Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for multi-layer high-efficiency dielectric grating with improved manufacturability. An example diffraction grating based morphology includes a plurality of grating lines; a plurality of intermediate layers; and a substrate bearing both of the plurality of grating lines and the plurality of intermediate layers; where one or more of the plurality of grating lines include a plurality of grating layers; and where at least two of the plurality of grating layers include different refractive index (RI) material. The plurality of grating layers includes one or more layers having low refractive index (RI) material and one or more layers having high refractive index (RI) material. The plurality of intermediate layers includes a plurality of matching layers and a plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for multi-layer high-efficiency dielectric grating with improved manufacturability. An example diffraction grating based morphology includes a plurality of grating lines; a plurality of intermediate layers; and a substrate bearing both of the plurality of grating lines and the plurality of intermediate layers; where one or more of the plurality of grating lines include a plurality of grating layers; and where at least two of the plurality of grating layers include different refractive index (RI) material. The plurality of grating layers includes one or more layers having low refractive index (RI) material and one or more layers having high refractive index (RI) material. The plurality of intermediate layers includes a plurality of matching layers and a plurality of dielectric layers.

Abstract: A device including a photon counting sensor array including emitters for emitting a light to an object, a detector array including a first pixel and a second pixel separated from each other, and a mask material disposed on the second pixel, the first pixel receives a light reflected from the object, and the mask material is not disposed on the first pixel.

Abstract: A single photon counting sensor array includes one or more emitters configured to emit a plurality of pulses of energy, and a detector array comprising a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes one or more detectors, a plurality of which are configured to receive reflected pulses of energy that were emitted by the one or more emitters. A mask material is positioned to cover some but not all of the detectors of the plurality of pixels to yield blocked pixels and unblocked pixels so that each blocked pixel is prevented from detecting the reflected pulses of energy and therefore only detects intrinsic noise.

Abstract: A single photon counting sensor array includes one or more emitters configured to emit a plurality of pulses of energy, and a detector array comprising a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes one or more detectors, a plurality of which are configured to receive reflected pulses of energy that were emitted by the one or more emitters. A mask material is positioned to cover some but not all of the detectors of the plurality of pixels to yield blocked pixels and unblocked pixels so that each blocked pixel is prevented from detecting the reflected pulses of energy and therefore only detects intrinsic noise.

Abstract: A single photon counting sensor array includes one or more emitters configured to emit a plurality of pulses of energy, and a detector array comprising a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes one or more detectors, a plurality of which are configured to receive reflected pulses of energy that were emitted by the one or more emitters. A mask material is positioned to cover some but not all of the detectors of the plurality of pixels to yield blocked pixels and unblocked pixels so that each blocked pixel is prevented from detecting the reflected pulses of energy and therefore only detects intrinsic noise.

Abstract: A single photon counting sensor array includes one or more emitters configured to emit a plurality of pulses of energy, and a detector array comprising a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes one or more detectors, a plurality of which are configured to receive reflected pulses of energy that were emitted by the one or more emitters. A mask material is positioned to cover some but not all of the detectors of the plurality of pixels to yield blocked pixels and unblocked pixels so that each blocked pixel is prevented from detecting the reflected pulses of energy and therefore only detects intrinsic noise.

Abstract: A monolithic series-connected laser-diode array is presented, where the array is formed on a non-conductive substrate that includes a plurality of discrete electrically conductive regions. Each laser diode of the array is disposed on a different conductive region such that the laser cavity of each laser diode is optically isolated from its respective conductive region, thereby avoiding optical loss in the laser cavity due to interaction with the highly doped conductive material. Each conductive region is configured to extend past the lateral extent of its respective laser-diode structure. Electrical connection between adjacent laser diodes of the array is made by forming a conductive trace that extends from the top contact of one of the laser diodes to the conductive region on which the other laser diode is disposed.

Abstract: A monolithic series-connected laser-diode array is presented, where the array is formed on a non-conductive substrate that includes a plurality of discrete electrically conductive regions. Each laser diode of the array is disposed on a different conductive region such that the laser cavity of each laser diode is optically isolated from its respective conductive region, thereby avoiding optical loss in the laser cavity due to interaction with the highly doped conductive material. Each conductive region is configured to extend past the lateral extent of its respective laser-diode structure. Electrical connection between adjacent laser diodes of the array is made by forming a conductive trace that extends from the top contact of one of the laser diodes to the conductive region on which the other laser diode is disposed.

