Abstract: To calibrate a TDI photomask inspection tool, a photomask with a plurality of distinctly patterned regions is loaded into the tool. The plurality of distinctly patterned regions is successively illuminated with an EUV beam of light. While illuminating respective distinctly patterned regions, respective instances of imaging of the respective distinctly patterned regions are performed using a TDI sensor in the inspection tool. While performing the respective instances of imaging, a reference intensity detector is used to measure reference intensities of EUV light collected from the photomask. Based on the results of the respective instances of imaging and the measured reference intensities of EUV light, linearity of the TDI sensor is determined.

Abstract: A laser beam irradiation unit of a laser processing apparatus includes: a laser oscillator in which a repetition frequency is set so as to oscillate a pulsed laser having a pulse width shorter than a time of electronic excitation caused by irradiating the workpiece with a laser beam and oscillate at least two pulsed lasers within the electronic excitation time; a condenser that irradiates the workpiece held on the chuck table with the pulsed laser beams oscillated by the laser oscillator; and a thinning-out unit that is disposed between the laser oscillator and the condenser and guides the pulsed laser beams necessary for processing to the condenser by thinning out and discarding pulsed laser beams in a predetermined cycle.

Abstract: A side chain type polymer liquid crystalline compound with which a light absorption anisotropic film having a high alignment degree can be formed, which includes a liquid crystalline composition, a light absorption anisotropic film which is formed of the liquid crystalline composition, a laminate, and an image display device. A liquid crystalline composition contains a side chain type polymer liquid crystalline compound and a dichroic substance, the side chain type polymer liquid crystalline compound is a copolymer having repeating units 1 and 2, the repeating unit 1 has a mesogenic group and an electron-withdrawing group having a Hammett's substituent constant ?p of greater than 0 at a terminal of the mesogenic group, and the repeating unit 2 has a mesogenic group and a group having a Hammett's substituent constant ?p of 0 or less at a terminal of the mesogenic group.

Abstract: A substrate for use in manufacture of a production master plate for production of a detection disc for carrying samples in an apparatus for detection of microscopic objects in a fluid, the substrate having a channel and separate focus structure, wherein the focus structure is a groove.

Abstract: An analyte sensor incorporates one or more techniques for discriminating between different optical signals. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a photodetector that detects a narrow band optical signal. In another embodiment, the sensor includes a multilayer filter including an absorption filter, a reflection filter, and a transparent layer between the absorption and reflection filters. In another embodiment, the sensor employs an indicator that emits light for a period of time after an excitation source is turned off. In another embodiment, the sensor employs a first indicator that is excited by an excitation light source and a second indicator that is excited by light emitted by the first indicator. The second indicator emits light for a period after the excitation source is turned off. In another embodiment, excitation light is polarized by a first polarizer, and a second polarizer at a photodetector passes only light polarized by the first polarizer.

Abstract: A transducer includes a first piezoelectric layer; and a second piezoelectric layer that is above the first piezoelectric layer; wherein the second piezoelectric layer is a more compressive layer with an average stress that is less than or more compressive than an average stress of the first piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus 10 includes an optical pickup 12 configured to emit laser light and being capable of adjusting the focus of the laser light, a control computing unit 16 configured to adjust the focus of the laser light, an auxiliary stage 21 having the light source unit 12 set thereon, the position of the auxiliary stage 21 being adjustable in the direction toward the master 1, an auxiliary stage control unit 25 configured to control the position of the auxiliary stage 21, wherein the optical pickup 12 includes an object lens 124 configured to direct the laser light to the master 1, a VCM actuator 125 configured to displace the object lens 124 in accordance with a drive current, and the auxiliary stage control unit 25 controls the position of the auxiliary stage 21 in accordance with the drive current for the VCM actuator 125.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to biometric authentication, e.g., facial recognition. In some embodiments, a device is configured to verify that image data from a camera unit exhibits a pseudo-random sequence of image capture modes and/or a probing pattern of illumination points (e.g., from lasers in a depth capture mode) before authenticating a user based on recognizing a face in the image data. In some embodiments, a secure circuit may control verification of the sequence and/or the probing pattern. In some embodiments, the secure circuit may verify frame numbers, signatures, and/or nonce values for captured image information. In some embodiments, a device may implement one or more lockout procedures in response to biometric authentication failures. The disclosed techniques may reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of spoofing and/or replay attacks, in some embodiments.

Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.

