Abstract: An intelligent system and process for producing and displaying stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either real or synthetic 3-D objects, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing thereof. The system comprises a subsystem for acquiring parameters specifying the viewing process of a viewer positioned relative to a display surface associated with a stereoscopic display subsystem. A computer-based subsystem is provided for producing stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, using the acquired parameters. The stereoscopically-multiplexed images are on the display surface, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, by the viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for converting an analog voltage signal to a digital representation at high speeds, known as an analog to digital converter (A/D converter), is provided in the form of an N-bit A/D converter, made by N superconducting, preferably HTC, transmission lines. The N lines are arranged adjacently and in parallel with each other. On each line 2N?1 Josephson Junctions (JJs) are embedded in series. The JJs form a matrix over the configuration of the N superconducting transmission lines. A scanning electron beam is made to impinge on this arrangement across the lines at a high frequency, while it is deflected by the applied voltage signal along the direction of the lines. A voltage step is generated upon hitting any one of the JJs. In this manner upon each cross-scanning of the beam, an N-bit step voltage pattern is generated on the lines.

Abstract: Variable optical attenuators (VOAs) are provided, based on electrically switchable CLC reflective polarizers. The reflectivity of the described reflective VOAs can theoretically be electrically adjusted between 0% to 100%, and the reflective bandwidth can be easily adjusted. In general, the VOA includes a pair of switchable CLC polarizers and a driver for driving the polarizers. When the electric fields on both polarizers are off, the polarizers serve as two reflective mirrors. When the fields are turned on, the two polarizers are switched into two transparent sheets allowing light to transmit therethrough. Continuously changing the voltages on the two polarizers electrically adjusts the attenuation.

Abstract: A light controlling film is disclosed, comprising a polymerized polymer network varying spatially in a direction normal to the film surface, where the polymerized polymer network is a crosslinked high molecular weight polymeric material mixed with a low molecular weight nematic material exhibiting cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) order, wherein an electric field impressed in the film controls the reflection bandwidth of circularly polarized light.

Abstract: The controllable electroporation system and method described herein allows control over the size, the number, the location, and the distribution of aqueous pores, thus increasing flexibility of use. The herein described system and method for controllable electroporation generally employs at least two actuating sub-systems and sub-processes. One sub-system and sub-process employs a relatively broad effect in order to weaken the membrane, a broad effect sub-system. Another sub-system and sub-process employs a relatively narrow effect in order to localize the position of the pore in the membrane, a narrow effect sub-system.

Abstract: Variable optical delay (VOD) systems are provided that include optical switching techniques, and optical manifold techniques, and/or index switching techniques. In certain embodiments, liquid crystal cells are used to impart fine delay in a VOD system. Medium delay may be provided with index switching systems. Course delay may be provided with total-internal-reflection or polarization based optical manifold systems, or micro-fluidic based optical manifold systems. These fine, medium and course delays may be integrated in a single VOD system to provide a wide range and high resolution delay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) and production methods thereof, and more particularly to vertically integrated MEMS systems. Manufacturing of MEMS and vertically integrated MEMS is facilitated by forming, preferably on a wafer level, plural MEMS on a MEMS layer selectively bonded to a substrate, and removing the MEMS layer intact.

Abstract: An optical transistor is disclosed. The optical transistor consists of a high speed photodetector region incident to a light intensity modulating region which separates a drain and source region. The disclosed optical transistor is able to exhibit high speed performance with good signal isolation and high amplification gain.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing optical information storage media and multi-layered optical information storage media. Paired information storage structures have characteristic wavelength and polarization states, and from which recorded information can be read by a laser beam having similar wavelength and polarization-state characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved beam steering and scanning devices which utilize cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) elements arranged in branches to form a logic tree structure. Each branch thereof comprises an active and passive CLC element; the former further comprising a half-wave retarder and an electrode and the latter only the CLC element. Each succeeding branch contains twice as many branches as a preceding branch and, by activating active CLC element electrodes under control of a programmable pulsed source, inputs applied to the first stage of a logic tree are delivered as a scanned line of electromagnetic energy or light to the imaging cells of the last stage of the logic tree. By stacking identical logic tree structures with a laser source for each tree, a flat panel imaging array or display panel is formed in which the transmission intensity losses are minimized.

