Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for testing component tolerances of a device for testing integrated circuits. The testing device is generally characterized by a plurality of test connectors disposed at a test head, wherein each test connector carries electrical signals for a test channel. Further, each test channel generally corresponds to a circuit board that includes at least one driver and one receiver. In this general type of tester, a system is provided that includes a specialized DUT board that establishes a low impedance electrical connection (i.e., short) between electrical conductors of a first and second test connector. Through this low impedance path, a first driver from a first circuit board is directly connected (i.e., shorted) to a first receiver on a second circuit board. A controller is configured to control the first driver to output an electrical signal at a predetermined time.

Abstract: A chemical sensor (11) including a light source (12) for producing a light flux bundle (16), an optical detector (14) for receiving a transmitted light flux bundle (24), and an absorber/expander sensor element (18) supported by a holder or support (20). Absorber/expander sensor element (18) is positioned in the space between light source (12) and optical detector (14). The absorber/expander material of sensor element (18) changes its size by either expanding or contracting in the presence of a particular chemical component. An edge (22) of sensor element (18) acts like a shutter and moves in and out of the path of travel of light flux (16), as the sensor element changes in size, which affects the intensity of light reaching and detected by optical detector (14).

Abstract: A probe device for in-situ detection of contaminants such as petroleum prcts in a subsurface media such as soil. The device comprises an elongated probe housing which is driven into the media. An ultraviolet lamp located in the housing provides excitation energy which is reflected through a UV transparent window in the housing to the media by at least one reflecting element in the housing. The reflecting element allows longitudinal offset of the lamp from the window providing space for high intensity UV lamps. A radiation receiver receives fluorescent radiation emitted from contaminants in the media transmitted through the window and provides a signal for analysis equipment on the surface. A concentrating reflector between the lamp and the housing and a focusing lens between the lamp and the reflecting element collect and focus excitation energy from the lamp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbon analyte in at least one of a liquid and vapor state. The apparatus (21) includes an optical fiber (22), an absorber-expander (31) mechanically coupled (32) to the optical fiber (22) to produce a change in transmission of light along the fiber (22) upon absorption of the hydrocarbon (33). The absorber-expander (31) is selected to absorb hydrocarbons, but not water, and to be capable of multiple reversible expansion and contraction cycles without significant structural degradation. Methyl terminated, silica and iron oxide filled, dimethyl polysiloxane provides a material which will experience substantial swelling in the presence of a hydrocarbon and yet is substantially reversible on desorption of the hydrocarbon from the absorber-expander (31).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and measuring mechanical movement that is directly or indirectly representative of a physical phenomenon. The method and apparatus involve the use of at least one optical fiber that defines a region of bend having a curvature, the radius of which varies in direct relation with the particular mechanical movement that is induced by the physical phenomenon. Light is introduced into one extremity of the optical fiber and propagates through the fiber where the intensity of the light emitted or radiating from the opposite extremity of the fiber is measured. Differentiation between introduced light and emitted light determines the degree of perturbance caused by the region of bend and is thus representative of the physical phenomenon that alters the radius of curvature at the region of bend.