Abstract: A system for thermal nanolithography comprises a cantilever (13) with a nanoscale tip (14) in proximity to a substrate surface (22). A probe light beam (L1) is reflected off the cantilever (13) and the reflected beam (R1) is measured to determine an atomic force interaction (F) between the tip (14) and the substrate surface (22). The tip (14) is heated to cause a heat-induced change at a localized part (22a) of the substrate surface (22) in proximity to the tip (14) by a heat flow (H) from the tip (14) to said localized part (22a). As described herein, the tip (14) is heated by absorption (A2) of a second, heat-inducing light beam (L2) that is distinct from the probe light beam (L1), in particular having a distinct wavelength (?2) or other properties.

Abstract: This VR viewing system is configured such that an external computer 200 outputs sound from an external speaker 300 while an HMD 100 reproduces a VR moving image by means of a built-in computer. The external computer 200 performs a sound output to the external speaker 300, conducts a master management of a reproduction elapsed time of the VR moving image so as to be synchronized with the sound output, detects a difference between the reproduction elapsed time of the VR moving image by the built-in computer of the HMD 100 and the reproduction elapsed time of the VR moving image undergoing the master management by the external computer 200, and adjusts the reproduction of the VR moving image by the built-in computer so as to eliminate the detected difference.

Abstract: A method of digitizing, including accepting papers in an input tray for digitizing, digitizing content of the paper with a first digitizing scanner, digitizing calibration markings with each paper digitized by the first digitizing scanner or digitizing content of the paper with a second digitizing scanner, comparing the calibration markings to predefined markings or comparing the digitized content of the paper from the first digitizing scanner with the digitized content of the paper from the second digitizing scanner, determining if the content of the paper from the first digitizing scanner was scanned correctly based on the, directing the paper to one of two or more output trays by a controller responsive to the determining.

Abstract: An N-methyl-substituted triacetonamine compound can be produced by reacting at least one triacetonamine compound with formaldehyde under reductive conditions.

Abstract: Data is written to data sectors of a heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium using a laser of a HAMR head supplied with a sum of an operational current and a threshold current. A service current is supplied to the laser when the head is over servo sectors of the medium, such that a temperature of the medium at the servo sectors is greater than or equal to a temperature of the head when over the servo sectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods of laser bias calibration are presented. A preamplifier circuit may configure a laser current supplied to a laser emitter to be a first laser current of the plurality of laser currents during the writing of one or more first sectors. The preamplifier may further detect one or more gaps in a write power signal while the laser current of the laser emitter is configured to be the first laser current. In response to the detection of the one or more gaps in the write power signal, the preamplifier may configure the laser current supplied to the laser emitter to be a second laser current of the plurality of laser currents during the writing of one or more second sectors. The preamplifier circuit may be utilized in a heat assisted magnetic recording device.

Abstract: In general, techniques of this disclosure are directed to a sensor for measuring an external magnetic field. The sensor an optical cavity, a laser medium which together with the optical cavity has a laser threshold, a laser pump, and a radio-frequency (RF) drive applied to the laser medium, such that the laser threshold varies with a change in the external magnetic field. The RF drive may be applied to the laser medium at or around a particular resonance frequency which varies depending on the external magnetic field, such that depending on the value of the external magnetic field, the RF drive induces transitions between at least two states of the laser medium, each state causing a different laser threshold in an intensity of a laser output. Further, the intensity of the laser output may provide a measurement of the value of the external magnetic field.

Abstract: The system includes a data storage medium comprising cells, an excitation circuit, and an emitter. The cells arranged in a three dimensional space. The excitation circuit excites each cell independently. Exciting a cell changes an optical property of the cell. The emitter emits a first beam onto a first cell during a first excitation period to orient electrical charges within the first cell to a first oriented value and intensity of electric field to a first intensity value. The emitter emits a second beam onto a second cell during a second excitation period to orient electrical charges within the second cell to a second oriented value and intensity of electric field to a second intensity value. The first and second cells maintain the first and the second oriented values and the first and second intensity values after the first and second excitation periods are over, respectively.

Abstract: By using a PPD as a detector, photon count loss is reduced to the utmost, and the incident light-intensity range in which light can be detected is widened. Provided is a laser microscope apparatus including an objective lens that collects return light from a specimen; a collimator lens that converts the return light collected by the objective lens into a substantially collimated beam, a PPD including a plurality of pixels that detect the return light converted to a substantially collimated beam by the collimator lens; and a controller that makes the beam diameter of the return light incident on the PPD substantially equal to an effective detection area of the PPD, formed by the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: Methods of forming and operating phase change memory devices include adjusting an activation energy barrier between a metastable phase and a stable phase of a phase change material in a memory cell. In some embodiments, the activation energy barrier is adjusted by applying stress to the phase change material in the memory cell. Memory devices include a phase change memory cell and a material, structure, or device for applying stress to the phase change material in the memory cell. In some embodiments, a piezoelectric device may be used to apply stress to the phase change material. In additional embodiments, a material having a thermal expansion coefficient greater than that of the phase change material may be positioned to apply stress to the phase change material.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming stations, on the basis of a density of a toner image formed in an upstream image forming station, an operation of a pre-exposure device in a downstream image forming station is controlled.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming stations, a pre-exposure device is not provided in at least a most upstream image forming station at which a toner image formed by the image forming station cannot arrive, and the pre-exposure device is provided in at least a most downstream image forming station at which the toner image formed by the image forming station can arrive.

