Abstract: Pre-aligned, kinematically mounted modules including processing lasers, beam trains, and individually calibrated control beams are quickly and easily replaced on subassembly bases with minimal in situ alignment, and can maintain working-spot position to micron tolerances over ambient temperature variations of ±10° C. Subassembly bases, with features for kinematically mating to a plurality of pre-aligned laser modules and to a platform base incorporated in the laser processing tool, enable multi-module subassemblies to be quickly replaced with spare subassemblies of the same type, or swapped for subassemblies of a different type. The mating features and reversible locks are designed to mitigate thermal effects that are often a dominant cause of alignment drift in processing lasers.

Abstract: A probe assembly for a scanning probe microscope (SPM), a cartridge for a probe assembly for an SPM, and a method of attaching a probe tip to an SPM are described.

Abstract: Pre-aligned, kinematically mounted modules including processing lasers, beam trains, and individually calibrated control beams are quickly and easily replaced on subassembly bases with minimal in situ alignment, and can maintain working-spot position to micron tolerances over ambient temperature variations of ±10° C. Subassembly bases, with features for kinematically mating to a plurality of pre-aligned laser modules and to a platform base incorporated in the laser processing tool, enable multi-module subassemblies to be quickly replaced with spare subassemblies of the same type, or swapped for subassemblies of a different type. The mating features and reversible locks are designed to mitigate thermal effects that are often a dominant cause of alignment drift in processing lasers.

Abstract: An accelerometer captures multiple frames of image information and uses the image information to generate acceleration data related to an object. In particular, multiple image frames are used to determine relative movement between a target and an image collection system. The relative movement between the target and the image collection system is tracked over time to generate acceleration data related to the object.

Abstract: Pre-aligned, kinematically mounted modules including processing lasers, beam trains, and individually calibrated control beams are quickly and easily replaced on subassembly bases with minimal in situ alignment, and can maintain working-spot position to micron tolerances over ambient temperature variations of ±10° C. Subassembly bases, with features for kinematically mating to a plurality of pre-aligned laser modules and to a platform base incorporated in the laser processing tool, enable multi-module subassemblies to be quickly replaced with spare subassemblies of the same type, or swapped for subassemblies of a different type. The mating features and reversible locks are designed to mitigate thermal effects that are often a dominant cause of alignment drift in processing lasers.

Abstract: A laser ablation system is controlled by an autofocus subsystem particularly optimized for precision ablation of large workpieces, in an open factory environment where temperatures are not tightly controlled, where the workpieces may have high-spatial-frequency features that affect the focus condition of the working beam. The autofocus operates at a high bandwidth to support high process speed. The autofocus beam shares most of its optical path with the working beam, so its measurements account for thermal effects in the beam train as well as the workpiece. The autofocus beam measures target or adjacent areas just before, or during, ablation, so that temperature drifts do not have time to change the effective focus error. The autofocus spot is substantially the same size as the working spot, so its measurements account for workpiece features of the same spatial frequencies that affect the working beam.

Abstract: A probe assembly for a scanning probe microscope (SPM), a cartridge for a probe assembly for an SPM, and a method of attaching a probe tip to an SPM are described.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope apparatus scans a sample disposed in an X-Y plane, the sample having a surface, the surface having features in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. The apparatus comprises an elongated arm having a pivot point and being rotatable about the pivot point in the X-Y plane; and a probe tip substructure that includes (i) a probe tip and (ii) a tip actuator. The probe tip substructure is disposed on the elongated arm a predetermined distance from the pivot point, wherein the arm disposes the probe tip at a location extended outward from the remainder of the AFM apparatus. The atomic force microscope apparatus moves the probe tip (i) by rotating the elongated arm about the pivot point, and (ii) by moving the tip actuator.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the spring constant of a scanning probe microscope cantilever mechanically coupled to a MEMs actuator may be determined in-situ by application of a force to the scanning probe microscope cantilever.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the spring constant of a scanning probe microscope cantilever mechanically coupled to a MEMs actuator may be determined in-situ by application of a force to the scanning probe microscope cantilever.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the spring constant of a scanning probe microscope cantilever mechanically coupled to a MEMs actuator may be determined in-situ using a displacement method.

Abstract: An imager captures successive images of an object. One image is then subtracted from another image to generate difference images. Each difference image is then correlated with itself or with one of the images used to generate the difference image to determine the relative motion between the imager an the object.

