Abstract: An energy-efficient method and system for processing target material such as microstructures in a microscopic region without causing undesirable changes in electrical and/or physical characteristics of material surrounding the target material is provided. The system includes a controller for generating a processing control signal and a signal generator for generating a modulated drive waveform based on the processing control signal. The waveform has a sub-nanosecond rise time. The system also includes a gain-switched, pulsed semiconductor seed laser for generating a laser pulse train at a repetition rate. The drive waveform pumps the laser so that each pulse of the pulse train has a predetermined shape. Further, the system includes a laser amplifier for optically amplifying the pulse train to obtain an amplified pulse train without significantly changing the predetermined shape of the pulses.

Abstract: A waveguide device in the form of either a solid-state laser or amplifier is divided into separate pumping and output mode control sections along at least one direction of the device by leaving a portion of a core of the device unclad or by depositing appropriate coatings on different sections of the core or by contacting/bonding materials with different refractive indices to different sections of the core or by a combination of these approaches. The core has a pump input surface for receiving pumping radiation at a pumping wavelength and one or more output surfaces for emitting a laser beam at an output wavelength. When used as an amplifier, the core also has a laser input surface which may be the same as one of the output surfaces.

Abstract: A laser scanning method and system for marking articles is provided wherein control is provided by a single central controller. The system includes a conveyor for conveying the articles in a first direction at a marking station. A conveyor controller controls the conveyor in response to conveyor control signals. A laser and an optical subsystem are optically coupled to the laser for generating a focused laser beam in response to laser control signals. A scan head includes a laser beam deflector for steering the focused laser beam along two substantially orthogonal intersecting axes at the marking station to mark a first predetermined region on at least one of the articles in response to deflection control signals.

Abstract: An energy-efficient method and system for processing target material such as microstructures in a microscopic region without causing undesirable changes in electrical and/or physical characteristics of material surrounding the target material is provided. The system includes a controller for generating a processing control signal and a signal generator for generating a modulated drive waveform based on the processing control signal. The waveform has a sub-nanosecond rise time. The system also includes a gain-switched, pulsed semiconductor seed laser for generating a laser pulse train at a repetition rate. The drive waveform pumps the laser so that each pulse of the pulse train has a predetermined shape. Further, the system includes a laser amplifier for optically amplifying the pulse train to obtain an amplified pulse train without significantly changing the predetermined shape of the pulses.

Abstract: Drilling holes in structures using two different lasers allows a precise hole to be formed quickly. While one laser cuts a hole quickly, a second laser precisely shapes the hole. One useful application of such a method is drilling holes in multilayered structures such as Printed Wiring Boards (PWBs). One laser can precisely remove a first layer (copper) and a portion of a second layer (dielectric material). During this removal the shape of the hole is precisely formed. A second laser can remove the remaining portion of the second layer, exposing a third layer (copper). The use of the second laser can allow rapid removal of the remaining portion of the second layer. When cutting through a PWB, the second laser can be of a type that minimally damages the third copper layer.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for automated production of optical devices comprising two plane parallel optical surfaces of a desired optical performance for transmitted light, by measuring and quantifying the spectral response of intensity versus wavelength across the working surface area of a starter optical device as compared to an acceptable computer model, as a three dimensional contour map of optical thickness based on the assumption of a constant index of refraction, then reducing the high spots by automated means such as polishing, and measuring the spectral response again.

Abstract: The field portion (40) of a workpiece (14) that an electro-optical system (28) can image is deflected by a field-of-view deflector (38) and an array of light sources (42, 44) illuminates the workpiece. As the field of view (40) moves about the workpiece surface, individual sources (42, 44) in the light-source array are so turned on and off that all sources that could be imaged into the field of view by specular reflection are turned off. In this way, proper dark-field illumination is maintained.

Abstract: An energy emitting system includes a housing with a controller, scanner and non-interruptible interface, having a bandwidth of at least 20 KHz and a latency of not more than 5 milliseconds, disposed therein. An interface port receives input at the housing. The controller issues command control signals, including trajectory control signals, corresponding to the received input. The non-interruptible interface interconnects the controller and the scanner, and communicates the issued trajectory control signals from the controller to the scanner. The scanner directs a continuous movement of energy simultaneously in two directions, in accordance with the communicated trajectory control signals.

Abstract: A waveguide device in the form of either a solid-state laser or amplifier is divided into separate pumping and output mode control sections along at least one direction of the device by leaving a portion of a core of the device unclad or by depositing appropriate coatings on different sections of the core or by contacting/bonding materials with different refractive indices to different sections of the core or by a combination of these approaches. The core has a pump input surface for receiving pumping radiation at a pumping wavelength and one or more output surfaces for emitting a laser beam at an output wavelength. When used as an amplifier, the core also has a laser input surface which may be the same as one of the output surfaces.

Abstract: A method and of determining scanner coordinates to accurately position a focused laser beam. The focused laser beam is scanned over a region of interest (e.g. an aperture) on a work-surface by a laser scanner. The position of the focused laser beam is detected by a photodetector either at predetermined intervals of time or space or as the focused laser beam appears through an aperture in the work surface. The detected position of the focused laser beam is used to generate scanner position versus beam position data based on the position of the laser scanner at the time the focused laser beam is detected. The scanner position versus beam position data can be used to determine the center of the aperture or the scanner position coordinates that correspond with a desired position of the focused laser beam.

