Abstract: A method for forming a conductive track on a surface (21) of a substrate (11) that includes providing the substrate (11), wherein the substrate (11) comprises deposited material (23) along a path on a surface (21) of the substrate (11). Generating a laser beam having an optical axis and an energy distribution within a cross-sectional area of the laser beam incident on the surface (21). The energy distribution of the laser beam is non-circularly symmetric about the optical axis at the surface (21). The method further includes directing the laser beam to move along the path to irradiate the deposited material (23) to provide a conductive track along the path. A selected orientation of the energy distribution within the cross-sectional area is aligned with the direction of movement of the laser beam.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a sensor or a filter are disclosed. In one arrangement, a donor material is provided on a support substrate. The donor material comprises carbon or a carbon compound. A collecting substrate is provided. The donor material is illuminated with laser radiation. The illumination is such that a porous material comprising carbon is formed on the collecting substrate. The collecting substrate comprises an electrode arrangement configured to provide an output dependent on an electrical property of a portion of the porous material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a seal are disclosed. In one arrangement, a first panel and a second panel are provided. A sealer material is present between the first panel and the second panel. The sealer material is in contact with the first panel and the second panel along all of a seal path. A first heating process is performed to heat metal particles derived from the sealer material along the seal path to cause fusing of the metal particles along the seal path. A second heating process is performed, separately from the first heating process, to provide a continuous weld along the seal path between the fused metal particles and the first panel and between the fused metal particles and the second panel, thereby generating a seal along the seal path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a sensor are disclosed. In one arrangement, a method comprises forming first and second electrodes on a substrate. An electrically functional layer is applied to connect the first electrode to the second electrode. The applying of the electrically functional layer comprises at least a first step in which a composition comprising a carrier fluid and an electrically functional material is applied in a first pattern comprising a plurality of first sub-regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a conductive track on a surface (21) of a substrate (11). The method comprises providing a substrate (11), wherein the substrate (11) comprises deposited material (23) along a path on a surface (21) of the substrate (11). Generating a laser beam having an optical axis and an energy distribution within a cross-sectional area of the laser beam incident on the surface (21). The energy distribution of the laser beam is non-circularly symmetric about the optical axis at the surface (21). The method further comprises directing the laser beam to move along said path to irradiate the deposited material (23) to provide a conductive track along said path. A selected orientation of the energy distribution within the cross-sectional area is aligned with the direction of movement of the laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of forming a plurality of groups of laser beams (2, 2?, 2?) are defined. Each group (2, 2?, 2?) may comprise two or more laser beams. The apparatus comprises a first diffractive optical element (3, referred as DOE) and a second diffractive optical element (8), the first DOE (3) being arranged to receive a first laser beam (1) and to divide this into a plurality of second laser sub-beams and the second DOE (8) being arranged to receive said plurality of second laser sub-beams and to divide each of these into two or more groups of third laser sub-beams (2, 2?, 2?), the separation of the groups in a direction perpendicular to a first axis being adjustable by rotation of the first DOE (3) about its optical axis and the separation of the third laser sub-beams (2, 2?, 2?) within each group in a direction perpendicular to the first axis being adjustable by rotation of the second DOE (8) about its optical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of forming a plurality of groups of laser beams (2, 2?, 2?) are defined. Each group (2, 2?, 2?) may comprise two or more laser beams. The apparatus comprises a first diffractive optical element (3, referred as DOE) and a second diffractive optical element (8), the first DOE (3) being arranged to receive a first laser beam (1) and to divide this into a plurality of second laser sub-beams and the second DOE (8) being arranged to receive said plurality of second laser sub-beams and to divide each of these into two or more groups of third laser sub-beams (2, 2?, 2?), the separation of the groups in a direction perpendicular to a first axis being adjustable by rotation of the first DOE (3) about its optical axis and the separation of the third laser sub-beams (2, 2?, 2?) within each group in a direction perpendicular to the first axis being adjustable by rotation of the second DOE (8) about its optical axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells each having a width W, which are electrically interconnected in series by interconnect structures.

Abstract: A method is described for making a partially transparent thin film solar panel based on transparent glass or plastic substrates by creating an array of small light transmitting apertures through all the opaque layers by using an ink jet print head to apply droplets of an etching fluid to the top electrode layer to form apertures in the electrode layer. These apertures may then be used as a contact mask for etching holes though the underlying active layer (if this is opaque). In this second stage, the etchant may be applied using an ink jet print head or by spraying or the panel may be immersed in the etchant.

Abstract: A method for dividing a thin film device having a first lower electrode layer, a second active layer and a third upper electrode layer, all three layers being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are to be electrically interconnected in series, at least the dividing of the cells being carried out in a single pass of a process head across the device, the process head performing at least the following steps in the single pass: a) making a first cut through the first, second and third layers; b) making a second cut through the second and third layers, the second cut being adjacent to the first cut; c) making a third cut through the third layer, the third cut being adjacent to the second cut and on the opposite side of the second cut to the first cut; wherein at least one of the first and second cuts is formed using two laser beams sequentially during the single pass of the process head across the device, the first laser beam forming a cut through at least one of the layers and the second laser b

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are electrically interconnected in series.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are electrically interconnected in series.

Abstract: A method for dividing a thin film device having a first lower electrode layer, a second active layer and a third upper electrode layer, all three layers being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are to be electrically interconnected in series, at least the dividing of the cells being carried out in a single pass of a process head across the device, the process head performing at least the following steps in the single pass: a) making a first cut through the first, second and third layers; b) making a second cut through the second and third layers, the second cut being adjacent to the first cut; c) making a third cut through the third layer, the third cut being adjacent to the second cut and on the opposite side of the second cut to the first cut; wherein at least one of the first and second cuts is formed using two laser beams sequentially during the single pass of the process head across the device, the first laser beam forming a cut through at least one of the layers and the second laser b

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells each having a width W, which are electrically interconnected in series by interconnect structures.

Abstract: A method is described for making a partially transparent thin film solar panel based on transparent glass or plastic substrates by creating an array of small light transmitting apertures through all the opaque layers by using an ink jet print head to apply droplets of an etching fluid to the top electrode layer to form apertures in the electrode layer. These apertures may then be used as a contact mask for etching holes though the underlying active layer (if this is opaque). In this second stage, the etchant may be applied using an ink jet print head or by spraying or the panel may be immersed in the etchant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are electrically interconnected in series.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing a thin film device having a first layer which is a lower electrode layer, a second layer which is an active layer and a third layer which is an upper electrode layer, the layers each being continuous over the device, into separate cells which are electrically interconnected in series.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optic coupled X-ray generator comprising:a point or near point source of X-rays; and a microchannel plate optic comprising a plurality of channels positioned with respect to the source of X-rays so as to intercept a portion of the X-rays emitted by the source, and to focus the intercepted X-rays to a spot with a gain of greater than one.

Abstract: A tapered, spherically slumped, microchannel plate.