Abstract: A micro-gas chromatograph column is formed by texturing a channel into a plurality of green-sheet layers, which are then sintered together to form a substantially monolithic structure. A thick-film paste may be added to the channel textured in the green-sheet layers to provide a porous plug sintered in the micro-gas chromatograph column in the substantially monolithic. A thermal conductivity detector is formed in the substantially monolithic structure by depositing a conductive thick-film paste on the surface of one of the green-sheet layers to define a resistor in an exit channel of the micro-gas chromatograph column.

Abstract: An improved and novel ingestible capsule and method for determining medical information from within the alimentary canal of a human or an animal utilizing the ingestible capsule including a non-digestible outer shell that is configured to pass through the alimentary canal. Housed within the non-digestible outer shell is a sensor membrane that is exposed through a portion of the non-digestible outer shell. The sensor membrane is characterized as detecting and identifying predetermined detectable information. Further housed within the non-digestible outer shell are an electronic device that alters its electronic properties in the presence of specific information obtained by the sensor membrane from within the alimentary canal, a bio-sensing circuit that turns on a power source and a low frequency transducer in response to the signal from the electronic device. The low frequency transducer sends a signal of the changed electronic properties to a receiver positioned outside the body.

Abstract: A microwave device has a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) disposed therein for applying microwave radiation to a microfluidic structure, such as a chamber, defined in the device. The microwave radiation from the MMIC is useful for heating samples introduced into the microfluidic structure and for effecting lysis of cells in the samples. Microfabrication techniques allow the fabrication of MMICs that perform heating and cell lysing of samples having volumes in the microliter to picoliter range.

Abstract: A substrate (103) having a first stack of DBRs (106), an active region (118), and a second stack of DBRs (138) is provided. An etch mask (146) is formed on the second stack of DBRs (138) and etched. The second stack of DBRs (138), the active region (118), and a portion of the first stack of DBRs (106) are subsequently etched. A portion of the etch mask (146) is removed from the etch mask (146). A material layer (202, 302) is then selectively deposited on portions of the second stack of DBRs (138), the active region (118), and the first stack of DBRs (106) by either selective epitaxial over-growth or mass-transfer processes, thereby passivating the VCSEL (101).

Abstract: A short wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser (101) is provided. A substrate (102) having a surface (103), wherein the substrate (102) includes gallium arsenide phosphide is formed. A first stack of mirrors (106) overlying the first surface (103) of the substrate (102) is formed. A first cladding region (107) is formed overlying the first stack of mirrors (106). An active region (108) is formed overlying the first cladding region (107). A second cladding region (109) is formed overlying the active region (108). A second stack of mirrors (110) is formed overlying the second cladding region (109). A contact region (126) is formed overlying the second stack of mirrors (110).

Abstract: Patterned-mirrors for VCSELs are fabricated by forming a first mirror stack of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers, forming an active region of aluminum-free material on the first mirror stack, and forming a second mirror stack of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers. The second mirror stack includes first and second portions of materials selected to provide different rates of etching between the first and second portions. The second portion is selectively etched to the first portion by utilizing the first portion as an etch stop.

Abstract: A method for controlling carbon doping levels in a Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBRs) for a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSELs) devices is provided. A first stack of mirrors (105) is deposited on the surface (101) of the substrate (102). A first cladding region (106) is deposited on the first stack of mirrors (105). An active layer (108) is deposited on the first cladding layer (106). A second cladding layer (109) is deposited on the active layer (108). A second stack of mirrors (111) is deposited on the second cladding layer (109) having a carbon doping level controlled by ratio of Group V containing organometallic (tertiarybutylarsine) to Group III organometallics (trimethylgallium and trimethylaluminum).

Abstract: A first stack of distributed Bragg mirrors having alternating layers of aluminum gallium arsenide differing in concentrations of an aluminum are disposed on a surface of a substrate with a first plurality of continuous gradient layers positioned between the alternating layers of differing aluminum concentrations to dynamically move the aluminum concentration from one of the alternating layer to another alternating layers. A first cladding region is disposed on the first stack of distributed Bragg mirrors. An active region is disposed on the first cladding region with a second cladding region being dispose on the active region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating VCSELs including the steps of epitaxially growing a first mirror stack of a first conductivity type, an active region on the first mirror stack, and a first portion of a second mirror stack of a second conductivity type on the active region. A dielectric layer is then formed on the first portion of the second mirror stack, patterned to define an operating region and a remaining portion of the second mirror stack is epitaxially grown on the first portion to form a complete second mirror stack. Portions of the second mirror stack overlying the dielectric layer are polycrystalline in formation and substantially limit the remaining portion of the second mirror stack to the operating region. The polycrystalline layers can then be removed and electrical contacts formed.

Abstract: A top-emitting vertical cavity surface emitting laser with a current blocking layer at the substrate and offset layers in the mirror stack providing an optical waveguide aligned to the injected current distribution.

Abstract: Patterned-mirrors for VCSELs are fabricated by forming a first mirror stack of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers of AlGaAs, forming an active region of aluminum-free material on the first mirror stack, and forming a second mirror stack of a plurality of pairs of relatively high and low index of refraction layers of AlGaAs. The second mirror stack can be selectively etched to the active region by utilizing the aluminum-free active region as an etch stop.