Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a cartridge (1) comprising a channel (1a) along which a sample fluid can flow; one or more elements (3, 4) which are configured to manipulate light in a predefined manner, and wherein said one or more elements (3, 4) are located in a predefined position relative to the channel (1a). There is further provided an assembly which comprises said cartridge (1) and an optical device (5) which can emit light; and a method of aligning the optical device (5) over the channel (1a) of the cartridge (1) using said one or more elements (3, 4) so that when the optical device (5) emits light it will be incident on any sample fluid provided in the channel (1).

Abstract: Tape head with thermal tape-head distance sensor to reduce the distance between the tape and the head to allow an increase in areal density. A tape head designed for reading and/or writing to a tape, including: a tape bearing surface shaped to form an air bearing when moving the tape with respect to the tape bearing surface; a thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit adapted to sense heat dissipated at the level of the tape bearing surface by the tape and thereby sense a distance between the tape bearing surface and the tape; and tape-head distance control means connected to the thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit to receive a signal provided by the tape-head distance sensor circuit and configured to alter the distance according to a signal received from the tape-head distance sensor circuit. This invention is further directed to a method of tape-head distance control for the above tape head.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a resistive memory element comprising a resistively switchable material coupled to two conductive electrodes, wherein the resistively switchable material is an amorphous compound comprising carbon and oxygen. Moreover, the carbon and oxygen stoichiometric ratio can be within a range of 1:0.30 to 1:0.80.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating magnetic structures using post-deposition tilting. A thin film magnetic transducer structure is formed on a substantially planar portion of a substrate such that a plane of deposition of the thin film transducer structure is substantially parallel to a plane of the substrate. Additionally, the thin film transducer structure is caused to tilt at an angle relative to the plane of the substrate. The thin film transducer is fixed at the angle after being tilted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch comprising two electrodes (12, 18), wherein: at least one (18) of the electrodes comprises an active layer (10) thereon; and at least one (12) of the electrodes is movable along a given direction (z), from a: non-contact position to a contact position where one of the electrodes contacts the other one (18) of the electrodes, at the level of a contact point (P); and the active layer exhibits a conductive pathway (16), which pathway: extends along said given direction (z) to enable electrical conduction from one of the electrodes to the other one of the electrodes in the contact position; and is confined to a given region (R1) of the active layer, the region having nanoscale dimensions in a sectional plane (x, y) perpendicular to the given direction. The present invention is further directed to related devices, systems and methods.

Abstract: Tape head with thermal tape-head distance sensor to reduce the distance between the tape and the head to allow an increase in areal density. A tape head designed for reading and/or writing to a tape, including: a tape bearing surface shaped to form an air bearing when moving the tape with respect to the tape bearing surface; a thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit adapted to sense heat dissipated at the level of the tape bearing surface by the tape and thereby sense a distance between the tape bearing surface and the tape; and tape-head distance control means connected to the thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit to receive a signal provided by the tape-head distance sensor circuit and configured to alter the distance according to a signal received from the tape-head distance sensor circuit. This invention is further directed to a method of tape-head distance control for the above tape head.

Abstract: Tape head with thermal tape-head distance sensor to reduce the distance between the tape and the head to allow an increase in areal density. A tape head designed for reading and/or writing to a tape, including: a tape bearing surface shaped to form an air bearing when moving the tape with respect to the tape bearing surface; a thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit adapted to sense heat dissipated at the level of the tape bearing surface by the tape and thereby sense a distance between the tape bearing surface and the tape; and tape-head distance control means connected to the thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit to receive a signal provided by the tape-head distance sensor circuit and configured to alter the distance according to a signal received from the tape-head distance sensor circuit. This invention is further directed to a method of tape-head distance control for the above tape head.

Abstract: A tape head, adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, has a tape-bearing surface and is configured to urge a magnetic tape against the bearing surface, in operation. The bearing surface includes a transducer area, having at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element, designed for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and a structured area adjacent to the transducer area, comprising a periodic array of topographic features, the topographic features configured within the structured area to determine a minimal distance between the transducer area and a tape.

