Quantix (United States)

Single molecule arrays (SiMoA) make it possible to detect subfemtomolar concentrations of proteins in complex samples. We describe the basis of SiMoA and its potential application in the detection of proteins, such as botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), from pathogenic bacteria. We also provide a concept for an integrated handheld SiMoA device for the detection of very low concentrations of BoNT in the field.

Patient-specific epilepsy seizure detectors were designed based on the genetic programming artificial features algorithm, a general-purpose, methodic algorithm comprised by a genetic programming module and a k-nearest neighbor classifier to create synthetic features. Artificial features are an extension to conventional features, characterized by being computer-coded and may not have a known physical meaning. In this paper, artificial features are constructed from the reconstructed state-space trajectories of the intracranial EEG signals intended to reveal patterns indicative of epileptic seizure onset. The algorithm was evaluated in seven patients and validation experiments were carried out using 730.6 hr of EEG recordings. The results with the artificial features compare favorably with previous benchmark work that used a handcrafted feature. Among other results, 88 out of 92 seizures were detected yielding a low false negative rate of 4.35%.

Characterization of chemical microstructures is one of the most important applications of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDS). However, one of the challenges this technique was facing is the ability to apply it to wet samples. Typical examples include creams, solutions, suspensions and other liquid containing samples.

In this paper, we propose a general-purpose, systematic algorithm, consisting of a genetic programming module and a k-nearest neighbor classifier to automatically create artificial features (i.e., features that are computer crafted and may not have a known physical meaning) directly from the reconstructed state-space trajectory of the EEG signals that reveal patterns predictive of epileptic seizures. The algorithm was evaluated in three different patients, with prediction defined over a horizon of 5 minutes before unequivocal electrographic onset. Experiments are carried out using 20 baseline epochs (non-seizures) and 18 preictal epochs (pre-seizures). Results show that just two seizures were missed while a perfect classification on the baseline epochs was achieved, yielding a 0.0 false positive per hour.

The present paper describes an Electro-Optical Monitoring System developed for the real time in-situ remote sensing of H<SUB>2</SUB>S over large areas, at very low concentrations in air, well below the hazardous levels.

A laser-based defect repair system developed at Excel/Quantronix is designed to repair photomasks with submicron resolution. The laser of the repair unit consists of a gain-switched Ti:Sapphire system configured to operate at 248 nm. The deep-UV light is obtained by frequency tripling the fundamental Ti:Sapphire wavelength. The Ti:Sapphire laser system generates pulses with temporal duration of approximately 12 ns and pulse energies up to approximately equals 50 (mu) J at repetition rates from single-shot to 500 Hz. This solid-state laser system provides good pulse-to-pulse stability and excellent beam quality, features that are necessary for high resolution repairs. The repair unit is based on a state-of-the-art air-bearing positioning system with +/- 15 nm in-position stability. The accompanying optical system is designed to include a high-resolution microscope providing transmitted light illumination (248 nm and 365 nm) and reflected light illumination. A series of CCD cameras provide high resolution viewing at various magnifications. The system capabilities include submicron repair of both clear and opaque defects in an open-air environment by laser ablation and laser-assisted photolytic deposition. The optical system for laser processing and delivery is designed for diffraction-limited performance. Clear and opaque repair results performed on binary photomasks are presented.

Processes for repairing defects on phase shifting masks have been developed at Excel/Quantronix. The processes are based on DUV (248 nm) laser ablation and DUV laser- assisted chemical vapor deposition. The light source of the repair system consists of a gain- switched Ti:Sapphire laser system. The 248 nm wavelength is obtained by frequency tripling. The all-solid-state laser provides high stability, short pulse duration, and good beam quality required by the repair processes. By significantly improving the optical system, we are capable of repairing features with a diameter of approximately 0.2 micrometers . The repair of programmed defects such as 0.5 X 0.5 micrometers 2 extra quartz phase shifter (with or without chrome on top) and 1 X 1 micrometers 2 phase divots have been successfully demonstrated and examined by the aerial image measurement system (AIMS) developed by IBM. After opaque defect repair, the repaired area exhibits a transmission greater than 95% for both I-line and 248 nm. Clear defects are repaired in an open-air environment with controlled transmission. The deposited films show good uniformity and sharp edges. Extra quartz phase shifter defects are reliably repaired in an open-air environment with the technique of laser ablation by surface enhancement (LASE), which was developed at Excel/Quantronix. Phase divots have been successfully repaired by photolytic deposition of SiO2 in a vacuum system using a single precursor, without the need of an oxidizing co-reactant. The repair techniques developed by Excel/Quantronix have broad applicability to a wide variety of conventional and phase shifting photomasks.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Transparent electron trapping (ET) thin films are optical storage media recently developed by Quantex. A 3-D erasable optical memory based on stacked ET thin film layers is presented in this paper. The page memory is written by properly imaging the page composer onto a specific layer with blue laser light at 488 nm. To read out the memory on a specific layer, a slice of 1064 nm infrared (IR) beam is guided into the ET layer from the side of the stacked layer media. The orange emission (around 630 nm) corresponding to the written page memory at that layer is emitted as the result of the IR stimulation. The feasibility of this novel 3-D optical memory has been demonstrated by preliminary experiments.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Quantex's electron trapping (ET) materials are investigated as an integrated spatial light modulator (SLM) at the filter plane in a joint transform correlator (JTC). The ET based spatial light modulator can detect visible incoherent light, store an image pattern, and modulate the incoming coherent infrared light. Such a JTC architecture eliminates the electronic-to-optical and optical-to-electronic conversion between the square law detector and the next SLM in a joint transform correlator.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.