Abstract: A mercury-containing material, a method for producing the same and a fluorescent lamp using the same that can enclose a minimal amount of mercury in a glass bulb precisely, prevent flaws in a fluorescent coating while suppressing a noise during a lamp transportation, and prevent deterioration in appearance are provided. A surface of liquid mercury is coated with a continuous film made of metal oxide or metal complex oxide by dipping the mercury in a metal alkoxide solution and then heating the mercury on which the metal alkoxide solution adheres. Accordingly, the minimal amount of the mercury can be enclosed in the fluorescent lamp precisely, thus achieving friendliness to the environment. It also is possible to prevent flaws in the fluorescent coating while suppressing a noise during the lamp transportation and further to prevent deterioration in appearance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing audible noise in disc drives during idle periods uses a low-noise velocity profile and/or low noise position profile to govern the movement of a seeking actuator assembly. The low-noise velocity profile is selected to govern all actuator movement and seeking during idle periods, i.e., during internal drive housekeeping operations. The noise level associated with each actuator position in the drive is preferably determined through actual tests and/or modeling and is utilized to determine the low noise profiles. The relative amount of time the actuator assembly spends in the relatively noisier actuator assembly positions may also be optimally reduced thus reducing the overall amount of noise generated by an idle disc drive.