Abstract: A nanocomposite layer is deposited on a surface of a substrate by a process including: a) moving a laser bean along a target including a polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles, b) vaporizing a portion of the polymer into a gaseous form, and c) transferring the portion of the polymer in the gaseous form, and a portion of the nanoparticles from the target to the surface of the substrate. The target may be divided into a first section holding the nanoparticles and a second section including the polymer, or the target may include a mixture of the nanoparticles and the polymer.

Abstract: Laser texturing apparatus includes an acousto-optical modulator which deflects a continuous laser beam into a first optical projection path to texture a first side of a disk or into a second optical projection path to texture a second side of the disk. The modulator causes lateral movement of the laser beam in a first direction as it is initially deflected into the first optical projection path and at the end of its deflection into this path. The modulator also caused lateral movement of the laser beam in a second direction as it is initially deflected into the second optical path and at the end of its deflection into this path. Each optical projection path is configured so that this lateral movement is in the direction of movement of the disk being textured at the spots at which it is textured.

Abstract: Optical apparatus is provided for inspecting a textured surface measures a level of scattered reflections from the surface, occurring when an inspection laser beam is directed at the surface. In a first version of the apparatus, the intensity of scattered reflections directed at a single light-sensitive element are compared with the intensity of specular reflections directed at another light-sensitive element. In a second version, diffraction rings formed by the scattered reflections are passed through a mask which attenuates their intensity according to differences between the actual diffraction rings and a predetermined diffraction pattern. In a third version, the scattered light is divided by a beamsplitter to pass through one mask which increases attenuation as the diffraction rings are increased in size compared to a predetermined diffraction pattern or through another mask which decreases attenuation as the diffraction rings are decreased in size compared to the predetermined diffraction pattern.