Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided with a textured surface comprising a landing zone, a data zone, and a transition zone having protrusions which gradually decrease in height and diameter in progressing from the landing zone to the data zone. The transition zone can be formed by laser texturing and controlling the peak power of a pulsed laser beam and/or rotating speed of the surface undergoing texturing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus of the invention includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates with alignment films formed at interfaces between the liquid crystal layer and the respective substrates. The alignment films regulate aligning conditions of liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer. In the liquid crystal display apparatus, the liquid crystal layer includes two or more liquid crystal layer regions of different aligning conditions, and at least one of the alignment films has surface tensions which are different from each other in surface regions thereof corresponding to the respective liquid crystal layer regions of different aligning conditions.

Abstract: A process for creating a "distant bump array" surface texture in a magnetic recording disk for reducing stiction and the disk so textured. The texturing process uses a tightly focused diode-pumped Nd:YLF or Nd:YVO.sub.4 or other solid-state laser that is pulsed with a 0.3-90 nanosecond pulse train to produce a plurality of distantly-spaced bumps in the disk surface. The bump creation process is highly controllable, permitting repeated creation of a preselected bump profile such as a smooth dimple or one with a central protrusion useful for low stiction without close spacing or elevated "roughness". Some bump profiles permit texturing of the data-storage region of the disk surface for low stiction without materially affecting magnetic data storage density.

Abstract: A process is described for forming an emissive or phosphor screen. The process comprises the steps of:a) providing a thermal mass donor element comprising a substrate with a front side and a back side, with a coating of emissive material or phosphor adhered to said front side of said substrate,b) placing said coating of emissive material or phosphor adjacent to a support layer,c) addressing said mass donor element with coherent radiation to heat at least a portion of said coating of emissive material or phosphor to locally transfer at least some of said emissive material or phosphor to said support layer,d) repeating step c) a sufficient number of times to provide a coating of transferred emissive material or phosphor on said support layer in an area of at least 1 square centimeter.

Abstract: An improved additive process for metallization of substrates is described whereby a catalyst solution is applied to a surface of a substrate. Metallic catalytic clusters can be formed in the catalyst solution on the substrate surface by irradiating the substrate. Electroless plating can then deposit metal onto the portion of the substrate surface having metallic clusters. Additional metallization thickness can be obtained by electrolytically plating the substrate surface after the electroless plating step.

Abstract: A laser marking apparatus and method for marking the surface of a semiconductor chip are described herein. A laser beam is directed to a location on the surface of the chip where a laser reactive material, such as a pigment containing epoxy, is present. The heat associated with the laser beam causes the laser reactive material to fuse to the surface of the chip, creating a visibly distinct mark in contrast to the rest of the surface of the chip. Only reactive material contacted by the laser fuses to the chip surface, and the remaining residue on the non-irradiated portion can be readily removed.

Abstract: A process for producing a liquid jet recording head, comprising the steps of: providing a substrate for a liquid jet recording head, which is provided with a heat generating resistor; forming a thermoplastic resin layer capable of being solubilized on the substrate; subjecting the thermoplastic resin layer on the substrate to patterning treatment to form an ink pathway pattern in a state that the heat generating resistor is positioned at the bottom of the ink pathway pattern while being covered by the ink pathway pattern; subjecting the ink pathway pattern to heat treatment at a higher temperature than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin layer constituting the ink pathway pattern to round corners of the ink pathway pattern into a rounded ink pathway pattern; forming a resin coat layer on the substrate having the rounded ink pathway pattern thereon; forming an ink discharge outlet at a portion of the resin coat layer which is situated right above the heat generating resistor; and eluting the rounded i

Abstract: A processing method comprises:a first step of depositing on a substrate which is a specimen a film of any one of a semiconductor, a metal and an insulator;a second step of subjecting the surface of the film deposited in the first step, to irradiation with a beam having a given energy to produce a physical damage on the surface;a third step of subjecting the film surface on which the physical damage is produced in the second step, to selective irradiation with light to partially cause a photochemical reaction so that a mask pattern depending on the desired device structure is formed on the film surface; anda fourth step of carrying out photoetching using as a shielding member the mask pattern formed in the third step.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic disk comprises the step of depositing a metallic layer on a glass substrate and laser texturing the metallic layer. The magnetic disk is then completed by deposition of (a) an underlayer such as Cr or sputtered NiP, (b) a magnetic layer such as a Co or Fe alloy, and (c) a protective overcoat such as ZrO.sub.2, carbon or hydrogenated carbon. By providing the above-mentioned metallic layer, laser texturing can now be used in conjunction with glass substrates.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing wear and corrosion-protected surfaces on plasticized screws for injection molding machines forms the wear-resistent layers over the entire screw surface in two steps. A laser technique is used to melt additives into the surfaces of the screw rib, flank and top as well as the screw base by high-speed flame spring with hard metallic and/or ceramic substances.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is textured with a pulsed laser light beam through a multiple lens focusing system. The use of a multiple lens focusing system enables the formation of a plurality of relatively uniform protrusions smaller than those obtained with a single lens focusing system, thereby avoiding abrupt local profile changes. In an embodiment, the laser light beam is split, as by offsetting the lenses, to obtain a plurality of pairs of even smaller protrusions than obtained with a laser light beam having a centralized energy profile. The pulsed, multiple lens focused laser light beam can be used to texture a substrate, underlayer or magnetic layer. The resulting laser textured magnetic recording medium exhibits improved flying stability, glide performance and reliability.

