Abstract: A motor vehicle turn signal cancelling device operated by a turn signal cancelling member projecting from the steering wheel includes a frame structure and a mounting member attached thereto. A fixture having a central portion positioned between oppositely extending first and second arms is pivotally mounted to the mounting member at the central portion to move the first and second arms into the path of movement of the cancelling member. The device further includes a turn signal activating lever pivotally mounted between its ends to the frame structure. A cancellation arm is pivotally mounted to the mounting member and defines a slot near its distal end. An engagement post associated with the lever is received in the slot defined in the cancellation arm. The engagement post and the slot are positioned between the pivotal axis of the turn signal activating lever and the pivotal axis of the cancellation arm.

Abstract: A latch releasing device includes a switch that is turned on upon pressing a pressing button towards a switch body and unlatches a door, a base member that holds the switch via the switch body such that the pressing button is arranged on a front surface thereof, a key top member on the base member to cover the pressing button of the switch, and a biasing member between the base member and the key top member that biases the key top member in a direction departing from the pressing button of the switch. The switch is fixed to a panel via the base member such that the pressing button can be pressed via the key top member from outside the panel.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant sensing system adapted for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat assembly that includes at least one emitter and at least one sensor disposed in spaced relationship to the emitter. The sensor is operable to detect relative distance to the emitter to thereby detect the condition of the vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle occupant sensing system also includes at least one sensor assembly with a base and an upper slide member slidingly supported for movement toward and away from the base. The upper slide member includes an exterior surface that is continuous to thereby block contaminants from entering the sensor assembly. Also, at least one of the emitter and the sensor is supported by the upper slide member. The vehicle occupant sensing system may be employed in a vehicle seat to detect a condition of the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A pivot assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, including a housing having a molded cover and a molded base, a stationary contact assembly with stationary electrical contacts, and a movable contact assembly. The movable contact assembly includes at least one carrier assembly with a pivot, movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier assembly, and movable electrical contacts coupled to the movable contact arms. The pivot assembly includes pivot members. Each pivot member includes an aperture for pivotably receiving the pivot of the carrier assembly in order that the carrier assembly is pivotably coupled between a corresponding pair of pivot members. Each pivot member is a separate independent component disposed between the molded cover and molded base of the circuit breaker housing. An electrical switching apparatus and a carrier assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel energy accumulator for a load step switch for rapid, continuous switching between various winding tappings. Said energy accumulator comprises a lifting carriage and a jumping carriage, which follow the movement of the jumping carriage in a jumping manner. Both of the carriages are guided along three parallel guiding rods. The lifting carriage and the jumping carriage comprise, respectively, three linear roller bearings which respectively surround one of the three guiding rods.

Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a circuit breaker charging assembly. The charging assembly includes a cam shaft, a latch mechanism, such as a D-shaft, a latch assembly, and a charging handle. The charging handle pivots the cam shaft. The D-shaft is pivotable between first and second positions corresponding to the D-shaft latching and unlatching the latch assembly, respectively. The interlock assembly includes a lever coupled to and pivotable with the D-shaft, and a latch interlock pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. The latch interlock moves between locked and unlocked positions corresponding respectively to the first end of the latch interlock moving the lever to position the D-shaft in the second position and the first position. Unless and until the stored energy mechanism is substantially fully charged, the latch interlock is disposed in the locked position and the latch assembly is movable with respect to the D-shaft.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a cover with a housing therein, a base coupled to the cover so as to form a receiving space, a circuit board received in the receiving space, and a slide button mounted to the cover. A bottom of the housing defines a first cutout and a second cutout therein. The circuit board includes a switch mounted thereon. The slide button includes an operating portion, an activating portion, and a positioning portion. The operating portion is slideably received in the housing for being operated to slide the operating portion in the housing. The activating portion extends from the operating portion through the first cutout. The positioning portion connects to the activating portion, and is spaced apart from the operating portion. The positioning portion is insertable through the second cutout and is blockable by the bottom from disengaging from the second cutout.

Abstract: Electrical devices are described.

