Abstract: The invention utilizes the changes in physical properties of materials during a solid-solid phase transition in order to actuate microactuators. The substantial changes in properties during insulator-to-metal transitions (IMTs) of some materials are useful for controlling purposes. Methods of using the microactuators are also explained.

Abstract: The invention utilizes the changes in physical properties of materials during a solid-solid phase transition in order to enhance the sensitivity of cantilever IR detectors. The substantial changes in properties during insulator-to-metal transitions (IMTs) of some materials are useful for controlling purposes according to the invention. A cantilever arrangement is provided with a cantilever being coated with an insulator-to-metal transitions (IMTs) material. Bending of the cantilever is achieved when the temperature of the (IMTs) material is within its phase transition temperature range. A Focal Plane Array (FPA) for detecting Infrared (IR) radiation including the cantilever arrangement of the invention is also proposed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed which allow uniform coatings to be applied by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on inner and outer surfaces of cylindrical objects, such as rods, pipes, tubes, and wires. The use of PLD makes this technique particularly suitable for complex multicomponent materials, such as superconducting ceramics. Rigid objects of any length, i.e., pipes up to a few meters, and with diameters from less than 1 centimeter to over 10 centimeters can be coated using this technique. Further, deposition is effected simultaneously onto an annular region of the pipe wall. This particular arrangement simplifies the apparatus, reduces film uniformity control difficulties, and can result in faster operation cycles. In addition, flexible wires of any length can be continuously coated using the disclosed invention.

Abstract: A method of depositing a thin layer of a target material on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises illuminating the material with at least one elliptical laser beam so that a desposition plume is emitted from the target material, then positioning the substrate to receive the material emitted by the deposition plume. An apparatus for practicing the method and a multi-faceted negative axicon for forming a plurality of concentric laser beams are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for depositing a thin layer of a target material onto a substrate by illuminating the target material with at least one ring-shaped elliptical laser beam so that a ring-shaped deposition plume is emitted from the target material, and positioning the substrate to receive the emitted material. Concentric, ring-shaped elliptical laser beams are formed by use of a multi-faceted negative axicon.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making free standing multilayer films by depositing the films on a soluble substrate. The substrate solvent combination is chosen so that the solvent will not effect the multilayer materials. After deposition on the substrate, the multilayer films are cemented to a flat and smooth frame, in which a hole or window of the desired size and shape has been previously drilled. The adhesive, the films and the frame are insoluble in the chosen solvent for the substrate. After the adhesive is set, the substrate is dissolved leaving the multilayer film free standing within the frame. Also disclosed is a method for providing the films with a curvature.