Interconnection of a two-dimensional array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers to a receiver array by means of a fiber image guide.

The implementation of a 10-channel parallel optical interconnect consisting of a two-dimensional array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, a 1.35-m fiber image guide, and a metal-semiconductor-metal receiver array is described. Transmission rates of 250 Mbits/s per channel are demonstrated with an optical cross talk of less than -27 dB and a loss of -3 dB. Coupling issues associated with image guides are analyzed and discussed.

Postnatal or in utero ethanol exposure reduction of the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area in male rats.

Adult male rats exposed to alcohol in utero results in reduction of the volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SND-POA). Reduction of the volume of this nucleus is also significantly reduced in rats exposed to ethanol postnatally compared to the volume in animals not exposed to ethanol (P less than 0.05). The results indicate that ethanol exposure during the postnatal period of brain development in rats is equally effective as in utero ethanol exposure in development of the SDN-POA volume. This report substantiates others demonstrating the deleterious effects of ethanol consumption during the 'critical' period of brain development.