Abstract: This light waveguide consists of an optically transparent body cut at one end to a sharp tip and polished optically flat at the other end. A metallization layer on its surface is thick enough to be opaque. By pressing the waveguide against a rigid plate the metallization is plastically deformed so as to expose a tiny aperture at the tip of the body through which light can pass. By carefully controlling the deformation of the metallization the diameter of the aperture can be kept between 10 and 500 nm. The waveguide can be incorporated in a semiconductor laser of a read/write head used in an optical storage device.

Abstract: The rotator comprises a piezoelectric bender (4) pivotally supported (2, 3) at one end and carrying a means for being clamped (6) to which a "payload" (7) may be attached. The bender (4) has split electrodes to keep its ends parallel when energized. Normally engaging the means for being clamped (6) are clamping members (15, 17) attached to a pair of piezoelectric benders (10, 11) which are fixed in supports (12, 13) resting on a base plate (1).With the pair of benders (10, 11) energized, the means for being clamped (6) is released and energization of the central bender (4) results in the lifting of the payload (7) by one step. The means for being clamped (6) is then re-arrested and its pivot (2, 3) released by means of actuating the ends of bimorphs (10, 11) associated with clamping members 14 and 16 and the central bender (4) is permitted to stretch. The rotator is then prepared for the next step of rotation about the pivot (2). This embodiment permits rotation through about 15 degrees.

Abstract: The positioner comprises a fixed frame (1) from which extends a first pair of parallel piezoelectric benders ("bimorphs") (2, 3) which carry an intermediate frame (4). Actuation of the bimorphs (2, 3) causes lateral translation of the intermediate frame (4) with respect to the fixed frame with the bimorphs (2, 3) forming the flexible sides of a parallelogram.Attached to the intermediate frame (4) is a second pair of bimorphs (12, 13) which extend in a direction orthogonal to the direction of the first pair of bimorphs (2, 3) thus permitting a support frame (14) to exercise a deflection in a direction orthogonal with respect to the movement of the intermediate frame (4).The bimorphs used consist of one or two piezoelectric elements carrying two or more electrodes on either side the proper actuation of which causes the benders to bend with parallel end surfaces at all times.