Abstract: An imprint embossing alignment system. In one embodiment, the system includes a die having a bottom surface, an embossing foil positioned above the bottom surface, and a mandrel, to receive the substrate, having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die. The system also includes a ball bushing positioned around the rod portion and a ring portion positioned between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil.

Abstract: A method of aligning die and stamping substrate for nano-imprint lithography is described. The method includes aligning the die by linearly displacing the die along a first axis using a first flexure member and pressing the die along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis while maintaining coupling of the die with the first flexure member.

Abstract: An imprint embossing alignment system. In one embodiment, the system includes a die having a bottom surface, an embossing foil positioned above the bottom surface, and a mandrel, to receive the substrate, having a rod portion that extends through a central portion of the die. The system also includes a ball bushing positioned around the rod portion and a ring portion positioned between the ball bushing and the embossing foil to hold a precise alignment of a centerline of the rod portion and a centerline of the embossing foil.

Abstract: A method for aligning a disk with an imprinting surface is described. In one embodiment, the method includes passively aligning an imprinting surface with the disk and imprinting the disk with the imprinting surface. A first air-bearing mandrel freely guides a first centerline of the disk into coincident alignment with a second centerline of the imprinting surface.

Abstract: Isothermal imprint embossing system. In one embodiment, the system includes a heater to pre-heat a disk substrate to an embossing temperature, a die assembly with an embossing foil to imprint the embossable film disposed on the disk substrate, and a heat tunnel disposed between the heater and the die assembly to maintain the embossing temperature.

Abstract: A press system that reduces contamination of workpieces and/or compliant members used in die assemblies of the press from the pressing process. The die assemblies may utilize annular or hole-less stampers in which the compliant member is sealed in the die assembly. The compliant member may have be annular having a cavity at approximately its center. A gap may be generated at the cavity of the compliant member between a constraint member and the stamper. The gap, for example, may be filled with a plug to prevent significant distortion of the stamper over a hole of a disk shaped workpiece due to the pressure induced force generated by the press system. An outer diameter ring surrounding a workpiece may be used to prevent collapse of the stampers outside the diameter of the workpiece to insure uniform pressing out to the outer diameter of the workpiece.

Abstract: A die for a press system. The die may include a stamper and a housing, having a cavity disposed therein, coupled to the stamper. The die may also include a gasket disposed within the cavity. The gasket may be coupled to the stamper at a position above a workpiece to be imprinted by the stamper.

Abstract: A die press is described. In one embodiment, the die press includes an alignment mechanism having one or more flexure members coupled to a die to maintain coupling with the die during a pressing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for balancing a disk are described. A balance ring may be a circular band for placement along the inner diameter of a disk. On the outer diameter of the balance ring, one or more clamp structures may extend outward to attach the balance ring to the inner diameter of a disk. The inner diameter of the balance ring may have a number of protuberances that, when trimmed, establish a new rotational center of the disk/balance ring coincident with the mass center. The disk and balancing ring may be mounted on a disk balancing system to determine a mass center and trim the protuberances, accordingly, to establish adjust the rotational center of the disk/balance ring to be coincident with the mass center. The protuberances may be trimmed using, for example, laser energy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a disk with an imprinting surface are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a die which includes an air-bearing mandrel having a tapered nose to engage an ID of the disk, a circular imprinting surface having a centerline concentric with the air-bearing mandrel, and an air-bearing cavity to position the disk. The axial movement of the top die towards the bottom die guides the ID of the disk into coincident alignment with the centerline of the top die.

Abstract: A dip-spin coating apparatus and method is described. A disk is partially immersed into a coating liquid and rotated while the disk is maintained in a substantially vertical plane. Once the disk is coated, the disk is removed from the coating liquid where excess material is spun off at a higher rotational speed while the disk is maintained in the vertical plane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for balancing a disk are described. A balance ring may be a circular band for placement along the inner diameter of a disk. On the outer diameter of the balance ring, one or more clamp structures may extend outward to attach the balance ring to the inner diameter of a disk. The inner diameter of the balance ring may have a number of protuberances that, when trimmed, establish a new rotational center of the disk/balance ring coincident with the mass center. The disk and balancing ring may be mounted on a disk balancing system to determine a mass center and trim the protuberances, accordingly, to establish adjust the rotational center of the disk/balance ring to be coincident with the mass center. The protuberances may be trimmed using, for example, laser energy.

Abstract: An indirect fluid pressure imprinting method and apparatus are described. A stamper having a backside and a front side is provided. The front side of the stamper has a plurality of protruding features. The stamper may be pressed into an embossable material by indirect fluid pressure by applying pressure only to the backside of the stamper.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a removable cartridge device having an elastically deformable, protective enclosure containing a data-storage medium. A normally closed opening or slit extends along a front edge region of the enclosure. The opening is expandable from the closed condition to an opened condition upon application of a compressive force from opposing lateral sides of the enclosure. In the closed condition, the enclosure substantially shields the medium from contaminants in the external environment. In the opened condition, a transducer may enter the enclosure, through the expanded opening, to address the medium. Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for accessing a data-storage medium housed within a resiliently flexible, protective enclosure having a normally closed front edge region.

Abstract: A disc-handling apparatus for supporting a magnetic disc during material deposition and for transporting the disc into and out of a deposition station is described. The apparatus has a holder that supports a disc at three contact points by a support and a pair of arms, such that the disc is positively gripped by at least three contact points.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laser texturing of magnetic recording media are described. The apparatus includes an optical assembly, containing first and second mirrors, which are rotated and optionally shifted during a texturing operation. This optical assembly directs a pulsed laser beam onto a series of focused spots on the surface of a magnetic disk, creating a desired pattern of texturing while maintaining a constant focus of the beam at the surface of the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus for laser texturing the inner annular region of a substrate is described. The apparatus includes a Bernoulli holder for supporting the disc at a fixed distance from a support face in the holder, and a laser beam for directing a pulsed laser beam on the substrate's inner annular region. Also included is an optical assembly for varying the position of such a spot on such inner annular surface region of the substrate.

Abstract: A texturing device for texturing a disc substrate of the type used in forming a thin-film medium is described. The device includes a rotatable assembly having a first pad attached to one end of a spindle and an annular ring having a second pad attached on one surface. Each pad defines a texturing surface for texturing the inner and outer regions of the disc substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a low mass wheel support means for bicycles and motorcycles which maintains motion of the wheel in a constant plane relative to the support frame, without rigid constraint of the axle, in as much as the axle is free to rotate about its own center and equally transfer the displacement of one axle end to the opposite axle end.

Abstract: A disc-handling apparatus for supporting a magnetic disc during material deposition and for transporting the disc into and out of a deposition station is described. The apparatus has a holder that supports a disc at three contact points by a support and a pair of arms, such that the disc is positively gripped by at least three contact points.