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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: 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.