Abstract: A solar electric generator is disclosed which utilizes the natural energy of sunlight and converts it directly into DC electricity by means of a solid state thermal electric generator (TEG) at high efficiency. The solar electric generator converts sunlight into electricity in two steps: 1) sunlight energy is converted into heat in a lower chamber that contains a broadband photon trapper known as the blackbody; 2) the heat is converted into electricity through the TEG in an upper chamber illustrated in the figures. The thermal electric conversion component is packaged from thermally cascading stack of multiple TEG cores. Each of the cores is composed of materials optimized to exhibit the thermal electric effect at progressively lower temperatures.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generating device is assembled from multiple thermoelectric elements disposed in a chip structure, the chip structure forming a power generating core. Multiple cores are stacked within a thermal container such that thermal energy provided at a first end of the thermal container is delivered in a serial manner to the stacked cores. The thermal container includes heat absorbers, heat reflectors and heat transmission barriers so that minimal thermal energy is lost through the walls of the container and maximum thermal energy flows from the heat source through and past the cores to an ambient temperature end of the container so as to create a controlled temperature differential from the hot end to the cooler end of the container as well as across each core stacked therein. The temperature differential across each core results in the generation of electrical energy, such electrical energy being collected by standard power utilization techniques.

Abstract: A vacuum processing chamber for measuring the temperature of a surface of an object comprising a cap is provided. The cap has a non-deformable end wall of thermally conducting material and a side wall connected thereto. An outside surface of the end wall is shaped to conform to a shape of the object surface to be measured. A surface on an inside of the end wall of the cap emits electromagnetic radiation having a detectable optical characteristic that is proportional to the temperature of the cap end wall. The vacuum processing chamber further comprises a light wave guide having one end held within the cap a distance from the radiation emitting element and in optical communication therewith.

Abstract: A luminescent temperature sensor comprising (i) an object having a recess, (ii) a layer of luminescent material disposed in the recess, wherein the luminescent material emits electromagnetic radiation having a detectable optical characteristic that is functionally dependent on the temperature of the object, and (iii) a light waveguide in optical communication with the layer of luminescent material, is provided. A test device for measuring a temperature in a processing step comprising (i) an object having a surface and having a recess in the surface of the object, (ii) a layer of luminescent material disposed in the recess, wherein the luminescent material emits electromagnetic radiation having a detectable optical characteristic that is functionally dependent on the temperature of the object in response to a source of excitation radiation, and (iii) an optical window that seals said layer of luminescent material in the recess in the surface of the object, is provided.

Abstract: A temperature sensor that has a thermally conducting contact with a surface that emits electromagnetic radiation in proportion to the temperature of the contact is disclosed. The sensor has a resilient member attached to the contact and configured to extend the contact toward the object to be measured. A first light waveguide is attached to the contact and is configured to transmit the electromagnetic radiation from the contact. The sensor has a guide with a bore formed therein that the first waveguide is insertable into. When the contact is moved, the first waveguide moves within the bore. A second waveguide is attached to the guide such that a variable gap is formed between the ends of the first waveguide and the second waveguide. Electromagnetic energy from the first waveguide traverses the gap and can be transmitted by the second waveguide. The guide allows the first waveguide to move with the contact in order to ensure that the contact is fully engaged with the surface of the object.

Abstract: A temperature sensor that has a thermally conducting contact with a surface that emits electromagnetic radiation in proportion to the temperature of the contact is disclosed. The sensor has a resilient member attached to the contact and configured to extend the contact toward the object to be measured. A first light waveguide is attached to the contact and is configured to transmit the electromagnetic radiation from the contact. The sensor has a guide with a bore formed therein that the first waveguide is insertable into. When the contact is moved, the first waveguide moves within the bore. A second waveguide is attached to the guide such that a variable gap is formed between the ends of the first waveguide and the second waveguide. Electromagnetic energy from the first waveguide traverses the gap and can be transmitted by the second waveguide. The guide allows the first waveguide to move with the contact in order to ensure that the contact is fully engaged with the surface of the object.

Abstract: A temperature sensor utilizing optical temperature measuring techniques is constructed to make firm contact with a surface whose temperature is being measured, an example application being the monitoring of semiconductor wafers or flat panel displays while being processed. A cap is mounted near but spaced apart from an end of a lightwave guide, with a resilient element that applies force of the cap against a surface whose temperature is being measured as the cap is urged toward the optical fiber end. An optical temperature sensing element, such as luminescent material or a surface of known emissivity, is carried within the cap. A bellows with a closed end conveniently serves as both the cap and the resilient element. An alternative temperature measuring device installs an optical temperature sensing material within a test substrate behind an optical window, and then views the sensing material through the window.

Abstract: A temperature sensor utilizing optical temperature measuring techniques is constructed to make firm contact with a surface whose temperature is being measured, an example application being the monitoring of semiconductor wafers or flat panel displays while being processed. A cap is mounted near but spaced apart from an end of a lightwave guide, with a resilient element that applies force of the cap against a surface whose temperature is being measured as the cap is urged toward the optical fiber end. An optical temperature sensing element, such as luminescent material or a surface of known emissivity, is carried within the cap. A bellows with a closed end conveniently serves as both the cap and the resilient element. An alternative temperature measuring device installs an optical temperature sensing material within a test substrate behind an optical window, and then views the sensing material through the window.

Abstract: The method of generating a set of instructions for teaching a process including the generation of a video image of each step of the process while viewing the image on a video monitor for correction and adjustment, printing over the image various characters representing instructions to teach the process, printing a hard copy photograph of the process and recording the video image on a recorder for future use.