A spiral-shaped mach-zehnder interferometric sensor for monitoring thickness changes in bioreceptor layers

Design issues of a spiral-shaped Mach-Zehnder interferometer are discussed

Can “IMFcoin” be Scaruffi\u27s \u3ci\u3eMoneta Immaginaria\u3c/i\u3e?

Cryptocurrencies have taken the world by storm. But these decentralized and unregulated digital fiat currencies have more in common with the currencies of ages past than many believe. These commonalities may result in the incorporation of new cryptocurrencies into older institutions. One such institution is the International Monetary Fund\u27s Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), which has bene relegated to an afterthought in the international monetary system since the Nixon Shock in 1971. The Fund\u27s Managing Director recently made comments that indicated that the Fund is exploring the incorporation of a cryptocurrency into the framework of the SDR, a change which China and other emerging economies are bound to encourage because it would likely move the international monetary system away from the use of the powerful U.S. dollar as a reserve currency. Because the U.S. dollar remains the most important currency within the international monetary system, this Article first explores the legal status of U.S. currency and the creation of Bretton Woods after World War II and its implosion after the Nixon Shock. It then discusses the basic functions of SDRs and their past uses. Finally, this Article explores two options that the Fund may have in incorporating cryptocurrencies into SDRs: (1) redefining the SDR as its own unique cryptocurrency; and (2) incorporating a specific cryptocurrency within the SDR\u27s basket of currencies

Low loss, high contrast optical waveguides based on CMOS compatible LPCVD processing: technology and experimental results

A new class of integrated optical waveguide structures is presented, based on low cost CMOS compatible LPCVD processing. This technology allows for medium and high index contrast waveguides with very low channel attenuation. The geometry is basically formed by a rectangular cross-section silicon nitride (Si3N4) filled with and encapsulated by silicon dioxide (SiO2). The birefringence and minimal bend radius of the waveguide is completely controlled by the geometry of the waveguide layer structures. Experiments on typical geometries will be presented, showing excellent characteristics (channel attenuation ≤ 0.1 dB/cm, IL ≤ 1.5 dB, PDL ≤ 0.2 dB, Bg ≤ 1×10-4, bend radius « 1 mm)

Computation of core losses in electrical machines using improved models for laminated steel

Two new models for specific power losses in cold-rolled motor lamination steel are described together with procedures for coefficient identification from standard multifrequency Epstein or single sheet tests. The eddy-current and hysteresis loss coefficients of the improved models are dependent on induction (flux density) and/or frequency, and the errors are substantially lower than those of conventional models over a very wide range of sinusoidal excitation, from 20 Hz to 2 kHz and from 0.05 up to 2 T. The model that considers the coefficients to be variable, with the exception of the hysteresis loss power coefficient that has a constant value of 2, is superior in terms of applicability and phenomenological support. Also included are a comparative study of the material models on three samples of typical steel, mathematical formulations for the extension from the frequency to the time domain, and examples of validation from electrical machine studies

On the variation with flux and frequency of the core loss coefficients in electrical machines

A model of core losses, in which the hysteresis coefficients are variable with the frequency and induction (flux density) and the eddy-current and excess loss coefficients are variable only with the induction, is proposed. A procedure for identifying the model coefficients from multifrequency Epstein tests is described, and examples are provided for three typical grades of non-grain-oriented laminated steel suitable for electric motor manufacturing. Over a wide range of frequencies between 20-400 Hz and inductions from 0.05 to 2 T, the new model yielded much lower errors for the specific core losses than conventional models. The applicability of the model for electric machine analysis is also discussed, and examples from an interior permanent-magnet and an induction motor are included

Flip-chip assembly of an integrated optical sensor

For enabling low cost mass production for photonic circuits, the application of flipchip technology creates huge expectations. We report on the results of a project, having the goal to demonstrate standard packaging technology in combination with integrated optics, entailing demands and limitations different from IC technology. Mainly fiber attachment, but also special features as sensor window accessibility at the top-side of the chip are prohibiting the positioning of the optical layer stack and solder pads at the same side of the silicon wafer. Therefore, feed through technology had to be included. Compatibility issues in combining feed through technology with integrated optics processing have been solved and the feasibility of feed-through metallization and flip-chip assembly in combination with an integrated optical sensor has been demonstrated

Broadband phased array antenna steering by means of coherent signal combining in an integrated ring resonator-based optical beamformer

A squint-free, continuously tunable optical beamformer for broadband phased array receive antennas is proposed. The complete system is demonstrated, including E/O and O/E conversions, and optical signal processing. The latter involves delay synchronization and coherent optical combining, which is performed in an integrated ring resonator-based optical beam forming network, realized in low-loss, CMOScompatible TriPleX technology. Successful combination of four beamformer input channels has been demonstrated by means of RF-to-RF measurements