Abstract: An ink jet printhead body has an ink filter structure integrally incorporated therein and operative to filter ink flowing into its internal ink receiving channels disposed between piezoelectrically deflectable interior wall portions of the body. In various illustrated embodiments of the printhead, the filter structure is defined by a series of photoetched micro filter passageways formed integrally in an outer side portion of the printhead body, a filter cavity formed in the outer side portion and receiving a separate photoetchable filter member in which photoetched micro filter passageways are formed, and a filter cavity formed in the outer side portion and receiving a separate mesh-type micro filter member.

Abstract: Thermo-cycling for biological material is provided by a channel such as a capillary tube extending through a series of temperature control elements. Each temperature control element maintains the adjacent portion of the channel at a desired temperature. Fluid to be processed is introduced into the tube through the inlet and flows, preferably through capillary action, to the outlet. The temperature of the fluid changes as it passes each temperature control element and is thus thermo-cycled through a predetermined sequence of temperatures.

Abstract: Solid spheres of substantially uniform size and shape and coated with a lower temperature melting material are formed for use in interconnect arrays, solder pastes, Z-axis conduction adhesives, etc. Drops of two materials are merged in flight forming a coating of the lower melting temperature material on the drop of higher melting temperature material.

Abstract: Biological material is cycled through a sequence of temperatures by containing the material in a vessel positioned in a chamber maintained at a temperature which is no higher than the lowest temperature in a predetermined temperature sequence. The vessel is then irradiated with varying levels of electromagnetic radiation to heat the material and cycle it through a sequence of predetermined temperatures.

Abstract: A method for direct printing of micro-optical components (82) onto optical substrates (84) or active devices to create optical circuit elements as well as micro-optical components and systems, such as plano-convex circular, cylindrical or square lenslets, anamorphic lenslets, waveguides, couplers, mixers and switches and monolithic lenses deposited directly onto optical components such as diode lasers and optical fibers. The method provides a means for precisely depositing a wide range of materials in a wide variety of shapes for fabricating a full range of passive and active micro-optic devices.

Abstract: Method of forming an orifice array for an ink jet printhead. Excimer laser radiation is used to ablate an orifice array in a cover plate having a removable backing, a front side layer formed from either an ablatable inactive material such as polyimide, a non-wettable material doped to absorb excimer radiation, or an ablatable inactive material such as polyimide with a very thin surface layer of a non-wettable material, and an intermediate layer formed from an adhesive material. First, a series of generally square indentations approximately 80 .mu.m on each side and which extends through the removable backing and the intermediate layer and partially through the front side layer to exposing an interior surface of the front side are formed at spaced locations along the back side surface of the cover plate. Next, a corresponding series of generally circular apertures approximately 40 .mu.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing ink jet printheads and the product printheads derived therefrom. The method involves the electrodeposition passivation of ink channels in ink jet printheads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the process of die bonding semiconductor integrated circuit microchips with adhesive deposited from microjets in a precise pattern. Print-head technology equivalent to that used in inkjet printers is used to apply the adhesive substance (most commonly an epoxy). The use of microjets in an "array printhead" to deposit an adhesive pattern provides advantages in the ability to control the location and size of the adhesive droplets with a high degree of precision. The method also provides for individual actuation of the microjets providing the ability to rapidly change from pattern to pattern without the need to change and clean heads and equipment or to provide multiple heads. The method has application in standard die bonding as well as "flip-chip" processes using "bumped dies.

Abstract: A single side interconnectable ink jet printhead. In one embodiment thereof, the ink jet printhead includes a lower body portion having a plurality of conductive sections mounted to a top side of the lower body portion and a corresponding plurality of conductive pins projecting from a bottom side of the lower body portion. Each of the conductive sections is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the conductive pins. A bottom side surface of each one of a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally extending first intermediate body portions, each formed of an active piezoelectric material poled in a first direction parallel to the top side surface of the lower body portion is conductively mounted to a portion of the top side surface of the lower body portion.

Abstract: Arrays of electro-mechanical dispensers are used to form extremely small drops of fluid and locate them precisely on substrate surfaces in miniature arrays. The printed arrays may consist of DNA, immunoassay reagents or the like. A positioning support such as an X-Y table moves the dispensing devices and substrate surfaces relative to each other to locate the drops on the substrates in predetermined patterns. Arrays of probes as dense as one thousand per square centimeter with center-to-center spacing as small as twenty-five micrometers are formed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a drop-on-demand ink jet printhead having thermoelectric temperature control apparatus incorporated therewith for the selective heating or cooling thereof and a method of manufacturing the same. The ink jet printhead includes a channel array constructed of a thermally conductive material, a spaced series of internal ink-carrying channels which extend rearwardly from a front side surface and a piezoelectric actuator acoustically coupled to each of the ink-carrying channels for selectively imparting pressure pulses thereto. N-type and p-type thermoelectric carriers are mounted to a top side surface of the channel array and then serially connected to a temperature controller. By applying electrical power to the n-type and p-type thermoelectric carriers, heat will be transferred between the channel array and a cover plate mounted to top side surfaces of the n-type and p-type thermoelectric carriers. In this manner, the channel array may be selectively heated or cooled.

