Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a substrate including a dynamically directable source of radiant energy providing a plurality of beams of radiation, each propagating in a dynamically selectable direction. Independently positionable beam steering elements in a plurality of beam steering elements are operative to receive the beams and direct them to selectable locations on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a substrate including a dynamically directable source of radiant energy providing a plurality of beams of radiation, each propagating in a dynamically selectable direction. Independently positionable beam steering elements in a plurality of beam steering elements are operative to receive the beams and direct them to selectable locations on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a substrate including a dynamically directable source of radiant energy providing a plurality of beams of radiation, each propagating in a dynamically selectable direction. Independently positionable beam steering elements in a plurality of beam steering elements are operative to receive the beams and direct them to selectable locations on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a substrate including a dynamically directable source of radiant energy providing a plurality of beams of radiation, each propagating in a dynamically selectable direction. Independently positionable beam steering elements in a plurality of beam steering elements are operative to receive the beams and direct them to selectable locations on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for delivering energy to a substrate including a dynamically directable source of radiant energy providing a plurality of beams of radiation, each propagating in a dynamically selectable direction. Independently positionable beam steering elements in a plurality of beam steering elements are operative to receive the beams and direct them to selectable locations on the substrate.

Abstract: A laser micromachining system improve the utilization of laser energy by using multiple spectral components or time-altered pulses.

Abstract: A method of recording aligned images on two sides of a printed circuit board substrate, comprising:

Abstract: A method for recording an image on a photosensitive surface, comprising:

Abstract: A system for inspecting a display panel including a plurality of pixels, the system including a selective pixel actuator which causes only some of the plurality of pixels to be actuated, a sensor for acquiring an image of a pattern which is generated on the panel, and an image processor operative to identify nonuniformities in the intensities of pixels of the panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering laser energy to an object, by: energizing at least one laser energy source having a plurality of at least two spaced, active segments to emit a laser beam from each segment, and to thereby output from the laser energy source a plurality of separate laser beams along respective optical axes initially spaced from each other according to the spacing of the active segments, which beams tend to diverge and thereby to overlap as they progress along their respective optical axes; and at a near-field region of the at least one laser energy source or a region optically conjugative with the near-field region, where the beams are still separated and spaced from each other, laterally displacing the optical axis of at least one of the beams with respect to that of the other before delivering the plurality of beams to the object.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a display panel including a plurality of pixels, the system including a selective pixel actuator which causes only some of the plurality of pixels to be actuated, a sensor for acquiring an image of a pattern which is generated on the panel, and an image processor operative to identify nonuniformities in the intensities of pixels of the panel.

Abstract: A testing bed for use in testing printed circuit boards and the like includes a light-transmissive supporting member, a plurality of spaced strips of light-transmissive, electrically-conductive material on one face of the supporting member, and a plurality of probe elements overlying and in contact with the strips. Each of the probe elements includes an outer electrically-conductive contact point for contact with a pad of the article to be tested. A photoconductive material between the probe elements and the strip forms a photoconductive gate.

Abstract: A laser marking apparatus includes at least one laser beam source, a multichannel acoustic modulator defining a plurality of at least partially overlapping modulation regions, apparatus for directing at least one laser beam from the at least one laser beam source through the multichannel acoustic modulator such that each laser beam extends across at least two of the at least partially overlapping modulation regions, and imaging apparatus for directing light from the modulator to a laser marking image plane.

Abstract: An external drum plotter including a generally cylindrical drum having a longitudinal axis of symmetry and a cylindrical support surface disposed about the longitudinal axis, for supporting thereon in generally cylindrical configuration, recording material to be written upon, apparatus for rotating the drum about the longitudinal axis, longitudinal track apparatus arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis; mounting apparatus arranged for longitudinal riding movement on the track apparatus and parallel to the longitudinal axis and a multiplicity of laser diode writing assemblies mounted on the track apparatus and arranged for writing engagement with the recording material while the recording material rotates and the mounting apparatus moves longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An optical inspection system for distinguishing between a laminate formed of a first component having a second component disposed on a first surface thereof, comprising a collection optics including a cylindrical concave elliptical reflecting surface and having a first focal line coplanar with a first surface of the laminate. A light source in fixed spatial relationship with the collection optics directs a first beam of light through an aperture in the elliptical reflecting surface towards the laminate so as to strike the surface along the first focal line and to produce a substantially conical fluorescent emission and so as to be reflected as a substantially conical reflection beam from respective first and second components of the laminate. A filter is disposed near a second focal line of the elliptical reflecting surface for separating the fluorescent emission from the reflection beam.

Abstract: A high resolution two-directional optical scanner, comprising a source of very high frequency light pulses, a first acousto-optic cell for diffracting the light pulses towards an image plane so as to form on a predetermined area thereof a line of pixels corresponding to the data, and a second acousto-optic cell intermediate the first acousto-optic cell and the image plane for intercepting the light pulses diffracted by the first acousto-optic cell and diffracting them towards the image plane in a second direction perpendicular to the line of pixels at an angle dependent on a scanning signal fed to the second acousto-optic cell. The invention is particularly suited for use with flat bed plotters and reduces the need to transport the plotter bed mechanically in order to achieve scanning normal to the direction of each complete scan line.

Abstract: An optical system for focusing a light beam on to an image plane particularly suited for compensating for manufacturing tolerances associated with laser diodes having variable divergence and astigmatism characteristics. The system comprises a collimation lens for collimating the light beam so as to produce a collimated beam in a first plane and an optical shaper having an axis perpendicular to the first plane for correcting distortions associated with the collimated beam and spatially displaced from the collimation lens so as to form the collimated beam on to the image plane. Preferably, the optical shaper includes a pair of cylindrical lenses separated from each other a predetermined distance so as to minimize astigmatism and divergence of the beam.