An ellipsometric apparatus provides two impinging focused probe beams directed to reflect off the sample along two mutually distinct and preferably substantially perpendicular directions. A rotating stage rotates sections of the wafer into the travel area defined by two linear axes of two perpendicularly oriented linear stages. As a result, an entire wafer is accessed for measurement with the linear stages having a travel range of only half the wafer diameter. The reduced linear travel results i...

A mechanical fastener assembly having a first member and an insert. The first member includes a cavity into which the insert is forced. The insert includes a body portion having a non-circular cross section defined by a plurality of arcuate sections. Forcing the insert into the first member, which may be a tubular member, firmly engages the insert with the first member. The first member is securable to a second member by positioning a portion of the first member within an opening in a second mem...

An ellipsometer includes a light source for generating a probe beam of polychromatic light for interacting with a sample. A polarizer is used to impart a known polarization state to the probe beam and the polarized probe beam is directed against the sample at a shallow angle of incidence. A rotating compensator is used to impart phase retardations to the polarization state of the reflected probe beam. After passing through the compensator, the probe beam passes through a second polarizer (analyz...

A chewing gum base essentially free of non-silica fillers, comprising high molecular weight polyisobutylene, optionally amorphous silica and polyvinylacetate and powdered lecithin present in the chewing gum composition and optionally spray-dried flavor in the chewing gum composition.

Gum bases and chewing gum formulations, as well as methods for making same, are provided. The gum base and chewing gums include an edible polyester.

A multidirectional interior illumination lighting assembly is configured for mounting beneath a ceiling. The assembly includes a generally transparent planar acrylic panel and a hollow stringer which retains a panel edge and supports the panel in a horizontal position. The stringer carries a linear illumination source in registration with the panel edge. Additional stringers may be employed if additional edges of the panel are to be illuminated. To increase the direct and indirect illumination e...

A foldable bench includes a first leg frame having a first cross bar, a second leg frame connected pivotally to and intersecting the first leg frame and having a second cross bar, a backrest frame connected pivotally to and extending upwardly and rearwardly from a top end of the second leg frame, left and right toggle mechanisms, each being stretchable to move the leg frames to an unfolded position and being foldable to permit the leg frames to move to a folded position, an upper frame connected...

The electrical candle lamp comprises a translucent candlestick member having a lower end and an upper end, a support member provided at the lower end of the candlestick member, and a light emitting assembly secured to the upper end of the candlestick member. The light emitting assembly includes a base portion, a light emitting device mounted to the base portion and an electronic control unit for controlling operation of the light emitting device. The electronic control unit includes an ambient l...

Apparatus and methods directed to a hand holdable flashlight having a grooved rear cap for being secured to an object, through utilization of an interface device securable to the rear cap and to the object. The grooved rear cap also implements securement of a removable guard for protecting a rear end switch actuator from being accidentally actuated in situations when the flashlight is not secured to the interface device.

Methods and apparatus are described for assessing the reflective properties of mirrors at different angles of incidence without precise knowledge of the mirror's basic optical constants and/or without precise knowledge of the mirror's over-coating prescription. Reflectance values can be accurately calculated for multiple angles of incidence based upon measurement data collected for a single angle of incidence. The approach uses equations based on the Fresnel equations for reflectance in which re...