Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter includes an optical cavity bounded by a stationary reflector and a deformable or movable membrane reflector. A second electrostatic cavity outside of the optical cavity includes a pair of electrodes, one of which is mechanically coupled to the movable membrane reflector. A voltage applied to the electrodes across the electrostatic cavity causes deflection of the membrane, thereby changing the length of the optical cavity and tuning the filter. The filter with the movable membrane can be formed by micro device photolithographic and fabrication processes from a semiconductor material in an integrated device structure. The membrane can include an inner movable membrane portion connected within an outer body portion by a pattern of tethers. The tether pattern can be such that straight or radial tethers connect the inner membrane with the outer body. Alternatively, a tether pattern with tethers arranged in a substantially spiral pattern can be used.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter includes an optical cavity bounded by a stationary reflector and a deformable or movable membrane reflector. A second electrostatic cavity outside of the optical cavity includes a pair of electrodes, one of which is mechanically coupled to the movable membrane reflector. A voltage applied to the electrodes across the electrostatic cavity causes deflection of the membrane, thereby changing the length of the optical cavity and tuning the filter. The filter with the movable membrane can be formed by micro device photolithographic and fabrication processes from a semiconductor material in an integrated device structure. The membrane can include an inner movable membrane portion connected within an outer body portion by a pattern of tethers. The tether pattern can be such that straight or radial tethers connect the inner membrane with the outer body. Alternatively, a tether pattern with tethers arranged in a substantially spiral pattern can be used.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an optical membrane from polycrystalline silicon comprises first forming a sacrificial layer on a handle wafer. Concavities are etched into the sacrificial layer. Polycrystalline silicon membrane layer is then formed on the sacrificial layer. The polycrystalline membrane layer is subsequently polished to achieve the predetermined membrane thickness and surface smoothness, annealed, and then patterned. Finally, the sacrificial layer is removed to release the membrane. The concavities in the sacrificial layer yield convexities in the polysilicon layer to prevent stiction adhesion to the handle wafer. During processing, a mask used to pattern the membrane layer functions to protect an highly reflecting (HR) coating for the membrane.

Abstract: A system and method of executing instructions within a counterflow pipeline processor. The counterflow pipeline processor includes an instruction pipeline, a data pipeline, a reorder buffer and a plurality of execution units. An instruction and one or more operands issue into the instruction pipeline and a determination is made at one of the execution units whether the instruction is ready for execution. If so, the operands are loaded into the execution unit and the instruction executes. The execution unit is monitored for a result and, when the result arrives, it is stored into the result pipeline. If the instruction reaches the end of the pipeline without executing it wraps around and is sent down the instruction pipeline again.

Abstract: A system and method of executing instructions within a counterflow pipeline processor. The counterflow pipeline processor includes an instruction pipeline, a data pipeline, a reorder buffer and a plurality of execution units. An instruction and one or more operands issue into the instruction pipeline and a determination is made at one of the execution units whether the instruction is ready for execution. If so, the operands are loaded into the execution unit and the instruction executes. The execution unit is monitored for a result and, when the result arrives, it is stored into the result pipeline. If the instruction reaches the end of the pipeline without executing it wraps around and is sent down the instruction pipeline again.

Abstract: A system and method of executing instructions within a counterflow pipeline processor. The counterflow pipeline processor includes an instruction pipeline, a data pipeline, a reorder buffer and a plurality of execution units. An instruction and one or more operands issue into the instruction pipeline and a determination is made at one of the execution units whether the instruction is ready for execution. If so, the operands are loaded into the execution unit and the instruction executes. The execution unit is monitored for a result and, when the result arrives, it is stored into the result pipeline. If the instruction reaches the end of the pipeline without executing it wraps around and is sent down the instruction pipeline again.

Abstract: A skid plate and cross member assembly for a vehicular frame includes a skid plate having a platform and a cross member having a body. A locking element, preferably having holes or slots, is formed in the body of the cross member. A moldable material in a moldable state is placed in a mold for the skid plate. The cross member is pressed into the moldable platform of the skid plate so that the locking element is immersed and the moldable material fills the voids of the locking element. After the moldable material has cured, the cross member is interlocked with the skid plate to form a lightweight skid plate and cross member assembly. This assembly is secured to side rails of a vehicular frame to protect lower components of a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing vehicle frame components using composite fiber pultrusion techniques includes one or more sources of a fibrous material. A bath or similar structure is provided for applying a resin material to the fibrous materials from the sources. Following the application of the resin, the fibrous materials are then pulled through a die. The die is formed having an opening therethrough which corresponds in shape to the desired cross sectional shape of the vehicle frame component to be manufactured. As the fibrous materials are pulled through the die, they conform to the shape of the opening formed therethrough. Because of the resin applied thereto, the fibrous materials adhere to one another to form a pultrusion which retains the shape of the opening formed through the die. The formed pultrusion is then pulled through a curing oven which heats the resin to a predetermined curing temperature, causing it to harden a rigid condition.

Abstract: An LED point imaging scanner for stimulating and for reading fluorescent and reflective signal radiation from a target sample is disclosed. The LED light source is mounted on a scan head and is focused into the pinhole aperture of a spatial filter, then collimated and focused to a spot on the sample. The spatial filter in the illumination path, or an optical fiber serving the equivalent function, effectively restricts the incoherent LED light and creates a point light source. Signal radiation from the sample is collected through the scan head and the returning light beam is collimated and focused onto the receiving section of a detection means. A spatial filter in the path of the returning beam may also be utilized. The detection means is either a small detector which is mounted directly on the scan head or an end of an optical fiber which transmits the point image to a remotely-positioned stationary detector.

Abstract: A compact, movable scan head having multiple scanning modalities and capable of high speed, high resolution scanning of a variety of samples is disclosed. Stimulation and detection of storage phosphor screens and fluorescent samples are preferably achieved with a first and second channel in the optical path of the first side of the scan head. This first side preferably has a laser diode light source. Reading of reflective and transmissive signals is also possible. A third channel is available in the optical path of the second side of the scan head. This third channel preferably provides LED point scanning and reading of fluorescence, reflective, and transmissive signals received from the sample. The various modalities of the scan head of the present invention may or may not have coincident optical paths. Any two of the above channels, or additional channels similar to the above channels, may be incorporated into the scan head.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.