Abstract: Techniques for producing a flexible structure attached to a device. One embodiment includes the steps of providing a first substrate, providing a second substrate with a releasably attached flexible structure, providing a bonding layer on at least one of the first substrate and the flexible structure, adjoining the first and second substrate such that the flexible structure is attached at the first substrate by means of the bonding layer, and detaching the second substrate in such a way that the flexible structure remains on the first substrate.

Abstract: A tape head, adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, has a tape-bearing surface and is configured to urge a magnetic tape against the bearing surface, in operation. The bearing surface includes a transducer area, having at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element, designed for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and a structured area adjacent to the transducer area, comprising a periodic array of topographic features, the topographic features configured within the structured area to determine a minimal distance between the transducer area and a tape.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a resistive memory element comprising a resistively switchable material coupled to two conductive electrodes, wherein the resistively switchable material is an amorphous compound comprising carbon and oxygen. Moreover, the carbon and oxygen stoichiometric ratio can be within a range of 1:0.30 to 1:0.80.

Abstract: A tape head system includes a read and/or write head having at least one read and/or write element configured to read from and/or write to magnetic tape and at least one electrostatic element arranged adjacent to the read and/or write element; and a controller configured to apply a potential to the at least one electrostatic element.

Abstract: A write head comprising a yoke having at least a first and a second gap and a coil for producing a magnetic field at each gap, the coil comprising a plurality of windings, wherein the windings are arranged so as to produce the same magnetic field strength at each gap and/or along each gap by use of a proximity effect between the windings and a respective gap.

Abstract: A tape head, adapted for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, has a tape-bearing surface and is configured to urge a magnetic tape against the bearing surface, in operation. The bearing surface includes a transducer area, having at least one transducer that is a read and/or write element, designed for reading and/or writing to a magnetic tape, and a structured area adjacent to the transducer area, comprising a periodic array of topographic features, the topographic features configured within the structured area to determine a minimal distance between the transducer area and a tape.

Abstract: Tape head with thermal tape-head distance sensor to reduce the distance between the tape and the head to allow an increase in areal density. A tape head designed for reading and/or writing to a tape, including: a tape bearing surface shaped to form an air bearing when moving the tape with respect to the tape bearing surface; a thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit adapted to sense heat dissipated at the level of the tape bearing surface by the tape and thereby sense a distance between the tape bearing surface and the tape; and tape-head distance control means connected to the thermal tape-head distance sensor circuit to receive a signal provided by the tape-head distance sensor circuit and configured to alter the distance according to a signal received from the tape-head distance sensor circuit. This invention is further directed to a method of tape-head distance control for the above tape head.

Abstract: An article for producing an integrated device includes a deformable layer and one or more components releasably attached on one surface of the deformable layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switch comprising two electrodes (12, 18), wherein: at least one (18) of the electrodes comprises an active layer (10) thereon; and at least one (12) of the electrodes is movable along a given direction (z), from a: non-contact position to a contact position where one of the electrodes contacts the other one (18) of the electrodes, at the level of a contact point (P); and the active layer exhibits a conductive pathway (16), which pathway: extends along said given direction (z) to enable electrical conduction from one of the electrodes to the other one of the electrodes in the contact position; and is confined to a given region (R1) of the active layer, said region having nanoscale dimensions in a sectional plane (x, y) perpendicular to said given direction. The present invention is further directed to related devices, systems and methods.

Abstract: A tape head system includes a read and/or write head having at least one read and/or write element configured to read from and/or write to magnetic tape and at least one electrostatic element arranged adjacent to the read and/or write element; and a controller configured to apply a potential to the at least one electrostatic element.

Abstract: A write head comprising a yoke having at least a first and a second gap and a coil for producing a magnetic field at each gap, the coil comprising a plurality of windings, wherein the windings are arranged so as to produce the same magnetic field strength at each gap and/or along each gap by use of a proximity effect between the windings and a respective gap.

Abstract: Substrates are connected by demountable coupling by connecting an electronic module to a substrate. An electronic module and a substrate carrying electrical and/or optical circuits are provided. A connector electrical circuit is connected between the substrate and the electronic module. The connector electrical circuit is electrically demountable dry connected to the electronic module.