Abstract: Metal quantum dots are produced from a solution of the metal salt when the solution is passed through an electrostatic capillary nozzle (3) into a chamber (7). The nozzle (3) produces an aerosol of droplets (4) of the solution which is then irradiated using laser light (8). The solution evaporates from the droplets to form quantum dots of the metal element on a substrate 5 in the chamber 7.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a microstructure having a top face and a bottom face, at least one hole or cavity therein extending from the top face to the bottom face, and a polymer membrane which extends over a bottom opening of said hole or cavity, which method comprises the steps of: providing a substrate body having said top and bottom faces, optionally forming at least part of said at least one hole or cavity in the substrate body, providing a membrane support at the bottom face opening of said at least one hole or cavity, depositing a layer of polymer material onto the bottom face of said substrate body against said membrane support, if required, completing the formation of the at least one hole or cavity, and, if not done in this step, selectively removing said membrane support to bare said polymer membrane over the bottom opening of the at least one hole or cavity.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is formed with a laser textured glass or glass-ceramic substrate. The use of a pulsed, focused laser light beam, such as a CO.sub.2 derived laser light beam, enables the formation of an accurately textured landing zone on a glass or glass-ceramic substrate which is substantially replicated on subsequently applied layers.

Abstract: The substrate of a magnetic recording medium is laser textured employing a fiber-optic laser delivery system. Fiber optic cables are optically linked at one end to a laser light beam source, and at the other lens to a microfocusing lens. The use of a fiber optic cable delivery system facilitates alignment and reduces maintenance.

Abstract: An engraved recess (4) is formed in a resin stencil (1) at a position on a surface of the resin stencil where the resin stencil, when registered with a circuit board, agrees with a fiducial mark of the circuit board. The recess is formed by a laser (3) and serves as a fiducial mark.

Abstract: Solution films of a photosensitive metal arylketone alcoholate are micro-patterned by exposure to ultraviolet radiation under a mask. The resultant patterns are developed in an apolar solvent and annealed to provide thin film metal oxides for use in integrated circuits.

Abstract: In processing an object by irradiating it with laser light, a laser irradiation chamber is evacuated to a pressure value suitable for the intended laser light processing and the laser light processing is performed with the pressure in the chamber kept constant at the above value. Further, electrodes are provided in the laser irradiation chamber, and the inside of the chamber is cleaned by introducing an etching gas into the chamber during or immediately before the laser light irradiation and rendering the etching gas active.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least two resins with widely different molecular weights is disclosed. The composition is particularly suitable as a permanent dielectric which provides an optimum surface for plating upon. The composition is particularly useful in the fabrication of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Thin film capacitors are formed by a multi-level dry processing method that includes simultaneous ablation of via openings through both the dielectric and the metal electrode layers of a capacitor. Preferably, the dielectric films are formed of barium strontium titanate and the metal electrode layers are formed of platinum. The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the use of strong etchants to sequentially form separate via openings through the electrode and dielectric layers, prevents the potential for delamination of the respective layers during wet etching and the possible undesirable effects of etching solutions on substrate materials.

Abstract: A stationary vacuum deposition machine is used in a method for controlling the height of bumps formed in annular regions of substrates; the substrates are transported to the machine in a first condition in which each substrate is subject to a chemicapillary effect when subjected to localized thermal heating and melting. The machine includes a series of stations including an entrance station for receiving substrates into the machine, first and second predetermined stations, and a transport for operating in a cycle with each cycle including a transport phase and a stationary phase such that the transport causes all the substrates that are in the machine to be moved during the transport phase, and be temporarily held stationary during the stationary phase, such that during each stationary phase a predetermined one of the stations is occupied by one of the substrates while each of a plurality of others of the stations is occupied by a respective one of a plurality of others of the substrates.

