Abstract: An article of manufacture, such as an electrically actuable light gate structure, includes a substrate which may comprise an electrooptically active solid-state light gate material. Spaced parallel electrodes are subdivided on that substrate into first and second electrode arrays alternating along an elongate region of the substrate. Individual terminals for the electrodes in each first electrode array are distributed along a line on one side of the elongate region, and individual terminals for the electrodes in each second electrode array are distributed along a line on the opposite side of the elongate region of the substrate. Any individual terminal of any one of the electrodes is spaced from the individual terminal of any other electrode by a center-to-center distance greater than the center-to-center spacing between that one electrode and the latter other electrode.

Abstract: A Faraday-effect magneto-optic transducer provides for optimizing the transmission of light through the transducer. A transparent supporting assembly for a planar element of magneto-optic material includes first and second reflectors on opposing sides of the element. The reflectors direct polarized light through the element substantially normal to its interface with the supporting assembly, for preventing light loss due to internal reflections as light is transmitted through the supporting assembly and magneto-optic element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dust from an information carrier includes a rotating member having at least one channel extending therethrough, operative to act as a centrifugal pump, and also includes apparatus for recording or playback of information from the information carrier.

Abstract: A method of selectively illuminating a surface, such as a light-sensitive recording medium or an information record, provides a slit traveling transversely to a longitudinal dimension thereof and images light from a source of spatially concentrated light through the slit onto the above mentioned surface anamorphically only as to a dimension of the spatially concentrated light corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the slit. Light is further spread from the source in a plane parallel to the transverse travel of the slit and is collimated, to be projected through the slit onto the above mentioned surface and for the extent of at least a portion of the transverse travel of the slit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reading information from a record with the aid of a plurality of electrically controlled light gates illuminate the light gates with light of a first intensity above zero light intensity and precondition the light gates to subsequent opening in response to electric control signals by electrically biasing the light gates to an initially open condition wherein the gates pass light from the illumination at an intensity above zero light intensity and below a second intensity lower than the first intensity.

Abstract: A wideband optical beam deflector utilizes an electromechanical transducer to simultaneously rotate a plurality of mirrors. An incoming optical beam is successively reflected by these rotating mirrors such that the deflections of the mirrors are additive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording varying electric signals with a plurality of electrically actuable light gates illuminate the light gates with light of a first intensity above zero light intensity and provide a light-sensitive recording medium sensitive to illumination levels at light intensities including the mentioned first light intensity and starting at a second light intensity below such first intensity and above zero light intensity. These methods and apparatus precondition the light gates to subsequent opening in response to varying electric signals by electrically biasing the light gates to an initially open condition wherein the gates pass light from the mentioned illumination at an intensity below the second light intensity. The recording medium is thus exposed to light passed by the preconditioned gates at below the second intensity.