Abstract: A magnetic recording tape exhibits reduced magnetic flux modulation and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Providing a magnetic recording layer with a more uniform thickness can improve the magnetic flux modulation characteristic. For example, the magnetic recording tape may have a coercivity of greater than or equal to 2000 Oe with a magnetic flux modulation characteristic having a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.06. In some cases, the magnetic flux modulation characteristic may have a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.05, or even 0.04. Reduced magnetic flux modulation can support increased storage densities.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system for ensuring quality duplication using recognized optical disks. A media cartridge is described that confines a plurality of optical disk and utilizes a mechanical lockout mechanism to release the optical disk while preventing a user from inserting unauthorized optical disk into the media cartridge. The mechanical lockout mechanism may use a securing arm and rack, a securing member and locking member, or a plurality of biased fingers to lockout the optical disk. In addition, a cartridge identification tag (CID) may be used to recognize the media cartridge, and a medium identification tag (MID) may be used to recognize the optical disk. By preventing unauthorized optical disk from being used for duplication, the system may ensure that any duplicated optical disk is consistent in quality.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium exhibits reduced magnetic flux modulation and improved signal-to-noise ratio. The magnetic recording medium may take the form of a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk. Providing a magnetic recording layer with a more uniform thickness can improve the magnetic flux modulation characteristic. For example, the magnetic recording medium may have a coercivity of greater than or equal to 2000 Oerstads with a magnetic flux modulation characteristic having a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.06. In some cases, the magnetic flux modulation characteristic may have a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.05, or even 0.04. Reduced magnetic flux modulation can support increased storage densities.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium exhibits reduced magnetic flux modulation and improved signal-to-noise ratio. The magnetic recording medium may take the form of a magnetic tape or a magnetic disk. Providing a magnetic recording layer with a more uniform thickness can improve the magnetic flux modulation characteristic. For example, the magnetic recording medium may have a coercivity of greater than or equal to 2000 Oerstads with a magnetic flux modulation characteristic having a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.06. In some cases, the magnetic flux modulation characteristic may have a one sigma standard deviation of less than 0.05, or even 0.04. Reduced magnetic flux modulation can support increased storage densities.

Abstract: The performance of phosphor screens can be improved by adding an antistatic agent into the protective topcoat of the radiographic screen when the antistatic agent preferably comprises a fluorocarbon or silicone antistatic agent. These antistatic agents are particularly useful where the screen is made by coating phosphor dispersion/mixture onto a substrate while the dispersion/mixture contains less than 5% by weight of polymerizable components with a molecular weight less than 300, preferably with less than 5% by weight of polymerizable components having molecular weights less than 500, and a topcoat contains the antistatic agent. Formation of the antistatic topcoat is preferably formed by inclusion of the antistatic agent into the polymerizable composition and allowing the antistatic agent to migrate to the surface of the composition during polymerization to form a layer consisting essentially of the antistatic agent.

Abstract: A cellulose polymer network crosslinked with metal ions selected from the group consisting of: Al.sup.+3, Zr.sup.+4, and Ti.sup.+4, the crosslinked cellulose polymer network having incorporated therein a colloidal sol containing metal oxide-hydroxide particles wherein the metal is Al, Zr, or Ti. The inventive material is optically clear and can be used to cast microporous films, either supported or unsupported, which are useful as coatings on ink jet recording materials.

Abstract: The performance of phosphor screens can be improved by adding an antistatic agent into the protective topcoat of the radiographic screen when the antistatic agent preferably comprises a fluorocarbon or silicone antistatic agent. These antistatic agents are particularly useful where the screen is made by coating phosphor dispersion/mixture onto a substrate while the dispersion/mixture contains less than 5% by weight of polymerizable components with a molecular weight less than 300, preferably with less than 5% by weight of polymerizable components having molecular weights less than 500, and a topcoat contains the antistatic agent. Formation of the antistatic topcoat is preferably formed by inclusion of the antistatic agent into the polymerizable composition and allowing the antistatic agent to migrate to the surface of the composition during polymerization to form a layer consisting essentially of the antistatic agent.

Abstract: A water-based transparent image-receptive layer suitable for imaging in a thermal printer, and in electrophotographic or xerographic copiers, comprising a mixture of from about 5 parts to about 30 parts of at least one amino based silane coupling agent having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Q is selected from the group consisting of primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups; R is selected from aliphatic and aromatic groups; R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl and aryl groups, and n is 1 or 2; from about 60 parts to about 80 parts of basic colloidal particles; from about 10 to about 29.9 parts of a water-dispersible polymeric binder, and from about 0.1 part to about 5 parts of an antiblocking agent.

Abstract: A method of controlling the interfacial oxygen concentration of a monocrystalline/polycrystalline emitter includes the steps of: passivating the monocrystalline silicon surface by immersing the wafer in a diluted HF acid solution; transferring the wafer into a high vacuum environment; heating the wafer to between 400.degree. and 700.degree. C.; exposing the monocrystalline silicon surface to a gas having a partial pressure of oxygen of between 10.sup.-5 to 1 Torr for between 1 and 100 minutes; and, depositing polysilicon onto the monocrystalline silicon surface.

Abstract: A process for forming air-filled isolation trenches in a semiconductor substrate by a conformal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a silicon dioxide layer over the passivated surface of the semiconductor substrate in which intersecting trenches have been formed and partially filled with a material that can subsequentially be removed from under the CVD silicon dioxide layer, such materials include water soluble glasses and polymeric materials, such as a polyimide. The CVD silicon dioxide is etched back to the passivated surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming openings in the layer at the trench intersections that extend to the trench fill material. The fill material is removed through these openings. A CVD silicon dioxide layer is deposited to fill the openings, leaving a silicon dioxide cap bridging the air-filled trench. Water soluble glasses that may be used to fill the trench include BSG glass (B.sub.2 O.sub.3 content greater than 55%) and germanosilicate glass (GeO.sub.2 content greater than 50%).