Abstract: A doped photovoltaic device is presented. The photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor absorber layer or stack disposed between a front contact and a back contact. The absorber layer comprises cadmium, selenium, and tellurium doped with Ag, and optionally with Cu. The Ag dopant may be added to the absorber in amounts ranging from 5×1015/cm3 to 2.5×1017/cm3 via any of several methods of application before, during, or after deposition of the absorber layer. The photovoltaic device has improved Fill Factor and PMAX at higher Pr(=Isc*Voc product) values, e.g. about 160 W, which results in improved conversion efficiency compared to a device not doped with Ag. Improved PT may result from increased Isc, increased Voc, or both.

Abstract: A doped photovoltaic device is presented. The photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor absorber layer or stack disposed between a front contact and a back contact. The absorber layer comprises cadmium, selenium, and tellurium doped with Ag, and optionally with Cu. The Ag dopant may be added to the absorber in amounts ranging from 5×1015/cm3 to 2.5×1017/cm3 via any of several methods of application before, during, or after deposition of the absorber layer. The photovoltaic device has improved Fill Factor and PMAX at higher Pr (=Isc*Voc product) values, e.g. about 160 W, which results in improved conversion efficiency compared to a device not doped with Ag. Improved PT may result from increased Isc, increased Voc, or both.

Abstract: A system for integrating radiolucent tracking sensors in a medical table, table mat, or surgical drape of a surgical navigation system, allowing the surgical navigation system to be less obtrusive in a surgery environment. A plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors are integrated into a table, table mat, or surgical draping of a surgical navigation system for improving surgical navigation workflow and eliminating image artifacts from intraoperative images. The plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors may be located within a table or adjacent to a table surface.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system having one or more magnetoresistance sensors, where the sensors have the noise and dynamic range appropriate for electromagnetic position and orientation tracking. The surgical navigation system comprising at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor rigidly attached to an anatomical reference of a patient, at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to at least one device, and at least one processor for determining the position and orientation of the at least one device.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance sensor for use in a position and orientation tracking system includes an insulating substrate, a pattern of a metal material and/or a semiconductor material deposited on a surface of the insulating substrate, and a bias magnet material deposited over the alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material. The position and orientation tracking system includes at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object, at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked, and a processor coupled to the at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one magnetoresistance sensor.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system having one or more magnetoresistance sensors, where the sensors have the noise and dynamic range appropriate for electromagnetic position and orientation tracking. The surgical navigation system comprising at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor rigidly attached to an anatomical reference of a patient, at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to at least one device, and at least one processor for determining the position and orientation of the at least one device.

Abstract: A system for integrating radiolucent tracking sensors in a medical table, table mat, or surgical drape of a surgical navigation system, allowing the surgical navigation system to be less obtrusive in a surgery environment. A plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors are integrated into a table, table mat, or surgical draping of a surgical navigation system for improving surgical navigation workflow and eliminating image artifacts from intraoperative images. The plurality of radiolucent magnetoresistance sensors may be located within a table or adjacent to a table surface.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance sensor for use in a position and orientation tracking system includes an insulating substrate, a pattern of a metal material and/or a semiconductor material deposited on a surface of the insulating substrate, and a bias magnet material deposited over the alternating pattern of a metal material and a semiconductor material. The position and orientation tracking system includes at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object, at least one magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked, and a processor coupled to the at least one magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one magnetoresistance sensor.

Abstract: A circuit including: at least one radio frequency microstrip conductor; and, a least one vanadium oxide region electrically coupled to the at least one radio frequency microstrip conductor; wherein, the at least one vanadium oxide region is substantially conductive in a first temperature range, and substantially non-conductive in a second temperature range.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor film with reduced defects comprising lithographically defined nanoscale features patterned into an underlying layer. A semiconductor film is then nucleated within the plurality of nanoscale features. The nanoscale features are aligned with specific crystallographic axes to allow for controlled growth rates. A semiconductor film produced with a greater than four orders of magnitude decrease in the threading dislocation density and thus improved optical and electrical transport properties. The invention applies to wide bandgap semiconductor films, however, also applies to any film-substrate combination where significant lattice and thermal expansion misfit occurs.