Abstract: A separable electrical connector assembly includes at least one connector body having a planar array of conductive protrusions. The conductive protrusions can be metallurgically bonded or pressure engaged with conductive contact pads on a surface of a printed circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board or a flex circuit. In addition, a variety of decoupling means can be incorporated to substantially decouple the metallurgical bonds or pressure engagements from stresses produced by use of the separable electrical connector assembly and differential thermal expansion between the connector body and the printed circuit substrate.

Abstract: Method for making Z-axis interconnections between adjacent circuit layers with electrically conductive traces, in multi-layered circuits, include connecting a conducting member of a deformable material to a circuit board layer and depositing an adhesive layer over an adjacent circuit board layer. The adjacent circuit layers are aligned, with the conducting member substantially collinear with the conductive traces of the adjacent circuit layers, and the circuit layers are brought together by pressure, such that the conducting member penetrates the adhesive layer and deforms until it "cracks". The cracking exposes fresh (unoxidized) material that contacts a conductive trace, joining the circuit layers together and creating a low resistance electrical connection. The adhesive serves to bound expansion of the deformable conducting member, reducing any potential contacts with adjacent conducting members.

Abstract: The present invention is a fiber optic cable connector for providing a low cost connector that provides strain relief to optical fibers without compromising an optical coupling. The cable connector has a connector body that has front and back ends. The front end of the cable body has a pair of latching members extending therefrom and a mounting post that also extends therefrom. The back end of the connector body is tapered to form a cable transition member. A connector body cover is provided to protect optical fibers residing between the connector body and the body cover. A fiber alignment block, or ferrule, is provided that has a fiber receiving surface for receiving at least one optical fiber and a connector body engagement surface and an optical interface surface. A plurality of alignment grooves are formed in the receiving surface for aligning the at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: Electromagnetic and electrical apparatuses use a laminate structure having a thermoplastic elastomer with variable dielectric loss as a dielectric layer. A conductive layer laminated to the thermoplastic elastomer allow use for applications such as printed circuit boards and slot antennas. Additional conductive and dielectric layers still allow use as a printed circuit board as well as other antenna structures. Some embodiments of the apparatuses disclosed exhibit many desired properties, such as flexibility, conformability and weatherability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a precise optical fiber cable connector for aligning and connecting ends of a pair of cables. The connector has a fiber alignment block having a fiber receiving surface and a connector engagement surface. First and second openings are provided in the connector engagement surface. An alignment ball is provided and is retained in the first opening. The alignment ball is for aligning the connector with another like connector, and specifically, for aligning optical fibers carried on the connector alignment assemblies.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having an interleaved multilayer structure includes a first connector structure having at least a first connector layer, and a second connector structure having at least second and third connector layers. A plurality of conductive contact surfaces are disposed along edge portions of the connector layers. Upon engagement of the first connector structure and the second connector structure, the first connector layer is oriented to engage a gap defined between the second and third connector layers. The interleaved engagement of the connector layers results in an low-profile electrical connector assembly providing a large number of interconnections between respectively aligned contact surfaces with precise alignment and reliable electrical contact. The connector layers may include conductive contact surfaces on one or both sides of each layer to provide higher interconnection densities.

Abstract: A high-density optical fiber connector in which a plurality of ferrules containing the terminal ends of optical fibers are individually sprung and axially and transversely free to provide improved interconnection reliability. The present invention is a three component fiber optic connector for high density interconnection environments. The first component, a first male connector member, will typically be mounted on an edge of a generally planar substrate such as, for example, a circuit board, and includes a plurality of independently sprung, axially and transversely free optical fiber ferrules. The second component, a second male connector member, also includes a plurality of independently sprung, axially transversely free optical fiber ferrules. The third component, a coupling member, receives and couples together the first and second male members.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optoelectronic device receptacle for connecting at least one fiber cables to optical semiconductor components and a method for manufacturing the same. The optoelectronic device receptacle comprises a receptacle alignment block subassembly and a coupling body. The receptacle alignment block subassembly comprises a first alignment block portion having at least one groove formed therein. A second alignment block portion is provided for mating with the first alignment block portion. An optical fiber is disposed in the first alignment block portion. Each optical fiber is for transmitting light through the optoelectronic interface device. Finally, an adhesive is provided to secure the first and second device portions together. The receptacle alignment block subassembly further comprises an optoelectronic device array optically aligned to the alignment block, and a method of providing electrical contact to the optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a precise optical fiber cable connector for aligning and connecting ends of a pair of cables. The connector has a fiber alignment block having a fiber receiving surface and a connector engagement surface. First and second openings are provided in the connector engagement surface. An alignment ball is provided and is retained in the first opening. The alignment ball is for aligning the connector with another like connector, and specifically, for aligning optical fibers carried on the connector alignment assemblies.

