Abstract: This invention provides a structure and method of forming a seamless imprint roller. The method includes providing a translucent cylindrical core. At least one uniform seamless layer of material is deposited about the cylindrical core. This uniform seamless layer of material is then processed to define a translucent three dimensional imprint pattern seamlessly disposed about the core. The pattern includes at least one structure extending from the core and having one or more elevations. The pattern and more specifically the structures are inherently aligned to one another and the cylindrical core.

Abstract: Provided is a method of making a densely packed light guide ribbon. More specifically, in at least one embodiment, a first clad layer is deposited upon a carrier. A first plurality of spaced light guides are then provided upon the first clad layer. A second clad layer is then deposited upon the first plurality of spaced light guides. A second plurality of light guides is then provided between the first plurality of light guides. A third clad layer is then deposited upon the second plurality of light guides to form the densely packed light guide ribbon.

Abstract: Methods of forming a head assembly, a head assembly, and a linear tape drive are provided. One aspect provides a method of forming a head assembly including providing a base member; forming a plurality of head components upon the base member individually adapted to communicate information relative to a tape; providing a plurality of component regions adjacent respective ones of the head components and a path of travel of the tape; and providing a support region intermediate adjacent ones of the head components and positioned to support the tape moving along the path of travel, the support region comprising a material different than a material of the component regions.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a flexible substrate with an optically transparent compliant media is disclosed. The complaint media includes an optically transparent imprint stamp with an imprint pattern therein. The flexible substrate is coated with a photopolymer material. The compliant media can be connected with an optically transparent belt material to form an embossing belt or connected with an optically transparent cylinder to from an embossing drum. A coated side of the flexible substrate is urged into contact with the imprint stamp and the imprint pattern is embossed in the photopolymer material and an ultraviolet light passing through the compliant media contemporaneously cures the photopolymer material during the embossing.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a flexible substrate with an optically transparent compliant media is disclosed. The complaint media includes an optically transparent imprint stamp with an imprint pattern therein. The flexible substrate is coated with a photopolymer material. The compliant media can be connected with an optically transparent belt material to form an embossing belt or connected with an optically transparent cylinder to from an embossing drum. A coated side of the flexible substrate is urged into contact with the imprint stamp and the imprint pattern is embossed in the photopolymer material and an ultraviolet light passing through the compliant media contemporaneously cures the photopolymer material during the embossing.

Abstract: A method for replicating a high resolution three-dimensional imprint pattern on a compliant media is disclosed. The compliant media carries an imprint stamp that includes three-dimensional features that can be used as an imprint stamp in a roll-to-roll transfer printing process. The compliant media can be made to any size and can be connected with a belt or a cylinder. The compliant media can be optically transparent and the belt or cylinder can also be optically transparent so that a light source positioned inside or outside the belt or the cylinder can irradiate another media that is urged into contact with the compliant media.

Abstract: A method for replicating a high resolution three-dimensional imprint pattern on a compliant media is disclosed. The compliant media carries an imprint stamp that includes three-dimensional features that can be used as an imprint stamp in a roll-to-roll transfer printing process. The compliant media can be made to any size and can be connected with a belt or a cylinder. The compliant media can be optically transparent and the belt or cylinder can be optically transparent so that a light source positioned inside or outside the belt or the cylinder can irradiate another media that is urged into contact with the compliant media.

Abstract: Methods of forming a head assembly, a head assembly, and a linear tape drive are provided. One aspect provides a method of forming a head assembly including providing a base member; forming a plurality of head components upon the base member individually adapted to communicate information relative to a tape; providing a plurality of component regions adjacent respective ones of the head components and a path of travel of the tape; and providing a support region intermediate adjacent ones of the head components and positioned to support the tape moving along the path of travel, the support region comprising a material different than a material of the component regions.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating micron and sub-micron-sized features within a polymer layer of a nascent semiconductor device or other micro-device or nano-device. Small features are directly imprinted with an optical-mechanical stamp having corresponding intrusions. Large features are created by exposing the surface of selected areas of the polymer surface to UV radiation by transmitting UV radiation through the optical-mechanical stamp to chemically alter the polymer, allowing either UV-exposed or UV-shielded areas to be removed by solvents. Thus, described embodiments of the present invention provide for a partially transparent imprinting mask that employs purely mechanical stamping for fine features and lithography-like chemical polymer removal for large features.

Abstract: Methods of forming a head assembly, a head assembly, and a linear tape drive are provided. One aspect provides a method of forming a head assembly including providing a base member; forming a plurality of head components upon the base member individually adapted to communicate information relative to a tape; providing a plurality of component regions adjacent respective ones of the head components and a path of travel of the tape; and providing a support region intermediate adjacent ones of the head components and positioned to support the tape moving along the path of travel, the support region comprising a material different than a material of the component regions.

Abstract: A method and system for fabricating micron and sub-micron-sized features within a polymer layer of a nascent semiconductor device or other micro-device or nano-device. Small features are directly imprinted with an optical-mechanical stamp having corresponding intrusions. Large features are created by exposing the surface of selected areas of the polymer surface to UV radiation by transmitting UV radiation through the optical-mechanical stamp to chemically alter the polymer, allowing either UV-exposed or UV-shielded areas to be removed by solvents. Thus, described embodiments of the present invention provide for a partially transparent imprinting mask that employs purely mechanical stamping for fine features and lithography-like chemical polymer removal for large features.

Abstract: A collapsible hub assembly is disclosed. The collapsible hub assembly includes a hub having a slot formed therein and a first contact surface, a wedge movably positioned in the slot and including a second contact surface. The wedge is movable between a locked position and a collapsed position. With the wedge in the locked position, a material pack is wound onto the collapsible hub assembly and engages the first and second contact surfaces with a first force that fixedly connects the material pack to the hub and the wedge. The material pack can be removed from the collapsible hub assembly by moving the wedge to the collapsed position so that the magnitude of the first force is reduced and the material pack is not fixedly connected to the hub. A lock can be movably positioned in the slot to hold the wedge at the locked position. The wedge can be moved to the collapsed position by removing the lock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for neat winding a film or the like to reduce scatterwinds. The apparatus includes a packing guide for engaging an edge of a film as the film is being wound and a support member for positioning the packing guide relative to a film pack. As the film pack is wound the packing guide aligns a circumferentially outer edge of the film with an adjacent inner edge so that scatterwinds are reduced and the film pack has a substantially planar surface.