Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for modulating shapes of a substrate, having first and second opposed surfaces. This is achieved by creating a pressure differential between differing regions of the first opposed surface to attenuate structural distortions in the second opposed surface that results from external forces bearing on the substrate.

Abstract: A high-throughput lithography process for creating high-resolution patterns in a polymerizable composition using carefully controlled electric field followed by curing of the polymerizable composition is described. The process involves the use of a template that includes the desired patterns. This template is brought into close proximity to the polymerizable composition on the substrate. An external electric file is applied to the template-substrate interface while maintaining a uniform, carefully controlled gap between the template and substrate. This causes the polymerizable composition to be attracted to the raised portions of the template. By appropriately choosing the various process parameters such as the viscosity of the polymerizable composition, the magnitude of the electric field, and the distance between the template and substrate, the resolution of the structures formed in the liquid may be controlled to conform to that of the template.

Abstract: A method to control a relative position between a surface and a body to form a pattern in the surface that features moving a body to obtain a desired relationship between the surface and the body. To that end, the method includes sensing the surface and the body and moving that body to obtain a desired spatial relationship with the surface.

Abstract: Described are high precision gap and orientation measurement methods between a template and a substrate used in imprint lithography processes. Gap and orientation measurement methods presented here include uses of broad-band light based measuring techniques.

Abstract: A system for shaping an optical fiber with various geometries while minimizing unwanted artifacts in the core of the optical fiber. The system facilitates control of sag in the region of the core that is exposed to a beam of optical energy. The sag is reduced, if not eliminated, by maintaining the cross-sectional area of the core that is exposed to the beam at thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a template transfer assembly and method that features a template transfer substrate, and a template having first and second sides, with the first side facing away from the template transfer substrate and the second side facing the template transfer substrate and having mold pattern formed thereon. Polymerized imprint material is disposed between the second side and the template transfer substrate to fixedly attach the template to the template transfer substrate. The method of transferring an imprint lithography template includes dispensing a selected volume of imprinting fluid onto the template transfer substrate, placing the template upon the selected volume; and converting the imprinting fluid to solid imprint material. The selected volume of imprint material is of sufficient quantity to fixedly attach the template to the template transfer substrate while maintaining a space between the mold and the template transfer substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming an optical coupling device on a substrate by disposing a material onto the substrate that is polymerizable in response to actinic radiation. A stack of the material is formed by contacting the material with a template having a stepped-recess formed therein. The material is then solidified into an optically transparent body with a surface having a plurality of steps by subjecting the stack to actinic radiation. To that end, the material may comprise an acrylate component selected from a set of acrylates consisting essentially of ethylene dio diacrylate, t-butyl acrylate, bisphenol A diacrylate, acrylate terminated polysiloxane, polydifluoromethylene diacrylate, perfluoropolyether diacrylates and chlorofluorodiacrylates. Alternatively, the material may include a silylated component selected from a group consisting essentially of (3-acryloxypropyltristrimethylsiloxy) silane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for patterning a substrate by imprint lithography. An imprint lithography method includes placing a curable liquid on a substrate. A template may be contacted with the curable liquid. Surface forces at the interface of the curable liquid and the template cause the curable liquid to gather in an area defined by a lower surface of the template. Alternately, the curable liquid may fill one or more relatively shallow recesses in the template and the area under the template lower surface. Activating light is applied to the curable liquid to form a patterned layer on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of reducing distortions in a pattern disposed on a layer of a substrate, defining a recorded pattern, employing a mold having the pattern recorded therein, defining an original pattern. The method includes, defining a region on the layer in which to produce the recorded pattern. Relative extenuative variations between the substrate and the mold are created to ensure that the original pattern defines an area coextensive with the region. Thereafter, the recorded pattern is formed in the region. The relative extenuative variations are created by heating or cooling of the substrate so that the region defines an area that is slightly smaller/larger than the area of the original pattern. Then compression/tensile forces are applied to the mold to provide the recorded pattern with an area coextensive with the area of the region.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric connector housing confining a card receiving groove and having a front open side. The card receiving space is configured with first to fifth card receiving spaces, each of which is adapted to receive a corresponding one of first to fifth electronic cards, which have different specifications, therein. Conductive terminals are mounted on the connector housing, extend into the card receiving groove, and contact electrically conductive contacts on one of the first to fifth electronic cards when the latter is inserted into the corresponding one of the first to fifth card receiving spaces through the front open side of the connector housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system to dispense a liquid, contained in a cartridge, onto a substrate employing a dispensing system under control of a processor in data communication with a memory.

