Abstract: The invention provides a method and a device (10) for distinguishing a specific binding from a less specific binding between at least one magnetic nanoparticle (11) and a surface of another entity by applying a magnetic field and detecting a physical parameter relating to magnetic nanoparticle rotational or motional freedom while the magnetic nanoparticle (11) is attached to the surface. The method and device (10) may be applied to in-vivo and in-vitro biomolecular diagnostics. The sensor (10) according to the present invention combines in one sensor (10) the detection of magnetic particles or labels (11) and determination of the binding quality and the properties of magnetic particles or labels (11) which are bound to the surface of another entity.

Abstract: A disk drive comprises a turning mechanism (3 to 8) adapted to provide a pulse to the side of the disk (D) resting on a tray (2) in a position outside the center so as to provide an upward and rotating movement to the disk in order to turn it over. The turning mechanism may include a pulse member (3) acting directly on the disk. In an embodiment, the turning mechanism is pneumatic, the pulse member being a nozzle adapted to direct a pressurized gas pulse at the disk. Tests have shown that exerting an eccentric pulse on the disk results in flipping the disk over reliably and quickly.

Abstract: Magneto-optical device comprising a magneto-optical read and/or write head with a coil (5), and a means for generating a laser beam (1), wherein the laser beam is passed through an aperture (12) in the coil (5) during operation, characterized in that the coil holder comprises a recess at or around the position of the optical center of the coil, and a lens (4) extends, viewed from the disk, behind the coil, overlapping the coil at least partly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display for displaying pre-recorded images. The display comprises at least one image stack comprising at least one image sub-stack (13, 14, 15). The image sub-stack comprises a material which optical properties depend on a potential difference (V1) applied between two electrodes (13, 15), wherein said image sub-stack can be locally altered in order to record an image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scanning device for scanning an information carrier comprising a plurality of information layers which optical properties depend on a potential difference applied between two electrodes. The optical scanning device comprises a fixed part comprising means (302) for generating a signal comprising information about a selected information layer, and a rotating part comprising means (301) for receiving the information carrier. The receiving means comprise a plurality of contacts (311-318) for connecting the electrodes, means (303) for detecting the signal, means (304) for decoding the signal and means (304) for applying a potential difference between the contacts connected to the electrodes corresponding to the selected information layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier comprising at least two information stacks. Each stack comprises a first electrode (11, 15), a second electrode (13, 17) and an information layer (12, 16) between the first and second electrodes. The information layer comprises molecules which can be rotated when a suitable potential difference is applied between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier comprising at least one information layer which optical properties depend on a potential difference applied between two electrodes (531,532). The information carrier is intended to be scanned by an optical scanning device comprising means for generating a signal comprising information about a selected information layer. The information carrier comprises means (51) for receiving this signal, means (521) for decoding this signal and means (522-524) for applying a potential difference between the electrodes corresponding to the selected information layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier for scanning information by means of an optical beam having a wave-length. The information carrier comprises a central hole (11) and at least two information stacks (13, 14) rolled up around said hole. Each information stack comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a material whose optical properties at the wavelength of the optical beam depend on a potential difference applied between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information carrier for scanning information by means of an optical beam having a wavelength. The information carrier comprises at least two information stacks. Each stack comprises a counter electrode (13, 17), an electrolyte layer (12, 16) and an information layer (11, 15). The information layer comprises an electrochromic material whose optical properties at the wavelength of the optical beam depend on a potential difference applied between the information layer and the counter electrode.

Abstract: An optical recording and reading system for use with an optical data storage medium (5) is described. The system comprises the medium (5) having a recording stack (9), formed on a substrate (8). The recording stack (9) is suitable for recording by means of a focused radiation beam (1) with a wavelength ? in air. The recording stack (9) has a first optical surface (6) most remote from the substrate (8). An optical head (3), with an objective (2) having a numerical aperture NA>0.8 and from which objective (2) the focused radiation beam emanates (1) during recording, is (2) arranged on the recording stack (9) side of said optical data storage medium (5). The objective has a second optical surface (7) closest to the recording stack (9), and is adapted for recording/reading at a free working distance dF of smaller than 50 ?m from the first optical surface (6).