Abstract: A polarization splitting backlight module for efficiently emitting polarized light beams is disclosed. The polarization splitting backlight module of the present invention comprises a light source, an under plate, a substrate, a phase retardation reflective film, a scattering structure, a thin film and an upper cover. The light beams emitted from the non-polarized light source are introduced into the substrate, and after scattering, reflection, phase retardation and polarization splitting, the light beams will pass through the upper cover being of a single polarization state so as to be utilized by electro-optical systems, such as liquid crystal displays. The present invention converts light beams into a single polarization state, and thereby the efficiency of polarization splitting, as well as the brightness, are higher than that of a conventional backlight module.

Abstract: An optical path overlapping type incident angle changeable optical mechanism according to the invention allows an incident light beam to be incident onto a measured range of a sample within a large incident angle range. The optical mechanism includes a reflecting prism reflecting the incident light beam to generate a reflected light beam having an angle of 90° with respect to the incident light beam; a concave parabolic cylindric mirror guiding the reflected light beam coming from the reflecting prism to a measured range of a detect-waiting sample to thereby be further reflected to generate a detect-waiting light beam; a concave cylindric mirror used to make the detect-waiting light beam incident onto/reflected by the reflecting prism so as to overlap with the incident light beam; and a light beam splitting means used to separate the detect-waiting light beam from the incident light beam.

Abstract: An optical wavefront analyzer based on the phase-shearing interferometry technique for measuring a wavefront of a light beam is disclosed. The analyzer includes a single phase shifter, a driving device, a pattern receiving device, and a phase reconstructing device. A method of measuring a wavefront of a light beam is also provided for solving the problems of two-axial focusing and phase inconsistency encountered the prior art by employing phase-shearing and phase-shifting techniques to improve the method of optical wavefront mesurement. A non-iterative, path-independent unwrapping methodology is used to deal with a complicated wavefront.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the gram load and static attitude in a head suspension assembly comprising one or more lasers, a fiber optic switch, a measurement apparatus and a computer control means. The fiber optic switch includes a plurality of fiber optic lines which direct the output of the laser to well-defined regions on the suspensions in a disk drive. Irradiation of the suspension by the laser causes a load change which alters the static attitude change in the slider. In the method of the present invention, the initial gram load or static attitude is measured by the measurement apparatus and the control means calculates how much energy is required to cause the change needed to achieve the desired condition. Other information, such as the type of laser to be used is also specified by the control means.

Abstract: An interference apparatus is disclosed wherein the high-visibility quadrature interference signals are obtained by making a pair of polarization beamsplitter, a 45-degree oriented quarter-waveplate and four light-beam detected photodiodes. A three-dimensional interference optical configuration is made. The test-surface light beam and reference light beams are traveled on this optical configuration. The test-surface light beam and reference light beams have orthogonally linearly polarization state with each other. After they pass through the quarter-waveplate, one right circularly polarized light beam and one left circularly polarized light beam are produced. The vector sum of these two circularly polarized light beams is again a linearly polarized light beam which is then divided into two light beams by a non-polarization beamsplitter.

Abstract: An integrating sphere ellipsometer includes an incident light polarization control unit, a reflective light polarization analysis unit, an integrating sphere and a total integrated scattered light detector. The incident light polarization control unit and the reflective light polarization analysis unit jointly function as an ellipsometer to obtain information such as film thickness and material complex refractive indices. Concurrently, the identical incident light polarization control unit, the total integrated scattered light detector and the integrating sphere unite to function as an integrating sphere analyzer to measure material defects, surface roughness, surface particulates, micropollutants, etc.

