Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, apparatus is provided with a plurality of laser diodes, sensing means and control means. During normal operation, the laser diodes produce a mixed light. The sensing means measures light that is output by the laser diodes; and the control means 1) compares the measured light to a spectral reference, and 2) sets drive signals of the laser diodes in response to the comparison. In a related and exemplary method, 1) a mixed light is produced using a plurality of laser diodes of different colors, 2) a measurement of light produced by the laser diodes is compared to a spectral reference, and 3) drive signals of the laser diodes are automatically set in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Optical systems are provided. A representative optical system includes an optical transceiver with an optical source and an optical receiver. The system also includes an optical bus. At least one of the optical source and the optical receiver is optically coupled to an intermediate portion of the optical bus. The optical source provides optical signals for propagation by the optical bus, and the optical receiver detects optical signals differentially. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: Display contrast in electro-optical display devices is improved using a drive circuit including pixel drive circuits and a common drive circuit. The pixel drive circuits are connected to pixel electrodes of the display device, and are operable to generate respective pixel drive signals that alternate between a first high voltage and a first low voltage differing in voltage by less than or equal to a process-limited maximum. The common drive circuit is connected to a common electrode of the display device, and is operable to generate a common drive signal alternating between a second high voltage and a second low voltage differing in voltage by more than the process-limited maximum. The common drive signal is asymmetrically bipolar with respect to the first low voltage of the pixel drive signal.

Abstract: An overhead running vehicle 10 uses an absolute position sensor or an encoder to detect its own position. The overhead running vehicle 10 then reports its own position and state to a system controller 14 via a communication line also used as an electrcity feeding line. Further, the overhead running vehicle 10 intercepts reports from other overhead running vehicles 10 to avoid collisions or deadlocks. The system controller 14 and each overhead running vehicle 10 can determine the positions and state of other overhead running vehicles 10. This enables the system to be efficiently operated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve UV resistant liquid crystal cells. One embodiment of the invention is to increase the volume of the liquid crystal material that is stored inside the cell. For example, trenches may be used to provide reservoirs that hold the additional liquid crystal material. Another embodiment of the invention uses an inorganic alignment layer in the cell, instead of using an organic material as the alignment layer. A further embodiment of the invention uses a pump to circulate liquid crystal material through the cell. The inventive cell can be used as a SLM in photolithographic imaging systems.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator for use in a photolithography system includes light modulation elements configured to photolithographically transfer an image onto a substrate using an optical oversampling technique to reduce defects in the transferred image. A first set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer a portion of the image onto an area of a substrate, and a second set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer the portion of the image onto the area of the substrate. The spatial light modulator further includes memory elements in communication with respective light modulation elements for storing data representing the portion of the image.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator is configured to photolithographically transfer an image onto a substrate with reduced bandwidth. The spatial light modulator includes memory elements configured to store data therein and move data therebetween. Light modulation elements are in communication with respective ones of the memory elements and are operable to be altered in response to the data stored in the respective memory elements. The memory elements can be configured as a shift register to shift the data bi-directionally between the memory elements. Each memory element can further include a feedback element, where the feedback element is a “weak” feedback element that is utilized to contribute to maintaining a voltage to minimize photocurrent effects.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery has high capacity and excellent current characteristics. The lithium battery comprises of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte; the negative electrode comprising Al2O3 particles not relating to the charge-and discharge reactions of the battery. The presence of the ceramics particles in the electrode leads to a decrease in the internal resistance of the battery because of the enhancement of ion conductivity in the electrode, resulting in higher capacity at high rate discharge of the lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes: a light source, a recording member on which an image is formed and conveyed in one direction, illumination system for causing a light beam emitted from the light source to obliquely illuminate the recording member and, imaging system for condensing specularly reflected light from the image on the recording member and causing the reflected light to travel to a surface of a photodetector, so that the image sensing device obtains positional information of the image on the recording member on the basis of a signal obtained by the photodetector. When the amount of displacement of the recording member in a vertical direction during conveyance of the recording member is d, an angle between the optical axis of the imaging system and a normal to the recording member is ? (degrees), and resolution of the image formed on the recording member is R (dpi), the components are set so that d·tan ?<(25.4/R)×1000 is satisfied.

