Abstract: A reflector may include an exterior wall, an interior space, one or more interior walls, each interior wall having two ends, a proximal end, and a distal end. Each end of an interior wall may be attached to the exterior wall or to a different interior wall. The interior walls may divide the interior space into two or more sections. The proximal end and the distal end of the reflector may be open. The exterior wall and the interior walls may be configured to reflect light that contacts the exterior wall or interior walls through the distal end of the reflector.

Abstract: A system and method for improved photovoltaic module structure and encapsulation is described. One embodiment includes a photovoltaic module comprising a front substrate, a photovoltaic structure attached to the front substrate, wherein the photovoltaic structure comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, and a membrane, wherein the membrane and the front substrate substantially encapsulate the photovoltaic structure.

Abstract: A system and method for improved photovoltaic module structure is described. One embodiment includes a photovoltaic module comprising a front substrate, a photovoltaic structure attached to the front substrate, wherein the photovoltaic structure comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, a back substrate, wherein the back substrate is spaced apart from the photovoltaic structure, and a structural component, wherein the structural component is located between the back substrate and the photovoltaic structure. In some embodiments, the structural component may be configured to provide thermal conduction between the front substrate and the back substrate, and/or the structural component may be configured to retain the front substrate and/or back substrate during breakage.

Abstract: A system and method for improved photovoltaic module structure is described. One embodiment includes a photovoltaic module comprising a front substrate, a photovoltaic structure attached to the front substrate, wherein the photovoltaic structure comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, a back substrate, wherein the back substrate is spaced apart from the photovoltaic structure, and a structural component, wherein the structural component is located between the back substrate and the photovoltaic structure. In some embodiments, the structural component may be configured to provide thermal conduction between the front substrate and the back substrate, and/or the structural component may be configured to retain the front substrate and/or back substrate during breakage.

Abstract: A system and method for improved photovoltaic module structure and encapsulation is described. One embodiment includes a photovoltaic module comprising a front substrate, a photovoltaic structure attached to the front substrate, wherein the photovoltaic structure comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, and a membrane, wherein the membrane and the front substrate substantially encapsulate the photovoltaic structure.

Abstract: An improved method for aligning a plurality of optical elements in an optical device, includes: placing at least one optical element in a beam path; fixing the optical element in place without substantially compensating for errors in optical alignment; placing at least a one optical alignment element (OAE) in the beam path; and aligning the beam path to a desired beam path by adjusting the OAE. The alignment of the beam path substantially compensates for cumulative alignment errors in the beam path. The method increases the ease of manufacturing of optical devices and lowers the cost of manufacturing. The tolerances of the placement of optical elements are increased, and the optical element does not need special features for alignment.

Abstract: A soft adjacent layer made from a ternary alloy material and a MR sensor utilizing this soft adjacent layer. The ternary alloy material CoXY includes cobalt (Co), a first transition metal X and a second transition metal Y. In a preferred embodiment, X is niobium (Nb) and Y is titanium (Ti) so that the resulting ternary alloy material is CoNbTi. Alternatively, X and Y may be any transition metals such that the resulting ternary alloy material CoXY exhibits properties similar to CoNbTi. The high-density MR sensor of the present invention includes a SAL made from the ternary alloy material, a MR layer and a non-magnetic spacer sandwiched between the SAL and MR layer.

Abstract: A magnetic read element for use in magnetic data retrieval includes a NiFeCr seed layer and an electrically insulating spacer layer between an MR stripe and a soft adjacent layer formed of, for example, NiFeRh. The magnetic read element includes a magnetoresistive stripe and a seed layer formed of NiFeCr that is interfacially adjacent the magnetoresistive stripe. The read element also includes a spacer layer adjacent the seed layer, with the seed layer being disposed between the magnetoresistive stripe and the spacer layer. The spacer layer is formed of an electrically insulating material. In addition, a soft adjacent layer is included in the read element, adjacent the seed layer and formed of a low-coercivity, high-permeability magnetic material. The spacer layer can be formed of Ta, while the soft adjacent layer can be formed of NiFeRh. The magnetic read element can be incorporated in a read/write head, and further incorporated in a read/write system for data retrieval.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film magnetic media disks entailing the improvement arising from causing spaced electrical probes to engage spaced portions of an exposed outer surface of a disk overcoat layer; creating a voltage across the spaced electrodes; measuring a function of electrical resistance between the ends of the probes in engagement with the exposed outer surface of the overcoat layer; and employing this measured resistance function generally as a measure of wear properties of the overcoat layer.

Abstract: A shield for use in a sputtering system. The shield includes a support having an inner expanse defining a two-dimensional array of cavities. The cavities are formed of two-dimensionally concave wall surfaces, where the intersections of the wall surfaces of adjacent cavities form a two-dimensional array of edges on the expanse. The shield minimizes the tendency of material deposited on the shield surface, such as sputtered carbon material, from flaking off during a sputtering operation. Also disclosed is a sputtering assembly that employs the shield.

Abstract: Thin film media characterized by the utilization of a substantially peritectic seed alloy layer which is sputter deposited so as to provide dispersed, substantially peritectic and homogenous globules underlying subsequently deposited media layers. These media layers may include a metal layer such as chrome and a magnetic layer such as an alloy of cobalt, chromium, and platinum and possibly other ingredients.

Abstract: Method and magnetic transducer head characterized by enhanced coating of wear resistant carbon layer over an insulating short circuit, preventing layer on a magnetic, data transferring, head.

Abstract: Thin film media characterized by the utilization of a substantially peritectic seed alloy layer which is sputter deposited so as to provide dispersed, substantially peritectic and homogenous globules underlying subsequently deposited media layers. These media layers may include a metal layer such as chrome and a magnetic layer such as an alloy of cobalt, chromium, and platinum and possibly other ingredients.