Abstract: Methods for producing optical fibers along nonlinear paths include incorporating fluid bearings. An optical fiber is drawn from a preform along a first pathway, contacted with a region of fluid cushion of a fluid bearing, and redirected along a second pathway as the fiber is drawn across said region of fluid cushion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a base on which a substrate may be releasably coupled; a moving belt located with respect to the base such that a contact surface thereof is operable to remove material from a top surface of the substrate; and a plurality of actuators, at least two of which are independently controllable, located with respect to the base and the moving belt such that a corresponding plurality of pressure zones are defined to provide pressure between the moving belt and the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a base on which a substrate may be releasably coupled; a moving belt located with respect to the base such that a contact surface thereof is operable to remove material from a top surface of the substrate; and a plurality of actuators, at least two of which are independently controllable, located with respect to the base and the moving belt such that a corresponding plurality of pressure zones are defined to provide pressure between the moving belt and the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of polishing a semiconductor layer formed on a transparent substrate is described, the method including measuring the thickness of the semiconductor from the substrate side of the semiconductor layer simultaneously with the polishing, and using the thickness measurement to modify the polishing.

Abstract: A bonding plate mechanism for use in anodic bonding of first and second material sheets together, the apparatus comprising: a base including first and second spaced apart surfaces; a thermal insulator supported by the second surface of the base and operable to impede heat transfer to the base; a heating disk directly or indirectly coupled to the insulator and operable to produce heat in response to electrical power; and a thermal spreader directly or indirectly coupled to the heating disk and operable to at least channel heat from the heating disk, and impart voltage, to the first material sheet, wherein the heat and voltage imparted to the first material sheet are in accordance with respective heating and voltage profiles to assist in the anodic bonding of the first and second material sheets, and a thermal inertia of the bonding plate mechanism is relatively low such that heating of the first material sheet to a temperature of about 600° C. or greater is achieved in less than about one-half hour.