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto the substrate, the lithographic apparatus being provided with a first cooling fluid circuit which is configured to cool components to a first temperature, and provided with a second cooling fluid circuit which is configured to cool components to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are for the permanent magnetization of at least one ferromagnetic layer in a magnetic field sensor device deposited on a chip substrate. The method includes production of at least one resistance element on a chip substrate, deposition of at least one soft magnetic structuring element on the chip substrate; heating of the resistance element to above the blocking temperature and coupling of a preconditioning magnetic field; cooling of the resistance element to below the blocking temperature; and removal of the preconditioning magnetic field. The soft magnetic structuring element is arranged such that the coupled preconditioning magnetic field penetrates the structuring element substantially perpendicular to the chip surface and, at the location of the resistance element, generates magnetic field components parallel to the chip surface which penetrate the ferromagnetic layer of the resistance element at least in some areas.

Abstract: A measurement substrate for measuring a condition pertaining in an apparatus for processing production substrates during operation thereof, the measurement substrate including: a body having dimensions compatible with the apparatus; a plurality of sensor modules embedded in the body, each sensor module having: a sensor configured generate an analog measurement signal, an analog to digital converter to generate digital measurement information from the analog measurement signal, and a module controller configured to output the digital measurement information; and a central control module configured to receive the digital measurement information from each of the module controllers and to communicate the digital measurement information to an external device.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus comprising an illumination system configured to condition a radiation beam, a support structure constructed to support a patterning device, the patterning device being capable of imparting the radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, and a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto the substrate, the lithographic apparatus being provided with a first cooling fluid circuit which is configured to cool components to a first temperature, and provided with a second cooling fluid circuit which is configured to cool components to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.

Abstract: A latch for an animal house includes a first arm, a second arm, and a body. The first arm and the second arm are connected to each other at one end by the body, and the first arm and the second arm are each flexibly supported at the body. Each arm is independently able to flex with respect to the body. The latch has a flat spring which is adapted to restore the latch to a rest condition in which the arms are aligned with each other.

Abstract: A fence post for an animal enclosure is disclosed. The fence post comprises; a first member, a second member, a collar; and a fastener. The first member and second member are substantially the same length. The second member has a cross-bore at a proximal end thereof, the collar defines an aperture, and the first member is fixedly attachable to the collar. The second member is configured to be partially received within the collar for alignment of the cross-bore and the aperture, and the second member is fixable relative to the collar by means of the fastener arranged to at least partially pass through said cross-bore and said aperture.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are for the permanent magnetisation of at least one ferromagnetic layer in a magnetic field sensor device deposited on a chip substrate. The method includes production of at least one resistance element on a chip substrate, deposition of at least one soft magnetic structuring element on the chip substrate; heating of the resistance element to above the blocking temperature and coupling of a preconditioning magnetic field; cooling of the resistance element to below the blocking temperature; and removal of the preconditioning magnetic field. The soft magnetic structuring element is arranged such that the coupled preconditioning magnetic field penetrates the structuring element substantially perpendicular to the chip surface and, at the location of the resistance element, generates magnetic field components parallel to the chip surface which penetrate the ferromagnetic layer of the resistance element at least in some areas.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive Wheatstone bridge includes two bridge branches connected in parallel between a supply potential Vb, wherein two series-connected resistor arrangements R1 and R3 or R2 and R4 are arranged in each bridge branch with an interposed measuring potential Vout. The resistor arrangements of the two bridge branches are situated diagonally opposite one another and at least two magnetoresistive resistor arrangements have a magnetically sensitive preferred direction. The preferred directions of diagonally opposing resistor arrangements of the bridge branches R1 and R4 or R2 and R3 differ by an angle other than 0° or 180°. An angle sensor includes at least two of the Wheatstone bridges offset by a predefined angle for determining an angular orientation of a magnetic field by a sine bridge and a cosine bridge. The measuring bridge reduces harmonics and optimizes resistance values, improving the accuracy of a phase-angle sensor signal and the sensor resolution.

Abstract: A ring clip for connecting two wire mesh panels. The clip has a first arm and a second arm. The arms connected at respective first ends by a hinge. A second end of the first arm defines a recess which is adapted to receive a second end of the second arm when the clip is in a closed condition. The first arm includes a first tab, and the second arm includes a second tab, such that, in the closed condition the first and second tabs are substantially opposed. The first and second tabs are substantially misaligned laterally.

Abstract: An enclosure (1) for small animals, the enclosure comprising: an internal wall (17) that divides a space within the enclosure (1) into first (5) and second (7) regions, and a passageway (13) mounted in said internal wall (17) to extend between said regions (5, 7) so that an animal within the enclosure can pass between the first and second regions of the space; wherein the passageway (13) is movable relative to said internal wall (17) between a first operating mode in which an animal within the enclosure is able to pass between said regions and a second operating mode in which the animal is obstructed from passing between said regions.

Abstract: An enclosure (1) for small animals, the enclosure comprising: an internal wall (17) that divides a space within the enclosure (1) into first (5) and second (7) regions, and a passageway (13) mounted in said internal wall (17) to extend between said regions (5, 7) so that an animal within the enclosure can pass between the first and second regions of the space; wherein the passageway (13) is movable relative to said internal wall (17) between a first operating mode in which an animal within the enclosure is able to pass between said regions and a second operating mode in which the animal is obstructed from passing between said regions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic field sensor device in one embodiment includes applying a mask on a substrate, performing a wet etching procedure on the substrate for generating at least a first groove having tilted side walls, and depositing at least one layer of magnetoresistive material onto a section of the surface of at least a first tilted side wall of the groove. A method of manufacturing a magnetic field sensor device on a substrate having a plurality of tilted planar sections, each of the tilted planar sections having a surface normal angled with respect to a surface normal of the substrate is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of reorienting ferromagnetic layers of a plurality of magnetoresistive elements and structures formed by the methods. The plurality of magnetoresistive elements, preferably GMR multilayer elements, are manufactured and arranged on a planar substrate. The method effectively allows selective orientation and reorientation of distinct ferromagnetic layers of a subset of the magnetoresistive elements on the substrate. The methods make either use of subsequent annealing processes making use of magnetic fields pointing in different directions. Prior to application of a subsequent annealing process, a complimentary subset of magnetoresistive elements is effectively shielded by selective deposition of a soft-magnetic shielding layer. Alternatively, a single annealing process can be performed when an externally applied magnetic field is locally modified by soft-magnetic structures, such as fluxguides.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a degradation effect on a signal are described. One of the methods includes pre-processing data based on a scan of a reference object and a scan of a substance. The reference object includes a material having an atomic number ranging from and including forty to sixty.