Abstract: A damping circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal is described. The damping circuit comprises a driver having an input and an output; an RC circuit coupled between the input terminal and the output; and a resistor coupled between the output and the output terminal, wherein the RC circuit delays passing a signal from the output terminal to the input terminal and a low impedance associated with the driver generally reduces ringing.

Abstract: A tunable laser has a solid state laser medium having an optical gain region and generates coherent radiation through a facet. A lens collects the coherent radiation and generates a collimated light beam. Components of an external cavity include a reflective surface and an optical filter, the reflective surface reflecting the collimated beam back to the lens and the laser medium, the optical filter positioned between the reflective surface and the lens and having two surfaces with a thermally tunable optical transmission band within the optical gain region of the laser medium. The optical filter (1) transmits a predominant portion of the collimated beam at a desired wavelength of operation, and (2) specularly reflects a remaining portion of the collimated beam from each surface, the collimated beam being incident on the optical filter such that the reflected collimated beams propagate at a non-zero angle with respect to the incident collimated beam.

Abstract: The present invention is notably directed to a user portable device (10), preferably a secure tamper-proof device, comprising: a connection interface (12) enabling connection (S2) with a computer (101); a persistent memory (14); and a bootloader (16) stored on said persistent memory (14), preferably on a secure memory (141) of the device, wherein the bootloader (16): is detectable (S3) by a firmware (122) of the computer (101) upon connection (S2) of the device (10) with said computer (101) via said connection interface; and comprises instructions for said firmware (122) to load (S4) the bootloader (16) into a memory (121) of the computer (101) for subsequent execution (S5); and to interact with the firmware, upon execution at the computer (101), to: determine, in a physical storage medium (120) of said computer (101) storing a first host operating system (111-1) and a second host operating system (111-2) respectively on a first portion (120-1) and a second portion (120-2) thereof, said second portion (120-2)

Abstract: A sheet conveyer has a casing defined with first and second conveying passages and respectively having first and second curved passages. The first and second curved passages curve in opposite directions. A flap rotatably provided to a second guide member constituting a curved outside part of the first curved passage. When the flap is at a first position, the flap blocks passage from a part of the first conveying passage to the connection position, while the second conveying passage is opened to the connection position. When the flap is at the second position, the first conveying passage is opened toward the connection position and a part of the second conveying passage is blocked with respect to the connection position. A guide surface constituting an upper surface of the first curved passage is closer to the third guide member than a guide roller when the flap is at the second position.

Abstract: Architecture that utilizes characteristics of high spatial redundancy and few colors in few-colored images to compress the image data in a hierarchical manner, and store block level information. The entire image is decomposed into fixed-size blocks, and the block color information (single-colored or multi-colored) is stored. All multi-colored blocks are further divided into smaller blocks (sub-blocks) in a lower level, and the sub-block information is stored as well. The process is performed recursively until there are no more multi-colored blocks, or until the block size reaches a minimum size (e.g., a 1×1 block or one pixel). The information is then entropy coded.

Abstract: Provided herein are block copolymer thin film structures and methods of fabrication. The methods involve directing the assembly of ABA triblock copolymers such that desired features are formed by domains of the assembled ABA triblock copolymer. In some embodiments, an ABA triblock copolymer is directed to assemble by a chemical pattern. Chemical patterns with periods much different than the natural period of the ABA triblock copolymer may be used to direct assembly of the ABA triblock copolymer.

Abstract: An optical tape pick up unit includes a holographic optical element and an aspheric objective lens. The holographic optical element splits a laser beam into first order beams and introduces pre-compensating wavefront error into the first order beams. The aspheric objective lens focuses the first order beams onto optical tape and introduces wavefront error into the first order beams having a magnitude similar to and polarity opposite that of the pre-compensating wavefront error.