Abstract: A non-invasive servo-write system for use in a data recording disk drive. The system measures actuator position and generates a reference clock using semiconductor lasers. Internal position references are provided by reflective diffraction gratings affixed to the actuator arm and the spindle hub. Wavefront reconstruction optics correct for aberrations in the gratings. Optical sensors detect differential changes in the diffraction patterns created by the gratings, eliminating sensitivity to frequency drift. Decode electronics convert optical sensor data into an actuator position measurement. Control electronics drive the voice coil motor within the disk drive, which positions the write transducer to record servo information provided in a servo pattern generator. Transparent windows in the head-disk-assembly cover allow the servo-writer to write drives which are completely assembled and sealed.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern on a surface of a steel substrate includes the formation of a patterned mask on the surface of the steel substrate. The entire surface having the patterned mask is etched by reactive ion etching such the a pattern is formed on the surface of the steel substrate. The reactive ion etching is brought about by a plasma which is produced in an atmosphere of a chlorine-containing compound, under pressure of 1-100 mTorr, and with a radio frequency power of 100-600 W.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the gram load, static attitude and the flying height of the slider in a head suspension assembly comprising one or more lasers, a fiber optic switch, a measurement apparatus and a computer control device. The fiber optic switch includes a plurality of fiber optic lines which direct the output of the laser to well-defined regions on the suspensions in a disk drive. Irradiation of the suspension by the laser causes a load change which alters the flying height, and/or a static attitude change in the slider. In the method of the present invention, the initial gram load, flying height or static attitude of the slider is measured by the measurement apparatus and the control means calculates how much energy is required to cause the change needed to achieve the desired condition. Other information, such as the type of laser to be used is also specified by the control device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sensing the vibrational response of a slider of predetermined dimensions during contact with one or more surface asperities on a recording surface, separating the response into its individual bending mode frequency component responses, determining one or more bending mode frequency responses which display monotonic behavior with increasing asperity interference, and designing a mode selection sensor optimized to detect the monotonic bending mode frequency identified. The mode enhanced sensor is designed by first analyzing the stress distribution of the slider corresponding to the monotonic bending mode frequency, identifying regions of the slider which experience substantially positive or substantially negative stress, and partitioning the upper conductive layer of a piezoelectric sensor to form a partitions corresponding to each of the identified regions. The sensor may be further enhanced by tailoring the partitions to exclude undesirable stress contributions.

Abstract: A data recording disk drive includes acceleration rate sensing for controlling or modifying one or more disk drive operations in response to external shock or vibration. An acceleration rate sensor is mounted on the disk drive housing and provides direct detection of acceleration rate of the disk drive when subjected to external shock or vibration. The sensor includes two spaced-apart piezoelectric transducers that operate in current mode. The transducers are connected to an interface circuit that generates two voltage signals that are directly proportional to the angular and linear acceleration rates, respectively, when the disk drive is subjected to an external force. The disk drive microcontroller uses the voltage signals to inhibit writing of data or modify the servo control signal to maintain the heads on track during track seeking or following.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the vibrational response of a slider of predetermined dimensions during contact with one or more surface asperities on a recording surface, separating the response into its individual bending mode frequency component responses, determining one or more bending mode frequency responses which display monotonic behavior with increasing asperity interference, and designing a mode selection sensor optimized to detect the monotonic bending mode frequency identified. The mode enhanced sensor is designed by first analyzing the stress distribution of the slider corresponding to the monotonic bending mode frequency, identifying regions of the slider which experience substantially positive or substantially negative stress, and partitioning the upper conductive layer of a piezoelectric sensor to form a partitions corresponding to each of the identified regions. The sensor may be further enhanced by tailoring the partitions to exclude undesirable stress contributions.

Abstract: An optical measurement system for use in a data recording disk drive includes wavefront reconstruction optics which correct and compensate for aberrations in laser beams reflected from radial and linear diffraction gratings. The reconstruction optics include two spherical lenses and two reflectors, one of each positioned on each side of a diffraction grating. Light directed from a laser beam toward the grating diffracts into a +1 order component directed at the first set of reconstruction optics and into a -1 order component directed at the second set of reconstruction optics. The reconstruction optics compensate for the variable yaw angle caused by a linear grating and for the optical wavefront aberrations caused by a radial grating.

Abstract: An enhanced piezoelectric sensor for detecting a predetermined bending mode frequency in the vibrational response of a slider with dimensions smaller than the conventional 100% slider during contact with one or more surface asperities on a recording surface. A method for making the enhanced sensor is also disclosed. The sensor comprises a substantiality rectangular slab of piezoelectric material having a charge response which corresponds to in-plane stress under free boundary conditions. Enhancement is achieved by partitioning an upper conductive layer along the lines of symmetry of the slider's stress distribution, which is related to the piezoelectric material's generated charge. In the preferred embodiment, the conductive layer is partitioned into two electrically isolated regions symmetric about the sensor's lateral axis. The design facilitates the isolation of a high frequency bending component which has been found to be monotonic with increasing surface asperity interference.

Abstract: Laminates of polyvinylidene fluroride (PVDF) are employed as piezoelectric sensors and actuators which can sense and/or generate complex motions that include bending, stretching, and twisting components. The laminates can be attached directly to a mechanical structure whose motions are to be sensed and/or controlled. By skewing the principal axes of each of the lamina in the laminate with respect to one another, the laminate is responsive not only to bending motions, but to torsional motions as well. Surface electrodes are disposed on the top and bottom sides of each of the lamina to either sense voltage generated by the lamina in response to motion imparted thereto, or supply voltage to the lamina to induce motion therein. The shape of the surface electrode patterns can be varied to control the particular components of motion to which each of the lamina is responsive (e.g., bending modes). The polarization profile in each of the lamina can also be varied for this purpose.