Abstract: A linear photopolymerizable polymer (LPP) layer is situated to align liquid crystal molecules in a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer (Ch-LCP) layer situated at or on the LPP layers. The Ch-LCP layer includes a patterned area and an unpatterned area. The patterned area and the un-patterned area have different optical properties. The Ch-LCP layer can be tuned to transmit light of a desired frequency and handedness. Single and multiple-layered LPP/Ch-LCP and/or LPP/LCP structures can be provided as patterned polarizers, patterned retarders and other devices.

Abstract: Linear photo-oriented polymer (LPP) layers are situated to align liquid crystals in a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer situated at or on the LPP layers. The LCP layer can include a guest such as a fluorophore that aligns with the liquid crystal so as to emit polarized fluorescence in response to an excitation beam. Layer LPP/LCP structures can be provided as light emitters, patterned polarizers, patterned retarders and other devices based on selection of one or more guest materials included in the LCP and alignable with the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A polarization camera includes a microlement polarizer that is situated in proximity to a focal plane array. The microlement polarizer is selectively scanned with respect to an optical image direct to the focal plane array, and an image processor stores a set of images associated with the scanning. Based on the stored images, a polarization image can be produced and displayed. A periodic microelement polarizer modulates the individual images of the set, and these images can be processed by filtering in the spatial frequency domain to isolate contributions associated with one or a combination of Stokes parameters. After filtering, Stokes parameter based images can be obtained by demodulating and inverse Fourier transforming the filtered frequency domain data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the concentration of a chemical substance in a fluid comprise a micro-fluidic elongated channel formed in a substrate, with the channel being in fluid-flow communication with an ambient region along its elongated dimension. In general, the fluid includes first and second chemical substances having different vapor pressures. The apparatus includes an evaporation controller for increasing the evaporation rate of the fluid from the channel into the ambient region, thereby increasing the concentration of the lower vapor pressure (LVP) substance in the portion of the fluid remaining in the channel and increasing the concentration of the higher vapor pressure (HVP) substance in the portion of the fluid evaporated into the ambient region.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the concentration of a chemical substance in a fluid comprise a micro-fluidic elongated channel formed in a substrate, with the channel being in fluid-flow communication with an ambient region along its elongated dimension. In general, the fluid includes first and second chemical substances having different vapor pressures. The apparatus includes an evaporation controller for increasing the evaporation rate of the fluid from the channel into the ambient region, thereby increasing the concentration of the lower vapor pressure (LVP) substance in the portion of the fluid remaining in the channel and increasing the concentration of the higher vapor pressure (HVP) substance in the portion of the fluid evaporated into the ambient region.

Abstract: Linear photo-oriented polymer (LPP) layers are situated to align liquid crystals in a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) layer situated at or on the LPP layers. The LCP layer can include a guest such as a fluorophore that aligns with the liquid crystal so as to emit polarized fluorescence in response to an excitation beam. Layer LPP/LCP structures can be provided as light emitters, patterned polarizers, patterned retarders and other devices based on selection of one or more guest materials included in the LCP and alignable with the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A polarization camera includes a microlement polarizer that is situated in proximity to a focal plane array. The microlement polarizer is selectively scanned with respect to an optical image direct to the focal plane array, and an image processor stores a set of images associated with the scanning. Based on the stored images, a polarization image can be produced and displayed. A periodic microelement polarizer modulates the individual images of the set, and these images can be processed by filtering in the spatial frequency domain to isolate contributions associated with one or a combination of Stokes parameters. After filtering, Stokes parameter based images can be obtained by demodulating and inverse Fourier transforming the filtered frequency domain data.

Abstract: A chemical reactor includes two or more substrates joined along planar surfaces thereof, a chemical reaction chamber located between the two or more substrates, and a pair of electrodes on one of the substrates and along a wall of the reaction chamber. Each substrate is a substantially dielectric or semiconductor substrate. The chemical reaction chamber has a hollow interior, one or more input ports to transport a gas into the hollow interior, and an output port to transport a byproduct out of the hollow interior.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a battery comprises at least one electrode formed from a graphitic carbon nanostructured surface wherein the nanostructured surface consists of a plurality of nanoposts formed from graphitic carbon such that the graphitic nanoposts serve both as an operational feature (i.e., dielectric/electrode) and control feature of the battery itself. In one embodiment, the nanostructured surface consists of a plurality of nanoposts wherein a select portion of each nanopost is formed to serve as the dielectric of the nanostructured battery, and the balance of each nanopost is utilized to impart the control features to the nanostructured battery.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for trapping uncharged multi-pole particles comprises a bound cavity for receiving the particles, and a multiplicity of electrodes coupled to the cavity for producing an electric field in the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are configured to produce in the electric field potential both a multi-pole (e.g., dipole) component that aligns the particles predominantly along an axis of the cavity and a higher order multi-pole (e.g., hexapole) component that forms a trapping region along the axis. In one embodiment, the electrodes and/or the particles are cooled to a cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: A chemical reactor includes two substrates that are joined along a surface and a chemical reaction chamber formed between the substrates. The chemical reaction chamber has a hollow interior and one or more light reflectors located along walls of the hollow interior. The chemical reaction chamber has one or more inputs to transport fluid into the hollow interior and an output to transport fluid out of the hollow interior. The one or more light reflectors cause light rays to make multiple crossings of the hollow interior as a result of reflections off the one or more reflectors.