Abstract: A batch fabrication technique is described that increases the manufacturing efficiency of servo write heads and also improves servo pattern definition for fine features, while reducing tape and head wear. Multiple heads are fabricated as a batch from one or more ferrite wafers. A nominally flat, large wafer surface and a contour suitable for uniform photoresist application and planar photolithography permit fine servo pattern definition. A rounded leading edge on the head creates an air bearing to reduce wear of the tape and of the head. Moreover, any head wear occurs at the leading edge rather than in the region of the head where the servo pattern is formed. The servo write head may have a substantially planar head surface. A leading edge is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge is rounded to form an air bearing between the head surface and the tape.

Abstract: Adjustment of a tunable external-cavity laser is simplified by incorporating a mount that includes a base, a main body, a reflecting surface, a diffracting surface and a hinge coupling the main body to the base. The laser additionally includes a light source, a converging lens located to receive light from the light source, a tuning mirror and a pivoting arm on which the tuning mirror is mounted. The main body is bounded in part by two plane, external surfaces orthogonal to a common reference plane and angularly separated from one another by an angle. The reflecting surface has a spatial orientation defined by one of the external surfaces and is arranged to receive light from the lens. The diffracting surface has a spatial orientation defined by the other of the external surfaces, and diffracts light received from the reflecting surface towards the tuning mirror. The hinge is located opposite the angle and parallel to the reference plane.

Abstract: A servo head for magnetic tape is provided. The head includes a substantial planar head surface. The head includes a leading edge that is disposed adjacent to the head surface such that the tape contacts the leading edge before passing over the head surface. The leading edge includes a rounded portion so as to form an air bearing between the head surface and the tape. The leading edge can include an abrupt change in slope at the leading edge. Alternatively, the leading edge can include a smooth transition.

Abstract: A device for precision alignment of a write element of a tape head to a transport direction of a media that is transported across the tape head is disclosed. The tape head includes at least one alignment element that is cofabricated with the write element so that both the write element and the alignment element have a fixed orientation with respect to a magnetic axis of the tape head. The alignment element and the write element can be fabricated on the tape head using standard microelectronic photolithographic processes. Preferably, the tape head includes a plurality of alignment elements. Those alignment elements are operative to write alignment transitions onto the media. The alignment transitions can be observed to determine if they are indicative of the write element having a predetermined orientation with respect to the transport direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting optical path length of an optical path are provided. The systems and methods can be used to controllably adjust optical path length in an external cavity laser. A representative optical path having a first end and a second end comprises a first transparent refractive element located in the optical path between the first end and the second end. The transparent refractive element is adjustable to adjust the optical path length of the optical path without changing the physical distance between the first end and the second end. A representative method includes introducing a transparent refractive element into the optical path and adjusting the transparent refractive element to change the optical path length without changing the physical distance between the first end and the second end of the optical path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a seal between members of an assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a seal is formed between a first member and a second member by establishing within the members a bounded volume and creating within the bounded volume a pressure differential with respect to the ambient pressure outside the bounded volume. The pressure differential results in a uniformly applied clamping force to the members thereby creating a reliable seal. A sealing member (such as solder, epoxy, or other sealant) is positioned between the first and second members and the resulting assembly is mechanically positioned such that heat can then be applied to melt the solder. Concurrently, the pressure differential is created which allows the externally applied mechanical positioning to be relaxed while the members are being sealed together. This system and method can be used to create hermetic seals.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for reliably and accurately measuring the gap between two materials when the depth of gap is less than the smallest distance that an optical thickness gauge (OTG) is able to measure. The invention is practiced by forming a suitable slot (or a groove, channel, hole or other suitable deformation) having a precisely known depth in at least one material. The sum of the distance of the gap and the depth of the slot is at least equal to the smallest distance that the OTG can measure. The slot is positioned over the materials and under the OTG probe head such that a cavity is formed. The depth of the cavity is measured. Since the distance of the slot is known, the depth of the gap is determined by subtracting the known depth of the slot from the measured depth of the cavity.

Abstract: Adjustment of a tunable external-cavity laser is simplified by incorporating a mount that includes a base, a main body, a reflecting surface, a diffracting surface and a hinge coupling the main body to the base. The laser additionally includes a light source, a converging lens located to receive light from the light source, a tuning mirror and a pivoting arm on which the tuning mirror is mounted. The main body is bounded in part by two plane, external surfaces orthogonal to a common reference plane and angularly separated from one another by an angle. The reflecting surface has a spatial orientation defined by one of the external surfaces and is arranged to receive light from the lens. The diffracting surface has a spatial orientation defined by the other of the external surfaces, and diffracts light received from the reflecting surface towards the tuning mirror. The hinge is located opposite the angle and parallel to the reference plane.