Abstract: A multimode wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network transceiver and method includes a plurality of optical transmitters and a multiplexer operatively connected to each optical transmitter for receiving optical communications signals and multiplexing the signals into a multimode wavelength division multiplexed optical communications signal. A demultiplexer receives a multimode wavelength division multiplexed optical communications signal and demultiplexes the signal into a plurality of demultiplexed optical communications signals that are then received and detected within a plurality of optical receivers.

Abstract: A method of making a microneedle array structure (20) comprising a plurality of simultaneously formed microneedles (24), each microneedle (24) having a protrusion (32) and a passageway (34) extending therethrough. The method comprises the steps of pressing an embossable sheet material between a complimentary tools and radiantly heating the sheet material using radiant energy from a radiant energy source. One tool is relatively-radiantly-transparent, and another tool and/or the sheet material is relatively-radiantly-absorptive.

Abstract: In order to provide a fuel cell unit, comprising a housing which limits at least one gas chamber and has a gas opening in a first housing wall and a gas opening in a second housing wall located opposite the first housing wall, the housing of which has an adequate deformation stability in relation to the sealing surface pressure required for a flat seal even at high temperatures, it is suggested that the fuel cell unit comprise at least one supporting element which is arranged between the first housing wall and the second housing wall and keeps the two housing walls at a distance from one another.

Abstract: An optical connector adapter includes a substrate having at least one optical waveguide for transporting optical signals. The substrate includes opposing ends, a top reference surface and side reference surface aligned relative to the at least one optical waveguide. A respective carrier bracket is received over each end of the substrate. Substrate alignment fiducials align the carrier brackets relative to the substrate. The substrate carrier receives the substrate and carrier brackets. Respective carrier alignment fiducials align the substrate carrier and the carrier brackets. A beam splitter/combiner is positioned at each end of the substrate and receives and couples an optical signal into the at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: An introducing apparatus includes an elongate tubular sheath having an external diameter, and the sheath has a bore including an internal diameter sized to receive a dilator therethrough. The sheath includes at least one tab extending away from a longitudinal axis of the sheath. A movable valve assembly is movably engaged with the tab, where the moving valve is adapted to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position the moving valve is disposed through the longitudinal axis of the sheath. In the second position the moving valve assembly is disposed away from the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention is operative to monitor the performance of an optical communications channel. An optical splitter splits a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communications signal into a low power WDM signal onto a back-up path, where a tunable filter sweeps the optical communications channels, while a monitoring circuit monitors the optical communications channels for performance. Optical power can be stored and subsequently displayed, providing an optical spectrum analysis of the signal.

Abstract: An Indium/Gallium/Arsenide (InGaAs) detector having avalanche photodiodes (APD's) and p-i-n photodiodes on a single chip is provided. A method of fabricating the InGaAs device is also provided. The bias on the APD and p-i-n photodiodes are separately controlled.

Abstract: An introducing apparatus includes an elongate tubular sheath having an external diameter, and the sheath has a bore including an internal diameter sized to receive a dilator therethrough. The sheath includes at least one tab extending away from a longitudinal axis of the sheath. A movable valve assembly is movably engaged with the tab, where the moving valve is adapted to move from a first position to a second position. In the first position the moving valve is disposed through the longitudinal axis of the sheath. In the second position the moving valve assembly is disposed away from the longitudinal axis of the sheath.

Abstract: An Indium/Gallium/Arsenide (InGaAs) detector having avalanche photodiodes (APD's) and p-i-n photodiodes on a single chip is provided. A method of fabricating the InGaAs device is also provided. The bias on the APD and p-i-n photodiodes are separately controlled.

Abstract: A microchamber structure (100) comprising a base layer (120), a lid layer (130), and at least one microchamber (140) having a cross-sectional shape with a depth (d) of less than 1000 microns and a width (w) of less than 1000 microns. The base layer (120) includes a depression (122) and the lid layer (104) includes a projection (132) positioned within the depression (122) to together define the cross-sectional shape of the microchamber (140).

Abstract: A laser driver circuit includes an injection laser diode. A current source control loop circuit is connected to the injection laser diode and establishes a fixed current through the injection laser diode. A voltage switcher circuit is connected to the injection laser diode and current source control loop circuit and adapted to receive a fixed supply voltage and convert inductively the supply voltage down to a forward voltage to bias the injection laser diode and produce an optical fiber coupled laser output having minimized power losses.