Abstract: In an optical-radiation patterning apparatus, a scan mirror (29) so deflects laser light from a source (32) as to draw a pattern on a substrate (26). A focusing system (42) forms a light spot on the substrate that is significantly narrower than the line to be drawn, and it thereby minimizes the sensitivity of the line-edge position to variations in light-spot size. To achieve the intended line width, an acousto-optical device (32) introduces dither in the direction orthogonal to the light-spot motion that the scan mirror (30) causes. The focusing system (42) shapes the spot so that it is wider in the scan direction than it is in the dither direction, and this permits a relatively high scan rate for a given dither frequency.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating reference height data for use in a 3D inspection system are provided wherein local reference areas on an object are initially determined and then the height of these local reference areas are determined to generate the reference height data. When the object is a printed circuit board, the local reference areas are located relative to predetermined interconnect sites where solder paste is to be deposited or components placed and from which the relative height of the solder paste or components is to be determined using the reference height data during the subsequent inspection process.

Abstract: A position sensor comprises a capacitive transducer and an inductor connected in series with the transducer. The transducer is a differential capacitor whose total admittance is essentially independent of changes in the sensed position. The total capacitance and inductance resonate at the fundamental frequency of a generator that provides a drive voltage and the resulting voltage across the sensor is thus substantially greater than the drive voltage. This increases the current through the transducer, and consequently increases the sensitivity of the sensor.

Abstract: A material machining system for machining a workpiece (PCB, PWB etc.) for drilling blind vias. The system includes a laser supply system (20, 26, 30) for supplying discrete machining beams (22a, 22b) that are separate from each other. A deflecting devices (28, 32) is provided for deflecting each of the discrete machining beams to generate multiple independent beams at a plurality of positions within a field of operation on the workpiece. A scan lens (34) having an entrance pupil configured to receive the multiple independent beams from the deflecting devices is provided proximate to the entrance pupil of the scan lens. A computer is used for controlling the deflecting devices to change the respective positions of the multiple independent beams in at least one co-ordinate direction within the field of operation. The deflecting devices include galvo/mirror pairs at the entrance pupil of the scan lens. This is accomplished since the scan lens has a relatively large entrance pupil and the mirror parts are small.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system for detecting the angular position of a rotatable member of a motor. The position detection system includes a cylindrical excitation pin attached to the housing of the motor and a tubular signal plate, having a plurality of sensing surfaces symmetrically arranged about the axis of rotation of the rotatable member, which surrounds the cylindrical excitation pin and, which is also attached to the motor housing. A lobed dielectric is attached to the rotatable member of the motor and inserted between the cylindrical excitation pin and the tubular signal plate. An electric circuit connected to the sensing surfaces of the tubular signal plate calculates the relative angular position of the rotatable member from the amount of energy detected at each of the sensing surfaces.

Abstract: A laser clamping system for a disc laser medium that includes two heat conductive members (one of which is optically transparent) positioned on either side of a disc laser. Pressure is applied to the conductive members to restrain the disc from deforming under pumping conditions to reduce the lensing effect. Thin disc geometry allows the thermal load of laser material to be much closer to the heat conductive members so that heat dissipation is generally more efficient than that of other geometric configurations (e.g. rod or slab). In disc lasers each part of the laser beam experiences the same temperature gradient so that there is no lensing effect caused by radial temperature distribution. It has been discovered that any resulting lensing effect is disc lasers is mainly from the thermo-mechanical deformation of the disc itself.

Abstract: An energy-efficient method and system for processing target material such as microstructures in a microscopic region without causing undesirable changes in electrical and/or physical characteristics of material surrounding the target material is provided. The system includes a controller for generating a processing control signal and a signal generator for generating a modulated drive waveform based on the processing control signal. The waveform has a sub-nanosecond rise time. The system also includes a gain-switched, pulsed semiconductor seed laser for generating a laser pulse train at a repetition rate. The drive waveform pumps the laser so that each pulse of the pulse train has a predetermined shape. Further, the system includes a laser amplifier for optically amplifying the pulse train to obtain an amplified pulse train without significantly changing the predetermined shape of the pulses.

Abstract: In an optical-radiation patterning apparatus, a scan mirror (29) so deflects laser light from a source (32) as to draw a pattern on a substrate (26). A focusing system (42) forms a light spot on the substrate that is significantly narrower than the line to be drawn, and it thereby minimizes the sensitivity of the line-edge position to variations in light-spot size. To achieve the intended line width, an acousto-optical device (32) introduces dither in the direction orthogonal to the light-spot motion that the scan mirror (30) causes. The focusing system (42) shapes the spot so that it is wider in the scan direction than it is in the dither direction, and this permits a relatively high scan rate for a given dither frequency.

Abstract: A galvanometer unit comprises a limited-rotation motor, which has axial symmetry of the major motor components including axial placement of the bearings, stator drive coils, and stator back iron with respect to the magnetic center of the rotor, and which employs a cylindrical magnet having significantly uniform properties along its length. The galvanometer employs independently “hard” and “soft” preloaded bearings, which simultaneously minimize axial displacement and account for thermal expansion of the rotor assembly and which improve the overall efficiency of the galvanometer and extend the service life of the bearings.

Abstract: A rotary bearing includes concentric radially spaced-apart inner, intermediate and outer rings whose opposing surfaces define inner and outer ball tracks. An inner array of balls roll along the inner track and an outer array of balls roll along the outer track and a viscous lubricant is present between the rings. When the inner and outer rings are angularly reciprocated relative to one another and that reciprocation is changed, the intermediate ring is moved intermittently in a selected direction about the rotation axis so that the balls recirculate about the axis and redistribute lubricant along the tracks.