Abstract: A micro-relay device is provided including a fluid non-conductor. A first substrate and a second substrate are bonded together. A channel is defined in at least one of the substrates, and has a liquid metal in the channel. Electrodes are spaced along the channel and selectively interconnectable by the liquid metal. An open via is defined in one of the substrates and contains the fluid non-conductor. A heater substrate includes a suspended heater element in fluid communication with the open via. The suspended heater element is operable to cause the fluid non-conductor to separate the liquid metal.

Abstract: A micro-relay device is provided including a fluid non-conductor. A first substrate and a second substrate are bonded together. A channel is defined in at least one of the substrates, and has a liquid metal in the channel. Electrodes are spaced along the channel and selectively interconnectable by the liquid metal. An open via is defined in one of the substrates and contains the fluid non-conductor. A heater substrate includes a suspended heater element in fluid communication with the open via. The suspended heater element is operable to cause the fluid non-conductor to separate the liquid metal.

Abstract: A device and manufacturing method are provided that comprises forming first and second substrates joined together and comprising a main channel provided in at least one of the substrates and a connecting channel provided in at least one of the substrates, the connecting channel connected to the main channel, and the main channel having spaced apart electrodes and at least partially filled with liquid metal. The method further comprises forming a heater substrate comprising a suspended heater element in fluid communication with the connecting channel, the suspended heater element operable to cause a fluid non-conductor to separate the liquid metal and selectively interconnect the electrodes, and providing a high-frequency signal loss reduction structure between the main channel and the heater substrate.

Abstract: The multi-pole, conductive liquid-based switch device includes an elongate passage, a first cavity, a second cavity, at least four electrodes disposed along the length of the passage, channels that extend from the passage, non-conductive fluid located the cavities and conductive liquid located in the passage. The channels are one fewer in number than the electrodes and are interleaved with the electrodes along the length of the passage. The channels are numbered in order from one end of the passage. Odd-numbered ones of the channels extend to the first cavity while even-numbered ones of the channels extend to the second cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a photoconductive switch module. The photoconductive switch module comprises a first substrate having light-emitting elements, and a second substrate having photoconductive switch elements, whose number is equal to that of the light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements face the photoconductive switch elements, so that the photoconductive switch elements are turned on/off in accordance with lighting/extinction of the light-emitting elements. The photoconductive switch module further comprises a third substrate arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The third substrate has through holes, whose number is equal to that of the light-emitting elements. Each through hole is positioned between a light-emitting element and a photoconductive switch element facing each other. Drive light emitted from each light-emitting element travels to the photoconductive switch element via the through hole.

Abstract: Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switching is provided. In this regard, a pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch includes an optical path and a cavity intersecting the optical path. The cavity defines a first position along the optical path and a second position displaced from the optical path. An index-matching liquid, which exhibits an index of refraction closer to an index of refraction of the optical path than to that of a vacuum, is arranged within the cavity. A pressure generator generates pressure that selective moves the liquid between the first and second positions. Additionally, a potential profile maintains the liquid in the one of the first and second positions to which it was most recently moved while the pressure generator is not generating pressure. Methods, systems and other switches also are provided.

Abstract: The sampling element comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit and a photoconductive switching element. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit. The sampling device comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit, a photoconductive switching element and a light source. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit.

Abstract: A photoconductive relay that comprises a light-emitting device, a photoconductive switching element and columns of a conductive, fusible material. The light-emitting device and the photoconductive switching element respectively include including a light-emitting region and a light-receiving region. The columns extend between the light-emitting device and the photoconductive switching element to locate the light-emitting region of the light-emitting device opposite the light-receiving region of the photoconductive switching element and separated from one another by a distance of no more than 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switching is provided. In this regard, a pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch includes an optical path and a cavity intersecting the optical path. The cavity defines a first position along the optical path and a second position displaced from the optical path. An index-matching liquid, which exhibits an index of refraction closer to an index of refraction of the optical path than to that of a vacuum, is arranged within the cavity. A pressure generator generates pressure that selective moves the liquid between the first and second positions. Additionally, a potential profile maintains the liquid in the one of the first and second positions to which it was most recently moved while the pressure generator is not generating pressure. Methods, systems and other switches also are provided.

