Topometrix Corporation

Other

Xros, Inc.

Marc R Schuman

Armand P Neukermans

Timothy G Slater

Jack D Foster

Sam Calmes

Rajiv R Ramaswami

Steven M Clark

Paul E West

Ronald C Gamble

Arun Malhotra

John M Green

Jane Ang

James P Downing

Sateesh S Bajikar

John S Forker

Jerry Hurst

Gregory A Reznick

Tyler L Baughman

John F Heanue

Brian Tremaine

Russell J Pylkki

A micro-mirror strip assembly having a plurality of two-dimensional micro-mirror structures with improved deflection and other characteristics is presented. In the micro-mirror structures, electrodes for electrostatic deflection are disposed on conical or quasi-conical entities that are machined, attached or molded into a substrate. The electrodes are quartered approximately parallel to or offset by 45 degrees from rotational axes to form quadrants. Torsion sensors are provided along the axes of rotation to control deflection of the quadrant deflection electrodes.

Two-dimensional micro-mirror array enhancements

One aspect is a method for controllably attenuating the beam of light () coupled between incoming and outgoing optical fibers () by misaligning minor surfaces () included of an optical switching module (). Misalignment of the mirror surfaces (and) causes only a portion of the beam of light () propagating along the incoming optical fiber (), which is less than when the light beam deflectors' mirror surfaces () are precisely aligned, to propagate along the outgoing optical fiber (). Thus, the optical switching module () controllably attenuates the beam of light () coupled between the incoming and the outgoing optical fibers (). Another aspect is a variable-optical-attenuator ('VOA') () that includes an optically reflective membrane () upon which the beam of light () impinges. Application of an electrostatic field between an adjacent electrode () and the membrane () deforms the membrane () thereby attenuating an impinging beam of light ().

Variable attenuation of free-space light beams

A fiber optic switch ( ) includes a fiber optic switching module ( ) that receives and fixes ends ( ) of optical fibers ( ). The module ( ) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors ( ) which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light ( ) between a pair of optical fibers ( ). The module ( ) also produces orientation signals from each deflector ( ) which indicate its orientation. A portcard ( ) included in the switch ( ) supplies drive signals to the module ( ) for orienting at least one deflector ( ). The portcard ( ) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector ( ) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector ( ). The portcard ( ) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector ( ) and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module ( ) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch ( ) also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs deflectors ( ) coupling a beam of light ( ) between optical fibers ( ).

Flexible, modular, compact fiber optic switch

A fiber optic switch ( ) includes a fiber optic switching module ( ) that receives and fixes ends ( ) of optical fibers ( ). The module ( ) includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors ( ) arranged in a V-shape which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light ( ) between a pair of optical fibers ( ). The module ( ) also produces orientation signals from each deflector ( ) which indicate its orientation. A portcard ( ) supplies drive signals to the module ( ) for orienting at least one deflector ( ). The portcard ( ) also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector ( ) together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector ( ). The portcard ( ) compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module ( ) to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch ( ) also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs deflectors ( ) coupling a beam of light ( ) between optical fibers ( ).

Flexible, modular, compact fiber switch improvements

A fiber optic switch includes a fiber optic switching module that receives and fixes ends of optical fibers. The module includes numerous reflective light beam deflectors which may be selected as pairs for coupling a beam of light between a pair of optical fibers. The module also produces orientation signals from each deflector which indicate its orientation. A portcard included in the switch supplies drive signals to the module for orienting at least one deflector. The portcard also receives the orientation signals produced by that deflector together with coordinates that specify an orientation for the deflector. The portcard compares the received coordinates with the orientation signals received from the deflector and adjusts the drive signals supplied to the module to reduce any difference between the received coordinates and the orientation signals. The switch also employs optical alignment to precisely orient pairs of deflectors coupling a beam of light between optical fibers.

The scanning apparatus linearization and calibration system includes an electromechanical scanner having a sample stage portion, and a deflecting member, mounted between the scanning means and a fixed mounting member, that undergoes deflection in response to displacement of the scanner sample stage portion in at least one dimension of displacement. Strain gauges are mounted to the deflecting member for measuring the deflection of the deflecting member and for generating a deflection output signal indicative of an amount of deflection of the deflecting member, to provide a highly sensitive indication of actual displacement of the sample stage of the scanning apparatus. Control circuitry also provides for open loop displacement correction and for closed loop feedback correction of the position of the scanner sample stage.

Scanning apparatus linearization and calibration system

The synchronous sampling scanning force microscope includes a reflective cantilever arm having a free end which is oscillated at a frequency different from the resonance frequency of the cantilever arm. The motion of the oscillating cantilever arm is measured, to generate a deflection signal indicative of the amplitude of deflection or phase shift of the cantilever arm. Selected portions of cycles of the output signal are sampled, for generating output signal data indicative of deflection of the near and far excursions of the probe. The method and apparatus permit monitoring of compliance of the surface of the specimen by multiple sampling at a rate greater than the period of oscillation of the cantilever probe of the microscope.

Synchronous sampling scanning force microscope

The scanning thermal probe microscope measures a thermal parameter such as thermal conductivity or temperature of surface contours of a specimen with a thermal sensor maintained in thermal communication with the surface of the specimen and maintained at a temperature different than that of the specimen. The thermal sensor is disposed on the free end of a cantilever arm in thermal communication with the probe. A thermal feedback bridge circuit can maintain the thermal sensor at a constant temperature by heating or cooling the sensor, and provides a signal for determining the heat transfer between the probe and the specimen. The cantilever arm includes first and second legs of electrically conductive material, and the thermal sensor comprises a narrowed portion of the conducting material having a relatively high temperature coefficient of resistance.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Marc R Schuman