Abstract: Various air-actuated components of a disk drive are disclosed. For instance, an air-actuated load/unload ramp may be used by a disk drive and which is movable between a parked position and an operational position. An air-actuated ramp lock may be used by a disk drive to lock a movable load/unload ramp (e.g., one that may move between a parked position and an operational position). Finally, an air-actuated head positioner assembly may be used by a disk drive to lock a head positioner assembly in its parked position. In each of these cases, air currents generated by a rotation of one or more disks used by the disk drive provide the motive force for moving the noted air-actuated component at least generally from one position to another.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a housing and a rotatable data disc within the housing. The rotatable data disc creates a gas flow within the housing when the rotatable data disc rotates. The assembly further comprises a filter at a perimeter position of the rotatable data disc positioned to capture a portion of the gas flow, a first support element fixed relative to the housing and adjacent an upstream side of the filter, wherein the portion of the gas flow circumscribes the first support element and a second support element fixed to the housing and adjacent a downstream side of the filter, wherein the portion of the gas flow also circumscribes the second support element.

Abstract: A multi-photon reactive composition including: (a) at least one reactive species; and (b) multi-photon photoinitiator system; and (c) a plurality of substantially inorganic particles, wherein the particles have an average particle size of less than about 10 microns in diameter.

Abstract: A method for making an inorganic structure including: (a) applying a photoreactive composition to a substrate, wherein the composition includes: a reactive species, a photoinitiator system, and a plurality of substantially inorganic colloidal particles, wherein the particles have an average particle size of less than about 300 nm; (b) photopatterning the composition to define a structure; and (c) subjecting the structure to elevated temperature for a time sufficient to pyrolyze the reactive species and to at least partially fuse the particles.

Abstract: A multilayer imageable article with at least two layers including a multiphoton imageable composition. The composition includes a multiphoton-sensitive photoactive system and at least one of a dye and a dye precursor. The photoactive system includes a multiphoton sensitizer capable of simultaneously absorbing at least two photons, an electron acceptor capable of transformation to a dye-activating species upon interaction with the multiphoton sensitizer subsequent to absorption of at least two photons, and optionally an electron donor.

Abstract: A method for making a highly birefringent optical fiber includes providing a preform with a substantially circular cross section. The preform includes a core region having a substantially circular cross section and a substantially elliptical cladding region adjacent the core region. The outer surface of the preform is modified to create a shaped preform with a non-circular cross section. The shaped preform is then drawn at a temperature and draw rate sufficient to provide an optical fiber with the non-circular cross section of the shaped preform.

Abstract: A detection system determines the position of an object moving along a first direction. The system includes a magnetic field source generating a magnetic field signal and a magnetic field detection system coupled to the object. The detection system includes a source interface module with magnetic field sensors positioned a known distance apart along a second direction different from the first direction. Each sensor detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source and generates a magnetic field signal. A processing module processes the magnetic field intensity signal produced by the source interface module. The processing module generates data for each sensor in the source interface module, which is made up of points representing peak magnetic field and sensor location along the second direction. The points are compared to determine the distance of the object from the magnetic field source along the second direction.

Abstract: A preformed fiber optic applique having a backing layer is provided. The backing layer or film has an adhesive coating applied thereon. At least one optical fiber is routed and bonded to the adhesive layer providing a continuous optical signal path from one end to another. A releasable liner is releasably attached to the adhesive layer and positioned to cover the backing layer including the at least one optical fiber. Microstructures are provided on the backing layer in one embodiment. The microstructures are crushable structures that prevent the adhesive from immediately adhering to a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for manufacturing an optical fiber Bragg grating, which in a preferred embodiment includes the steps of: (a) removing at least a portion of a removable coating on an optical fiber element in at least one predetermined section to sufficiently expose the optical fiber in the section for a subsequent treatment by a source of optical radiation; (b) fixing the at least one section with respect to the source of optical radiation; (c) directing optical radiation from the source into the optical fiber to produce at least one Bragg grating in the at least one section; and (d) covering the at least one section. The present invention also extends to an apparatus for carrying out the process steps described above, which includes means for coating removal, means for fiber immobilization, means for writing a Bragg grating, and means for packaging.

Abstract: A composition that includes the following compounds: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, which may be the same or different, is a hydrophilic group; R.sup.2, which may the same or different, is selected from the group consisting of electron donating groups, electron withdrawing groups, and electron neutral groups; R.sup.3 is a positively charged heteroaromatic ring linked to the triazine backbone through a nitrogen atom in the R.sup.3 ring; and X.sup.- is a counterion. If R.sup.3 is an unsubstituted pyridine, the counterion X.sup.- may be selected from any counterion other than Cl.sup.- and OH.sup.-. Otherwise, the counterion X.sup.- may be selected from any counterion. The compound may be applied to a substrate to form a birefringent optical retardation device. The retardation device may be used in display devices such as computers and the like to correct the phase and polarization states of the display's emitted light and improve image quality at viewing angles away from the normal.