Abstract: A clad member is made up of a plate-like clad base material having on its surface a recessed portion, and solidified portions of a metallic material which is different in kind from the clad base material. The solidified portions are disposed in the recessed portion at a distance from each other and are bonded with the clad base material through melting. The clad member is manufactured by forming an elongated recessed portion on a surface of a plate-like clad base material. The recessed portion is filled with a comminuted metallic material which is different in kind from the clad base material. A laser beam is irradiated onto a plurality of regions which are separated from each other in a longitudinal direction of the recessed portion such that partly melted portions of the comminuted metallic material are generated to thereby bond the comminuted metallic material with the clad base material. The melted portions are solidified. The remaining non-molten portions of the comminuted metallic material are removed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of water-covering type transparent keyboard comprises the steps of preparing the main body of silicone rubber keyboard, surface printing and coating, polyurethane layer coating, polyvinylalcohol thin film dipping, water rinsing, laser engraving text and graph forming, and polyurethane protective layer coating to form a water-covering keyboard. The water-covering type transparent keyboard according to the present invention can realize the effect of softness and good coherence.

Abstract: A catheter has an electrically conductive material coated, deposited, or otherwise formed directly on the outer surface of the catheter. Preferably, an outer electrode is formed by ion-beam assisted deposition using a preselected metal for efficient vaporization onto the designated surface region of the catheter body. Alternatively, the electrically conductive coating may be formed by sputtering the metal onto that region of the catheter, vacuum deposition, spraying, or printing the electrically conductive material onto the entire surface region. Portions of the coating may be removed by directing a laser beam onto the outer surface of the catheter and ablating such portions.

Abstract: A dielectric member with an integral, electrically conductive surface is made by molding a substrate from a zirconia alloy powder using a tape casting process. The resulting green substrate is sintered and after sintering may be cut to the final desired size and shape. Once the insulating ceramic substrate has been formed, the surface of the substrate is modified using infrared laser energy. Through the impingement of infrared laser radiation upon the surface of the ceramic substrate, an electrically conductive region is produced on the surface of the substrate. In such manner, the entire surface can be made electrically conductive or a particular pattern can be traced. As an integral part of the substrate, the surface will not delaminate from the substrate. Further, because the modified surface region and the substrate are both a zirconia, the coefficients of thermal expansion of the substrate and the modified surface region will be closely matched.

Abstract: Solar cells made of crystalline are metal coated. Combined front side and rear side metal coating based on a thick-film process is proposed, in which even very fine thick-film conductor track structures are sufficiently reinforced by photo-induced currentless deposition of a metal. Well adhering improved conductor track structures for the front side metal coating can be produced using the simplified process.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a bumped substrate and for forming an electrical circuit which includes the bumped substrate. The method of forming the bumped substrate includes forming at least one electrically conductive polymer bump on each of a first set of bond pads of the substrate. At least one electrically conductive polymer bump is then formed on each of a second set of the bond pads of the substrate. The circuit is formed by selectively forming an organic protective layer around the bond pads of a second substrate by laser ablation of an organic protective coating on the second substrate. The electrically conductive polymer bumps on the first and second portions of the bond pads of the first substrate are then contacted with the bond pads of the second substrate, thereby forming the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A process for producing an optical waveguide device including a substrate and a ridge-shaped optical waveguide projected at a main plane of the substrate, comprising the steps of: forming said ridge shaped optical waveguide at the main plane of the substrate by abrasion working.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is formed with a laser textured glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic substrate. The use of a pulsed, focused laser light beam, such as a CO.sub.2 derived laser light beam, through an acoustic-optical modulator enables the use of a high pulse repetition rate and/or short pulses. The resulting laser textured substrate comprises a plurality of dome-like protrusions extending above the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic medium has permanently defined boundaries between tracks and a consistent surface smoothness. The crystallographic structure of the magnetic medium is modified at the track boundaries, so the grains of the magnetic thin film permanently take on a relatively non-magnetic structure as compared to the grains of the magnetic thin film within the tracks. Servo patterns on the magnetic medium may be permanently defined at the same time the track boundaries are permanently defined. Laser ablation, laser heating to an amorphous structure, photolithography, perpendicular deposition, ion milling, reverse sputtering, and ion implantation can be used individually or in combination, with either the magnetic layer or the underlayer, to create the relatively non-magnetic areas.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for marking metal or other product for its identification. This method includes the steps of: (a) forming on said product or on a tag to be attached to said product a layer of coating containing an additive that is darkenable under the action of a CO.sub.2 laser beam to form product identification indicia; (b) providing a raster-scanning infrared laser beam emitting CO.sub.2 laser that raster-scans in the Y-axis; (c) effecting impingement of said laser beam from said laser onto said coating layer, wherein one or more of said laser beam or said coating layer moves in the X-axis for said laser beam to form said product identification indicia from said additive that is darkened by said laser beam; and (d) if said coating layer was applied to a tag, attaching said tag to said product. The zone can be an area on the metal product that has been coated with a layer of the coating or can be a metal tag that has been coated with a layer of the coating.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which includes a pair of substrates; a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates; and an electrode for applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer is disclosed. The liquid crystal layers includes liquid crystal molecules, and is divided into a plurality of regions having different twist angles from one another.

