Abstract: A temperature controller is used for a gain fiber of a fiber amplifier. The controller includes a heat transfer structure and one or more temperature sinks, such as cooling plates. The heat transfer structure supports the gain fiber and is disposed in thermal contact with it. Portions of the temperature sink(s) are disposed in different thermal conductivity with sections of the heat transfer structure. For example, the sinks may have different material properties and/or material thicknesses. Also, portions of the temperature sink(s) can have different cooling rates. The different thermal conductivities conduct the heat from parts of the gain fiber differently from one another. In the end, an onset of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) on the laser light path can be mitigated by conducting heat from the gain fiber with the different thermal conductivities.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems, for high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, that detect the anomalies in the local temperature at small areas of the junction and protect the device from accelerated aging and premature catastrophic damage. In an embodiment of the method of this invention for protecting a high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, anomalies in the electrical or optical behavior of the junction are detected and, upon detection of the anomalies, power is diverted away from or around the device.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions. The protection methods and protection systems detect the anomalies in the behavior of the junction and protect the device from damage.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems, for high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, that detect the anomalies in the local temperature at small areas of the junction and protect the device from accelerated aging and premature catastrophic damage. In an embodiment of the method of this invention for protecting a high current semiconductor devices with diode junctions, anomalies in the electrical or optical behavior of the junction are detected and, upon detection of the anomalies, power is diverted away from or around the device.

Abstract: Protection methods and protection systems for semiconductor devices with diode junctions. The protection methods and protection systems detect the anomalies in the behavior of the junction and protect the device from damage.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, describes methods for selecting and enriching specific types of stem cells and/or progenitor cells from a sample containing at least two different types of stem cells and/or progenitor cells. In one embodiment, the method involves selecting and enriching cancer stem cells and/or cancer progenitor cells. In other embodiments, the invention involves improved methods for purging cancer cells from autologous or allogenic transplants prior to reinjection into a patient. In other embodiments, the invention describes improved methods to screen for the efficacy of drug candidate for affecting the function and/or viability of a specific type of stem cell or progenitor cell, for example a cancer stem cell. In this context, the inventive method can involve screening the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents in completely eliminating all cancer cells (i.e. mature cancer cells and cancer stem/progenitor cells).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: A dense plasma focus radiation source for generating EUV radiation using Lithium vapor and including a coaxially disposed anode and cathode. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for enhancing the efficiency of EUV radiation production, for protecting, cooling and extending the life of the anode and cathode, for protecting and shielding collecting optics from debris and pressure disturbances in the discharge chamber, and for feeding Lithium into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: A dense plasma focus radiation source for generating EUV radiation using Lithium vapor and including a coaxially disposed anode and cathode. The invention includes methods and apparatuses for enhancing the efficiency of EUV radiation production, for protecting, cooling and extending the life of the anode and cathode, for protecting and shielding collecting optics from debris and pressure disturbances in the discharge chamber, and for feeding Lithium into the discharge chamber.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold, which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage.

Abstract: The present invention, in some embodiments, describes methods for selecting and enriching specific types of stem cells and/or progenitor cells from a sample containing at least two different types of stem cells and/or progenitor cells. In one embodiment, the method involves selecting and enriching cancer stem cells and/or cancer progenitor cells. In other embodiments, the invention involves improved methods for purging cancer cells from autologous or allogenic transplants prior to reinjection into a patient. In other embodiments, the invention describes improved methods to screen for the efficacy of drug candidate for affecting the function and/or viability of a specific type of stem cell or progenitor cell, for example a cancer stem cell. In this context, the inventive method can involve screening the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents in completely eliminating all cancer cells (i.e. mature cancer cells and cancer stem/progenitor cells).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a laser diode source, such as a laser diode or a laser diode array. The driver controlling current in response to a signal indicative of excessive current or current density. The signal may be derived from the drive current, the voltage across the laser diode source or the impedance of the laser diode source. The circuit may be pulsed using a switch, such as a GCT. The current to generate drive the laser diode source provided by a capacitive or inductive charging circuit.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices which enable discrete objects having a conducting inner core, surrounded by a dielectric membrane to be selectively inactivated by electric fields via irreversible breakdown of their dielectric membrane. One important application of the invention is in the selection, purification, and/or purging of desired or undesired biological cells from cell suspensions. According to the invention, electric fields can be utilized to selectively inactivate and render non-viable particular subpopulations of cells in a suspension, while not adversely affecting other desired subpopulations. According to the inventive methods, the cells can be selected on the basis of intrinsic or induced differences in a characteristic electroporation threshold; which can depend, for example, on a difference in cell size and/or critical dielectric membrane breakdown voltage.

Abstract: An extendable large aperture phased array mirror system includes a plurality of mirror segments cooperatively configured to receive an incoming electromagnetic beam. In response to signals from a sensor indicative of wavefront distortion in the beam, a control apparatus displaces a plurality of segment actuators to configure the mirror segments to generate an outgoing conjugate phase electromagnetic beam.

Abstract: Improved electron beam driven gas laser method and apparatus with the achievement of high single pulse energies therefore enabled by establishment of a magnetic field in a direction substantially parallel to the desired direction of electron beam propagation into a gas. The applied magnetic field is made substantially uniform and sized to exceed that of the self induced magnetic field of the current established by the electron beam, alone or in combination with a discharge current (optionally) established in the gas.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of operating a laser wherein a discharge is produced preferably in a high pressure lasing gaseous mixture comprising at least one suitable first gaseous species capable of providing an excited state which has a finite probability of being ionized and a molecular second gaseous species having a capability for attaching electrons to form negative ions. The gaseous mixture may, for example, comprise argon, neon, helium, xenon, krypton or a metal vapor such as mercury as the first species and, for example, hydrogen iodide, carbon tetrachloride, bromine, iodine or fluorine as the second species. A buffer gas such as, for example, argon, helium or neon may also be used. The discharge is produced by means of an electron beam and an electric field. The discharge resulting from the application of the electric field heats secondary electrons produced by the electron beam to an energy level sufficient to make excited states.