Abstract: A recording medium (10) is provided with a left-handed material layer (1) having at least one of a permittivity and a permeability of a negative value, and having substantially periodically formed structures; and a recording layer (2) including island-shaped and substantially periodically arranged recording regions (22), and being laminated on the left-handed material layer (1). The structure period of the left-handed material layer (1) is equal to or is an integral multiple of the arrangement period of the recording regions (22) of the recording layer (2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for archival storage of an image are disclosed. The image may be separated into a plurality of bit plane images. The plurality of bit plane images may be written separately onto digital optical tape.

Abstract: An optical information reproduction device includes a light source (14) configured to emit reproduction light, a plasmon resonance element (9) including a resonance section (22) arranged adjacent to a recording region (4) of a recording layer (2), the resonance section (22) causing plasmon resonance between the recording region (4) and the resonance section (22), a photodetector (17a) configured to detect reflected light or transmitted light from the plasmon resonance element (9) on which the reproduction light is irradiated, and a reproduction unit (24) configured to determine, on the basis of a detection signal from the photodetector (17a), whether the recording region (4) is in a recorded state or an unrecorded state, and reproduce information recorded in the recording region (4).

Abstract: A fixing structure of an optical component is composed of a device chassis; a holder holding an optical component; first and second plate parts for joint to the device chassis and a connecting part of both the plate parts are formed in the holder; a plurality of joint holes are formed in the second plate part; a U-groove into which the connecting part of the holder is fitted and a plurality of through-holes are formed in the device chassis; and an adhesive that is extended in a circular columnar shape and is made by inserting the holder into the U-groove of the device chassis, and applying a UV-curing adhesive in such a manner that the UV-curing adhesive is bonded to the first plate part of the holder and is continuous to the inside of the joint hole via the inside of the through-hole, and radiating UV light along the through-hole.

Abstract: An optical pickup assembly includes a first optical pickup unit (OPU) and a second OPU. The OPUs are either stacked on each other in separate housings or integrated together in a common housing such that the OPUs are arranged laterally across a tape path and are positioned at a longitudinal position along the tape path.

Abstract: A storage device 101 in one aspect of the present invention records/reproduces data to/from a plurality of exchangeable recording media 105 using a plurality of drive units 111. The plurality of recording media are stored in magazines 104, and are attached/detached to/from the storage device in a magazine-by-magazine manner. The storage device includes a transport section 108 for transporting a plurality of recording media between the magazine attached to the storage device and the plurality of drive units, and a RAID control section 103 for dividing data depending on a predetermined RAID to be formed by a plurality of recording media and recording in parallel the data to the plurality of recording media using two or more of the drive units, wherein one RAID is formed by one magazine.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium comprises recording layers which include a polymer binder and a dye dispersed in the polymer binder or include a polymer to which a dye is bonded, and each recording layer has a refractive index unchangeable under irradiation with a recording beam, with first and second interfaces being defined between the recording layer and two intermediate layers adjacent thereto. Irradiation of a region of the recording layer adjacent to the first interface or a region of the recording layer adjacent to the second interface with the recording beam causes the dye to absorb the recording beam and generate heat which in turn deforms the polymer in the recording layer, forming a protrusive shape protruding into an intermediate layer at the first or second interface whereby information is recordable in separate information layers at both of the first and the second interfaces.

Abstract: A recording medium (10) is provided with a left-handed material layer (1) having at least one of a permittivity and a permeability of a negative value, and having substantially periodically formed structures; and a recording layer (2) including island-shaped and substantially periodically arranged recording regions (22), and being laminated on the left-handed material layer (1). The structure period of the left-handed material layer (1) is equal to or is an integral multiple of the arrangement period of the recording regions (22) of the recording layer (2).

Abstract: A method of operating a particle beam system includes determining a deflection amount and a deflection time of a beam deflection module connected to a data network. The method also includes determining an un-blank time of a beam blanking module connected to the data network, and determining a blank time of the beam blanking module connected to the data network. The method further includes generating a data structure which includes plural data records, wherein each data record includes a command representing an instruction for at least one of the modules, and a command time representing a time at which the instruction is to be sent to the data network. In addition, the method includes sorting the records of the data structure by command time, and generating a set of digital commands based on the data structure. Moreover, the method includes sending the digital commands of the set to the network in an order corresponding to an order of the sorted records.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus and method thereof. The information reproducing apparatus includes a storage unit, communication unit, controller, and display unit. The storage unit stores music data and at least one first string of characters corresponding to the music data. The reproducing unit reproduces the music data from the storage unit. The communication unit communicates with an image data storage unit, which stores a plurality of image data each corresponding to at least one second string of characters. The controller controls acquisition of one image data from the image data storage unit via the communication unit. The one image data is acquired based on a comparison between the at least one first string of characters and the plurality of the at least one second string of characters. Further, the display unit is configured to display the acquired image data when the reproducing unit is reproducing the music data.

