Abstract: A reliable optical transmission system with an improved signal control mechanism that avoids abrupt power variations of light beams, thereby preventing optical supervisory channel (OSC) signals from experiencing errors. An optical amplifier amplifies main signals under the control of an optical amplifier controller, which spends a first predetermined time to raise the output power of the optical amplifier up to a desired level. A pump light source produces a pump beam for injection to a fiber-optic transmission line so as to make it serve as an amplifying medium. The pump light source is controlled by a pump light source controller that spends a second predetermined time to raise the pump beam to a desired power level. This stepwise start-up process of the amplifier power and pump beam power prevents OSC signals from experiencing abrupt power variations.

Abstract: The UV-blocking filter is a disk-shaped glass body made of borosilicate float glass, which has a layer of silver-containing diffusion paint adhering to it, which blocks ultraviolet light, so that the UV-blocking filter resists a high thermal load up to temperature of about 500° C. The preferred borosilicate float glass is BOROFLOAT® and the preferred diffusion paint is marketed by Schmelzfarben GmbH, Germany, under the product name, Red-brown mordant, and Type No. P 76 050.

Abstract: A system for reading microscope slides in an automated fashion.

Abstract: A molded part prepared by a mold transfer method using a die, including a surface which includes a slope, wherein a direction of a normal line of the slope is different from a die releasing direction; and a pattern which is formed on the surface and which includes grooves located on a portion of the slope so as to extend along the slope in the slanting direction of the slope. An optical element, which has an anti reflection function, including the molded part mentioned above, wherein the interval between two adjacent grooves is not greater than the wavelength of light irradiating the optical element. An optical device including a light source configured to emit light; and the optical element mentioned above which processes the light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: A screen is disclosed. The screen includes: a main screen body having a diffusion layer provided in a loop shape; a support member that is provided at an inner side of the loop shaped diffusion layer and supports the loop shaped diffusion layer to be stretched thereover; and a driving unit that moves the loop shaped diffusion layer in parallel to a surface of the main screen body.

Abstract: Wire-grid polarizers (WGPs) and their use in transmissive displays are disclosed. The displays containing these WGPs possess high contrast and brightness characteristics in comparison to prior art displays.

Abstract: A polarizer including a film having a structure having a minute domain dispersed in a matrix formed of a translucent water-soluble resin including an iodine light absorbing material, provides a high polarization degree in short wavelength side. The polarizer has a high transmittance and a high polarization degree, and is able to control unevenness of the transmittance in the case of black display.

Abstract: Members such as a laser diode (10) that is a light source, a diffraction grating (11), a polarizing beam splitter (12) and a collimator lens are arranged in a casing (20). An optical head device having such a casing (20) is improved, so that a film wavelength plate (14) is directly attached to the casing (20) in a form free from a support substrate. The film wavelength plate (14) consists of only one film and has a thickness of 0.2 to 1.0 mm. Particularly, the film wavelength plate is preferably constituted by fusing polycarbonate films in a three-layer structure.

Abstract: A wavelength plate including an organic thin film adhered to a glass substrate through an adhesive is built in an optical head optical system used in a predetermined using temperature range. The adhesive has a glass transition temperature higher than the predetermined using temperature range, and the linear expansion coefficient (K1) of the adhesive, the linear expansion coefficient (K2) of the organic thin film, and the linear expansion coefficient (K3) of the glass substrate have the relation of K3?K1 and K1?K2 under the predetermined using temperature range.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g. flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements projecting from a major surface are described. The microstructured (e.g.) cube-corner elements or interface with an adjacent layer comprises certain nitrogen-containing ingredients. The inclusion of such nitrogen-containing ingredients can improve the adhesion of the (e.g. cube-corner) elements to adjacent (e.g. olefinic) layers such as a body layer, seal film layer, or combination thereof. The flexible retroreflective articles have a light transmissive polymeric body layer having an elastic modulus of less than 7×108 pascals.

Abstract: A tunable Fabry-Perot filter is supported on a substrate which may be transparent. A transparent support body is supported by the substrate and carries a first reflector. A second reflector is supported on the substrate. The first and second reflectors define a gap therebetween. The size of the gap is adjustable by flexing of the support body to modulate a wavelength of light output by the filter.

