Abstract: A diffractive homogenizer is provided for receiving a beam of laser energy and producing a desired illumination pattern in a target plane. The homogenizer is made up of a plurality of diffractive sub-elements, each of which contributes to all or a portion of the desired image. By combining the contributions of many sub-elements to form the final image, a homogenizing effect is realized. In preferred embodiments, the sub-elements are designed to compensate for the finite spatial coherence of the incident laser beam and to control the numerical aperture distribution of the transmitted light. Each sub-element is composed of a large number of discrete pixels, each of which alters the phase of radiation passing therethrough by a selected amount. The pixel arrangement is chosen, using computer modeling and optimization techniques, such that the interference pattern created by the collective pixels in a sub-element makes up the desired image (or a portion thereof).

Abstract: A flexible circuit carrier including at least one layer of polymer dielectric material, at least one layer of conductive material thereover, each layer having two major surfaces, at least one of said layers having at least one aperture therein, wherein at least one layer has a material coated on at least a portion thereof having a Young's Modulus of from about 100 to about 200 GPa, a dielectric constant (between 45 MHz and 20 GHz) of from about 8 to about 12, and a Vickers hardness of from about 2000 to about 9000 kg/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: A method for electroplating of a substrate traveling in a substrate direction. The method comprises directing a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream respectively across the first and second width portions of the substrate. The first and second fluid streams do not flow substantially cocurrently with nor countercurrently to the substrate direction.

Abstract: A fast-drying ink-receptive sheet having a coating comprising a blend of from about 35% to about 85% of at least one hydrophilic liquid absorbent polymer and from about 15% to about 65% of a polyethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, having a preferred acrylic acid level of at least about 10%; such coating can be used alone, or preferably such coating is part of a coating system also including an ink-transmissive upper layer which provides improved mud-cracking properties.

Abstract: A shaped article having EMI shielding properties, having been shaped by thermoforming of a planar sheet, and having a shape requiring the planar sheet to exhibit a stretch ratio of at least about 300%, and up to about 500%. The article consists essentially of a fibrous metal mat substantially surrounded by a fiber-coat and a polymeric carrier for support of the mat. The fiber mat may also be embedded into the carrier material. The fiber-coat may be sprayed onto the mat or, as a thermoplastic material, may be forced together with the metal fiber mat to surround it, and such procedure may take place before or after attachment to the carrier material.

Abstract: A non-tacky electrical stress control material comprisinga) about 100 parts of a resin component containing1) from about 20% to about 80% of an epihalohydrin polymer, and2) correspondingly, from about 80% to about 20% of an insulating silicone polymer having a tan .delta. of less than one,b) from about 10 to about 200 parts of a filler, said filler being nonconductive at room temperature, selected from the group consisting of barium titanate and hydrated aluminum silicate, andc) from 0 to 30 parts of a plasticizer.

Abstract: Ink-receptive compositions of the invention containa) at least one nonionic silicone surfactant having the formulas: ##STR1## or the formula(CH.sub.3 Si).sub.y-2 ?(OSi(CH.sub.3).sub.2).sub.x/y O-PEwherein x is an integer from about 40 to about 200, and y is an integer from about 3 to about 15, and PE represents the formula--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n Zm being an integer of from 1 to about 40, n having a value of from 0 to about 40 minus m, and Z is hydrogen or an alkyl radical having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, andb) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxycellulose and substituted hydroxycellulose polymers,such composition being crosslinkable when coated onto a substrate and subjected to temperatures of at least about 90.degree. C.

Abstract: A heat-resistant anti-static pressure-sensitive adhesive tape comprising a substrate having coated thereon an acrylic microparticulate adhesive having an average diameter of at least about 1 micrometer, wherein the microparticles have a surface bearing thereon a conductive material formed from a polymer electrolyte base polymer, and at least one ionic salt selected from the group consisting of salts of alkali metals and salts of alkaline earth metals, and at least one thermal stabilizer selected from the group consisting of hindered amines, salts of substituted toluimidazoles, and mixtures thereof, said substituted toluimidazoles having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a methyl group, an ethyl group and a propyl group, R.sub.

