Abstract: High power optical disc drives are disclosed. The drives are configured to deliver laser energy having a power of at least about 25 mW as measured at DVD 1× write speed upon first contact with the surface of an optical disc.

Abstract: Optical information media containing encapsulated data layers are disclosed. Selective layering of materials in inner radial, middle radial, and outer radial zones allows for the faces and edges of at least the data layers to be encapsulated by other materials, resulting in increased resistance to harmful environmental agents such as oxygen and moisture.

Abstract: Optical information media containing a metal material layer and a carbon material layer are disclosed. The layering of the metal material layer and the carbon material layer are designed to reduce or eliminate problems associated with oxidation and berm formation during writing of data to the media.

Abstract: A wire-grid polarizer includes a stack of thin film layers disposed over a substrate including a wire grid layer and a plurality of thin film layers disposed between the wire grid layer and the substrate. The wire-grid layer includes an array of elongated metal elements, comprising lengths longer than a wavelength of visible light, a period less than 200 nanometers, a height less than 400 nanometers; and a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, gold, copper, or combinations thereof. The plurality of thin film layers disposed between the wire grid layer and the substrate include at least one dielectric grid layer and at least one thin film layer comprising silicon. The dielectric grid layer and the wire-grid are substantially parallel with one another, have substantially equal periods, and have substantially equal widths.

Abstract: A wire-grid polarizer includes a wire-grid layer disposed over a substrate. A plurality of contiguous dielectric-grid layers are contiguous with one another and disposed directly on top of the wire-grid layer. The plurality of contiguous dielectric-grid layers includes different materials with different indices of refraction. The array of dielectric material elements and the array of metal elements are oriented substantially parallel with one another, and the arrays having substantially equal periods.

Abstract: A selectively absorptive, mulitlayer wire-grid polarizer for polarizing incident light includes a stack of thin film layers disposed over a substrate, including a wire-grid array of elongated metal elements having a period less than half the wavelength of the light. One of the layers can include a thin film layer with a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the substrate. One of the thin film layers can include a dielectric array of non-metal elements. One of the layers includes a material that is optically absorptive to the incident light.

Abstract: A polarization device includes an optical stack with a diffraction grating and a wire grid polarizer with one disposed over the other. The wire grid polarizer includes an array of elongated, parallel conductive wires. The diffraction grating includes an array of elongated parallel dielectric ribs.

Abstract: A wire-grid polarizer includes a wire-grid layer disposed over a substrate. A plurality of contiguous dielectric-grid layers are contiguous with one another and disposed directly on top of the wire-grid layer. The plurality of contiguous dielectric-grid layers includes different materials with different indices of refraction. The array of dielectric material elements and the array of metal elements are oriented substantially parallel with one another, and the arrays having substantially equal periods.

Abstract: A multilayer wire-grid polarizer for polarizing light includes a stack of thin film layers disposed over a substrate, including a wire-grid array of elongated metal elements having lengths longer than a wavelength of the light and a period less than half the wavelength of the light. One of the layers can include a thin film layer with a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the substrate. One of the thin film layers can include a dielectric array of non-metal elements.

Abstract: A window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other. The plurality of intersecting ribs defines non-rectangular openings therebetween. A support frame is disposed around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs. A film is disposed over and spans the openings to pass radiation therethrough. The film and the plurality of intersecting ribs are integrally formed from a same material including a polymer.

Abstract: A polarization device includes an optical stack with a diffraction grating and a wire grid polarizer with one disposed over the other. The wire grid polarizer includes an array of elongated, parallel conductive wires in accordance with PWGP<?/2 where PWGP is the period of the wires and ? is the wavelength of the light. The diffraction grating includes an array of elongated parallel dielectric ribs in accordance with PDG>?/2 where PDG is the period of the ribs.

Abstract: Optical information media containing encapsulated data layers are disclosed. Selective layering of materials in inner radial, middle radial, and outer radial zones allows for the faces and edges of at least the data layers to be encapsulated by other materials, resulting in increased resistance to harmful environmental agents such as oxygen and moisture.

Abstract: A high strength window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein with tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane. The intersecting ribs are oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and define non-rectangular openings. The window also includes a support frame around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs, and a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings. The film is configured to pass radiation therethrough. An associated radiation detection system includes a sensor disposed behind the window. The sensor is configured to detect radiation passing through the high strength window.

Abstract: High power optical disc drives are disclosed. The drives are configured to deliver laser energy having a power of at least about 25 mW as measured at DVD 1X write speed upon first contact with the surface of an optical disc.

Abstract: Optical information media containing a metal material layer and a carbon material layer are disclosed. The layering of the metal material layer and the carbon material layer are designed to reduce or eliminate problems associated with oxidation and berm formation during writing of data to the media.

Abstract: An inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer includes an optical stack with a diffraction grating and an inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer. The inorganic, dielectric grid polarizer includes a stack of film layers with an array of parallel ribs in accordance with PGP<?/2 where PGP is the period of the ribs and ? is the wavelength of the light. The diffraction grating includes an array of elongated parallel dielectric ribs in accordance with PDG>?/2 where PDG is the period of the ribs.

Abstract: A multilayer wire-grid polarizer for polarizing light includes a stack of thin film layers disposed over a substrate, including a wire-grid array of elongated metal elements having lengths longer than a wavelength of the light and a period less than half the wavelength of the light. One of the layers can include a thin film layer with a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the substrate. One of the thin film layers can include a dielectric array of non-metal elements.

Abstract: A multilayer wire-grid polarizer for polarizing light includes a stack of thin film layers disposed over a substrate, including a wire-grid array of elongated metal elements having lengths longer than a wavelength of the light and a period less than half the wavelength of the light. One of the layers can include a thin film layer with a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the substrate. One of the thin film layers can include a dielectric array of non-metal elements.

Abstract: A reflection repressed wire-grid polarizer device for polarizing incident visible or infrared light and selectively repressing a reflected polarization includes at least three layers disposed on a substrate. A polarizing wire-grid layer has an array of parallel metal wires with a period less than half the wavelength of the incident light. A reflection-repressing layer or grid includes an inorganic and non-dielectric material which is optically absorptive of visible or infrared light. A dielectric layer or grid includes an inorganic and dielectric material.

Abstract: A high strength window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs defining a grid having openings therein with tops of the ribs terminate substantially in a common plane. The intersecting ribs are oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other and define non-rectangular openings. The window also includes a support frame around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs, and a film disposed over and spanning the plurality of intersecting ribs and openings. The film is configured to pass radiation therethrough. An associated radiation detection system includes a sensor disposed behind the window. The sensor is configured to detect radiation passing through the high strength window.