Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first layer that includes a plurality of inlets and a surface feature; a second layer, where the surface feature opposes the second layer; an outlet, and a pattern defined on at least one of the first layer and the second layer, where the pattern defines a suction path from each inlet of the plurality of inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first layer that includes a plurality of inlets and a surface feature; a second layer, where the surface feature opposes the second layer; an outlet, and a pattern defined on at least one of the first layer and the second layer, where the pattern defines a suction path from each inlet of the plurality of inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first layer that includes a plurality of inlets and a surface feature; a second layer, where the surface feature opposes the second layer; an outlet, and a pattern defined on at least one of the first layer and the second layer, where the pattern defines a suction path from each inlet of the plurality of inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first layer that includes a plurality of inlets and a surface feature; a second layer, where the surface feature opposes the second layer; an outlet, and a pattern defined on at least one of the first layer and the second layer, where the pattern defines a suction path from each inlet of the plurality of inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first layer that includes a plurality of inlets and a surface feature; a second layer, where the surface feature opposes the second layer; an outlet, and a pattern defined on at least one of the first layer and the second layer, where the pattern defines a suction path from each inlet of the plurality of inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a first layer that includes a plurality of inlets and a surface feature; a second layer, where the surface feature opposes the second layer; an outlet, and a pattern defined on at least one of the first layer and the second layer, where the pattern defines a suction path from each inlet of the plurality of inlets to the outlet.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled solar power inverter is described herein. The solar power inverter includes multiple components (for example, a power transistor, a control board, or a heat sink). The temperature of a component may rise due to heat generated by the component or heat absorbed from other components. The solar power inverter also includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at a location proximate to the component and a cooling device configured to cool the component. The solar power inverter also includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling device. The controller is programmed to receive the temperature from the temperature sensor and control the cooling device based upon the temperature and a temperature setpoint of the component. The temperature setpoint is based upon 1) a component initial temperature, 2) a temperature excursion limit of the component, and 3) an absolute temperature limit of the component.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar power inverter includes at least one component associated with conversion of direct current (DC) from one or more photovoltaic cells to alternating current (AC). The component is electrically coupleable to an electrical conductor configured to carry electrical current. The solar power inverter also includes a first surge protective device (SPD) electrically coupled to the component and electrically coupleable to the electrical conductor. The solar power inverter also includes a second SPD electrically coupled in parallel with the first SPD and electrically coupleable to the electrical conductor. As described in more detail herein, the first SPD is configured to actuate in response to a voltage surge on the electrical conductor before the second SPD.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar power inverter includes at least one component associated with conversion of direct current (DC) from one or more photovoltaic cells to alternating current (AC). The component is electrically coupleable to an electrical conductor configured to carry electrical current. The solar power inverter also includes a first surge protective device (SPD) electrically coupled to the component and electrically coupleable to the electrical conductor. The solar power inverter also includes a second SPD electrically coupled in parallel with the first SPD and electrically coupleable to the electrical conductor. As described in more detail herein, the first SPD is configured to actuate in response to a voltage surge on the electrical conductor before the second SPD.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled solar power inverter is described herein. The solar power inverter includes multiple components (for example, a power transistor, a control board, or a heat sink). The temperature of a component may rise due to heat generated by the component or heat absorbed from other components. The solar power inverter also includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at a location proximate to the component and a cooling device configured to cool the component. The solar power inverter also includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling device. The controller is programmed to receive the temperature from the temperature sensor and control the cooling device based upon the temperature and a temperature setpoint of the component. The temperature setpoint is based upon 1) a component initial temperature, 2) a temperature excursion limit of the component, and 3) an absolute temperature limit of the component.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a photovoltaic element at or near a maximum power point. A maximum power point tracker changes a voltage or current set point of a photovoltaic element in sequential discrete steps, measuring an output power at each step after a predetermined settling time. A slope of a power-voltage curve is then estimated and the slope is corrected for irradiance changes. Finally, an operating voltage or current of the photovoltaic element is adjusted based on the slope of the power-voltage curve and other factors, causing the photovoltaic element to operate at or near its maximum power.