Abstract: A photodiode array includes a plurality of arrayed individual diode devices. The arrayed diode devices include at least one active photodiode and at least one reference diode. A bias control circuit for the array monitors operation of the reference diode at an applied first bias voltage and adjusts that applied first bias voltage until optimal reference diode operation is reached. A second bias voltage having predetermined relationship to the first bias voltage is applied to the active photodiode to optimally configure array operation. More specifically, an operational characteristic of the reference diode at the first bias voltage is monitored and compared to a reference value. As a result of this comparison, the circuit adjusts the applied first and second bias voltage in order to drive the reference diode measured characteristic to substantially match the reference value.

Abstract: A re-connectable optical interface system and method for optically interconnecting and disconnecting optical devices utilizes an optical insert with a reflective element and an optical structure with a displaceable optically bridging element, which can be positioned between two waveguides of the optical structure, to optically connect the optical devices. The optical insert is a part of a first optical device, while the optical structure is a part of a second optical device. The optical insert and the optical structure can be interconnected to establish an optical connection between the optical insert of the first optical device and at least one of the waveguides of the second optical device. When the optical insert and the optical structure are not interconnected, the optically bridging element is positioned between the waveguides to provide an optical connection between the waveguides.

Abstract: An optical signal multiplexer/demultiplexer using an orthogonal pseudorandom (PRN) coding scheme for optical mode modulation to produce a plurality of independent optical signals that may be combined into one multiplex signal for transmission over an optical fiber to the receiving end, where the multiplex signal may be demultiplexed by relying on the orthogonal properties of the PRN code to isolate each independent optical signal from the transmitted multiplex signal. In channels subject to mode modulation distortion, one of the signal components may be used as a pilot signal to obtain a correction for channel mode modulation distortion. The PRN optical signal multiplexer/demultiplexer is particularly useful with polarization mode modulation.

Abstract: Coherent optical equalization is applied in the optical domain to an input optical signal that includes a wanted optical signal and an unwanted optical signal temporally delayed relative to the wanted optical signal. A first optical signal that includes at least the wanted optical signal is split into first beams that include a first beam subject to delay. The first beam subject to delay is delayed to provide a delayed first beam. Beams that include the delayed first beam are coherently summed to produce a second optical signal in which the unwanted optical signal has a reduced intensity compared with in the input optical signal. In the coherent summing, the instance of the wanted optical signal in the delayed first beam cancels the unwanted optical signal in another of the beams that are coherently summed.

Abstract: Discovery and mapping of network nodes in a peer-to-peer network. Network nodes in a peer-to-peer network are discovered and mapped by sending out queries at varying power levels and recording acknowledgments including a quality-of-service metric from the acknowledging node.

Abstract: Light emission methods and light emission devices are described including method and devices capable of emitting light at a plurality of controllable wavelengths. According to one aspect, a light emission method includes providing a control signal and emitting light using a laser operating in a plurality of polarization states. The polarization state of the laser is adjusted responsive to the control signal and the wavelength of the light emitted using the laser is adjusted responsive to the adjustment of the polarization state of the laser.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.

Abstract: Optical systems for cooling optoelectronic elements are provided. A representative optical system includes a substrate and a first optoelectronic element supported by the substrate. Additionally, a first channel is formed in the substrate and a first heat transfer fluid is arranged in the first channel. The first heat transfer fluid is thermally coupled with the first optoelectronic element so that at least a quantity of heat produced by the first optoelectronic element is dissipated by the first heat transfer fluid. Methods and other systems also are provided.

Abstract: A frequency modulated (FM) vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The frequency modulated VCSEL includes a mirror region that has an active region. The frequency modulated VCSEL also includes a phase adjustment region for use in altering the characteristics of the VCSEL. For example, by changing the index of refraction in the phase adjustment region, the wavelength of the VCSEL can be changed, resulting in frequency modulation.

Abstract: Optical systems for cooling optoelectronic elements are provided. A representative optical system includes a substrate and a first optoelectronic element supported by the substrate. Additionally, a first channel is formed in the substrate and a first heat transfer fluid is arranged in the first channel. The first heat transfer fluid is thermally coupled with the first optoelectronic element so that at least a quantity of heat produced by the first optoelectronic element is dissipated by the first heat transfer fluid. Methods and other systems also are provided.