Abstract: A micromachining system includes a laser generator, an acousto-optical deflector (AOD), and at least one signal generator. The laser generator is configured to generate a laser beam, and the at least one AOD is positioned in a path of the laser beam. The at least one acoustic signal generator is configured to generate at least two acoustic signals, including a first acoustic signal having a periodic waveform and a second acoustic signal having a freeform waveform. The at least one acoustic signal generator is further configured to apply the first acoustic signal to the AOD to output a deflected laser beam having a Gaussian profile, and apply the second acoustic signal to the AOD to adjust the Gaussian profile of the deflected laser beam to a modified profile.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting information at a data rate, such as for recording an image on a photosensitive surface, including a pulsed light source that produces pulsed light having a pulsed repetition rate and a modulator that asynchronously modulates the pulsed light at the date rate, wherein the data rate is higher than pulse repetition rate.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising: visually imaging a portion of the image on the lower layer; and recording a pattern on the upper layer, referenced to coordinates of the visual image of the portion.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of solid state light emitters and a scanner operative to sequentially receive light from the plurality of solid state light emitters and to provide a time-multiplexed light output. The solid state light emitters are each operated in pulse mode to increase their brightness relative to the light output of similar emitters operating in continuous mode. The time multiplexed light output is a generally continuous output having a brightness that is greater than the brightness of the output of similar emitters operating in continuous mode. The time multiplexed light output is useful in photolithography and machine vision applications.

Abstract: Apparatus far transmitting information at a data rate, such as for recording an image on a photosensitive surface, including a pulsed light source that produces pulsed light having a pulsed repetition rate and a modulator that asynchronously modulates the pulsed light at the data rate, wherein the data rate is higher than pulse repetition rate.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising visually imaging a portion of the image on the lower layer and recording a pattern on the upper layer, referenced to coordinates of the visual image of the portion.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising: visually imaging a portion of the image on the lower layer; and recording a pattern on the upper layer, referenced to coordinates of the visual image of the portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting information at a data rate, such as for recording an image on a photosensitive surface, including a pulsed light source that produces pulsed light having a pulsed repetition rate and a modulator that asynchronously modulates the pulsed light at the date rate, wherein the data rate is higher than pulse repetition rate.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of solid state light emitters and a scanner operative to sequentially receive light from the plurality of solid state light emitters and to provide a time-multiplexed light output. The solid state light emitters are each operated in pulse mode to increase their brightness relative to the light output of similar emitters operating in continuous mode. The time multiplexed light output is a generally continuous output having a brightness that is greater than the brightness of the output of similar emitters operating in continuous mode. The time multiplexed light output is useful in photolithography and machine vision applications.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising visually imaging a portion of the image on the lower layer and recording a pattern on the upper layer, referenced to coordinates of the visual image of the portion.

Abstract: A method of recording aligned images on two sides of a printed circuit board substrate, including: recording an image of an electrical circuit pattern on a first side of a printed circuit board substrate; forming an alignment pattern on a side of the printed circuit board substrate, wherein the alignment pattern has a known spatial relationship to said image of an electrical circuit pattern; determining a location of the alignment pattern on the printed circuit board substrate; and recording an image of an electrical circuit pattern on a second side of the printed circuit board substrate in response to the determined location of the alignment pattern.

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising:

Abstract: A method for aligning an image to be recorded by a direct image scanner on an upper layer of a printed circuit board with an image recorded on a lower layer thereof, the method comprising:

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

Abstract: Apparatus for producing high repetition rate optical pulses, including: a beam generator that produces an initial pulsed light beam having an initial pulse repetition rate; a pulse repetition rate multiplier, which receives the initial pulsed light beam and produces at least one pulsed light beam having a higher pulse repetition rate than the initial rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting information at a data rate, comprising:

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.