Abstract: A digital to analog converter augmented with Direct Charge Transfer (DCT) techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with DCT and CDS techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with Postfilter Droop Compensation.

Abstract: A Fourier Transform (FT) spectrometer apparatus uses multi-element MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) or D-MEMS (Diffractive Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems) devices. A polychromatic light source is first diffracted or refracted by a dispersive component such as a grating or prism. The dispersed beam is intersected by a multi-element MEMS apparatus. The MEMS apparatus encodes each spectral component thereof with different time varying modulation through corresponding MEMS element. The light radiation is then spectrally recombined as a single beam. The beam is further split into to a reference beam and a probe beam. The probe light is directed to a sample and then the transmitted or reflected light is collected. Both the reference beam and probe beam are detected by a photo-detector. The detected time varying signal is analyzed by Fourier transformation to resolve the spectral components of the sample under measurement.

Abstract: Assay reagents include small metallic particles labeled with a Raman dye and antibody molecules capable of binding the analyte of interest. In the absence of the analyte, the size of the isolated metallic particles is so small that no significant SERS signal can be detected. An analyte molecule binds two metallic particles together through the formation of a sandwich complex, and then more metallic particles are clustered together by the analyte if each metallic particle contains more than two antibodies on the surface. The bonded metallic particles form a cluster structure, which significantly amplifies the SERS effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring properties of physical matters by means of Raman spectroscopy including a laser element, a wavelength dispersion element, an array or single element detector, and a control and data processing unit. The laser element, which is used to excite Raman scattering, is spectrum narrowed and stabilized by attachment of a Bragg grating device. The grating can be either a volume Bragg grating (VBG) written inside a glass substrate or a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written inside an optical fiber. A laser element can be provided with a wavelength modulation capability for fluorescence background suppression.

Abstract: A digital to analog converter augmented with Direct Charge Transfer (DCT) techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with DCT and CDS techniques. A digital to analog converter augmented with Postfilter Droop Compensation.

Abstract: An on-chip detection circuit automatically detects when an external switch has been activated. When the device is initialized, the detection circuit measures the operating current and coverts the information into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then processed through an on-chip analog-to-digital converter and the digitized result is stored as a reference value. To sense the open and close action of the off-chip mechanical switch, the device then takes a sample of the operating current periodically, digitizes this information and compares the sampled value to the reference value. A change in value larger than some predetermined level indicates the external switch has been activated.

Abstract: A control mechanism that can be used to control a &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC to provide the required level of performance while reducing power consumption. The &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC is designed with multiple stages (i.e., loops or sections), and provides improved performance (e.g., higher dynamic range) as more stages are enabled. The control mechanism selectively enables a sufficient number of stages to provide the required performance and disables remaining stages to conserve power. The control mechanism achieves this by measuring one or more characteristics (e.g., signal level) of the ADC input signal through a &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC that is similar to the &Sgr;&Dgr; ADC on the signal path, comparing the measured characteristic(s) to particular threshold level(s), and controlling the stages such that the desired objectives are achieved. In one implementation, the control circuit includes one or more detector stages, a conditioning circuit, and a signal processor.