Abstract: An Indium/Gallium/Arsenide (InGaAs) detector having avalanche photodiodes (APD's) and p-i-n photodiodes on a single chip is provided. A method of fabricating the InGaAs device is also provided. The bias on the APD and p-i-n photodiodes are separately controlled.

Abstract: An optically amplified back-up receiver includes an optical splitter for receiving a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communications signal by splitting the signal into a low power WDM optical signal onto a back-up path where it is amplified and an optical signal of desired wavelength selected. A PIN detector receives the optical signal at the desired wavelength and converts the optical signal into an electrical communications signal.

Abstract: In order to provide a fuel cell unit, comprising a housing, a substrate and an electrode disposed on an electrode side of the substrate, wherein the substrate is constructed in such away that it allows a gas from a gas compartment disposed on a gas compartment side of the substrate to pass through to the electrode, in which fuel cell unit the gas compartment disposed on the gas compartment side of the substrate is easily and reliably sealed in a gas-tight manner relative to a further gas compartment, it is proposed that the substrate comprises at least one substantially gas-tight zone, which extends from one surface of the substrate, through the substrate to an opposite surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating low dark current photodiodes is provided. A multi-layer epitaxial structure is provided, wherein a contact epilayer forms the top-most layer of the structure. A diffusion mask is deposited on top of the contact layer, and at least one hole formed therein. Dopant is diffused through the hole and into both the contact epilayer and the underlying epitaxial structure, forming a doped region. A contact mask is then deposited, covering both the diffusion mask and the holes formed therein. The contact mask and contact epilayer are selectively etched, forming contact mesas and exposing portions of the underlying layers. A passivation coating, also serving as an anti-reflective coating and having uniform thickness, is deposited on top of the contact mesa and the exposed portions. Contacts and bond pads are then deposited, forming a complete photodiode.

Abstract: A method of fabricating low dark current photodiodes is provided. A multi-layer epitaxial structure is provided, wherein a contact epilayer forms the top-most layer of the structure. A diffusion mask is deposited on top of the contact layer, and at least one hole formed therein. Dopant is diffused through the hole and into both the contact epilayer and the underlying epitaxial structure, forming a doped region. A contact mask is then deposited, covering both the diffusion mask and the holes formed therein. The contact mask and contact epilayer are selectively etched, forming contact mesas and exposing portions of the underlying layers. A passivation coating, also serving as an anti-reflective coating and having uniform thickness, is deposited on top of the contact mesa and the exposed portions. Contacts and bond pads are then deposited, forming a complete photodiode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit of a motor vehicle having a plurality of control elements (2, 3) arranged in a visible surface of the control unit, at least one of which elements can be illuminated by a light source (18) via a light coupling-out area of an annular optical waveguide (16). The invention provides for the optical waveguide (16) to have a closed annular form with a tangential bulge (17) which forms a light coupling-in area perpendicularly to the annular light coupling-out area. In a second embodiment for illuminating a plurality of control elements, provision is made of an optical waveguide having a plurality of light coupling-out areas arranged in the same plane on finger-like extensions of an otherwise planar optical waveguide, the light coupling-out areas being arranged at right angles to a common light coupling-in area.

Abstract: The pocket filter exhibits an outer frame made of plastics material and several adjacent filter elements arranged in the outer frame. The outer frame is composed of opposing limb profiles, a base profile and a closing profile which each have an essentially U-shaped cross section with an inwardly opened interior space. The profiles can be joined to one another at the corners of the outer frame by corner connectors. An inner frame made of plastics material is arranged inside a free border of each filter pocket. Each inner frame has opposing longitudinal profiles and facing profiles fastened thereon. Each longitudinal profile has holes spaced from one another and projecting parts which extend outward and which cooperate in the open outer frame when the filter elements are pushed in. Transverse walls fastened on the accompanying longitudinal profile extend into an inlet of the inner frame.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention is operative to monitor the performance of an optical communications channel. An optical splitter splits a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communications signal into a low power WDM signal onto a back-up path, where a tunable filter sweeps the optical communications channels, while a monitoring circuit monitors the optical communications channels for performance. Optical power can be stored and subsequently displayed, providing an optical spectrum analysis of the signal.

Abstract: This application relates to microporous, open-celled polymeric foam materials with physical characteristics that make them suitable for a variety of uses produced from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs). This application particularly relates to oxidatively stable emulsifiers used to stabilize the HIPE and the foams produced from such HIPEs.