Abstract: An apparatus (10, 10?) for producing an alignment surface on an associated substrate (12, 12?) of a liquid crystal display. An electron source (40) produces a collimated electron beam (50). A substrate support (20, 20?) supports the associated substrate (12, 12?) with a surface normal (80) of the substrate arranged at a preselected angle (?) relative to the collimated electron beam (50). The collimated electron beam (50) is rastered across the associated substrate (12, 12?) at the preselected angle (?) while the substrate moves through the electron beam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for synthesizing carbon structures. In one embodiment, a method is provided for synthesizing a carbon structure including forming a plasma by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst and adding at least one carbonaceous material to the plasma to grow the carbon structures on a substrate. Various types of plasma catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for plasma-assisted gas production. In one embodiment, a gas, which includes at least one atomic or molecular species, can flow into a cavity (305). The gas can be subjected to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz (optionally in the presence of a plasma catalyst) such that a plasma (310) forms in the cavity (305). A filter (315) capable of passing the atomic or molecular species, but preventing others from passing, can be in fluid communication with the cavity (305). In this way, the selected species can be extracted and collected, for storage or immediate use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining plasma (615) for various coating processes. In one embodiment, the surface of an object can be coated (247) by forming plasma in a cavity (230) with walls (232) by subjecting a gas to an amount of electromagnetic radiation power via electrode (270) and a voltage supply (275) in the presence of a plasma catalyst (240) in mount (245) and adding at least one coating material to the plasma. The material is allowed to deposit on the surface of the object (250) on mount (260) to form a coating (247). Various plasma catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously fabricating a phase separated organic film and microstructures with liquid crystal having desired alignment is disclosed. The method includes the step of preparing a mixture of liquid crystal material, prepolymer, and polarization-sensitive material. The mixture is disposed on a substrate and a combination of UV or visible light or heat treatment is applied while simultaneously inducing phase separation so as to form a layer or microstructure of appropriately aligned liquid crystal material adjacent the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted joining of one or more parts together are provided. The joining process may include, for example, placing at least first and second joining areas in proximity to one another in a cavity, forming a plasma in the cavity by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst, and sustaining the plasma at least until the first and second joining areas are joined. Plasma catalysts, and methods and apparatus for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a joining plasma, are provided. Additional cavity shapes, and methods and apparatus for selective plasma-joining, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted joining of one or more parts together are provided. The joining process may include, for example, placing at least first and second joining areas in proximity to one another in a cavity, forming a plasma in the cavity by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst, and sustaining the plasma at least until the first and second joining areas are joined. Plasma catalysts, and methods and apparatus for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a joining plasma, are provided. Additional cavity shapes, and methods and apparatus for selective plasma-joining, are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of building rigid or flexible arrays of electro-optic devices. A phase separated composite structure technique yields adjacent regions of polymer and liquid crystal (LC) of specific architecture instead of a random dispersion of LC droplets. The above devices can be prepared by producing volutes of LC structure (56) next to a polymer area (58) using anisotropic phase separation of LC from a photopolymer. Initial by UV exposure. The shape, size and placement of these regions inside a cell becomes easily controllable with using optical mask or laser beam. The boundaries of LC volume can be controlled by controlling the chemical composition of the polymer and using an alignment layer (28).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various plasma processes and treatments. In one embodiment, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a multi-mode processing cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 1 MHz and about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, which may be passive or active. A passive plasma catalyst may include, for example, any object capable of inducing a plasma by deforming a local electric field. An active plasma catalyst can include any particle or high energy wave packet capable of transferring a sufficient amount of energy to a gaseous atom or molecule to remove at least one electron from the gaseous atom or molecule, in the presence of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for plasma-assisted melting are provided. In one embodiment, a plasma-assisted melting method can include: (1) adding a solid to a melting region, (2) forming a plasma in a cavity by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, wherein the cavity has a wall, (3) sustaining the plasma in the cavity such that energy from the plasma passes through the wall into the melting region and melts the solid into a liquid, and (4) collecting the liquid. Solids that can be melted consistent with this invention can include metals, such as metal ore and scrap metal. Various plasma catalysts are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for at least partially decrystallizing a surface of an object. In one embodiment, a method is provided for decrystallizing a surface of an object by forming a plasma (such as by subjecting a gas to an amount of electromagnetic radiation, optionally in the presence of a plasma catalyst) and exposing the surface of the object to the plasma.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device comprises two substrates facing and spaced from each other, at least one of the substrates being transparent; an electro-optical material filling a first portion of the space between the substrates, the electro-optical material comprising molecules whose spatial orientation can be altered by application of an electric field across the two substrates; and a polymeric material filling a second portion of the space between the substrates, the polymeric material having been polymerized in situ between the plates, wherein the polymeric material forms a multiplicity of microscopic polymer columns extending between the two substrates, and the columns provide both a structural bond between the two substrates for maintaining the spacing between the substrates and alignment of the molecules of the electro-optical material, with the alignment resulting from the close spacing of the microscopic columns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for plasma-assisted joining of one or more parts together are provided. The joining process may include, for example, placing at least first and second joining areas in proximity to one another in a cavity, forming a plasma in the cavity by subjecting a gas to electromagnetic radiation in the presence of a plasma catalyst, and sustaining the plasma at least until the first and second joining areas are joined. Plasma catalysts, and methods and apparatus for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a joining plasma, are provided. Additional cavity shapes, and methods and apparatus for selective plasma-joining, are also provided.

