Abstract: The present invention is directed to an analog, oligomer-based method for determining a mathematical result of carrying out an operation of matrix algebra on input data. The method comprises representing at least one m-component vector V=&Sgr;iViei by a set of single-stranded oligomers Ei and Ei which are in 1:1 correspondence with the basis vectors ei, i=1, 2, . . . , m in an abstract m-dimensional vector space. A composition comprising at least one set of oligomers Ei and Ei representing the components of a vector is obtained as input date and is subjected to at least one physical or chemical treatment having an effect on the oligomers that is an analog representation of an operation of matrix algebra. The method can be used to represent the operations of a neural network; for example, to produce a content-addressable memory, or a multilayer perceptron.

Abstract: Sub-micron pattern delineation, importantly in the fabrication of large scale integrated devices, is based on a patterned photocathode. Functionally, the photocathode plays the role of the mask in competing systems, either in proximity printing or in projection. In operation, the photocathode is illuminated by ultraviolet radiation to release electrons which are brought to focus on a resist-coated wafer with assistance of a uniform magnetic field together with an accelerating applied voltage.

Abstract: A distributed-feedback laser includes in its grating a localized phase-slip discontinuity which is placed off-center. Such discontinuity results in a quarter-wave phase slip, and it can be placed, e.g., such as to maximize the difference between threshold gain of the lowest-lasing mode and cavity loss of the next-to-lowest-lasing mode. The invention is applicable especially where laser output intensity differs at two output facets and results in enhanced mode selectivity during laser operation.