Abstract: An optical assembly that includes at least one polarizing filter assembly and at least one sensor. The polarizing filter assembly is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted by a sun and transmit at least three different portions of EMR towards the at least one sensor, each portion filtered based on a different polarization orientation. A processor device is configured to receive sensor data generated by the at least one sensor in response to receipt of the at least three different portions of EMR, and determine an elevation angle of the sun with respect to a horizon from a geographic location of the optical assembly.

Abstract: Laser machining fired ceramic and other hard and/or thick materials includes scribing a workpiece with a laser beam along a sequence of parallel laser paths within a cutout region of the workpiece. The scribing creates a kerf in the cutout region that widens as the laser beam advances along the sequence. The sequence may begin with an inner portion of the cutout region and end with an outer edge thereof such that debris is directed away from the laser paths to increase throughput and create a high quality opening in the workpiece. High quality structures may also be cut out from the workpiece. The method includes directing a high velocity stream of gas to an interlace of the laser beam and the workpiece to redirect the flow of debris and cool the interface. The method may also adjust a focus depth of the laser beam as it deepens the kerf.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing taper of a laser scribe in a substrate are described. One method includes aiming a laser beam at a surface of the substrate in a first direction perpendicular to a first cutting direction of the beam and aiming it at the surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first cutting direction. In each position, the laser beam is tilted at a beam tilt angle with respect to a line perpendicular to the surface. A single scribe line is formed in the surface by applying the laser beam to the surface while aiming the laser beam in the first direction and cutting in the first cutting direction and applying the laser beam to the surface while aiming the laser beam in the second direction and cutting in one of the first cutting direction and a second cutting direction opposite the first cutting direction.

Abstract: Laser machining fired ceramic and other hard and/or thick materials includes scribing a workpiece with a laser beam along a sequence of parallel laser paths within a cutout region of the workpiece. The scribing creates a kerf in the cutout region that widens as the laser beam advances along the sequence. The sequence may begin with an inner portion of the cutout region and end with an outer edge thereof such that debris is directed away from the laser paths to increase throughput and create a high quality opening in the workpiece. High quality structures may also be cut out from the workpiece. The method includes directing a high velocity stream of gas to an interlace of the laser beam and the workpiece to redirect the flow of debris and cool the interface. The method may also adjust a focus depth of the laser beam as it deepens the kerf.

Abstract: Laser machining fired ceramic and other hard and/or thick materials includes scribing a workpiece with a laser beam along a sequence of parallel laser paths within a cutout region of the workpiece. The scribing creates a kerf in the cutout region that widens as the laser beam advances along the sequence. The sequence may begin with an inner portion of the cutout region and end with an outer edge thereof such that debris is directed away from the laser paths to increase throughput and create a high quality opening in the workpiece. High quality structures may also be cut out from the workpiece. The method includes directing a high velocity stream of gas to an interface of the laser beam and the workpiece to redirect the flow of debris and cool the interface. The method may also adjust a focus depth of the laser beam as it deepens the kerf.

Abstract: A solution to failure mechanisms caused by mechanical sawing of a mechanical semiconductor workpiece entails use of a laser beam to cut and remove the electrically conductive and low-k dielectric material layers from a dicing street before saw dicing to separate semiconductor devices. A laser beam forms a laser scribe region such as a channel in the electrically conductive and low-k dielectric material layers, the bottom of the channel ending on a laser energy transparent stop layer of silicon oxide lying below all of the electrically conductive and low-k dielectric material layers. The disclosed process entails selection of laser parameters such as wavelength, pulse width, and fluence that cooperate to leave the silicon oxide layer stop layer completely or nearly undamaged. A mechanical saw cuts the silicon oxide layer and all other material layers below it, as well as the substrate, to separate the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Laser machining fired ceramic and other hard and/or thick materials includes scribing a workpiece with a laser beam along a sequence of parallel laser paths within a cutout region of the workpiece. The scribing creates a kerf in the cutout region that widens as the laser beam advances along the sequence. The sequence may begin with an inner portion of the cutout region and end with an outer edge thereof such that debris is directed away from the laser paths to increase throughput and create a high quality opening in the workpiece. High quality structures may also be cut out from the workpiece. The method includes directing a high velocity stream of gas to an interface of the laser beam and the workpiece to redirect the flow of debris and cool the interface. The method may also adjust a focus depth of the laser beam as it deepens the kerf.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scribing wafers to efficiently ablate passivation and/or encapsulation layers while reducing or eliminating chipping and cracking in the passivation and/or encapsulation layers. Short laser pulses are used to provide high peak powers and reduce the ablation threshold. In one embodiment, the scribing is performed by a q-switched CO2 laser.