Abstract: An optical filter is formed of a layer stack that includes metallic layers and dielectric layers, with at least one dielectric layer being defined by more than one zinc-based film. These zinc-based films have different percentages of zinc. The selections of the percentages are based upon the positions of the films within the dielectric layer. An unexpectedly low sheet resistance is available if the zinc-based film that immediately precedes forming a metallic layer has a percentage of zinc in the range of 80 percent to next to 100 percent. Process stabilization and manufacturing cost are provided by placing the percentage of the lower zinc-based film closer to 50 percent (25-75). Process stabilization is further enhanced by providing an indium-based film within the dielectric layer adjacent to the metallic layer.

Abstract: A composite having a stack of a repeating pattern of layers of: a layer of a nonconductive magnetic material, a first layer of a dielectric material; a layer of a semiconducting material; and a second layer of the dielectric material. The composite has a magnetic resonance frequency and a magnetic anti-resonance frequency and a plasma frequency at higher frequencies than the magnetic resonance frequency.

Abstract: An optical sheet has a large number of cylindrical lens elements provided successively on one of principal faces thereof. The cylindrical lens elements have a hyperboloidal face or a paraboloidal face and have a finite focal distance on the emission side of illumination light. Where a Z axis is taken in parallel to a normal line direction to the optical sheet and an X axis is taken in a direction of the row of the cylindrical lens elements, a cross sectional shape of the cylindrical lens elements satisfies Z=X2/(R+?{square root over ( )}(R2?(1+K)X2)) (where R is the radius of curvature of a distal end vertex, and K is a conic constant).

Abstract: A hard-coated antiglare film is provided that has high hardness, high scratch resistance, and good antiglare properties. In the hard-coated antiglare film of the present invention including a transparent plastic film substrate, a hard-coating layer containing fine particles is formed on at least one surface of the transparent plastic film substrate, the hard-coating layer has a thickness in the range of 15 to 30 ?m, the fine particles have a weight average particle size of 30 to 75% of a thickness of the hard-coating layer, the average tilt angle ?a of the unevenness of the hard-coating layer surface is in the range of 0.4° to 1.5°, and the hard-coating layer is formed using a resin for forming the hard-coating layer containing three specific resin components.

Abstract: An illumination optical apparatus, used in a projection exposure apparatus for projecting and exposing a pattern arranged in a first plane to a second plane, for supplying the first surface with illumination light from a light source comprises an optical path combiner arranged in an optical path between the light source and the first surface, for combining a plurality of light beams different from each other from the light source such that the first and second light beams illuminate the first surface closely to each other. The optical path combiner includes a discrete point positioned on or near a third surface optically conjugate with the first surface. The plurality of light beams travel by way of a plurality of regions sectioned by the discrete point, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DLC film that functions as an optical element and that can easily be miniaturized or integrated, and a method for forming the DLC film. A DLC film that has a refractive index varying continuously in at least one width direction from the center O of the DLC film. More specifically, a DLC film in which the refractive index decreases continuously in at least one width direction from the center O of the DLC film, and thereby the DLC film functions as a convex lens. A DLC film in which the refractive index increases continuously in at least one width direction from the center of the DLC film, and thereby the DLC film functions as a concave lens. A DLC film that has a refractive index varying continuously in the thickness direction.

Abstract: To provide a zoom lens which attains high zoom ratio and high optical performance over the entire zoom range, enables vibration control and miniaturization, and is compatible with a solid-state imaging device with a large size and a large number of pixels, the zoom lens 10 includes a first lens group G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having a negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group G5 having a positive refractive power, which are sequentially arranged in that order from the object side. Zooming is performed by the independent movement of the first lens group G1, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, and the fourth lens group G4 along an optical axis. Image stabilization for mitigating camera shake is performed by the movement of the fourth lens group G4 along the direction perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens which includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a stop, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive refractive power. The distance between the first lens unit and the second lens unit changes during zooming. At least one of the second, third, and fourth lens units moves so that the distance between the second lens unit and the third lens unit at the telephoto end is smaller than that at the wide-angle end and so that the distance between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit at the telephoto end is larger than that at the wide-angle end. The distance between the stop and the third lens unit changes during zooming.

Abstract: There is disclosed a zoom lens system comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens unit having a positive refractive power; a second lens unit having a negative refractive power; a third lens unit having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens unit having a negative refractive power. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit enlarges, a space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit narrows, a space between the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit changes, and all of the first to fourth lens units move along an optical axis. The zoom lens system further comprises an aperture stop which moves integrally with the third lens unit during the zooming.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a first positive lens unit, a second negative lens unit, a third positive lens unit, and a fourth positive lens unit, the lens units being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. The position of the first lens unit at the telephoto end is closer to the object side than the position of the first lens unit at the wide angle end. The lens units move in such a way that the distance between the first and the second lens units at the telephoto end is larger than that at the wide angle end, the distance between the second and the third lens units at the telephoto end is smaller than that at the wide angle end, and the distance between the third and the fourth lens units at the telephoto end is larger than that at the wide angle end.