Abstract: Use of more exotic laying patterns in connection with establishing paving stones of concrete blocks for e.g. paving on yards, are not widely used for cost reasons, as the automated laying machines laying the said paving stones in large surfaces at a time require the stones to be delivered in palletised formats which are handled by machine. The only way in which the said stereotype formats can be laid by machine is, if the paving stones are supplied manually, patterned layers on pallets. There is thus indicated a method for automatic sorting of paving stones (2) of different size from bulk condition to e.g. patterned laid palletisable layers in a standard out format, as the stones (2) after being guided into a row (3) are registered by size by a vision based system and guided into arraying lanes (34) from where these may selectively be dispensed in the preferred laying patterns in the said out formats (22).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating a delivery sequence sort plan for automated sorting of mailpieces to a carrier sequence sorter. The delivery sequence sort plan is generated based on information about an incoming mail batch, such that the sort plan is created just prior to the delivery sequence processing of the incoming mail batch.

Abstract: An electric discharge machining apparatus includes a guide electrode that is tubular and receives a small-diameter wire electrode for electric discharge machining. The small-diameter wire electrode can freely slide within the guide electrode. A guide electrode holder holds the guide electrode at a specified position. Pressurized fluid is supplied into the guide electrode to feed the small-diameter wire electrode from the guide electrode. A small-diameter wire electrode holder automatically releases and grasps the small-diameter wire electrode in response to starting and stopping of the pressurized fluid supply, respectively.

Abstract: A method for joining components made from ductile cast iron and made from ductile cast iron and steel, by arc welding with fusible electrodes under a gas blanket. The gas blanket comprises, in addition to argon, 1 to 25 vol. % carbon dioxide and/or 0.5 to 10 vol. % oxygen. The gas blanket can also comprise nitrogen monoxide. Said method permits high welding speeds and hence a high productivity. The joint quality can be further advantageously improved by means of a pre-heating of the components and a slow cooling or a post-treatment.

Abstract: A spot-welding tool having at least one electrode for resistance welding of workpieces such as metal sheets. The spot welding tool has a pressure element for holding down the workpieces arranged on the electrode in a region of the electrode cap to prevent process-dependent warping or arching of the workpiece.

Abstract: A joining system head is provided for fixation to a movable frame, in particular to a robot having a holder for an element to be joined to a part. A joining drive moves the holder along a joining direction for joining. The holder is mounted on the joining system head and is rotatable about an axis running transverse to a joining direction.

Abstract: A plasma thruster with a cylindrical inner and cylindrical outer electrode generates plasma particles from the application of energy stored in an inductor to a surface suitable for the formation of a plasma and expansion of plasma particles. The plasma production results in the generation of charged particles suitable for generating a reaction force, and the charged particles are guided by a magnetic field produced by the same inductor used to store the energy used to form the plasma.

Abstract: A plurality of configurations is simultaneously formed in a material by a single laser beam having a desired distribution pattern of wavelengths. An input laser beam has an initial wavelength distribution pattern. The initial wavelength distribution pattern is adjusted or modified into a desired final wavelength distribution pattern. For example, the initial wavelength distribution pattern is a wide range of wavelengths in a single bell-curve distribution while the desired final wavelength distribution pattern has a specific number of sharp peaks each over a predetermined narrow range. The laser beam having the desired final wavelength distribution pattern is focused upon on a material. Because of the multiple peaks in the wavelength distribution, the laser beam is focused at a plurality of the focal distances. A number of structures is simultaneously formed in a material at the multiple focal points or at multiple locations/depths when the above laser beam is projected onto the material.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus comprises a laser source, a substrate-holding unit, a liquid-supplying unit, a support which has a plurality of mask patterns including a specific mask pattern for imparting a cross-sectional shape to the laser beam, and a support-driving mechanism which moves the support. The liquid-supplying unit supplies the liquid to the substrate, forming a liquid film thereon. The support-driving mechanism moves the support, aligning the specific mask pattern with an axis of the laser beam. The laser beam emitted from the laser unit passes through the specific mask pattern, acquiring a specific cross-sectional shape, and is applied to the substrate through the liquid film, illuminating.

