Abstract: A device comprising a tapered glass structure produced from glass capillary tube by pulling technologies to generate an optimized geometry for high transmission efficiency of electromagnetic radiation. The device being bent near the tip to produce a cantilevered structure suitable for normal force sensing in a variety of attractive, repulsive and non-contact imaging modes.

Abstract: A method and device for electrical emulation of pulsed laser is disclosed. The device utilizes high voltage electrical discharges of sub-microsecond duration in a liquid medium to produce cavitation bubbles of sub-millimeter size for use in high speed precision cutting. Such bubbles are produced by a micro-electrode (1.6) having a central wire having a diameter of 1 microns to 100 microns embedded in an insulator. A coaxial electrode (1.9) surrounds the insulator, and may be spaced from the outer surface of insulator to provide a path for removing tissue.

Abstract: A method and device for electrical emulation of pulsed laser is disclosed. The device utilizes high voltage electrical discharges of sub-microsecond duration in a liquid medium to produce cavitation bubbles of sub-millimeter size for use in high speed precision cutting. Such bubbles are produced by a micro-electrode (1.6) having a central wire having a diameter of 1 microns to 100 microns embedded in an insulator. A coaxial electrode (1.9) surrounds the insulator, and may be spaced from the outer surface of the insulator to provide a path for removing tissue.

Abstract: A hollow, scanned probe tip is used to write and erase information in a material in manometric dimensionalities, as well as to provide ultrasensitive sensing of the stored information. The material is excited to alter it for writing and erasing, while sensing, or reading, of the stored information is accomplished by highly sensitive force sensing.

Abstract: The invention includes the use of a beam homogenizer (scattering surface) at the input aperture of a tapered optical fiber to avoid hot spots (2) in the tapered section which would otherwise destroy the fiber (10).

Abstract: A tapered, nonconductive structure (10) having a hollow core (18) and a conical tip (14) includes a metal wire (16) within the core (18). The wire (16) is sealed within, and is exposed at the end (22) of, the tip (14). An electrically conductive or semiconductive layer (24) on the exterior of the tip (14) form a point thermocouple contact with the wire. The tip (14) may be fabricated, for example, by placing a metal wire (16) within a tube (12), and heating and pulling the tube (12) to produce two tapered micropipettes. Thereafter, a thin metal or semiconductor film (24) is evaporated onto the outer surface.

Abstract: A three-dimensional scanner incorporates a flat stage for receiving samples. The stage is supported in a scanning frame by four identical quadrant tube piezo-electric scanner elements. Each element is fixed at one end to a fixed chassis and is fastened at its opposite end through a connector to the scanner frame. The scanner elements are operated in pairs to move the stage in an X-Y plane, and are operated together to move the stage in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane.

Abstract: A general purpose force sensor for measuring nanometer scale surface topography and other characteristics includes a hollow micropipette having an inner diameter of about 7.5 nanometers at its tip. The probe includes a cantilevered structure obtained by heating it near the tip to bend it. A reflective coating is then applied to the outer surface of the micropipette.

Abstract: Methods of externally exciting a subwavelength source includes illuminating with a first wavelength of light a material capable of excitation to produce a second wavelength of light, the material being mounted in an aperture movable with respect to a sample. The second wavelength light illuminates the sample, which is in the near field of the material producing the second wavelength light. The method further includes moving the material with respect to the sample, and sensing forces produced between the impinging second wavelength light and the sample for near field optical microscopy. Alternatively, the location of the material with respect to the sample is controlled, as for optical lithography.

Abstract: A method of optically processing a laser beam for in turn processing a substrate with the processed laser beam is disclosed. The energy of the laser beam is altered so that the substrate can be properly processed even with laser outputs of poor beam quality such as low spatial or temporal coherence or unreproducible multimode structure or poor beam pointing stability. The method uses an optical integrator and appropriate optical elements based on the principles of geometrical optics. The optical elements may be aspherical lenses or mirrors whose surface shapes are derived mathmatically based on the desired energy redistribution and based on working in a region where the interaction of the substrate material and the laser energy is known.

Abstract: Methods of externally exciting a subwavelength source includes illuminating with a first wavelength of light a material capable of excitation to produce a second wavelength of light, the material being mounted in an aperture movable with respect to a sample. The second wavelength light illuminates the sample, which is in the near field of the material producing the second wavelength light. The method further includes moving the material with respect to the sample, and sensing forces produced between the impinging second wavelength light and the sample for near field optical microscopy. Alternatively, the location of the material with respect to the sample is controlled, as for optical lithography.