Abstract: An electro-optical backlighting panel construction for use in portable computer-based systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation. In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the electro-optical backlighting panel is integrated with a LCD display panel, a micropolarization panel, and a touch-screen writing panel to provide several different types of portable computer-based systems including, for example, a portable notebook computer, a computer-driven image display device, and a portable pen-computing device. In general, each of these computer-based systems are capable of selectively displaying color video images on an actively driven display surface, or projecting such video images onto a wall surface or projection screen. These computer-based systems can be easily reconfigured for projection viewing without any sort of physical modification to the LCD display panel assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid electrochemical cell system is provided. In one embodiment, the hybrid system includes a cathode, an electrolyte, and a plurality of anode portions. A first anode portion is in ionic communication with the cathode via the electrolyte, and a second anode portion in ionic communication with the cathode via the electrolyte. The first anode portion, the electrolyte, and the cathode form a power generating electrochemical cell. Further, the second anode portion, the electrolyte, and the cathode form an auxiliary electrochemical cell. In another embodiment, separate cathode portions are provided.

Abstract: Electro-optical glazing structures having total-reflection and semi-transparent and totally-transparent modes of operation which are electrically-switchable for use in dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow in diverse applications.

Abstract: A global synchronization unit (GSU) for time and space (TS) stamping of input data elements. The GSU comprises a GPS Receiver and an associated antenna for receiving GPS signals from signal sources associated with a GPS system symbolically embedded within a global reference system, and processing received GPS signals so as to automatically produce time and space (TS) stamp data element representative of the time and space coordinates of the GSU with respect to said global reference system at each data sampling instant occurring within the GSU. The GSU further comprises a central processor, operably connected to the GPS Receiver, and also a data input port, operably connected to a data input device and the central processor, for receiving an input data element from the data input device, at each data sampling instant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means to augment or upgrade a traditional single beam 2D x-ray system to produce 3D stereoscopic output. The system utilizes the cross-sectional beam divergence of a single source x-ray unit to generate perspective information. This is achieved by scanning the object twice where the object is shifted parallel to the cross-sectional beam plane between scans. The resulting two scans can be displayed on a 3D stereoscopic viewing system to produce a 3D stereoscopic representation of the object thus revealing all three-depth dimensions. The invention includes a method of converting a 2D x-ray system to a 3D x-ray system requiring no changes to an x-ray generation portion, optics portion or sensing system portion of said 2D x-ray system. The method includes coupling a 3D stereoscopic image processor to a 2D processor and installing a mechanical shift system and coupling said shift system to said 3D stereoscopic image processor and a object carrying device.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid crystal (LC) phase-retarders and linear polarizers and methods and apparatus for making the same. The liquid crystal phase-retarder is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having one or more phase retardation regions formed therein. Each phase retardation region has an optical axis specified by the direction and depth of orientation of liquid crystal molecules along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure. The liquid crystal linear polarizer is realized by a liquid crystal film structure having a chiral phase region within which liquid crystal molecules are cholesterically ordered. One or more nematic phase regions are formed along the surface of the liquid crystal film structure within which liquid crystal molecules are oriented along a direction and to a surface depth sufficient to realize one or more phase retardation regions therein having optical axes along the direction of liquid crystal molecule orientation.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for fabricating an array. A plurality of insulating media are formed having a plurality of wavelength and polarizing elements embedded therein at an angle relative to the surfaces of the media, such that the spacing between elements halves for each different medium. A phase shifter arrangement is also formed such that a portion of conductive material is disposed on a surface of the insulating media in registry with every other element in each of the media, and other portion of conductive material disposed on another surface overlapping said elements. A phase shifting material is disposed over at least said every other element. The media are stacked such that the topmost insulating medium has two elements, and each succeeding medium has twice as many elements as a preceding medium.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a vertical integrated circuit is disclosed. Integrated circuits are fabricated on a substrate with layers of predetermined weak and strong bond regions where deconstructed layers of integrated circuits are fabricated at or on the weak bond regions. The layers are then peeled and subsequently bonded to produce a vertical integrated circuit. An arbitrary number of layers can be bonded and stacked in to a separate vertical integrated circuit. Also disclosed are methods of creating edge interconnects and vias through the substrate to form interconnections between layers and devices thereon.

Abstract: A reflector for reflecting a broad bandwidth of electromagnetic (EM) radiation, comprising a sheet comprising a large plurality of pairs of layers of transparent polymer material parallel to a surface of the sheet, each pair of layers having a difference in the index of refraction between the materials in each layer of the pair, the total thickness of each pair of layers in the large plurality of layers varying substantially continuously and non linearly across the thickness of the sheet, is disclosed.

Abstract: A solid state optical interconnect system selectively interconnects a plurality of electromagnetic signals between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. The system includes a plurality of solid state, selectively actuatable 2×2 optical switching elements; and a plurality of all-optical signal paths extending through said 2×2 optical switching elements between the inputs and outputs. Each of said plurality of all-optical signal paths has substantially the same pathlength. This switch element is relatively robust and insensitive to environmental disturbances and has a reconfiguration time which is an order of magnitude faster than conventional opto-mechanical switches which generally require tens of milliseconds before reconfiguration. The switch element provides constant data pathlength for constant latency, loss, and unskewed data output.