Abstract: In a conventional arc welding robot control unit, since an emergency stop circuit for a robot and an emergency stop circuit for a welding machine exist independently of each other, not only the circuit configuration thereof is long but also the emergency stop enforcing processings and emergency stop removing processings are executed individually. To solve these problems, according to the invention, there is provided an arc welding robot control unit which comprises an inverter circuit 1 for enforcing arc welding, main power supply switches 2a-2c for turning on and off a main power supply used to supply power to the inverter circuit 1, a main power supply control part 3 for controlling the main power supply switches 2a-2c, and an emergency stop button 4 for emergency stopping the operation of a robot, wherein, when the emergency stop button 4 is depressed to thereby put the robot into emergency stop, the main power supply switches 2a-2c can be turned off in linking with the robot emergency stop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image thermal apparatus including a flexible metallic sleeve, the inner peripheral surface of which contacts a heater. In order to provide increased durability for the sliding face of the heater, an imide resin that contains silicon nitride elementary particles is used to coat the sliding face of the heater.

Abstract: Methods of assembling a high heat transfer and tailored heat transfer layered heater systems are provided. One method includes a step of pressing one of a target part and a layered heater into the other one of the target part and the layered heater to create an interference fit between the layered heater and the target part. When the target part is disposed within the layered heater, the layered heater includes a substrate defining an inner periphery less than or equal to an outer periphery of the target part. When the layered heater is disposed within the target part, the layered heater includes a substrate defining an outer periphery larger than or equal to an inner periphery of the target.

Abstract: A system and method is provided in which a radio frequency transmitter and/or a microwave frequency transmitter applies radio and/or microwave frequency energy, respectively, to an imprinted material to cure the imprinted material. In some embodiments, an oven may be used to apply thermal energy to the imprinted material in conjunction with the radio and/or microwave frequency energy to cure the imprinted material. In other embodiments, an oven is not used. The imprinted material may also include a susceptor that absorbs radio and/or microwave frequency energy and responsive thereto emits thermal energy to aid in curing the imprinted material. Further, at least one susceptor may be located externally and adjacent to the imprinted material. The external susceptor may absorb radio and/or microwave frequency energy, respectively, and responsive thereto emits thermal energy towards the imprinted material to aid in curing the imprinted material.

Abstract: A processing apparatus, such as a microwave-based processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a vessel having an inner surface defining a chamber configured to hold a reaction mixture, a guide, and a launch coupled to the guide. The guide can be at least partially disposed in the vessel, and is configured to propagate electromagnetic energy. The launch is configured to couple at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy from the guide to the reaction mixture. Example launches include a dielectric window and a projection. Example projections include a metallic projection and a dielectric projection.

Abstract: A window such as a vehicle window (e.g., windshield) has a de-icing feature. In certain example embodiments, a conductive structure is provided on an interior surface of a substrate of the window, AC tuned to an ice removal frequency is caused to run through the conductive structure, and fields generated by the AC passing through the conductive structure propagate through the substrate to an exterior surface of the window and can be absorbed by ice thereby causing the ice to melt and/or be removed from the window.

Abstract: A method and system for the compensation of nonuniformity among a plurality of light sensing diodes adapted to convert light to a current output. A system embodiment includes a plurality of trans-impedance amplifier circuits, each trans-impedance amplifier circuit having an op-amp, and an impedance connecting an output of the op-amp to a first input of the op-amp, and a plurality of variable voltage source. The current output of each sensing diode is coupled to a corresponding trans-impedance amplifier circuit by an electrical connection to the first input of corresponding op-amp. A second input of the corresponding op-amp is coupled to a corresponding adjustable voltage source. The output of the corresponding op-amp is a signal responsive to a sensing voltage, and to a voltage signal provided by the corresponding adjustable voltage source, the sensing voltage being responsive to the current output of a corresponding sensing diode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing non-linear, passive quenching of avalanche currents in Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) is provided. A non-linear, passive, current-limiting device is connected in series with the APD and a bias source. The non-linear, passive, current-limiting device rapidly quenches avalanche currents generated by the APD in response to an input photon and resets the APD for detecting additional photons, using a minimal number of components. The non-linear, passive, current-limiting device could comprise a field-effect transistor (FET), as well as a junction FET (JFET) a metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET), or a current-limiting diode (CLD) connected in series with the APD and the bias source.

Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to suppress the differences of color ratios of B/G and R/G when the film thicknesses of antireflective films and insulation films vary at a processing process. The present invention is a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of light receiving portions arranged on a semiconductor substrate, antireflective films formed on the light receiving portions with insulation films put between them, and color filter layers of a plurality of colors formed on the antireflective films, wherein film thicknesses of the insulation films and/or the antireflective films are changed such that changing directions of spectral transmittances at peak wavelengths of color filters on sides of the shortest wavelengths and at peak wavelengths of color filters on sides of the longest wavelengths after transmission of infrared cutting filters may be the same before and after changes.

Abstract: An image analysis and enhancement system is provided with an image processor, imaging metrics, an image storage depository, and a reconfigurable sensor device that can be present at the same location. A remote reconfigurable sensor device is connected to the image processor via a communication link. Both the reconfigurable sensor device and the remote reconfigurable sensor device are equipped with selectable optical elements and imaging elements that are selected in a desired combination and orientation to capture desired image frames from a target scene or object. The selectable optical and imaging elements are provided with actuating devices to move and translate the selected optical and imaging elements into a desired orientation with one another, so that a desired imaging technique can be employed to obtain an enhanced image. The system is applicable to industrial, medical and military use.

Abstract: The invention is based on a sensor device having at least one transmitter unit situated inside a sensor body, a receiver unit associated with the transmitter unit and situated inside the sensor body, and an end face that is situated between the transmitter unit and receiver unit and constitutes a boundary surface of the sensor body. According to a first aspect of the invention, it is possible to achieve a compact embodiment with low requirements for assembly-related production tolerances if the transmitter unit and/or the receiver unit is/are comprised of an injection molded part with an incorporated radiation transmitter and/or radiation receiver. According to another aspect of the invention, a radiation transmitted from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit essentially travels in a beam path outside the sensor body. The invention also relates to a use of a sensor device and a vehicle light.

Abstract: Multifunctional optical sensor, comprising a matrix of photodetectors of the CCD or CMOS type, having a sensitive area divided into sub-areas, each of which, individually or combined with others, is dedicated to a specific function of monitoring the scene or measuring environmental parameters. The optical sensor comprises a matrix of microlenses, each of which is set to focus the radiation coming from a portion of solid angle on the associated photodetector or cluster of mutually contiguous photodetectors. Each function is associated to a single microlens or to a single subgroup of mutually contiguous microlenses or to multiple, not mutually contiguous microlenses or to multiple, not mutually contiguous subgroups of microlenses. The angular separation between the central directions of the portions of solid angle subtended by adjacent photodetectors or adjacent clusters of photodetectors is not constant within the matrix.

Abstract: A system and a method detect a position of a movable element within the interior of the compartment via a light source and/or a light sensor. The light sensor is connected to a platform and/or to a film for detecting an intensity of a light within the interior of the compartment. The film, a bottom surface of an end cap and/or a surface of the movable element and/or the compartment attenuate light within the interior of the compartment and/or within an interior of the end cap. The intensity of the light detectable by the light sensor corresponds to the position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment. The position of the movable element within the interior of the compartment is detected by the light sensor via the intensity of the light detectable by the light sensor.

Abstract: A scanning microscope for the optical measuring of an object in which a measurement beam emitted by the light source impinges the object and is reflected by the object as a reflection beam that reenters through the lens into the radiation path of the microscope. A scanner control unit controls a displacement to change the relative position of the object and the measuring beam so that the beam is directed to at least two different measuring points on the object. An excitation unit periodically excites the object. The reflection beam is visualized on a signal detector, and a signal storage unit saves a measuring sequence of signals of the signal detector. The scanner control unit cooperates with the excitation and signal storage units to control them such that for each measuring point on the object at least one measuring sequence of measuring signals of the signal detector is saved.

Abstract: A system calibrates a solid state detector (20) for a radiation imaging device (10) in a single acquisition. A calibration phantom (40) emits radiation concurrently at at least first and second characteristic energy levels. A nuclear camera (16) generates associated sets of radiation data spanning both the first and second energy levels from the emitted radiation that is received by solid state detector (20). A means (64) determines associated centers of energy peaks and energy values of the generated data sets. A calibration means (80) calibrates at least one of gain, offset, performance and dead pixel correction based on the determined centers and peaks of the acquired data sets.