Abstract: An optical lens system for taking image comprises three lens elements with refractive power, from the object side to the image side: a first positive lens element having a convex front surface and a concave rear surface, and the front surface being aspheric; a negative plastic second lens element having a concave front surface and a convex rear surface, and the front and rear surfaces thereof being aspheric; a positive plastic third lens element having a convex front surface and a concave rear surface, the front and rear surfaces thereof being aspheric; and an aperture stop located between the first and second lens elements for controlling brightness of the optical system. The focal length of the first lens element is f1, the focal length of the optical lens system is f, and they satisfy the relations: f/f1<0.9.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image pickup lens for forming a light flux from a subject into an image on an image pickup element, and the image pickup lens includes, in order from an object side thereof: an aperture stop; a first lens having a positive refractive power; a second lens having a negative refractive power and comprising a concave surface facing an image side of the image pickup lens; a third lens having a positive refractive power; and a fourth lens having a negative refractive power and comprising a concave surface facing the image side. The image pickup lens satisfies the predetermined condition according to a curvature radius of the surface facing the image side on the second lens, and a focal length of the image pickup lens.

Abstract: A lens module includes a frame, a guide bar, a lever, a first lens and a second lens. The frame is for carrying an image sensor with a photosensitive surface. The guide bar is disposed on one side of the frame and parallel to a normal of the photosensitive surface. The lever includes a pivot part coupled with the frame and an extended part capable of rotating around the pivot part. The first lens and the second lens coupled with the guide bar are leaned against the extended part. When the extended part rotates around the pivot part, the extended part drives the first lens and the second lens to slide along the guide bar, for changing a first distance between the first lens and the photosensitive surface and changing a second distance between the second lens and the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: A reflector employs materials and design features that can transfer both light and sound emission simultaneously, from sources to planes or volumes, in an efficient and controlled manner. Compound orthogonal parabolic reflectors employ an extension onto conventional orthogonal parabolic reflectors to efficiently deliver light and/or sound to a focal volume or surface. The extension shapes the output, and can provide inflow and outflow to the focal region, along with a brush. Pulsed sources may be employed, which may emit light, sound or both light and sound, may erode and may be wire initiated with the wire replaced after each pulse by a wire feed.

Abstract: A retractable door mirror to prevent wind noise during running of an automobile and achieving a simplified form of a base plate having a function as a stopper for regulating a retractable angle of a mirror body, thereby reducing production cost. The retractable door mirror has a mirror base and a mirror body rotatable relative to the mirror base. The mirror base includes a base plate in which stoppers for regulating retractable angles of the mirror body are attached to a plate body. The plate body in the base plate is located on the lower side of the mirror base, and the stoppers are arranged to penetrate the mirror base from the lower side of the mirror base and project to the upper side of the mirror base.

Abstract: A mirror extension kit providing a mirror extension bracket (10) for holding a mirror structure (31) to the side of a vehicle (41) at various possible lengths from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for restoring data stored along a data storage path on an optical disc (1) which is unreadable for conventional optical disc drives due to undesired chemical or physical changes within a recording layer (3) of the optical disc comprises the following steps: detecting deformations (14) of a groove (6) extending along the data storage path, the deformations (15) being generated by a laser beam (7) during a recording process, determining the data to be restored from the detected deformations (14) and lands (8?).

