[Federal Register: May 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 101)] [Notices] [Page 28452-28453] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26my99-47] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Notice of Government Owned Inventions Available for Licensing AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology Commerce. SUMMARY: The inventions listed below are owned in whole or in part by the U.S. Government, as represented by the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce's ownership interest in the inventions are available for licensing in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 and 37 CFR Part 404 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of Federally funded research and development. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical and licensing information on these inventions may be obtained by writing to: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Office of Technology Partnerships, Building 820, Room 213, Gaithersburg, MD 20899; Fax 301-869-2751. Any request for information should include the NIST Docket No. and Title for the relevant invention as indicated below. [[Page 28453]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIST may enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (``CRADA'') with the licensee to perform further research on the inventions for purposes of commercialization. The inventions available for licensing are: NIST Docket Number: 96-012US. Title: A Device for Spatially-Resolved, High-Sensitivity Measurement of Optical Absorption Based on Intra-Cavity Total Reflection. Abstract: This device permits the sensitive measurement of the optical absorption of matter in any state with diffraction-limited spatial resolution using total internal reflection within a high-Q (high-quality, low-loss) optical cavity. Its use provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of material composition and rates of chemical reactions. The device is especially well suited for thin film diagnostics. NIST Docket Number: 96-025CIP. Title: Intra-Cavity Total Reflection For High Sensitivity Measurement Of Optical Properties. Abstract: An optical cavity resonator device is provided for conducting sensitive measurement of optical absorption by matter in any state with diffraction-limited spatial resolution through utilization of total internal reflection within a high-Q (high quality, low loss) optical cavity. Intracavity total reflection generates an evanescent wave that decays exponentially in space at a point external to the cavity, thereby providing a localized region where absorbing materials can be sensitively probed through alteration of the Q-factor of the otherwise isolated cavity. When a laser pulse is injected into the cavity and passes through the evanescent state, an amplitude loss resulting from absorption is incurred that reduces the lifetime of the pulse in the cavity. By monitoring the decay of the injected pulse, the absorption coefficient of manner within the evanescent wave region is accurately obtained from the decay time measurement. NIST Docket Number: 97-040US. Title: Superconducting Transition-Edge Sensor with Weak Links. Abstract: The invention comprises the use of one or more localized weak-link structures, and damping on the electrical bias circuit, to improve the performance of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TES). the weak links generally comprise an area or areas having a reduction in cross-sectional geometry in an otherwise uniform bilayer TES applied to a substrate. The weak links control the dissipation of power in the sensor, making it quieter and making its electrical response smoother and less hysteretic. The TES response is also made smoother by implementing a damping circuit on the electrical output of the TES. Raymond G. Kammer, Director. [FR Doc. 99-13426 Filed 5-25-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-13-M