Abstract: There is provided a pulsed flow modulation gas chromatograph mass spectrometer with supersonic molecular beams apparatus and method for improved sample analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining when to calibrate a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. In various embodiments, the method comprises storing within a controller a set of parameters for the mass spectrometer; providing an updated set of parameters while retaining at least one set of previously stored parameters; computing at least one rate of change of the updated set of parameters with respect to the at least one set of previously stored parameters; and determining when to calibrate the mass spectrometer from the results of computing the rate of change of at least one of the parameters. In various embodiments, a parameter stored can be a set of temperatures derived from obtaining system temperature measurements of those components whose changing temperature is an indication of mass drift.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer may include a flow channel having an inlet end and an outlet end. A deflection electrode is positioned within the flow channel so that a non-linear electric field is created between at least a portion of the flow channel and at least a portion of the deflection electrode when an electrostatic potential is placed across the deflection electrode and the flow channel. The ion mobility spectrometer also includes means for producing ions at a position upstream from the leading edge of the deflection electrode, so that ions produced thereby are deflected by the deflection electrode into the non-linear electric field. A detector positioned within the flow channel for detects ions from the non-linear electric field.

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer may include an inner electrode and an outer electrode arranged so that at least a portion of the outer electrode surrounds at least a portion of the inner electrode and defines a drift space therebetween. The inner and outer electrodes are electrically insulated from one another so that a non-linear electric field is created in the drift space when an electric potential is placed on the inner and outer electrodes. An ion source operatively associated with the ion mobility spectrometer releases ions to the drift space defined between the inner and outer electrodes. A detector operatively associated with at least a portion of the outer electrode detects ions from the drift space.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for compensating for mass error for a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A reference flight distance for a pulse of ions corresponding to a reference temperature of one or more components of an ion flight path assembly is determined, and the temperature of one or more components of the ion flight path assembly is measured. Correlating the thermal expansion of the flight path assembly with the temperature measurement allows the measured flight times to be adjusted to correspond with the reference flight distance to thereby compensate for the thermal expansion of the flight path assembly. A mass spectrum is obtained using the adjusted flight times. In various embodiments, the temperature signal is used with pre-determined thermal expansion correction factors for the flight path assembly to calculate a correction factor to control another component of the TOF MS, such as the voltage applied to a power supply system or a signal to control clock frequencies.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, devices and device components for preparing ions from liquid samples containing chemical species and methods and devices for analyzing chemical species in liquid samples. The present invention provides an ion source for generating analyte ions having a selected charge state distribution, such as a reduced charged state distribution, that may be effectively interfaced with a variety of charged particle analyzers, including virtually any type of mass spectrometer.

Abstract: In a method of measuring a thin film sample of irradiating an electron beam to a thin film sample, detecting a generated secondary electron and measuring a film thickness of the thin film sample by utilizing the secondary electron, it is provided that the film thickness is measured accurately, in a short period of time and easily even when a current amount of the irradiated electron beam is varied. An electron beam 2b is irradiated, and a generated secondary electron 4 is detected by a secondary electron detector 6. A calculated value constituted by an amount of a secondary electron detected at a film thickness measuring region and an amount of a secondary electron detected at a reference region is calculated by first calculating means 11. A film thickness of the film thickness measuring region can be calculated from a calibration data of a standard thin film sample and the calculated value calculated by a sample 5.

Abstract: A pattern measuring method and device are provided which set a reference position for a measuring point to be measured by a scanning electron microscope and the like, based on position information of a reference pattern on an image acquired from the scanning electron microscope and based on a positional relation, detected by using design data, between the measuring point and the reference pattern formed at a position isolated from the measuring point.

Abstract: Below 50-nm-diameter extremely narrow electrically-conductive fiber is used instead of the electron beam biprism used in the conventional interference electron microscope method. A phenomenon is utilized where a focus-shifted shadow of this fiber is shifted from a straight line by a distance which is proportional to a differentiation of phase change amount of an electron beam due to a sample with respect to a direction perpendicular to the fiber. The phase change amount is quantified by calibrating this shift amount through its comparison with a shift amount caused by another sample in terms of which the corresponding phase change amount has been quantitatively evaluated in advance. The differentiation amount of the quantified phase change in the electron beam due to the sample is visualized, or eventually, is integrated thereby being transformed into absolute phase change amount to be visualized.