Abstract: The height of protrusions formed during laser texturing a glass-ceramic substrate is controlled by controlling the amount of the crystalline-phase of the substrate, to less than 70% by volume. In an embodiment, the amount of crystalline-phase is controlled by heating under controlled conditions to convert a glass substrate into the glass-ceramic substrate comprising a controlled amount of crystalline phase.

Abstract: A method of imprinting a workpiece includes lasing the workpiece to create a depression or other opening, depositing a laser-fusible polymer material into the depression, and then lasing the material so as to fuse the material into the depression. Preferably, the laser-fusible polymer material is fusible in the near infrared spectrum. An alternate method for imprinting using colored powder paints includes an additional step of heating the workpiece to ensure thermosetting of the colored powder paint. Laser fusible materials having particular physical characteristics and compositions may be used to facilitate the process.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for producing a chemically adsorbed film is provided. The method includes the steps of: irradiating a surface of a polymer substrate with ultraviolet laser light so as to produce a hydrophilic group on the surface of the polymer substrate; and contacting a chemical adsorption solution containing a chlorosilane-based chemical adsorbent and a nonaqueous solvent and the polymer substrate on which the hydrophilic group is produced; and reacting the hydrophilic group of the polymer substrate with a chlorosilyl group of the chlorosilane-based chemical adsorbent for forming a covalent bond, thereby forming a chemically adsorbed film on the surface of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for drilling a subminiature through hole through a substrate. The through holes of the present invention are preferably drilled through an alumina substrate which is essentially impervious to aqueous electrolytes and blood over long periods of storage in potentially reactive environments. The holes are drilled by directing a sealed type CO.sub.2 laser at a predetermined position located on the substrate, energizing the laser at a power of approximately 75 to 225 watts, such that the laser beam focuses on the substrate at the predetermined position, and treating the substrate after the laser has drilled the hole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a material comprising a substrate on whose surface there is at least one pigment coating consisting of one or more pigments of the formula (I) or (II) or derivatives thereofA(D.sub.1)(D.sub.2).sub.x (I)Pc (II)in whichA is the radical of a chromophore of the quinacridone, anthraquinone, perylene, indigo, azo, quinophthalone, isoindolinone, isoindoline, dioxazine, phthalocyanine or diketopyrrolopyrrole series which contains nitrogen atoms attached to D.sub.1 and to x D.sub.2, each nitrogen atom present in A being able independently of the others to be attached to 0, 1 or 2 groups D.sub.1 or D.sub.2,D.sub.1 and D.sub.

Abstract: By irradiating with high-intensity pulsed laser light of wavelength 9.0.mu. to 11.0.mu. the organic film on rollers, and specifically, the film on photosensitive drums, fixing rollers, rubber rollers, and magnetic rollers used in photocopying equipment, printers, facsimile machines, and other equipment, said film can be removed from the roller surface without damaging the underlying metal layer in any way. Metal cylinders from which film has been removed by this method can either be reused as is, or may be recoated, and then, reused as rollers in photocopying equipment, printers, and facsimile machines.Furthermore, a method is disclosed, wherein laser light irradiation is used to remove film from the surface of various rollers, as is equipment for roller machining and processing.

Abstract: The substrate of a magnetic recording medium is laser textured employing a dual fiber-optic laser delivery system which enables separate control of nucleation and crystallization. An embodiment of the invention includes laser texturing glass, ceramic and glass-ceramic substrates without microcracking to form a texture comprising uniform protrusions.