Abstract: A stubless optoelectronic device receptacle for connecting multifiber optical ribbon cables to optoelectronic semiconductor components is provided. The optoelectronic device receptacle consists of a receptacle alignment block portion contained in the receptacle body. The alignment block has a connector coupling surface for engaging the fiber optic ribbon connector. An optoelectronic semiconductor component is fixedly mounted to the connector coupling surface of the alignment block and a flexible circuit is then mounted to the electronic semiconductor component to provide power to the component. In the preferred embodiment, the alignment block contains mechanical features which perform precision alignment of the block to a connector attached to the fiber ribbon cable.

Abstract: A method of making an optical fiber device, which comprises the steps of providing an optical fiber element comprising an optical fiber having at least one thermally removable coating thereon, and thermally removing all or a predetermined portion of the thermally removable coating(s) to sufficiently expose said optical fiber for a subsequent processing step. Following removal of the thermally removable coating, the optical fiber has a predetermined median fracture stress, as measured according to FOTP-28. The optical fiber may then be processed into an optical fiber device and optionally recoated.

Abstract: The invention provides electrographic imaging sheets comprising a substrate carrying a layer of dielectric material which has abhesive properties suitable for the release of a multicolored toner image from the dielectric surface during image transfer, while also having good toning properties during the several development stages of a multicolor toner imaging process.

Abstract: A electromagnetic-power-absorbing composite, comprising a binder and a plurality of multilayered flakes dispersed in the binder. The multilayered flakes include at least one layer pair comprising one thin film crystalline ferromagnetic metal layer adjacent to one thin film dielectric layer. The multilayered flakes are preferably present in an amount in the range from about 0.1% to about 10% by volume of the composite. The composite is useful for absorbing electromagnetic power having a frequency in the range from 5 to 6000 MHz so as to produce heat.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector ferrule that satisfies the existing need for providing an easy to manufacture, inexpensive optical connector having multiple alignment methods is provided. In particular, an optical fiber connector ferrule having a fiber engaging and alignment surface for engaging and aligning at least one optical fiber is provided. The ferrule also has a connector engagement surface. Additionally, the connector ferrule of the present invention has the capability of providing multiple alignment methods for providing compatibility with many different connector devices. Examples of the multiple alignment methods include ball and socket alignment, pin and socket alignment, and edge alignment methods.

Abstract: A preformed fiber optic applique having a backing layer is provided. The backing layer or film, has an adhesive coating applied thereon. At least one optical fiber is routed and bonded to the adhesive layer providing a continuous optical signal path from one end to another. A releasable liner is releasably attached to the adhesive layer and positioned to cover the backing layer including the at least one optical fiber. Microstructures are provided on the backing layer in one embodiment. The microstructures are crushable structures that prevent the adhesive from immediately adhering to a substrate.

Abstract: A line light source comprising a point line source, e.g., a light emitting diode (LED), and a light pipe having a rectangular, e.g., square, cross-section. Light rays from the point light source enter one end of the light pipe and travel along the length of the pipe. The light rays are reflected off notches or step-facets on one of the four sides of the light pipe. The light rays then pass across the light pipe and exit from the side of the light pipe opposite the notched/faceted side. The square cross-section of the light pipe of the present invention preserves the modes emitted from the point light source, i.e., the cone of emission from the light pipe is about the same as that from the light source. The light source converts a point light source to a line light source which emits light rays at a relatively uniform intensity along the length of the light pipe.

Abstract: A conducting structure includes a dielectric matrix with a first surface and a second surface. At least one via extends from the first surface of the matrix to the second surface of the matrix. In the at least one via conductive members are formed which include conductive elements and an optional binder. The conductive elements have a maximum dimension of: (i) at least about 5% of a length of the via, and, (ii) at least about 10% of the width of the via. The size, shape and number of conductive elements in each via, as well as the composition of the binder, may be selected to provide a conductive element with a controlled electrical and/or thermal conductivity, and a controlled modulus, for a particular application.

Abstract: A control jacket houses a line, such as a fiber optic ribbon cable or other conductor, and limits the amount of bending and twisting movement of the line. The jacket preferably includes a multi-dimensional matrix of engagement elements separated by a plurality of gaps and connected by an underlying web structure. As the jacket is bent or twisted, adjacent engagement elements move together into engagement with each other, limiting the bend radius or twist angle of the jacket, and thus of the fiber optic ribbon cable or other protected line. The jacket preferably includes at least one fastening mechanism, allowing the control jacket to be opened along its length for easy insertion and removal of the line as needed. Multiple jackets can be placed end-to-end along the line, to create a composite jacket of any desired length. Additionally, a control jacket according to the invention includes two slideable jacket portions.

Abstract: An optical fiber element includes an optical fiber having a numerical aperture ranging from 0.08 to 0.34 and a protective coating affixed to the outer surface of the optical fiber. The protective coating has a Shore D .?.hardnees.!. .Iadd.hardness .Iaddend.value of 65 or more and remains on the optical fiber during connectorization so that the fiber is neither damaged by the blades of a stripping tool nor subjected to chemical or physical attack.