Abstract: Microfluidic optical sensor comprising: an optical waveguide capable of propagating light from an optical input port to an optical output port, the optical waveguide comprising an optical waveguide interaction region; a fluidic channel capable of conducting a fluid from a fluid input port to a fluid output port, the fluidic channel comprising a fluidic channel region; the fluidic channel region being separated from the optical waveguide interaction region by an interposed spacing material configured to transmit an evanescent field of the light through the spacing material between the optical waveguide interaction region and the fluidic channel region. Microfluidic optical sensor comprising an optical resonator. Methods for making microfluidic optical sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for trapping uncharged multi-pole particles comprises a bound cavity for receiving the particles, and a multiplicity of electrodes coupled to the cavity for producing an electric field in the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are configured to produce in the electric field potential both a multi-pole (e.g., dipole) component that aligns the particles predominantly along an axis of the cavity and a higher order multi-pole (e.g., hexapole) component that forms a trapping region along the axis. In one embodiment, the electrodes and/or the particles are cooled to a cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the concentration of a chemical substance in a fluid comprise a micro-fluidic elongated channel formed in a substrate, with the channel being in fluid-flow communication with an ambient region along its elongated dimension. In general, the fluid includes first and second chemical substances having different vapor pressures. The apparatus includes an evaporation controller for increasing the evaporation rate of the fluid from the channel into the ambient region, thereby increasing the concentration of the higher vapor pressure (HVP) substance in the portion of the fluid remaining in the channel and increasing the concentration of the lower vapor pressure (LVP) substance in the portion of the fluid evaporated into the ambient region.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for trapping uncharged multi-pole particles comprises a bound cavity for receiving the particles, and a multiplicity of electrodes coupled to the cavity for producing an electric field in the cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the electrodes are configured to produce in the electric field potential both a multi-pole (e.g., dipole) component that aligns the particles predominantly along an axis of the cavity and a higher order multi-pole (e.g., hexapole) component that forms a trapping region along the axis. In one embodiment, the electrodes and/or the particles are cooled to a cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the concentration of a chemical substance in a fluid comprise a micro-fluidic elongated channel formed in a substrate, with the channel being in fluid-flow communication with an ambient region along its elongated dimension. In general, the fluid includes first and second chemical substances having different vapor pressures. The apparatus includes an evaporation controller for increasing the evaporation rate of the fluid from the channel into the ambient region, thereby increasing the concentration of the higher vapor pressure (HVP) substance in the portion of the fluid remaining in the channel and increasing the concentration of the lower vapor pressure (LVP) substance in the portion of the fluid evaporated into the ambient region.

Abstract: A micro-miniature ion trap device comprises a wafer (or substrate) having a major surface, a multiplicity of electrodes forming a micro-miniature ion trap in a region adjacent the major surface when voltage is applied to the electrodes, characterized in that the multiplicity includes a first, planar annular electrode located over and rigidly affixed to the major surface, and at least one second, planar annular electrode located over and rigidly affixed to the major surface, the at least one second electrode being concentric with the first electrode. The at least one second electrode may be completely annular, in that the annulus forms a closed geometric shape, or it may be partially annular, in that the annulus has a slot or opening allowing access to the first electrode. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of our invention, the at least one second electrode is C-shaped, and the angle subtended by the C-shape is greater than 180 degrees.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing an optical image of an object comprises an imaging device having a multiplicity of pixels, each pixel including a light sensor and a multiplicity of storage cells coupled to the sensor. A lens system focuses light from the object onto the imaging device. Within each pixel a first one of its storage cells is configured to store data corresponding to a first exposure of its sensor to light from the object, and a second one of its storage cells is configured to store data corresponding to a second exposure of its sensor to light from the object. In a preferred embodiment, the pixels are arranged in an array extending along a first direction, and during the time interval between the first and second exposures, a translator is configured to produce, in a second direction, a relative translation or shift between the imaging device and the focal point of the lens system. In one embodiment, the second direction is traverse to the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for an ion trap includes an electrically conductive substrate having top and bottom surfaces and having vias that cross from the top surface to the bottom surface. The apparatus includes a pair of planar first electrodes supported over said top surface and second electrodes having planar surfaces. The planar surfaces are located over said top surface, and portions of the planar surfaces are located laterally adjacent to said planar first electrodes. One of the second electrodes includes a portion that is located in one of the vias and traverses the substrate.

Abstract: A chemical reactor includes two or more substrates joined along planar surfaces thereof, a chemical reaction chamber located between the two or more substrates, and a pair of electrodes on one of the substrates and along a wall of the reaction chamber. Each substrate is a substantially dielectric or semiconductor substrate. The chemical reaction chamber has a hollow interior, one or more input ports to transport a gas into the hollow interior, and an output port to transport a byproduct out of the hollow interior.