Abstract: UV laser cutting throughput through silicon and like materials is improved by dividing a long cut path (112) into short segments (122), from about 10 &mgr;m to 1 mm. The laser output (32) is scanned within a first short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes before being moved to and scanned within a second short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes. The bite size, segment size (126), and segment overlap (136) can be manipulated to minimize the amount and type of trench backfill. Real-time monitoring is employed to reduce rescanning portions of the cut path 112 where the cut is already completed. Polarization direction of the laser output (32) is also correlated with the cutting direction to further enhance throughput. This technique can be employed to cut a variety of materials with a variety of different lasers and wavelengths.

Abstract: UV laser cutting throughput through silicon and like materials is improved by dividing a long cut path (112) into short segments (122), from about 10 &mgr;m to 1 mm. The laser output (32) is scanned within a first short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes before being moved to and scanned within a second short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes. The bite size, segment size (126), and segment overlap (136) can be manipulated to minimize the amount and type of trench backfill. Real-time monitoring is employed to reduce rescanning portions of the cut path 112 where the cut is already completed. Polarization direction of the laser output (32) is also correlated with the cutting direction to further enhance throughput. This technique can be employed to cut a variety of materials with a variety of different lasers and wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of classifying a pattern including performing a wavelet transform. The invention finds particular application in the field of automatic target recognition, in which the pattern appears in a return radar signal, and the classification is used to classify a target.

Abstract: The output of a continuously pumped, Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser (10) is frequency converted to provide ultraviolet light (62) for forming vias (72, 74) in multi-layered targets (40). The parameters of the output pulses (62) are selected to facilitate substantially clean, simultaneous or sequential drilling or via formation in a wide variety of materials such as metals, organic dielectrics, and reinforcement materials having different thermal absorption characteristics in response to ultraviolet light. These parameters typically include at least two of the following criteria: high average power of greater than about 100 milliwatts measured over the beam spot area, a temporal pulse width shorter than about 100 nanoseconds, a spot diameter of less than about 50 microns, and a repetition rate of greater than about one kilohertz.

Abstract: A process for applying heat shrink film to containers comprising the steps of a) coating at least a portion of a heat shrinkable but unshrunken film segment with a reactive hot melt polyurethane adhesive having a free isocyante content greater than 2% and a viscosity less than 3000 cps at 225.degree. F.; b) applying the film to the longitudinal surface of the container; and, c) subjecting the container to heat to shrink the film onto the container so as to permanently affix it thereto.

Abstract: A carrying means is provided to carry packages or other articles. The carrying means includes a handle provided with a pair of openings through the body of the handle and slots formed in the ends of the handle. A length of cord is threaded through the openings and slots in a manner which, in the preferred embodiment, automatically locks the cord to the handle at the proper length.

Abstract: A method of applying a two component solid adhesive formulation to surfaces to be bonded. Each component of the formulation is applied to a surface in the form of discrete discontinuous deposits. When the sheets pass through nip rolls, the opposed deposits contact and are thoroughly mixed forming a continuous film of adhesive which is subsequently cured.

Abstract: UV laser cutting throughput through silicon and like materials is improved by dividing a long cut path (112) into short segments (122), from about 10 ?m to 1 mm. The laser output (32) is scanned within a first short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes before being moved to and scanned within a second short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes. The bite size, segment size (126), and segment overlap (136) can be manipulated to minimize the amount and type of trench backfill. Real-time monitoring is employed to reduce rescanning portions of the cut path 112 (112) where the cut is already completed. Polarization direction of the laser output (32) is also correlated with the cutting direction to further enhance throughput. This technique can be employed to cut a variety of materials with a variety of different lasers and wavelengths. A multi-step process can optimize the laser processes for each individual layer.

Abstract: UV laser cutting throughput through silicon and like materials is improved by dividing a long cut path (112) into short segments (122), from about 10 ?m to 1 mm. The laser output (32) is scanned within a first short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes before being moved to and scanned within a second short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes. The bite size, segment size (126), and segment overlap (136) can be manipulated to minimize the amount and type of trench backfill. Real-time monitoring is employed to reduce rescanning portions of the cut path 112 (112) where the cut is already completed. Polarization direction of the laser output (32) is also correlated with the cutting direction to further enhance throughput. This technique can be employed to cut a variety of materials with a variety of different lasers and wavelengths. A multi-step process can optimize the laser processes for each individual layer.

Abstract: UV laser cutting throughput through silicon and like materials is improved by dividing a long cut path (112) into short segments (122), from about 10 ?m to 1 mm. The laser output (32) is scanned within a first short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes before being moved to and scanned within a second short segment (122) for a predetermined number of passes. The bite size, segment size (126), and segment overlap (136) can be manipulated to minimize the amount and type of trench backfill. Real-time monitoring is employed to reduce rescanning portions of the cut path 112 (112) where the cut is already completed. Polarization direction of the laser output (32) is also correlated with the cutting direction to further enhance throughput. This technique can be employed to cut a variety of materials with a variety of different lasers and wavelengths. A multi-step process can optimize the laser processes for each individual layer.