Abstract: Plasma-assisted methods and apparatus that use multiple radiation sources are provided. In one embodiment, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a processing cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, which may be passive or active. A controller can be used to delay activation of one radiation source with respect to another.

Abstract: Apparatus for suppressing fluid-borne noise in a fluid conduit (12 or 12a) that includes a vibration sensor (36, 36a or 36b) for operative coupling to the conduit for providing an electrical sensor signal as a function of fluid pressure fluctuations in the conduit. A piezoelectric actuator (40, 40a or 40b) is adapted to be mounted on the conduit for imparting pressure fluctuations to fluid in the conduit. An electronic controller (38, 38a or 38b) is responsive to the sensor signal for energizing the actuator 180° out of phase with fluid pressure fluctuations sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be either closely coupled to the actuator, or separate from the actuator and disposed upstream of the actuator with respect to the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. The sensor in the preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a piezoelectric sensor, and the actuator comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device comprises of a pair of opposed substrates defining a cell gap. Each substrate has an electrode disposed on a surface facing the other substrate. A plurality of spacers are randomly disposed in the cell gap and extend from one substrate to the other substrate, wherein a polymerization enhancing or initiating compound is not disposed on the surface of the spacers. Polymer columns are randomly disposed between the opposed substrates, extending from one substrate to the other, at least a portion of which are disposed around and immobilize the spacers in the cell gap. A liquid crystal material is disposed in the cell gap. A method for making a liquid crystal device is also provided. The internal columnar structures provide stability against mechanical pressure enabling the fabrication of durable, flexible LC display devices using plastic substrates for applications in portable and handheld devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprising a wafer having an active surface comprising at least one integrated circuit, wherein each integrated circuit has a plurality of bond pads; and a cured silicone layer covering the surface of the wafer, provided at least a portion of each bond pad is not covered with the silicone layer and wherein the silicone layer is prepare by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A semiconductor package comprising a wafer having an active surface comprising at least one integrated circuit, wherein each integrated circuit has a plurality of bond pads; and a cured silicone layer covering the surface of the wafer, provided at least a portion of each bond pad is not covered with the silicone layer and wherein the silicone layer is prepare by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for treating the surface of a metal body through phase transformation, ion implantation, and/or diffusion and to form new phases of metallic materials. The method and apparatus have been shown to be particularly useful to improve the hardness and corrosion resistance of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Generally, the method comprises irradiating a portion of the metal body (18) with a laser (12), and directing a stream of gas (22) onto the same portion of the metal body simultaneously with and preferably for a duration after the laser is turned off. Preferably, the laser (12) is a carbon dioxide laser operated in a pulsed mode to control heating of the metal (18). The gas (22) is preferably carbon dioxide to quickly cool the metal when the laser is off, and to provide carbon atoms for deposition onto the body.

Abstract: A polymer matrix composite comprises a matrix of a cured methylsilsesquioxane resin and a reinforcing material. The composite has low heat release rate, smoke yield, and carbon monoxide yield when burned. After burning, the composite has high char yield and retains much of its initial tensile strength. The method for making the composite comprises applying a silanol-functional methylsilsesquioxane resin comprising 70 to 90 mol % ((CH.sub.3)SiO.sub.3/2) units and 10 to 25 mol % (CH.sub.3 Si(OH)0.sub.2/2) units to a reinforcing material and curing the resin.