Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus that includes a first and second laser source. The first and second laser sources are each operable to cut a substrate and are each independently movable with respect to one another. Further, the first and second laser sources are included within a multitude of laser sources that are arranged in a circular array.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting surface features is disclosed. The apparatus may include a plurality of strands configured to contain light and further configured to transmit light from a light source to a surface of an article. The apparatus may also include a detector configured to receive light reflected from the surface of the article via the plurality of strands, wherein the detector is further configured to detect features associated with the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including an excitation arm including excitation optics; a collection arm including collection optics, wherein the excitation arm and the collection arm are geometrically off-axis from one another for independent control of the excitation optics or the collection optics; and a full-surface spectroscopic analyzer to analyze a thin-film over an article from Raman-scattered light collected by the collection optics.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus including an imaging lens assembly configured to collect reflected light from a surface of an article; an image sensor configured to receive reflected light from the imaging lens assembly, wherein the imaging lens assembly and the image sensor are each arranged at different angles for focusing on substantially an entire surface of an article; and a processing means configured to process signals from the image sensor corresponding to polarized reflected light and subsequently generate one or more features maps.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, comprising a first photon emitter configured to emit photons into an article from a circumferential edge of the article, and a photon detector array configured to detect photons scattered from features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article at a number of azimuthal angles; and a processing element configured to process photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article and generate one or more surface features maps for the article from the photon-detector-array signals corresponding to the photons scattered from the surface features of the article.

Abstract: A three dimensional magnetic recording media can consist of a coupling layer disposed between first and second vertically stacked recording layers. The coupling layer can provide exchange or antiferromagnetic coupling and allow the respective recording layers to be individually heat selected to different first and second coupling strengths through application of heat from a heat source.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article. In addition, the apparatus includes a photon detector array configured to receive photons scattered from surface features and magnetic features of the article. The photon detector array is configured to provide information for mapping the magnetic features.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured for sequentially emitting a first set of photons and a second set of photons onto a surface of an article. In addition, a photon detector array is configured to focus the first set of photons scattered from surface features of the article in a first focal plane. The photon detector array is further configured to focus the second set of photons scattered from surface features of the article in a second focal plane, wherein the first set of photons scattered is different from the second set of photons scattered. The photon detector array is further configured to provide information for distinguishing foreign surface features of the article from native surface features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus including a photon emitter configured for reflecting photons from a surface of an article onto a first reflective surface. In addition, a second reflective surface is configured for reflecting photons from the surface of the article back onto the surface of the article. The apparatus also includes a detector configured to provide information corresponding to photons scattered from features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article, a photon detector array configured to receive photons from surface features of the article; and a processing means configured for processing photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from the surface features and photons fluoresced from the surface features, wherein the processing means is further configured for classifying the surface features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a reflective surface configured to reflect photons onto a surface of an article, a stage configured to support the article, and an assembly. The assembly is configured to radiate photons through the article to the reflective surface. The assembly is further configured to image the article with irradiance of the photons.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including an optical characterization device; a photon detector array configured to sequentially receive a first set of photons scattered from surface features of an article and a second set of photons scattered from surface features of the article and subsequently processed by the optical characterization device; and a chemical characterization means for chemically characterizing the surface features of the article, wherein the chemical characterization means is configured for processing the first set of photons received by the photon detector array and the second set of photons received by the photon detector array.

Abstract: A three dimensional magnetic recording media can consist of a coupling layer disposed between first and second vertically stacked recording layers. The coupling layer can provide exchange or antiferromagnetic coupling and allow the respective recording layers to be individually heat selected to different first and second coupling strengths through application of heat from a heat source.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including at least two photon emitters, each with a preselected polarization orientation, and configured to emit polarized photons onto a surface of an article, and a processing means configured to process photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article, and generate one or more surface features maps for the article from the photon-detector-array signals corresponding to the photons scattered from the surface features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article at a number of azimuthal angles; and a processing element configured to process photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article and generate one or more surface features maps for the article from the photon-detector-array signals corresponding to the photons scattered from the surface features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured to emit photons onto a surface of an article at a number of azimuthal angles; and a processing element configured to process photon-detector-array signals corresponding to photons scattered from surface features of the article and generate one or more surface features maps for the article from the photon-detector-array signals corresponding to the photons scattered from the surface features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a mapping means for generating a map of locations of surface features of an article based on photon-detector signals corresponding to photons scattered from the surface features of the article, and a surface feature manager. The surface manager is configured to locate a predetermined surface feature of the surface features of the article based, at least in part, on the map of the surface features locations, irradiate photons of a first power onto the location of the predetermined surface feature to analyze the predetermined surface feature, and irradiate photons of a second power onto the location of the predetermined surface feature to remove the predetermined surface feature.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon emitter configured for sequentially emitting a first set of photons and a second set of photons onto a surface of an article. In addition, a photon detector array is configured to focus the first set of photons scattered from surface features of the article in a first focal plane. The photon detector array is further configured to focus the second set of photons scattered from surface features of the article in a second focal plane, wherein the first set of photons scattered is different from the second set of photons scattered. The photon detector array is further configured to provide information for distinguishing foreign surface features of the article from native surface features of the article.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a photon detector array; and a processing means configured for processing photon-detector-array signals corresponding to a first set of photons scattered from surface features of an article focused in a first focal plane and a second set of photons scattered from surface features of an article focused in a second focal plane, wherein the processing means is further configured for distinguishing foreign surface features of the article from foreign native features of the article.