Abstract: Electrical switches are described. In one aspect, an electrical switch includes a closed-loop fluid channel, multiple electrodes, and a pressure control system. The closed-loop fluid channel contains an electrically-conductive fluid and an electrically-insulating fluid. Each of the electrodes is in contact with fluid within the fluid channel at a respective location. The pressure control system is operable to change relative fluid pressure within the fluid channel at locations between adjacent electrodes to control splitting of a contiguous region of electrically-conductive fluid electrically connecting a pair of adjacent electrodes and merging of split regions of electrically-conductive fluid.

Abstract: The multi-pole, conductive liquid-based switch device includes an elongate passage, a first cavity, a second cavity, at least four electrodes disposed along the length of the passage, channels that extend from the passage, non-conductive fluid located the cavities and conductive liquid located in the passage. The channels are one fewer in number than the electrodes and are interleaved with the electrodes along the length of the passage. The channels are numbered in order from one end of the passage. Odd-numbered ones of the channels extend to the first cavity while even-numbered ones of the channels extend to the second cavity.

Abstract: A photoconductive relay that comprises a light-emitting device, a photo-conductive switching element and columns of a conductive, fusible material. The light-emitting device and the photoconductive switching element respectively include including a light-emitting region and a light-receiving region. The columns extend between the light-emitting device and the photo-conductive switching element to locate the light-emitting region of the light-emitting device opposite the light-receiving region of the photoconductive switching element and separated from one another by a distance of no more than 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The sampling element comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit and a photoconductive switching element. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit. The sampling device comprises a DC sampling voltage source, a threshold sampling circuit, a photoconductive switching element and a light source. The threshold sampling circuit includes a signal-under-test input, a sampling pulse input and an IF signal output, and has a sampling threshold with respect to sampling pulses received at the sampling pulse input. The photoconductive switching element is connected between the DC sampling voltage source and the sampling pulse input of the threshold sampling circuit.

Abstract: A photoconductive relay that comprises a light-emitting device, a photoconductive switching element and columns of a conductive, fusible material. The light-emitting device and the photoconductive switching element respectively include including a light-emitting region and a light-receiving region. The columns extend between the light-emitting device and the photoconductive switching element to locate the light-emitting region of the light-emitting device opposite the light-receiving region of the photoconductive switching element and separated from one another by a distance of no more than 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A resonator having a variable resonance frequency. The resonator includes a cavity enclosed by a conducting wall. A resonating element and a conductive plate are located within the cavity. A photoconductive element is connected between two points on the conductive plate. The resonator also includes a light source for irradiating the photoconductive element with light of the predetermined wavelength. In the preferred embodiment, the conductive plate is circular and includes a gap, the photoconductive element connecting two points on the gap and the resonating element is a cylindrical dielectric resonator element having a TE01&dgr; mode electromagnetic field distribution. The circular conductive plate is preferably placed parallel to the top surface of the cylindrical dielectric resonator substantially midway between the top surface and the inner surface of the conducting wall. The diameter of the circular plate is preferably greater than that of the cylindrical dielectric resonator.

Abstract: A second circuit to which back-up power is supplied, such as a RAM, is connected downstream of a first circuit to which no back-up power is supplied, such as a CPU. A gate circuit inhibits the output signal of the first circuit to the second circuit and provides a predetermined level to the second circuit when the output signal of the first circuit is at an indefinite level and prevents a penetration current from flowing through the second circuit.

Abstract: A microprocessor system is configured by connecting an n/2-bit memory and/or I/O to an n-bit microprocessor. The system has a read/write controller for enabling/disabling a read/write control signal for accessing the memory and/or I/O, an address latch counter for latching and updating the address, a bus converter for converting the data bus through which the data is transferred, and a timing generator. The timing generator comprises a detector for detecting that the instruction executed by the microprocessor is a word transfer instruction for the memory and/or I/O, a counter for counting the number of times a read/write control signal is generated and a timing controller for generating various timing control signals when the word transfer instruction for the memory and/or I/O is executed. When the microprocessor performs the word transfer instruction for the memory and/or I/O, the read/write control signal is enabled and disabled to perform two access cycles.