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproduction method includes the steps of recording a plurality of tracks which make a unit for a signal process for data detection by means of a recording head on a magnetic recording medium, and reproducing signals of the plural tracks by a plural number of times in different positional relationships to the tracks by means of a reproduction head which can reproduce a signal across the plural tracks of the magnetic recording medium, collecting the reproduction signals in the unit and performing a signal process for the unit to produce reproduction signals for the individual tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed wherein reproduced signals read out from a plurality of recording tracks using a reproducing head can be separated into original recording signals of the recording tracks. Upon recording, an identification signal which has a recording wavelength equal to or greater than a minimum recording wavelength and causes no interference of any of the recording tracks with any adjacent one of the recording tracks is appended to and recorded together with a recording signal in order to allow, upon reproduction, acquisition of the position information of the reproducing head with respect to the plural recording tracks of the magnetic recording medium. Upon reproduction, a reproduced signal for each of the recording tracks of the magnetic recording medium is generated on the basis of the positional information read from the recording tracks.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a recording device configured to record with a write head a plurality of tracks constituting a unit of signal processing for data detection, to magnetic recording media; a reproduction device configured to reproduce with a read head a plurality of reproduction signals concurrently from the plurality of tracks on the magnetic recording media in different positional relations to the tracks, the reproduction signals being arranged into that one unit for signal processing thereby generating the track-specific reproduction signals; and a phase alignment device configured to align phases of record signals between adjacent tracks among the plurality of tracks recorded by the recording device to the magnetic recording media.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes determining that a data sector included in a select data track is in error, the data sector in error includes at least one identified data wedge. The at least one defective data wedge in the data sector in error is located. The method also includes moving the at least one defective data wedge by utilizing at least one spare wedge on the select data track.

Abstract: A magnetic head device performs a recording operation and a reproducing operation in a linear magnetic tape recording system having a plurality of tracks that are formed parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction of a tape. The magnetic head device includes a recording head block including a plurality of recording heads that are disposed in correspondence with respective tracks in a first area including the tracks that are adjacent to each other. The magnetic head device performs the recording operation on the tracks that are adjacent to each other at the same time with the recording head block.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes: a data area where data is to be recorded; and a servo area where position signal for positioning a recording/reproducing head is recorded, the servo area being provided with an address section in which address information is recorded, wherein the address section has a magnetic pattern configured by columns of recording portions, the columns being arranged in a direction that intersects with a direction of recording tracks to be in parallel with one another, and by non-recording portions arranged between the columns.

Abstract: An asperity data storage system wherein asperities are used to represent stored data. The asperity data storage system includes an asperity transducer that thermally interacts with a data storage medium adapted to store an information-encoded pattern of asperities thereon, such as a rotatable disk, a streamable tape, or a fixed medium. A drive system produces relative motion between the data storage medium and the asperity transducer, while electrical signals corresponding to the asperities are processed as stored information. A positional relationship can be maintained between the asperity transducer and the data storage medium using the asperities on the data storage medium for reference. A related asperity data storage method and the asperity data storage medium itself are further disclosed.

Abstract: A hard disk drive comprising a plurality of read/write heads oriented to serially read data from the magnetic media of the disk drive. The head output signals are delayed and combined to provide a time aligned composite signal for determining the value of the data bits read from the disk drive. An improved signal-to-noise ratio is provided according to the teachings of the present invention by combining the signal components from the plurality of heads, as the signal components are added algebraically while the noise components are combined as root mean square values. Thus the overall signal-to-noise ratio is improved, resulting in a greater probability of correctly determining the stored data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a mixed-mode amplifier for amplifying signals in data storage devices such as disk drives. In one embodiments, a circuit for amplifying data signals comprises a magnetoresistive sensor having a bias voltage applied thereto; a signal amplifier which amplifies a signal detected by the magnetoresistive sensor having the bias voltage applied thereto; a feedback control block which is coupled to an output of the signal amplifier and outputs a feedback current used to vary a loop gain of the circuit; a bias setting circuit which outputs a bias setting current; and a transimpedance amplifier which receives the bias setting current from the bias setting block and the feedback current from the feedback control block and generates the bias voltage applied to the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: When a disk device corresponding to a logical volume is started, a disk system determines and starts a disk device and a fan to be started, while comprehensively considering heat quantity generated by the disk device to be started, the cooling capacity of the fan, and the electric power consumption of the fan or the electric power consumption of the disk device.

Abstract: A disk drive can include a data storage disk, a head, an acceleration sensor, and a controller. The head is configured to write data on the disk. The acceleration sensor generates an acceleration signal that is indicative of acceleration of the disk drive. The controller determines when the disk drive is being subjected to a vibration condition determination. The controller can inhibit writing of data through the head onto the disk based on comparison of the acceleration signal to the threshold value.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus is configured so as to read trace information from a discrete track recording medium recording the trace information for making a servo locus of a magnetic head trace the center line of physical tracks and control the servo locus of the magnetic head onto the center line of the physical tracks.