Abstract: An apparatus to orientate a body with respect to a surface spaced-apart from the body. The apparatus comprises a flexure system having a first flexure member defining a first axis of rotation and a second flexure member defining a second axis of rotation. A body is coupled to the flexure system, and an actuation system is coupled to the flexure system. The body is coupled to the flexure system to rotate about the first and the second axes in response to movement caused by the actuation system. The movement of the body about the first axis being decoupled from movement of the body about the second axis.

Abstract: A method of determining and correcting alignment during imprint lithography process is described. During an imprint lithographic process the template may be aligned with the substrate by the use of alignment marks disposed on both the template and substrate. The alignment may be determined and corrected for before the layer is processed.

Abstract: A system of determining and correcting alignment during imprint lithography process is described. During an imprint lithographic process the template may be aligned with the substrate by the use of alignment marks disposed on both the template and substrate. The alignment may be determined and corrected for before the layer is processed.

Abstract: Described are methods for patterning a substrate by imprint lithography. Imprint lithography is a process in which a liquid is dispensed onto a substrate. A template is brought into contact with the liquid and the liquid is cured. The cured liquid includes an imprint of any patterns formed in the template. Alignment of the template with the substrate is performed prior to curing the liquid. Alignment of the template with the substrate includes rotational alignment of the template with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of determining and correcting alignment during imprint lithography process is described. During an imprint lithographic process the template may be aligned with the substrate by the use of alignment marks disposed on both the template and substrate. The alignment may be determined and corrected for before the layer is processed.

Abstract: A system for and method of investing a lump sum amount in order to return N periodic installments at a specified confidence level. A set of candidate investment instruments is selected from a universe of investment instruments. Data regarding the returns of the candidate investment vehicles during preceding periods is collected. Based on the data, minimum expected returns at the confidence level (MER) from each investment vehicle at the return date of each installment is compiled. Investment vehicles are selected for each of the N periods, with the selection criteria maximizing the MER for each of the respective periods. A normalization factor is developed that is based on the MERs of the selected investment vehicles, for the associated respective periods.

Abstract: A lithography process for creating patterns in an activating light curable liquid using electric fields followed by curing of the activating light curable liquid is described. The process involves the use of a template that is formed of non-conductive and electrically conductive portions. The template is brought into close proximity to the activating light curable liquid on the substrate. An external electric field is applied to the template-substrate interface while maintaining a uniform, carefully controlled gap between the template and substrate. This causes the activating light curable liquid to be attracted to the raised portions of the template. Activating light is applied to the curable liquid while an electric field is applied to the template to create a patterned layer on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric connector housing confining a card receiving groove and having a front open side, and top and bottom walls. A terminal connecting board is mounted on a rear side of the housing, and is formed with circuit traces that interconnect electrically and respectively conductive vias and solder pads. First conductive terminals are mounted on one of the top wall and an inner surface of the bottom wall. Each first conductive terminal has a first coupling end portion extending in and connected electrically to a corresponding conductive via, and a first contacting end portion projecting into the card receiving groove. Second conductive terminals are mounted on an outer surface of the bottom wall. Each second conductive terminal has a second coupling end portion extending through the rear side of the housing, and a second contacting end portion projecting into the card receiving groove.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of determining a relative position of a substrate and a template spaced-apart therefrom, the substrate having substrate alignment marks disposed thereon and the template having template alignment marks disposed thereon, the method including, impinging first and second fluxes of light upon the substrate and template alignment marks, with the substrate and template alignment marks being responsive to the first flux of light defining a first response, and being responsive to the second flux of light defining a second response differing from the first response; and processing the first and second responses to form a focused image of the substrate and template alignment marks on a common plane, with the focused image indicating the relative position of the substrate and the template.