Abstract: The operation of UU type drop-on-demand ink jet printheads are enhanced by selectively incorporating therein volume modifying tapers in the ink carrying channels, means for electrically isolating portions of the actuators thereof, and/or forming a variable layer of conductive material between the upper and lower sidewall portions therefore.

Abstract: A spot size modulatable, drop-on-demand type ink jet printhead and associated methods for ejecting volume modulatable droplets of ink therefrom. The ink jet printhead includes a main body portion having first and second ink carrying channels longitudinally extending therethrough and a cover plate fixedly mounted thereto. Formed in the cover plate is a tapered orifice which extends from first and second openings along a back side surface to a third opening along a front side surface thereof. The cover plate is mounted to the main body portion such that the first opening is in communication with the first ink carrying channel and the second opening is in communication with the second ink carrying channel. The ink jet printhead further includes first and second actuators coupled with the first and second ink carrying channels, respectively.

Abstract: A high density ink jet printhead having a body subassembly comprising a piezoelectric main block having metallic layers disposed on first and second sides thereof, and first and second piezoelectric sheets secured to front portions of the metallic layers. A first and second laterally spaced series of elongated parallel grooves extending between the front and rear ends of the subassembly and extending into the first and second sides through the first and second piezoelectric sheets, and the first and second metallic layers; the first series of grooves being in precise lateral alignment with the second series of grooves. First and second cover blocks are secured to the opposite piezoelectric sheets over the open grooves to form a first and a second series of interior ink channels.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a sidewall actuatable, high density channel array for an ink jet printhead. A first surface of a main body portion formed from an inactive material is conductively bonded to a first surface of a first intermediate body portion formed from an active material. A plurality of parallel grooves are then machined through the first intermediate body portion and part of the main body portion to form a plurality of channels separated by a corresponding plurality of sidewall actuators comprised of a first sidewall section formed from an inactive material and a second sidewall section formed from an active material. A top body portion is then conductively mounted to the intermediate body portion.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a sidewall actuator array for an ink jet printhead in which a series of longitudinally extending, generally parallel grooves are formed in a body portion of the ink jet printhead. In various embodiments thereof, the body portion may be comprised of a lower body portion formed of an inactive material and an intermediate body portion formed of an active material, a lower body portion formed of active material poled in a first direction and an intermediate body portion formed of active material poled in a second, opposite direction, a lower body portion formed of active material poled in a first direction, a insulative spacing portion and an intermediate body portion formed of active material poled in a second, opposite direction, or a single body portion formed of an active material. After forming grooves therein, a layer of conductive material is deposited on inner side surfaces exposed during the grooving step.

Abstract: A method for film coated passivation of individual grooves or channels in an array of closely spaced grooves or channels of a workpiece, for example, ink channels in a printhead employed in an ink jet printer device; includes the steps of placing the workpiece on a rotation plate having a rotational center, securing the workpiece to the rotation plate with the grooves directed radially outward from the rotational center of the rotation plate, placing resin upon the workpiece in the vicinity of the grooves, and spinning the rotation plate to cause the resin to migrate along the surfaces of the grooves and thereby coating them.

Abstract: A method for direct printing of micro-optical components onto optical substrates or active devices to create optical circuit elements as well as micro-optical components and systems, such as plano-convex circular, cylindrical or square lenslets, anamorphic lenslets, waveguides, couplers, mixers and switches and monolithic lenses deposited directly onto optical components such as diode lasers and optical fibers. The method provides a means for precisely depositing a wide range of materials in a wide variety of shapes for fabricating a full range of passive and active micro-optic devices.

Abstract: A method for film coated passivation of individual grooves or channels in an array of closely spaced grooves or channels of a workpiece, for example, ink channels in a printhead employed in an ink jet printer device; includes the steps of placing the workpiece on a rotation plate having a rotational center, securing the workpiece to the rotation plate with the grooves directed radially outward from the rotational center of the rotation plate, placing resin upon the workpiece in the vicinity of the grooves, and spinning the rotation plate to cause the resin to migrate along the surfaces of the grooves and thereby coating them.

Abstract: A single side interconnectable ink jet printhead and an associated method for manufacturing the same. The ink jet printhead includes a lower body portion having a plurality of conductive sections mounted to a top side of the lower body portion and a corresponding plurality of conductive pins projecting from a bottom side of the lower body portion. Each of the conductive sections is electrically connected to the corresponding one of the conductive pins. A bottom side surface of each one of a plurality of generally parallel, longitudinally extending first intermediate body portions, each formed of an active piezoelectric material poled in a first direction parallel to the top side surface of the lower body portion is conductively mounted to a portion of the top side surface of the lower body portion.