Abstract: A system includes a position detection module configured to detect at least a first position indicator and a second position indicator corresponding to a label side of an optical disc. A write clock adjustment module is configured to determine a number of cycles of a write clock that occur between the first position indicator and the second position indicator, determine a difference between the number of cycles of the write clock and a desired number of cycles of the write clock, and adjust a frequency of the write clock based on the difference.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of writing to an optical data storage medium is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of data elements, each data element having one of a plurality of values, wherein each value of the plurality of values is associated with a wavelength, and forming, for each data element, a nanostructure arrangement on the optical data storage medium, the nanostructure arrangement configured to reflect light of the wavelength associated with the value of the data element in response to a light irradiated on the optical data storage medium. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a method of reading from an optical data storage medium and an optical data storage medium are also provided.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes: a recording layer 12 comprising a multi-photon absorption compound and a one-photon absorption compound; and a supporting member (base layer 11) configured to support the recording layer 12. In this optical information recording medium, absorption of multiple photons by the multi-photon absorption compound and absorption of one photon by the one-photon absorption compound cause a void to be generated in the recording layer, whereby information is recordable by modulation based on a presence or absence of a void.

Abstract: A two-photon absorption material that can, thanks to a compound of, for example, the following formula (6), perform non-resonant two-photon absorption by light in the region shorter than 700 nm with high sensitivity and has sufficient recording/reproduction properties, a two-photon absorption recording material, a recording medium and a two-photon absorption compound usable therein are provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical storage medium includes a guide layer, a recording layer group, and a guide layer-side intermediate layer. The recording layer group comprises a plurality of recording layers and a plurality of intermediate layers arranged between the plurality of recording layers. The guide layer-side intermediate layer is arranged between the guide layer and a first recording layer closest to the guide layer out of the plurality of recording layers. A thickness T1 of the guide layer-side intermediate layer does not match a sum S1 of thicknesses of arbitrary continuous intermediate layers comprised in the recording layer group.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer readable medium for writing data on a highly indestructible material is disclosed. A laser may write data on a first side of a highly indestructible material. The data may then be marked as non-rewriteable. The data may also be written on a second side of the highly indestructible material, with the second side being opposite the first side. The highly indestructible material may comprise a stainless steel storage medium.

Abstract: A device for recording data and data structures on a write-once storage medium. The device has writing means for recording the data and the data structures and controlling means for generating the data structures and controlling the writing means. The data structures comprise space bit map and defect management structures. The controlling means are adapted to record the data structures at a predefined temporary location on the write-once storage medium and to finalize the write-once storage medium by recording the data structures at a predefined fixed location as defined for a rewritable storage medium.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is provided for printing magnetic patterns using heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). The apparatus includes an array of probes that is arranged in a predetermined pattern, such as a servo pattern. The array of probes is brought into contact, or near-contact, with a magnetic recording medium that has been bulk erased substantially along an initialization direction. Each probe is energized so as to heat its respective contacted (or near-contacted) region of the recording medium above a threshold temperature. An external magnetic field is applied to the heated regions in a direction that is substantially opposite from the initialization direction. The strength of the external magnetic field is chosen to be greater than the coercivity of the recording medium at the threshold temperature, but less than the coercivity of the recording medium at room temperature. As a result, only magnetizations in the heated regions become aligned with the external field.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a write-once type information storage medium comprises an organic dye based recording material having sensitivity at a 5 wavelength of 405 nm and at a recording wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm, wherein, when absorbance of a maximum absorption wavelength in the vicinity of 405 nm is defined as 1, the absorbance is 5% or more at any wavelength in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium 10 comprises a plurality of recording layers 14, and intermediate layers 15 each provided between the recording layers 14. Each of the recording layers 14 includes polymer binder and dye dispersed in the polymer binder, and the dye is subject to multi-photon absorption of a recording beam RB having a predetermined wavelength and to linear absorption not smaller than 1.5% per recording layer at the predetermined wavelength of the recording beam. When the dye is irradiated with the recording beam and generates heat by linear absorption and multi-photon absorption of the recoding beam RB, the polymer binder undergoes a change of shape by the generated heat, whereby an interface between the recording layer 14 and the intermediate layer undergoes a change of shape to record information.

Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.

Abstract: A machine readable information storage medium, a reproducing method and apparatus which reproduces data from the storage medium, and a recording method and apparatus for recording data on the storage medium. The information storage medium includes a control area which stores within a data structure information usable by the recording or reproducing apparatus to record or reproduce the data on or from the storage medium. The information stored within the data structure includes a version corresponding to a specification, a revision number of recording speed, and an extended part version field.