Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for recording information on a phase change medium is disclosed. The method includes irradiating a region of the phase change medium with a first dose of laser energy. A first portion of the region is irradiated with a second dose of laser energy in a manner that causes the first portion of the region irradiated with the second dose of laser energy to be in a different state than a second portion of the region that is not irradiated by the second dose of laser energy.

Abstract: Novel methods for the preparation of polymers useful as precursors to ceramic materials by catalytic activation of Si--H bonds are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting, in the presence of a catalyst effective to activate Si--H bonds, Si--N bonds, or both, and/or a reactive solvent, a polymer in the form of a polysilane, polysilazane, polysiloxane or polycarbosilane with a reactant having the structural formula R--X--H, wherein X is NR' or O, R is H, organic, silyl, siloxyl, silazanyl or carbosilyl and may contain at least one additional X--H group, and R' is H, amino, silyl or silazanyl, to produce a modified polymer containing at least one Si--X bond. Polymers produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surfaces of various types of substrates, including glass, ceramics, metals and fabrics, are rendered thermally stable by treatment with a silicon-containing polymer which may be a polysilazane, a polysiloxane, or a polysiloxazane. Curing the polymer in an atmosphere which contains an oxygen donor additionally renders the substrate surface nonwetting.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for reading a CD having a surface with a multiple level data track including a laser, a focusing and positioning system configured in a way which causes the laser to follow the multiple level data track, a detector which converts the light which is reflected from the data track to an electrical signal, a digital signal processing unit configured to receive the electrical signal including a scaling-function generator for determining a plurality of signal windows from the electrical signal, and a multiple level analog to digital converter which determines a data level based on the signal windows and the electrical signal whereby multiple data levels may be read from the CD.

Abstract: Novel methods for the preparation of polymers useful as precursors to ceramic materials by catalytic activation of Si--H bonds are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting, in the presence of a catalyst effective to activate Si--H bonds, Si--N bonds, or both, and/or a reactive solvent, a polymer in the form of a polysilane, polysilazane, polysiloxane or polycarbosilane with a reactant having the structural formula R--X--H, wherein X is NR' or O, R is H, organic, silyl, siloxyl, silazanyl or carbosilyl and may contain at least one additional X--H group, and R' is H, amino, silyl or silazanyl, to produce a modified polymer containing at least one Si--X bond. Polymers produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel methods for the preparation of polymers useful as precursors to ceramic materials by catalytic activation of Si--H bonds are disclosed. The methods comprise reacting, in the presence of a catalyst effective to activate Si--H bonds, Si--N bonds, or both, and/or a reactive solvent, a polymer in the form of a polysilane, polysilazane, polysiloxane or polycarbosilane with a reactant having the structural formula R--X--H, wherein X is NR' or O, R is H, organic, silyl, siloxyl, silazanyl or carbosilyl and may contain at least one additional X--H group, and R' is H, amino, silyl or silazanyl, to produce a modified polymer containing at least one Si--X bond. Polymers produced by these methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surfaces of various types of substrates, including glass, ceramics, metals and fabrics, are rendered thermally stable by treatment with a silicon-containing polymer which may be a polysilazane, a polysiloxane, or a polysiloxazane. Curing the polymer in an atmosphere which contains an oxygen donor additionally renders the substrate surface nonwetting.