Abstract: A light engine (9) for a projection display is provided which employs: 1) at least one light source (25), 2) at least one TIR prism assembly (13), and 3) at least one digital micromirror device (15), wherein: (a) the illumination path (55) between the light source (25) and the prism assembly (13) is unfolded, i.e., the illumination path is free of fold mirrors; and (b) the angle &ggr; between the illumination path (55) and the device's horizontal axis (53) is preferably less than or equal to about 20°.

Abstract: Asymmetric radio frequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance applications are provided. Also provided are time harmonic methods for designing such coils as well as symmetric coils. In addition, methods for converting complex current density functions into discrete capacitive and inductive elements are provided.

Abstract: Removable coatings for protecting glass sheets and, in particular, for protecting LCD glass sheets during cutting, grinding, shipping, and/or storage are provided. The coatings comprise one or more polysaccharides, with the preferred polysaccharides being starches composed of a mixture of amylose and amylopectin molecules. The coatings can be removed from the glass sheets using water solutions, e.g., a mild detergent solution, in combination with, for example, ultrasonic cleaning and/or brush cleaning. After removal, the glass sheets have substantially the same surface characteristics and chemistry as untreated sheets and also have particle/contamination levels equivalent to those of control sheets held in a clean environment.

Abstract: A prosthesis (13) is provided which includes at least two intersecting cone-like bodies (18,20) whose outer surfaces engage the end of a patient's bone (28). Cavities (180,200) for receiving the cone-like bodies (18,20) can be readily formed in the patient's bone with a high level of precision. Through the use of the two cone-like bodies, the prosthesis can have neutral version and yet be used at various version angles without sacrificing the integrity of the patient's bone or the degree of securement of the prosthesis.

Abstract: Asymmetric, compact non-superconducting magnets for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The magnets have a homogeneous region (the “dsv”) which can be located close to one end of the magnet so as to reduce the sensation of claustrophobia experienced by patients undergoing MRI procedures. The magnets can be designed using a hybrid process in which current density analysis is performed to obtain an initial coil configuration which is then refined using non-linear optimization techniques to obtain a final coil configuration. The hybrid method can incorporate various constraints, including, the location and size of the dsv, the uniformity and strength of the B0 field, stray field strengths outside of the non-superconducting magnet, and field strengths within the magnet's coils. The hybrid technique can also be used to design compact symmetric non-superconducting magnets.

Abstract: Screens for use with image-forming illumination (53,54) are provided, as well as methods for producing such screens. The screens include an array of lenses (51), a substrate, and a layer of light-absorbing material (55) in which apertures are formed using aperture-forming illumination (52) which passes through the lenses (51). The optical properties of the lenses (51) and the thickness of the substrate are selected so as to maximize the light-blocking area of the layer of light-absorbing material (55) while allowing long-wavelength image-forming illumination (54) to pass through the apertures substantially unimpeded. The array of lenses can be an array of randomized, anamorphic microlenses.

Abstract: Methods of forming plasma addressed liquid crystal display ribs are disclosed. An exemplary method includes introducing a glass paste which includes a curable medium into cavities formed in an intaglio collector to define rib structures, which are from the collector to a surface of the substrate, and removing the curable medium from the rib structures on the substrate surface to generate pores in the rib structures. The substrate having rib structures is then dipped into a solution containing an opaque pigment which is absorbed into the rib structure.

Abstract: A method for edge finishing glass sheets. Glass sheets are separated into desired sizes, after which the edges of the glass sheets are finished using first grinding wheels to grind the edges, followed by polishing wheels to round off the ground edges by contacting and moving the edges of the glass sheet against stationary rotating grinding and polishing wheels which are each oriented approximately parallel to the major surface of the glass sheet.

Abstract: A method for edge finishing glass sheets. Glass sheets are separated into desired sizes, after which the edges of the glass sheets are finished using first grinding wheels to grind the edges, followed by polishing wheels to round off the ground edges by contacting and moving the edges of the glass sheet against stationary rotating grinding and polishing wheels which are each oriented approximately parallel to the major surface of the glass sheet.

Abstract: Asymmetric tesseral coils and sets for magnetic resonance applications are provided. Also provided are methods for designing such coils, as well as coils generating arbitrary field profiles. In certain embodiments, the coils are rigorously constrained to have finite dimensions.