Abstract: A maskless process generates a patterned coating on a polymeric substrate, wherein the pattern is at least partially defined by the substrate topography. The process uses a high intensity/high fluence energy source to strike a coated substrate, thus selectively removing a portion of the coating. The amount and area of the coating removed is dependent on the substrate topography and the applied energy, and this forms a pattern of residual coating material on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention involves in situ laser patterning of thin-film layers during sequential deposition of the different layers. The layers may be applied using any known method of film deposition. The method of the present invention involves laser ablation to remove unwanted portions of the coating layers, including color filter materials, that have been sequentially deposited onto substantially the entire surface of a substrate. By controlling the depth of the laser ablation removal of the deposited films, it is possible to remove any portion of a film or layers of films or coatings that have been sequentially coated onto the surface of the substrate and to thereby control the depth and location of color filter materials coated upon the substrate. This patterning process can be employed in conjunction with any film deposition technique known in the art, including vacuum, wet chemical or dry processing deposition techniques, but is preferred with vacuum deposition.

Abstract: A magnetic disc for a computer disc drive has distinct zones of differing lubricant thickness. A bonded+mobile zone covers a portion of the disc which preferably coincides with the landing zone. A zone of different lubricant thickness, such as lubricant-free, bonded-only or mostly-bonded, covers a different portion of the disc such as over the data zone. After a uniform layer of lubricant is coated over the disc surface, lubricant can be removed from distinct zones by solvent removal over a periphery of the disc and by removal by laser. The lubricant removal from distinct zones can occur either before or after bonding. Multiple lubricant thickness zones may be used, and the lubricant thickness profile over the entire disc can be controlled as desired.

Abstract: There is described a method of chemically depositing a substance. The method is of utility in the direct manufacture of integrated circuits and in the manufacture of a photomask for use in production of integrated circuits. The method involves the use of a compound which degrades into a deposit and a residue when a radiant beam (e.g., a laser beam) or a particle beam (e.g., an electron beam) is applied. The residue and any unreacted compound may be washed off the substrate to which it has been applied. Nanoscale dimensions of the deposit can be achieved. A particularly suitable organometallic compound is tetra-sec butyl diaurum difluoride.

Abstract: Plugging of the effluent line of an apparatus comprising CVD chamber is prevented or substantially reduced by injecting a hot gas into the effluent line during processing. In CVD tungsten processing, including preconditioning the reaction chamber, deposition, and cleaning, a hot gas, such as dried air or nitrogen, is injected into the effluent line downstream of the vacuum pump to maintain the temperature of the internal walls of the effluent line below that at which condensation of WOF.sub.4 occurs. In another embodiment, periodic high bursts of a hot gas into the effluent line removes WO.sub.3 deposits proximate the inlet of the downstream wet scrubber.

Abstract: A system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.

Abstract: A method of forming an oxide enhancing region, such as phosphorus, in a semiconductor substrate with minimal damage is provided. The method includes the steps of forming an oxide enhancing region in the semiconductor substrate to a depth below the semiconductor substrate. A 308 nm excimer laser is then applied to the oxide enhancing region in order to reduce the damage caused by forming the oxide enhancing region. A uniform and reliable oxide layer is then formed on the surface of the substrate over the damage reduced oxide enhancing region.

Abstract: A copper film layer and a resin film are sequentially layered on a skin material, the resin film is irradiated with a laser beam so as to be removed, a mask is formed on the copper film layer by use of the residual of the resin film, thereafter, an etching process is provided thereto, so that a copper film layer pattern is formed on the reflective surface of the skin material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for manufacturing a mould for a disc-shaped registration carrier, said device being provided with a station for applying a photosensitive layer, such as a photoresist layer, to a substrate, with a station for exposing said photosensitive layer in accordance with the registration data to be stored, with a station for developing the photosensitive layer and metallizing the side of the substrate carrying the developed photoresist layer, and with a station for applying a metal coating, wherein the various stations are accommodated in a housing and means for receiving the substrates are provided in the various stations, whilst a transport mechanism disposed within the housing is provided with at least one transport means for gripping a substrate, which transport means is movable in a horizontal plane in two directions including an angle with each other, and which is also capable of moving upward and downward within the housing.

Abstract: Water-free, gaseous sulfur trioxide is used as an agent to form patterns in organic coatings, films, and layers, including photoresists, by etching areas exposed to the agent through an overlying mask or by developing a latent image of the desired pattern using the agent as a dry-developer.

Abstract: In a method of forming a polycrystalline silicon film in a process of manufacturing an LCD, a hydrogenated amorphous silicon film is formed on a glass substrate by plasam CVD throughout areas serving as the pixel portion and driver unit of the LCD. A laser beam is radiated on a selected region of the film on the area serving as the driver unit. The energy of the laser beam is set such that hydrogen in the film is discharged without crystallizing the film and damaging the film. The energy of the laser beam is gradually increased to gradually discharge hydrogen from the film. The energy of the laser beam is finally set such that the film is transformed into a polycrystalline silicon film. The amorphous silicon film can be poly-crystallized without damaging the film by the discharge of hydrogen.