Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and methods for distinguishing inflamed tissue from cancerous tissue using autofluorescence.

Abstract: A method of growing patterned films on a substrate in a deposition chamber without masking, the method consisting of the following steps: pressurizing the chamber with a fluid medium to form a thin absorption layer on the substrate; evacuating the chamber to remove excess fluid medium; prenucleating portions of the substrate with a focused energy beam; repressurizing the chamber with a fluid medium; and inducing deposition of material from the fluid medium and thereby growing a patterned film with deposition occuring primarily on the prenucleated portions of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of growing patterned films on a substrate in a deposition chamber without masking, the method consisting of the following steps: pressurizing the chamber with a fluid medium to form a thin absorption layer on the substrate; evacuating the chamber to remove excess fluid medium; prenucleating portions of the substrate with a focused energy beam; repressurizing the chamber with a fluid medium; and inducing deposition of material from the fluid medium and thereby growing a patterned film with deposition occurring primarily on the prenucleated portions of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing a layer of a surface-compatible material from the fluid phase onto a selected surface of a substrate body in a fluid deposition chamber features a laser source of optically focused energy directed toward the body surface in a selected pattern. The energy is focused at a position adjacent the selected surface. Apparatus is provided for introducing a fluid medium adjacent the surface of the body. The medium has at least one component which absorbs a portion of the incident laser energy at the selected frequency for effecting photodecomposition or photolysis of the component in the fluid phase. Thereby, the product(s) of the photolysis process are deposited in the selected pattern on the substrate surface. The pattern may be fixed in position or may be optically or mechanically scanned across the substrate body. Thereby, metal layers, metal interconnects, pn junction and ohmic contact forming layers, selectively doped regions, etc.