Abstract: An apparatus for detecting radiation is provided. In embodiments, at least one sensor is disposed on a surface of a wafer-like substrate. At least one sensor medium is fixed relative to the substrate, optically or electrically coupled to the sensor, and separated from the sensor by no more than the substrate thickness. An electronic signal-processing circuit is connected to the sensor and configured to produce an output when the sensor is stimulated by a product of an interaction between the sensor medium and impinging radiation. The sensor is configured to collect, from the sensor medium, charge and/or light produced within the sensor medium by interactions with impinging radiation.

Abstract: Embodiments of environmental stimulus sensors comprising multiple sources and detectors for interrogating one or more optically resonant cavities that are responsive to one or more environmental stimuli are disclosed. Such sensors have, among other advantages, improved immunity to source and/or detector noise.

Abstract: Embodiments of environmental stimulus sensors comprising multiple sources and detectors for interrogating one or more optically resonant cavities that are responsive to one or more environmental stimuli are disclosed. Such sensors have, among other advantages, improved immunity to source and/or detector noise.

Abstract: Embodiments of environmental stimulus sensors comprising multiple sources and detectors for interrogating one or more optically resonant cavities that are responsive to one or more environmental stimuli are disclosed. Such sensors have, among other advantages, improved immunity to source and/or detector noise.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure comprising multiple parallel surfaces having a precise separation is disclosed. Precise separation and parallelism of the surfaces is achieved through the use of an adhesive mixture that comprises a plurality of spacers having a dimension substantially equal to the desired separation.

Abstract: Embodiments of environmental stimulus sensors comprising multiple sources and detectors for interrogating one or more optically resonant cavities that are responsive to one or more environmental stimuli are disclosed. Such sensors have, among other advantages, improved immunity to source and/or detector noise.

Abstract: A method for forming a structure comprising multiple parallel surfaces having a precise separation is disclosed. Precise separation and parallelism of the surfaces is achieved through the use of an adhesive mixture that comprises a plurality of spacers having a dimension substantially equal to the desired separation.

Abstract: A nanomechanical near-field grating device is disclosed which includes two sub-gratings vertically spaced by a distance less than or equal to an operating wavelength. Each sub-grating includes a plurality of line-elements spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to the operating wavelength. A light source (e.g., a VCSEL or LED) can provide light at the operating wavelength for operation of the device. The device can operate as an active grating, with the intensity of a reflected or transmitted portion of the light varying as the relative positions of the sub-gratings are controlled by an actuator. The device can also operate as a passive grating, with the relative positions of the sub-gratings changing in response to an environmentally-induced force due to acceleration, impact, shock, vibration, gravity, etc.

Abstract: A tunable nanomechanical near-field grating is disclosed which is capable of varying the intensity of a diffraction mode of an optical output signal. The tunable nanomechanical near-field grating includes two sub-gratings each having line-elements with width and thickness less than the operating wavelength of light with which the grating interacts. Lateral apertures in the two sub-gratings are formed from the space between one line-element of the first sub-grating and at least one line-element of the second sub-grating. One of the sub-gratings is capable of motion such that at least one of aperture width and aperture depth changes, causing a perturbation to the near-field intensity distribution of the tunable nanomechanical near-field grating and a corresponding change to the far-field emission of thereof.

Abstract: Alcohol based aerosol spray compositions which contain 1-20% of an alcohol-soluble polymer which, on evaporation, leaves on a sprayed surface a film which acts as a barrier to dust, dust mites and their faecal excretions. These compositions optionally can include an acaricidal ingredient, such as benzyl benzoate, and one or more antimicrobial ingredients such as a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Alcohol based aerosol spray compositions which contain 1-20% of an alcohol-soluble polymer which, on evaporation, leaves on a sprayed surface a film which acts as a barrier to dust, dust mites and their faecal excretions. These compositions optionally can include an acaricidal ingredient, such as benzyl benzoate, and one or more antimicrobial ingredients such as a quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: An alcohol based disinfecting composition which contains from 0.1% to 10% of benzyl benzoate is effective in killing dust mites. The compositions can comprise additional disinfectants and are most conveniently applied in aerosol form with a suitable propellant. Allergens contained in the faecal matter excreted by dust mites can be controlled by removing dead mites and associated faecal matter using a vacuuming apparatus under conditions which do not cause the removed material to vent into the ambient atmosphere.