Abstract: A gaming machine is described having a gaming controller operable to control one or more games of chance played on the gaming machine. A memory stores 3-D data corresponding to a 3-D gaming environment. Gaming logic renders a plurality of images of the 3-D gaming environment for presentation on the machine's display. The images depict manipulation of one or more aspects of the 3-D gaming environment by a user. A user interface provides user input to facilitate the manipulation of the one or more aspects of the 3-D gaming environment by the user.

Abstract: Methods of preparing front and back facets of a diode laser include controlling an atmosphere within a first chamber, such that an oxygen content and a water vapor content are controlled to within predetermined levels and cleaving the diode laser from a wafer within the controlled atmosphere of the first chamber to form a native oxide layer hating a predetermined thickness on the front and back facets of the diode laser. After cleavage, the diode laser is transported from the first chamber to a second chamber within a controlled atmosphere, the native oxide layer on the front and back facets of the diode laser is partially removed, an amorphous surface layer is formed on the front and back facets of the diode laser, and the front and back facets of the diode laser are passivated.

Abstract: A wagering game including a wheel and multiple section indicators. The wheel includes a plurality of sections having awards associated with each of the sections. The section indicators associated with the wheel simultaneously indicate sections on the wheel. The awards associated with the sections indicated by the activated section indicators are summed and provided to a player. The number of activated section indicators is predetermined, randomly determined, determined by the player's wager in the primary or base game, determined in a primary game or determined by a sub-game or a set.

Abstract: Methods of preparing front and back facets of a diode laser include controlling an atmosphere within a first chamber, such that an oxygen content and a water vapor content are controlled to within predetermined levels and cleaving the diode laser from a wafer within the controlled atmosphere of the first chamber to form a native oxide layer hating a predetermined thickness on the front and back facets of the diode laser. After cleavage, the diode laser is transported from the first chamber to a second chamber within a controlled atmosphere, the native oxide layer on the front and back facets of the diode laser is partially removed, an amorphous surface layer is formed on the front and back facets of the diode laser, and the front and back facets of the diode laser are passivated.

Abstract: A computer system operable to communicate with one or more gaming devices. The computer system has a processor and a data storage device. The data storage device stores instructions associated with a multi-round game. The instructions are executable to cause the gaming device to display a base, selections and characteristics associated therewith. The instructions are executable to enable one or more selections to be picked in multiple rounds to match characteristics of the base.

Abstract: A validation procedure for assessing the status a software engineering process for compliance, and improving the measured compliance, with the Carnegie Mellon SEI/CMM Software Maturity Model includes a validation meeting in the course of which a validation team reviews deliverables demonstrative of the process being performed and asks a structured set of questions that are structured in accordance with the CMM and correlate with the deliverables.

Abstract: A gaming machine is described having a gaming controller operable to control one or more games of chance played on the gaming machine. A memory stores 3-D data corresponding to a 3-D gaming environment. Gaming logic renders a plurality of images of the 3-D gaming environment for presentation on the machine's display. The images depict manipulation of one or more aspects of the 3-D gaming environment by a user. A user interface provides user input to facilitate the manipulation of the one or more aspects of the 3-D gaming environment by the user.

Abstract: A gaming device with a selection game that enables a player to pick one of a plurality of selections. An award, terminator or modifier associated with the picked selection is revealed to the player. If the picked selection is associated with a terminator, the selection game ends. If the picked selection is associated with an award or value, the revealed award or value is modified by each activated modifier to form at least one modified award. The modified award is then provided to the player. If the picked selection is associated with a modifier, then the revealed modifier is activated. Once activated, the modifier will modify each of the awards that are subsequently revealed during the selection game. Moreover, once a modifier is activated, the gaming device retroactively applies the activated modifier to each of the previously revealed awards or values.

Abstract: A self-assessment procedure for assessing a software engineering process for compliance, and improving the measured compliance, with the Carnegie Mellon SEI/CMM Software Maturity Model systematically steps through levels 2-4 of the model, and the various sub-levels, assessing the maturity of the process being assessed on a scale having three coarse levels of Not Implemented, Partially Implemented and Fully Implemented and seven categories at the next level of detail.