Abstract: A radiation detection circuit having a multi-channel input used for radiation measurement and capable of canceling cross-talk noise generated from a logic circuit for controlling a channel and enabling low noise radiation measurement easily and precisely. The radiation detection circuit also generates an inverted signal for each of input/output signals needed for controlling its logic and cancels a noise charge generated by coupled capacity between a bonding wire (analog input side in IC package) for connecting its output to another radiation detection circuit and a bonding wire of each of input/output signals of the logic control circuit by generating an inverted noise charge with coupled capacity between the inverted signal and its output when in logic controlling, thereby suppressing the cross-talk noise generated by each of its input/output signals.

Abstract: A pressure sensor having a diaphragm which is differently deformable or locally changeable by pressure differences is described. A construction advantageously usable even in poorly accessible spaces having high temperatures is obtained in that at least one functional section of the diaphragm has a material which has the properties of a black-body radiator or has an emissivity used for detection in the spectral radiation range corresponding to the temperature of the diaphragm under its conditions of use, and a radiation receiver unit, which detects at least a portion of the emitted radiation, having at least one infrared radiation sensor, is assigned to the diaphragm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging a patient are provided. The method includes determining a location of a volume of interest within the patient and acquiring a plurality of frames of emission data, at least one frame including the volume of interest. The method further includes determining a time-of-flight (TOF) information of at least a portion of the annihilations detected along a line of response between corresponding coincidence detectors and generating an image of the patient from the emission data using the determined TOF information.

Abstract: A TFT readout system radiation image detector capable of satisfactorily removing noise signals generated by the parasitic capacitors formed in the vicinity of the respective intersections between gate control signal lines and charge signal lines with a simple and inexpensive circuit configuration. The detector includes charge detecting elements for storing charges generated by receiving radiation; gate control signal lines through which a gate control signal flows to control the switching element of each charge detecting element; charge signal lines to which charge signals stored in the storage sections flow out; and dummy signal lines, each being installed adjacent to each of the corresponding charge signal lines. The dummy signal flowed out to each dummy signal line is subtracted from the signal flowed out to each charge signal line when the gate signal is flowed through the gate control signal line by the differential amplifier.

Abstract: An X-ray detector is disclosed for detecting individual quanta. In at least one embodiment, the X-ray detector includes a plurality of detector elements and an evaluation unit that is connected to the latter for data purposes and is set up in such a way that each detector element is assigned a first energy threshold, wherein in each case one portion of various radiation spectra that can be picked up by the detector element exhibits an energy below the energy threshold, and a further portion of the respective radiation spectrum exhibits an energy above the energy threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved gamma ray detector module and a method of operating such a detector module for more accurately determining the position of a gamma ray interaction within the detector. The detector module includes an induction array arranged at an offset angle relative other arrays utilized in the detector, whereby the relative timing of the detection of ionization electrons by the induction array and a collector or anode indicate at least one coordinate corresponding to the location of the interaction that produced the ionization electron. This secondary locating apparatus and method supplements or replaces conventional locating apparatus and methods for improving the accuracy or reducing the complexity of the detection apparatus.

Abstract: Interaction depth of photons in a CdZnTe pixel detector is measured by configuring an ASIC connected to the detector to measure both positive polarity and negative polarity signal amplitudes and then measuring a core pixel having positive signal amplitude and hallow pixels having negative signal amplitude and surrounding the core pixel.

Abstract: A radiation detector is formed from a plasma panel that includes a front substrate, and a back substrate that forms a generally parallel gap with the front substrate. X (column) and Y (row) electrodes are coupled by gas discharge events to define one or more pixels. Impedances are coupled to the X and Y electrodes, and a power supply is coupled to one or both types of electrodes. Discharge event detectors are coupled to the impedances.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum computation are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are based on probabilistic ion-photon mapping. Scalable quantum computation is achieved by forming deterministic quantum gates between remotely located trapped ions by detecting spontaneously emitted photons, accompanied by local Coulomb interaction between neighboring ions. Long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum communication networks formed by employing a number of remote nodes that each include an ion trap and by employing probabilistic photon-mediated entanglement between the ions in each ion trap.