Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

William C Tait

Craig S Chamberlain

Glen Connell

George F Vesley

Chris A Minick

Patrick G Zimmerman

Pierre H LePere

Charlotte M Palmgren

Sarat K Mohapatra

Nang T Tran

Richard R Lemberger

Roland W Rubertus

Lanny L Harklau

Richard L Weiher

James C Brown, Jr

Franco A Mori

Marvin H Christmann

Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, said susceptors comprising a particulate substrate substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and a coating capable of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. Susceptors are typically particles having a thin-film coating thereon. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Microwave heatable composites

An electromagnetic radiation absorbing material comprises doubly layered core particles dispersed in a dielectric binder material. The first layer dissipates radiation; the second layer is an insulating material which helps prevent the particles from conductively contacting each other, and prevents degradation of the first layer. The absorber may be applied to an electrically conductive material, and an impedance matching material may be used.

Electromagnetic radiation absorbing material employing doubly layered

A multi-branch digital optical switch having three branch waveguides through which light may exit. The multi-branch digital optical switch includes a main waveguide, two side branch waveguides, and one center branch waveguide. The two side branch waveguides diverge symmetrically from the center branch waveguide at angles which are sufficiently small to allow modal evolution through the switch to be substantially adiabatic. Electric fields are used to raise the index of refraction of one side branch waveguide above the index of the center branch waveguide and to lower the index of refraction of the other side branch below the index of the center branch waveguide. The switch has an extinction ratio of 700:1 (28 dB) between its two side branches.

Multi-branch digital optical switch

Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. The susceptors comprise a particulate substrate having a thin-film coating thereon. The particulate substrate is substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and the coating is capable of absorbing microwave energy. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

A photosensor device includes doped and undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon layers adjacent each other and sandwiched between a conductive layer on one side and a metal layer on the other side with the sensor having been annealed under a hydrogen atmosphere and exhibiting low dark currents. The photosensor device is particularly useful as an X-ray image sensing device with the addition of a luminescent layer having at least one X-ray phosphor.

Amorphous silicon sensor

A method reading an optical disc such that a light beam is launched from a laser diode into an array of waveguides that are serially demultiplexed or addressed in parallel onto a multiplicity of data tracks, such that the number of data points read, simultaneously or sequentially across the width of the disc are limited by the rotational speed of the optical disc, and an optical head using an array of waveguides for the optical guidance of the light beam, such that the array of waveguides is disposed on a substrate and wherein the light beam can be switched by a switching means between separate channels in the array by means of an applied potential; an error tracking channel, such that when the error tracking channel detects the misalignment of the optical head, a signal generated from the error tracking channel causes the optical head to realign; and optionally, a dump channel, such that light directed into the dump channel is directly radiated into the substrate, or through the dump channel and then into the substrate.

Optical disc addressing devices a method of use thereof

A deactivatable marker for use in an RF electronic article surveillance system is disclosed, which marker includes a resonant circuit having at least one inductive component and one capacitive component. The circuit further comprises a component having two conductive layers separated only by an insulative thin-film which breaks down when at least a predetermined potential is applied across it to form a conductive path which changes the resonant frequency of the circuit. The two conductive layers are preferably configured to form a spiral multi-turn inductor and capacitor pads on opposing surfaces of a dielectric sheet, and to be embossed at a localized area, thereby contacting the layers except for the presence of the insulating thin-film.

Deactivatable resonant marker for use in RF electronic article

An electronic article surveillance system and a marker for use therein, which marker comprises a tuned resonant circuit including inductive and capacitive components formed of a laminate of a dielectric and conductive-multi-turn spirals on opposing surfaces of the dielectric, wherein the capacitive component is formed as a result of distributed capacitance between the opposed spirals, and wherein the circuit thereby resonates at at least two predetermined frequencies which are subsequently received to create an output signal.

Distributed capacitance LC resonant circuit

A tuned resonant circuit including inductive and capacitive components useful as a marker in electronic marker surveillance systems, comprising a laminate of a dielectric and conductive-multi-turn spirals on opposing surfaces of the dielectric, wherein the capacitive component is formed as a result of distributed capacitance between the opposed spirals, and wherein an electrical connection is provided between predetermined opposing portions of the respective spirals.

Distributed capacitance lc resonant circuit

A method of constructing an LC network, and the resulting LC network manufactured by cutting and removing a predetermined pattern from a first and a second conductive sheet, leaving on each sheet a generally coil-like configuration of windings with a sufficient number of interconnections between the adjacent windings to add rigidity to the sheets, laminating these conductive sheets to opposing faces of a non-conductive sheet, thereby forming at least one capacitor, cutting and removing a pre-determined pattern from the lamination eliminating at least some of the interconnections and leaving a conductive path on the conductive sheets which is in the configuration of a coil.

Method of constructing an LC network

A method of constructing an inductive-capacitive (LC) network is disclosed in which a predetermined pattern is cut from a metallic sheet to provide a multi-turn, essentially spiral-like configuration in which a plurality of interconnecting regions are left between adjacent turns. A pre-laminate is then formed by laminating one surface of the configured sheet to a surface of a sheet of dielectric material. A completed multi-turn inductor is formed by a second cutting operation in which the remaining interconnecting regions between the adjacent turns are removed. The LC network is completed by laminating a second metallic sheet to a dielectric layer overlying the completed multi-turn inductor. The first and second cutting operations and assembly of the respective sheets are performed such that any burrs resulting from the operations are directed away from the interlying sheet of dielectric material, thereby avoiding problems due to shorting out between the two metallic sheets.

A light emitting diode comprising a single crystal of high efficiency violet fluorescing zinc oxide together with an ohmic cathode and a rectifying anode secured thereto. The diode emits near band-gap radiation at room temperature when energized with low D.C. voltage. The produced light is believed to be associated with radiative recombination of free excitons.

Growing community of inventors

Oak Park Heights, MN, United States of America

William C Tait