Abstract: A composite tack-free film having a film substrate with opposing surfaces, bearing on at least one of said surfaces a highly crosslinked, film-forming acrylate composition containing from about 25 to about 78 of at least one lower alkyl (meth)acrylate ester and from about 10 to about 60 percent vinyl acetate and at least about 1 percent of a polar monomer, wherein the acrylate composition is capable of attaching temporarily to polyimide film surface to provide a substantially air-tight seal and being cleanly removable from said polyimide film surface leaving no visible residue, even after being subjected to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A latex antistatic adhesive comprising an emulsion of polymerized microdrops dispersed in an aqueous medium, having an average diameter less than about 0.1 .mu.m, and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from about -120.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C., wherein the polymerized microdrops are derived from emulsion microdrops of reactive monomers, said adhesive including at least one (meth)acrylic monomer, at least one polar monomer, at least one reactive oligomer and at least 1% of a lithium salt.

Abstract: A thermoformable add-on EMI shielding sheet comprising a carrier material selected from polymeric films and fibrous webs having the capability of becoming porous when thermoformed, having a metal mat at least partially embedded therein, comprising a plurality of fine, randomly-oriented metal fibers, the carrier material having a softening temperature lower than the highest temperature reached during the thermoforming process.

Abstract: A flexible carrier tape for storage and delivery of components by an advancement mechanism, comprises a strip portion, a plurality of aligned pockets spaced along the strip portion for carrying the components, a layer of a static dissipative acrylic polymer on the strip portion, and a cover releasably, adhesively bonded to the strip portion and covering the plurality of pockets. The acrylic polymer may also be used to reduce the temperature at which the cover is bonded to the strip portion.

Abstract: An imaging manifold suitable for use in imaging devices such as electrostatic machines, ink jet, thermal transfer, and similar devices. Preferred imaging manifolds include a transparent, polymeric sheet imageable in an imaging device, and attached thereto, an opaque member underlying and in register with the transparent sheet. The opaque member is adhered to the transparent polymeric sheet by an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A non-tacky electrical stress control material comprisinga) about 100 parts of a resin component containing1) from about 20% to about 80% of an epihalohydrin polymer, and2) correspondingly, from about 80% to about 20% of an insulating silicone polymer having a tan .delta. of less than one,b) from about 10 to about 200 parts of a filler, said filler being nonconductive at room temperature, selected from the group consisting of barium titanate and hydrated aluminum silicate, andc) from 0 to 30 parts of a plasticizer.

Abstract: An elastically recoverable elastomeric splice cover suitable for use covering a joint connector in a cable conductor having a central body with two distal opposing geometric cones capped by extended endseals, and formed from three contiguous layers,a) a semiconductive outer shield layer,b) an inner toroidal electrode disposed along a central axis having a length less than that of the body,c) and interposed therebetween, an intermediate insulative layer having a length equal to that of the body and geometric cones. The outer shield layer and electrode are formed from a thermally conductive silicone elastomer, and all of the layers are formed from a silicone elastomer having a tear strength of at least about 15 N/mm, and an elongation of at least about 400%. The insulative layer further includes from about 10% to about 35% of an electrically insulative filler, and has a minimum thermal conductivity of at least about 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to optically transmissive, silica-containing compositions which exhibit a small change of refractive index with respect to temperature changes (dn.sub.g /dT). The compositions are derived from silica sols dispersed in liquid organic polymers. The invention relates to optical systems comprising a plurality of elements that are optically interconnected by means of the inventive composition. An especially preferred embodiment of the invention is the use of the composition within a connector to simultaneously align and join optical fibers.

Abstract: A high speed signal transmission cable including spaced, parallel conductors and an insulation layer comprising blown micro fiber web surrounding the conductors, preferably further including a layer of another dielectric material surrounding the microfiber material.

Abstract: A test socket for temporary connection of a ball grid array integrated circuit device to a test circuit includes an array of contacts each including two cantilever arms biased toward each other and terminating in tips adapted to capture one ball of the device.