Abstract: A process for forming an image on a transparent or translucent substrate comprising the steps of providing an imageable element comprising a transparent or translucent glass or polymeric film having a coating of a black metal on one surface thereof, directing radiation in an imagewise distributed pattern at said black metal layer with sufficient intensity to substantially increase the light transmissivity of the medium in the irradiated region in an imagewise distributed pattern, said element having no layers comprising a thermally activated gas-generating composition. The image comprises residual black metal on the film base, and may be used for overhead transparencies, contact negatives/positives, and the like.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain diazo compounds. The diazo compounds contain functional groups adjacent the diazo substituent capable of stabilizing these compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having an interleaved multilayer structure includes a first connector structure having at least a first connector layer, and a second connector structure having at least second and third connector layers. A plurality of conductive contact surfaces are disposed along edge portions of the connector layers. Upon engagement of the first connector structure and the second connector structure, the first connector layer is oriented to engage a gap defined between the second and third connector layers. The interleaved engagement of the connector layers results in an low-profile electrical connector assembly providing a large number of interconnections between respectively aligned contact surfaces with precise alignment and reliable electrical contact. The connector layers may include conductive contact surfaces on one or both sides of each layer to provide higher interconnection densities.

Abstract: The present invention is a fiber optic cable connector for providing a low cost connector that provides strain relief to optical fibers without compromising an optical coupling. The cable connector has a connector body that has front and back ends. The front end of the cable body has a pair of latching members extending therefrom and a mounting post that also extends therefrom. The back end of the connector body is tapered to form a cable transition member. A connector body cover is provided to protect optical fibers residing between the connector body and the body cover. A fiber alignment block, or ferrule, is provided that has a fiber receiving surface for receiving at least one optical fiber and a connector body engagement surface and an optical interface surface. A plurality of alignment grooves are formed in the receiving surface for aligning the at least one optical fiber.

Abstract: A thermal transfer donor element is provided which comprises a support, a light-to-heat conversion layer, an interlayer, and a thermal transfer layer. When the above donor element is brought into contact with a receptor and imagewise irradiated, an image is obtained which is free from contamination by the light-to-heat conversion layer. The construction and process of this invention is useful in making colored images including applications such as color proofs and color filter elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deformable substrate assembly for microelectronic components which includes an array of ductile metal circuit traces on a surface thereof. When an electronic component is adhesively bonded to the substrate assembly, and bonding elements from the component contact the traces, the substrate has material properties which allow individual bonding elements to locally deform the traces until the traces penetrate into the substrate surface.

Abstract: Process and materials are described for selectively placing uniform spacers on a receptor. Spacer elements are placed on a receptor by selectively irradiating a thermal transfer donor sheet comprising a transferable spacer layer. The transferable spacer layer may include particles or fibers to form a composite. The particles may have a spacing dimension either greater than or less than the thickness of the transferable layer. When the spacing dimension of the particle is greater than the thickness of the transferable layer, then the spacing dimension of the particles control the spacing distance. The process and materials are useful in the manufacture of flat panel displays, particularly, liquid crystal display devices.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) having an active area for display of information and an inactive area adjacent the active area. The inactive area includes a pressure relief region for relieving pressure generated within the cell, thereby minimizing the effects of pressure variation in the active area. The display is comprised of two substrates, at least one of which is flexible, which are joined at their peripheries. A plurality of spacer members placed between the substrates insures a uniform gap between the substrates in the active area. The spacer members are preferably attached to both of the substrates in the active area, but to at most one of the substrates in the inactive area. The pressure relief region serves to relieve pressure within the display (usually caused by temperature changes) by flexure of the flexible substrate, thereby eliminating distortions within the active area.

Abstract: The invention provides a thermal transfer element having an infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat and process for using the transfer element to generate a colored image on a receptor. The infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat allows for a more efficient transfer of the image to a receptor. The color transfer layer and/or infrared sensitive adhesive topcoat may optionally contain crosslinkable or polymerizable materials that allows one to crosslink the image after transfer to the receptor to produce a more durable image.

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.