Abstract: The present invention provides a position-sensing system which employs sensors incorporating magnetoresistive materials. The position of a magnetic information input member is determined through the resistance change of the magnetoresistive sensor in response to the magnetic field from the magnetic information input member. Exemplary magnetoresistive materials are lanthanum manganites having high magnetoresistive ratios. Two-dimensional position sensing systems for graphics tablets are also described.

Abstract: A high-strength Pb-free solder alloy, based on the Sn--Ag--Zn system, is disclosed. The Pb-free solder alloy contains, in weight percent, 0.2-0.6% Zn, 1-6% Ag, one or both 0.2-0.6% In and 0.2-0.6% Bi, and the balance Sn. The addition of Zn significantly improves the mechanical strength and creep resistance of e.g., Sn--3.5% Ag eutectic solder while maintaining substantially the same level of ductility. The increase in strength is as much as 48% over that of the Sn--3.5% Ag alloy. This strengthening from the Zn additions is attributed to a uniform solidification structure and a substantial refinement of the precipitates in the alloy. Essentially all of the added Zn resides in the more corrosion-resistant, Ag-based, intermetallic precipitates, leaving the Sn-rich matrix primarily free of Zn in solid solution.

Abstract: A novel and advantageous cathode structure for a field emission display apparatus is disclosed. A given pixel comprises a multiplicity of spaced apart emitter bodies on a support. A given emitter body comprises diamond and/or rare earth boride, and has a relatively sharp geometrical feature that facilitates electron emission from the emitter body. By way of example, the emitter body comprises diamond bodies grown on a support, or it comprises a pre-existing diamond particle that was placed on the support. Such emitter bodies generally can be provided easily and at low cost, and typically have naturally occurring sharp geometrical features such as points and edges. We have also discovered that appropriately grown rare earth boride films of thickness 30 nm or less may substantially improve electron emission from emitter bodies, and some preferred embodiments of the invention comprise a cathode structure that comprises a thin layer of, e.g., LaB.sub.6 on the emitter bodies.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an article of manufacture is provided having at least one region which includes a lead-free solder composition. The lead-free solder composition comprises an alloy of at least 50 wt. % tin and 7-30 wt. % zinc. An effective amount of silver is added to increase the ductility of the resultant alloy at least 25% over the ductility of the binary eutectic tin-zinc alloy. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides alloys useful in articles comprising lead-free solder compositions. The alloys include at least (8.0+y) wt. % zinc, 0.25 y to 0.5 y wt. % silver and at least 50 wt. % tin where y is from 0.2 to 22.