Abstract: A stable, image-retaining, optically switchable film produced from a purple membrane in a high-pH polyvinyl alcohol solution forms an optical memory for data storage. The film, when dry, can be exposed to light to convert BR molecules to their M state, which is stable, and which allows long-term image storage. The image can be erased by exposing the film to yellow light to thereby switch all the molecules to the M state, and then a reverse image can be obtained using blue light. By controlling the location and wavelength of the incident light, pixels can be selected and exposed for information storage.

Abstract: A nanometer dimension light source includes a source of excitation and an active, electrooptic or chemilluminescent material such as crystalline anthracene. The material is introduced into a confined space having molecular dimensions or is shaped to a point of molecular dimensions. The material is surrounded by an insulator such as a glass pipette which also forms the confined space and which also serves as a reflector for radiation produced in the material. An electric field is imposed on the active medium, injecting holes and electrons which recombined to produce light within the small dimensions of the pipette.

Abstract: A stable, image-retaining, optically switchable film produced from a purple membrane in a high-pH polyvinyl alcohol solution forms an optical memory for data storage. The film, when dry, can be exposed to light to convert BR molecules to their M state, which is stable, and which allows long-term image storage. The image can be erased by exposing the film to yellow light to thereby switch all the molecules to the M state, and then a reverse image can be obtained using blue light. By controlling the location and wavelength of the incident light, pixels can be selected and exposed for information storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for highly localized treatment of biological tissue by a laser includes a micropipette having a tip with a central opening having a diameter of less than about 10 microns. The micropipette is mounted on an articulated arm for precision motion with respect to tissue to be treated. Gas is supplied to the micropipette to prevent the entry of liquid, and laser light supplied through the articulated arm is directed into the pipette. The pipette is positioned in X, Y and Z directions with respect to the tissue to control the location and depth of treatment.A protective window may be positioned at the tip of the micropipette to prevent the entry of liquid.

Abstract: A nanometer dimension light source includes a source of excitation and an active, electrooptic or chemilluminescent material such as crystalline anthracene. The material is introduced into a confined space having molecular dimensions or is shaped to a point of molecular dimensions. The material is surrounded by an insulator such as a glass pipette which also forms the confined space and which also serves as a reflector for radiation produced in the material. An electric field is imposed on the active medium, injecting holes and electrons which recombine to produce light within the small dimensions of the pipette.

Abstract: A neural network, and a method of storing information and retrieving it by such network. The network comprises neurons, synapses and switches, and when required also rectifying means. The network is based on a substance which undergoes a reversible change from stable state A to stable state B, and this substance can also be changed from state A to another state C, which change is also reversible, where each change provides a measurable electrical pulse. The change of state is brought about by means of illumination for a predetermined period of time at a certain wavelength, it being possible to convert a desired part of the substance from one state to the other.

Abstract: A nanometer dimension light source includes a source of excitation and an active, electrooptic or chemilluminescent material such as crystalline anthracene. The material is introduced into a confined space having molecular dimensions or is shaped to a point of molecular dimensions. The material is surrounded by an insulator such as a glass pipette which also forms the confined space and which also serves as a reflector for radiation produced in the material. An electric field is imposed on the active medium, injecting holes and electrons which recombine to produce light within the small dimensions of the pipette.

Abstract: The ends of a tapered glass capillary are secured in relatively movable mounting blocks for application of axial tension to the capillary. This mounting enables the capillary to be pulled taut so that its axis is straight to facilitate propagation of X-rays. The capillary is coated to provide flexibility and strength. The ends of the capillary extend into their respective mounting blocks, with at least a portion of each end being stripped of the coating material. A bonding material contacts the glass and the coating material and secures both to their corresponding mounting blocks to hold the capillary in place when tension is applied and to provide shear strength for the capillary wall.

Abstract: A method for the ablative reshaping of material surfaces, including the steps of providing a source of an ablative beam having a given average fluence distribution over its cross-sectional extent, determining the ablation curve of the material to be reshaped, selecting, from said ablation curve, an ascending region having an at least approximately constant slope, selecting a beam fluence from among the fluences comprised in said region, irradiating the material surface to be shaped, and controlling the geometry of the material surface thus being reshaped by controlling the total amount of energy per unit area of said surface delivered during said irradiation.