Abstract: An optical assembly (11) is formed by individually positioning a plurality of prisms (15) using mechanical reference surfaces (19) which are associated with the prism's diagonal (13) and are preferably formed by extensions of a first sub-prism (17A) beyond a second sub-prism (17B). The mechanical references surfaces and a first side of the prism engage fixed mechanical references (23) associated with a housing. A locking element (21) engages a second side of the prism and forces the mechanical reference surfaces and the first side of the prism against the fixed mechanical references to achieve accurate positioning of the prism's diagonal (13).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for regulating the melanin content of mammalian melanocytes; regulating pigmentation in mammalian skin, hair, wool or fur; treating or preventing various skin and proliferative disorders; by administration of various compounds, including alcohols, diodls and/or triols and their analogues.

Abstract: Plasma addressed liquid crystal display ribs are formed by a method which includes forming a temporary mask on portions of a surface of a substrate, depositing a layer of a glass paste having a curable medium and at least one pigment blended therein over the substrate and temporary mask, micro-molding rib structures from the glass paste on the substrate surface in areas between the masked sections, removing any residual layer of paste material present on the temporary mask, removing the temporary mask from the substrate, and firing the substrate with micro-molded rib structures thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for separating a pane (11) of a brittle material from a moving ribbon (13) of the material without contact between the newly-formed leading edge of the ribbon and the newly-formed trailing edge of the pane. The apparatus includes a pane engaging assembly (15), a transporter (29), and a connector assembly (31) which together ensure that the pane (11) and the sheet (13) do not contact each other once separation occurs. In this way, edge chipping and the resulting occurrence of surface defects on the separated pane are decreased.

Abstract: An assembly of rib structures sandwiched between a dielectric glass layer and a glass substrate for use in a flat panel display, such as plasma addressed liquid crystal (PALC) displays, is formed by a number of methods. One method includes molding thermoplastic glass frit containing paste into rib structures, transferring the rib structures to a thin transparent layer of a thermoplastic dielectric glass frit containing composition on a drum, and transferring the rib structures with the thin transparent dielectric glass layer to a glass substrate having metallic electrodes already formed thereon.

Abstract: Telecentric projection lenses for use with pixelized panels (PP) are provided. The projection lenses have a negative first unit (U1) which has at least one negative meniscus element (N1) having at least one aspheric surface and a positive second unit (U2) which has at least one positive element (P1) having at least one aspheric surface. The lens' aperture stop (AS) is located between the two units, and a third lens unit (U3) may be used in the vicinity of the aperture stop to improve the correction of axial color. The lenses have small forward vertex distances, small clear apertures, and long back focal lengths which make them particularly well-suited for use in the manufacture of compact projection systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to fused silica having low compaction under high energy irradiation, particularly adaptable for use in photolithography applications.

Abstract: Methods for producing high purity fused silica (HPFS) glass having desired levels of dissolved hydrogen are provided. The methods involve measuring the level of hydrogen in the cavity of the furnace used to produce the glass and controlling the pressure within the furnace and/or gas flows to the furnace's burners so that the measured concentration has a desired value. In this way, the level of dissolved hydrogen in the glass can be controlled since, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a direct correlation between the hydrogen concentration in the cavity atmosphere and level of dissolved hydrogen in the glass.

Abstract: Containers (19) are provided for packaging flexible substrates (13) such as the glass substrates used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. The containers include arc-shaped grooves (25) which apply an elastic strain to the substrates. The elastic strain stiffens the substrates and thus reduces the likelihood of damage to the substrates as a result of vibration during transport or sagging when held horizontally. Through the use of such grooves, dense packaging of large, thin substrates is achieved.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for implanting in the body is provided wherein the socket portion of the joint can have various orientations with respect to the patient's anatomy, and the orientation used for a particular patient can be selected and/or changed in situ, that is, during or after implantation of the joint. In addition, the configuration of the joint, e.g., constrained versus semi-constrained, as well as the materials making up the socket portion of the joint, e.g., plastic versus metal, can be selected and/or changed in situ. The questions raised in reexamination request Nos. 90/004,732, filed Aug. 26, 1997 and 90/005,596, filed Jun. 22, 1999, have been considered and the results are reflected in this reissue.