Abstract: A method of forming a polarizing material is provided including exposing a layer of dichroic material to activating light illumination to provide an ordered structure with a distinguished absorption axis and thus photo-induce polarization, and fixing the induced polarization by polymerization of the dichroic layer. Novel polarizing materials formed thereby are also provided. By selectively exposing regions of the dichroic material to differing activating radiation, different regions with different polarization axes can be created. The polarizing material can also be provided with a coating or coatings to alter the spectral responses, and a stack formed of a plurality if dichroic layers can be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying suspect layout features from a plurality of layout features of an integrated circuit (IC) layout. A plurality of snippet images is generated, each of which depicts at least a portion of a suspect layout feature which is different from suspect layout features depicted in others of the plurality of snippet images. The suspect layout features are determined based on the diagnosis of a plurality of defective ICs manufactured in accordance with the IC layout. A plurality of clusters is generated, and each of the clusters contains a group of the plurality of snippet images based on similarities between the snippet images.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for driving bistable cholesteric liquid crystal displays. The method and apparatus provided a display in which all the pixels are initially driven to the P state. Selected pixels for the display are then driven to the FC state to provide the desired message. The state of the pixels is then maintained for a viewing period prior to any resetting of the display to the P state. The switching from the P state to the FC state allows fast addressing times and lower voltages to be used in driving the display.

Abstract: A method of forming a polarizing material is provided including exposing a layer of dichroic material to activating light illumination to provide an ordered structure with a distinguished absorption axis and thus photo-induce polarization, and fixing the induced polarization by polymerization of the dichroic layer. Novel polarizing materials formed thereby are also provided. By selectively exposing regions of the dichroic material to differing activating radiation, different regions with different polarization axes can be created. The polarizing material can also be provided with a coating or coatings to alter the spectral responses, and a stack formed of a plurality if dichroic layers can be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying suspect layout features from a plurality of layout features of an integrated circuit (IC) layout. A plurality of snippet images is generated, each of which depicts at least a portion of a suspect layout feature which is different from suspect layout features depicted in others of the plurality of snippet images. The suspect layout features are determined based on the diagnosis of a plurality of defective ICs manufactured in accordance with the IC layout. A plurality of clusters is generated, and each of the clusters contains a group of the plurality of snippet images based on similarities between the snippet images.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling the grey-scale modulation of a reflective bistable cholesteric display by applying selected sequences of high and low pulses to modulate the cholesteric domain size and helical axis orientation. Non-mesogenic dopants may also be added to reduce the drive voltage.

Abstract: A linear motor comprising a coil assembly and a magnet assembly is provided with a cooling apparatus which comprises a segmented air knife assembly. The segmented air knife assembly has a plurality of slot openings distributed along its length which is coupled to the linear motor and it is operative to discharge cooling air into a gap between the coil assembly and magnet assembly in a discharge direction. An inclined surface extends from the plurality of slot openings and slopes at an obtuse angle away from the discharge direction of the cooling air. Each slot opening is individually configured to discharge the cooling air in the discharge direction at a sufficient velocity so as to entrain atmospheric air along the inclined surface to amplify the cooling air that is so discharged.

Abstract: A linear motor comprising a coil assembly and a magnet assembly is provided with a cooling apparatus which comprises a segmented air knife assembly. The segmented air knife assembly has a plurality of slot openings distributed along its length which is coupled to the linear motor and it is operative to discharge cooling air into a gap between the coil assembly and magnet assembly in a discharge direction. An inclined surface extends from the plurality of slot openings and slopes at an obtuse angle away from the discharge direction of the cooling air. Each slot opening is individually configured to discharge the cooling air in the discharge direction at a sufficient velocity so as to entrain atmospheric air along the inclined surface to amplify the cooling air that is so discharged.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a linear motor that comprises a coil assembly and a magnet assembly, wherein the coil assembly generates heat during operation. The cooling apparatus comprises a compressed air inlet positioned to discharge compressed air in a direction directly towards a gap between the coil assembly and magnet assembly, and an inclined surface extending from the compressed air inlet and sloping at an obtuse angle away from the discharge direction of the compressed air. The compressed air inlet is configured to discharge the compressed air at a sufficient velocity so as to entrain atmospheric air along the inclined surface to amplify the compressed air that is discharged.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus for bonding materials onto a substrate supported on a substrate support is provided with an air generator that is arranged and configured to direct an air flow onto the substrate during bonding. The air generator is located on one side of the substrate support, whereas a suction device is located on an opposite side of the substrate support which is operative to draw the air flow away from the bonding apparatus. The air generator further comprises an air knife that is operative to generate a unidirectional air flow over an entire length of the substrate during bonding.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for preparing photo-patterned mono- or polychromatic, polarizing films. The polarizer can be pixelated into a number of small regions wherein some of the regions have one orientation of the principal neutral or color absorbing axis; and some other of the said regions have another orientation of the principal neutral or color absorbing axis. The axis orientation is determined by the polarization vector of actinic radiation and the multi-axes orientation is possible by a separated masked exposure. This polarizer can be placed on the interior substrate surface of the LCD cell.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus is provided for a linear motor that comprises a coil assembly and a magnet assembly, wherein the coil assembly generates heat during operation. The cooling apparatus comprises a compressed air inlet positioned to discharge compressed air in a direction directly towards a gap between the coil assembly and magnet assembly, and an inclined surface extending from the compressed air inlet and sloping at an obtuse angle away from the discharge direction of the compressed air. The compressed air inlet is configured to discharge the compressed air at a sufficient velocity so as to entrain atmospheric air along the inclined surface to amplify the compressed air that is discharged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a polarizing material comprising exposing a layer of dichroic material to activating light illumination to provide an ordered structure with a distinguished absorption axis and thus photo-induce polarization, and fixing the induced polarization by polymerisation of the dichroic layer. The present invention also provides novel polarizing materials formed thereby. By selectively exposing regions of the dichroic material to differing activating radiation, different regions with different polarization axes can be created. The polarizing material can also be provided with a coating or coatings to alter the spectral response, and a stack formed of a plurality if dichroic layers may be provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for driving bistable cholesteric liquid crystal displays. The method and apparatus provided a display in which all the pixels are initially driven to the P state. Selected pixels for the display are then driven to the FC state to provide the desired message. The state of the pixels is then maintained for a viewing period prior to any resetting of the display to the P state. The switching from the P state to the FC state allows fast addressing times and lower voltages to be used in driving the display.