Abstract: An apparatus and a method for acquiring an image of skin topology. The apparatus comprises at least one light source, configured to form a source beam; at least one illuminating diffractive optical element (DOE) disposed in the optical path of the source beam, configured to diffract the source beam, thereby forming an illuminating beam; a skin contact surface, disposed in the optical path of the illuminating beam, configured to at least partially reflect the illuminating beam at regions of the boundary between the skin contact surface and skin that are not in contact with skin, thereby forming a reflected beam; at least one imaging diffractive optical element (DOE), disposed in the optical path of the reflected beam, configured to diffract the reflected light beam, thereby forming an image beam; and a sensor array, configured to receive at least a portion of the image beam and thereby to detect the acquired image.

Abstract: A hoop stress relief mechanism is disclosed for use on a rotary body to relieve stress caused by both thermal and centrifugal forces. The mechanism may consist of a J-shaped slot cut from the outer rim of the rotary body a distance inwardly toward the axis of rotation, the slot having a curve in its inward end that curves back towards the outer rim. The J-shaped slot may extend through the rotary body to join its two faces. The J-shaped slot may be fabricated by an electric discharge wire machine. The electric discharge wire machine may make multiple passes in order to smooth the bottom surface of the curved slot portion.

Abstract: A holographic optical filter that includes an optical recording medium for storing several multiplexed reflection holograms that are formed by successive interference between two or more collimated object beams with a common collimated reference beam. The object beams are incident to the recording material at a series of angles chosen to provide reflection efficiency over the desired filed of view at the specified wavelength.

Abstract: A holographic optical filter that includes an optical recording medium for storing several multiplexed reflection holograms that are formed by successive interference between two or more collimated object beams with a common collimated reference beam. The object beams are incident to the recording material at a series of angles chosen to provide reflection efficiency over the desired filed of view at the specified wavelength.

Abstract: Photosensitizing dyes are often used in conjunction with a photoacid generator in holographic recording media. Conventional photosensitizing dyes typically are limited by having an appreciable absorption of light when used in a sufficient concentration, such that the intensity of light decreases significantly with penetration into a recording medium. The present invention discloses a number of new 5-alkynyl substituted napthacene photosensitizing dyes that have low extinction coefficients coupled with good sensitizing properties, such that the problems associated with the photosensitizing dyes absorbing light are significantly reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing and reading holograms, comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) operable in phase mode, having a plurality of pixels for generating an object beam that overlaps with a reference beam; a holographic recording medium (HRM) in the path of the object beam; and a first lens element disposed in the path of the object beam between the SLM and the HRM; wherein the HRM is disposed at or near the Fourier transform plane of the first lens element.

Abstract: A hybrid data storage system comprising at least one memory system and at least one holographic drive, data being transmitted between the holographic drive and the memory system. At least one holographic drive writes data to a first holographic recording medium, and reads the written data from said first recording medium and from at least one other holographic recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that produces recording media using at least two platens. A first platen is movable relative to a second platen, and each platen has respective first and second support surfaces onto which substrates are placed, the first and second substrates each having inner and outer longitudinal surfaces. A centering device aligns the respective substrates relative to a one or more reference positions, a positioning system provides a degree of parallelism between the outer longitudinal surfaces of each of the substrates and produces a desired gap between the inner longitudinal surfaces of the substrates, and a dispensing unit which emits a liquid medium within the gap between inner longitudinal surfaces of the substrates.

Abstract: A spun metal form used to manufacture a dual alloy turbine wheel. The spun metal form prevents braze alloy contamination of the hub/casting interface by relocating the braze joint away from the interface. The spun metal form allows for the re-working of components after failed vacuum brazing and increases the time to failure of dual alloy turbine wheels.

Abstract: A spun metal form used to manufacture a dual alloy turbine wheel. The spun metal form prevents braze alloy contamination of the hub/casting interface by relocating the braze joint away from the interface. The spun metal form allows for the re-working of components after failed vacuum brazing and increases the time to failure of dual alloy turbine wheels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording at least two multiplexed holograms. The object beam and the reference beam generated by a coherent light source. Either an object beam or a reference beam is reflected from at least one portion of an aspherical reflecting surface causing the object beam and the reference beam to intersect and form an interference pattern at a plane defined by the intersection of the object and reference beams at a selected storage location in a recording media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: A method for generating a unique identifier that can be used to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user, including establishing an offline experience identifier that can be used to access at least one offline experience data item. The method further includes, as part of a transaction related to at least one of the offline experience and the online experience, collecting at least one user data item, the user data item being a data item relevant to the user. The method further includes establishing a user identifier that can be used to access the user data item; and using at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier to establish the unique identifier. The unique identifier can be subsequently used to obtain at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier.

Abstract: A method of using a unique identifier to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user. The method includes receiving a unique identifier during a transaction related to the online experience. The method further includes using the unique identifier to obtain at least one of an offline experience identifier and a user identifier, the offline experience identifier being usable to access at least one offline experience data item which is relevant to the offline experience, the user identifier being usable to access at least one user data item which is relevant to the user. The method further includes tailoring the online experience based on at least one offline experience data item and at least one user data item.

Abstract: A holographic recording medium showing little or no shrinkage after exposure comprises an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; a binder; a difunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer; and a polyfunctional (i.e., tri- or higher functional) epoxide monomer or oligomer, the difunctional and polyfunctional epoxide monomers or oligomers being capable of undergoing cationic polymerization initiated by the acid produced from the acid generator. The medium is especially useful for holographic data storage applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: A holographic optical filter that includes an optical recording medium for storing several multiplexed reflection holograms that are formed by successive interference between two or more collimated object beams with a common collimated reference beam. The object beams are incident to the recording material at a series of angles chosen to provide reflection efficiency over the desired filed of view at the specified wavelength.