Abstract: A disc clamp is provided for securing discs to a spindle motor. In particular, the clamp is useful in providing distributed forces to the discs. The clamp includes an annular body having an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner circumference and an outer circumference. A flange extends from the lower surface of the annular body and has an inner surface oriented towards the inner circumference of the annular body. A plurality of apertures are formed between the upper and lower surfaces of the annular body and are configured to receive fasteners. Further, a plurality of force distributing features are formed in the flange between the outer surface of the flange and the inner surface of the flange.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a write pole that prevents P2 pedestal consumption during ion milling removal of coil and pole seed layers. The write head can be constructed by forming a first pole and then forming a magnetic pedestal (P2) over the first pole. A protective layer of, for example, alumina is deposited over a portion of the pedestal in the pole tip region, leaving a portion of the pedestal uncovered in the flare region. A coil seed layer can then be deposited and a coil formed. When the coil seed layer is removed, such as by ion milling, the pole tip region of the pedestal is protected from the ion milling by the protective layer. Similarly, a top pole can be deposited by first depositing an electrically conductive, magnetic seed layer and then plating the top pole. When the top pole seed layer is removed by ion milling, the pole tip region of the pedestal is protected from removal by the protective layer.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention allow a resin member accommodating therein a trace, to have a small thickness. An HDD according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a resin accommodation member fixed to a side surface of arms. Part of a trace is accommodated in a slit formed in the accommodation member. Accommodating part of the trace in the slit helps suppress fluttering of the trace and improve head positioning accuracy. A corrugated surface structure is formed on each of surfaces of the arms and the accommodation member in abutment with each other. The corrugated surface structure is used to position the accommodation member in a pivot direction. The accommodation member, having the corrugated surface structure for positioning on the surface being fixed, can be made to have a thin wall.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive element includes a lower magnetic shield film and a magneto-resistive film disposed above the lower magnetic shield film. The lower magnetic shield film includes a lower shield layer and an upper shield layer. The upper shield layer is amorphous or microcrystalline, made of a NiFe or CoFe composition containing B or P, and deposited on the lower shield layer. The lower shield layer is a magnetic conductive layer which is amorphous or microcrystalline with a crystal grain size equal to or less than 20 nm.

Abstract: A shield in a magnetic reader includes a magnetic layer having a first surface and a second surface. The magnetic layer includes at least one aperture that extends through the magnetic layer from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistive (GMR) head contains an overcoat layer consisting of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride. These materials have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is less than alumina, which is conventionally used for the overcoat layer. As a result, the overcoat layer exhibits a smaller temperature-induced protrusion when the head heats up from friction with the passing air stream. The process of forming the head includes forming a recess in the overcoat layer that reduces the stress on the poles and improves the performance of the head. The process includes depositing a seed layer over the overcoat layer in preparation to plating a metal mask layer with an opening where the recess is to be formed, wet chemical etching the seed layer through the opening in the mask layer and performing an ion milling process to remove any remaining traces of the seed layer.

Abstract: Magnetoresistive (MR) elements having flux guides defined by the free layer are disclosed. The MR element includes a free layer, a spacer/barrier layer, a pinned layer, and a pinning layer. A back edge of the free layer (opposite the sensing surface of the MR element) extends past a back edge of the spacer/barrier layer. The portion of the free layer extending past the back edge of the spacer/barrier layer defines a continuous flux guide. The flux guide is processed to reduce the conductive characteristics of the flux guide, thereby reducing current shunt loss in the flux guide.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, ferromagnetic thin films of iron that have reduced relaxation rates and methods of making the same are provided. It should be noted that pure iron is a ferromagnet (i.e., has a spontaneous magnetization alignment) with the lowest intrinsic damping rate of all of the ferromagnets. The present invention provides a ferromagnetic structure comprising a substrate and a ferromagnetic thin film of iron (Fe) formed on the substrate. An element selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) (i.e., a lower-Z transition metal element) is alloyed with the ferromagnetic thin film of iron to reduce the relaxation rate of the ferromagnetic thin film.

Abstract: In an MR element, each of a pinned layer and a free layer includes a Heusler alloy layer. The Heusler alloy layer has two surfaces that are quadrilateral in shape and face toward opposite directions. The Heusler alloy layer includes one crystal grain that touches four sides of one of the two surfaces. In a method of manufacturing the MR element, a layered film to be the MR element is formed and patterned, and then heat treatment is performed on the layered film patterned, so that crystal grains included in a film to be the Heusler alloy layer in the layered film grow and one crystal grain that touches four sides of one of the surfaces of the film to be the Heusler alloy layer is thereby formed.