Method and apparatus for forming a plurality of tracks in a flexible workpiece with a high energy particle
AssigneeCostar Corporation
InventorJames G. Clements
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention features methods and apparatus for forming a plurality of tracks in a foil or film with high-energy charged particles by forming layers.
Claims23
A method of forming a track etched membrane with a high-energy charged particle traveling on a path of trajectory, which tracks are capable of being acted upon by an etchant, comprising the steps of:
- placing a cartridge in cooperation with a source of high energy particles, said cartridge comprising a housing enclosing means for flexing a workpiece and a workpiece, said flexing means for flexing said workpiece to form at least two layers, each layer traversing said path of trajectory at a different angle, and exposing the layers to a high-energy charged particle to allow said high-energy charged particle to form a track in each layer, which track in one layer is non-parallel with respect to said track in said other layer as said workpiece assumes a non-flexed position;
- removing said cartridge to allow a second cartridge to be placed in cooperation with said source of high-energy charged particles;
- and subjecting said workpiece to an etchant to produce a track etched membrane having at least two etched tracks in which the etched tracks are non-parallel.
An apparatus, for forming a plurality of tracks in a flexible workpiece with a high-energy charged particle traveling on a path of trajectory emanating from a source of high-energy charged particles, comprising a housing and flexing means, said housing adapted to assume a first position in cooperation with said source of high energy charged particles and a second position apart from said source of high-energy charged particles, said housing supporting and containing said flexing means and said workpiece, and capable of receiving said high-energy charged particle from said source of high-energy charged particles, said flexing means capable of receiving said workpiece and flexing said workpiece to form at least two layers, each layer traversing said path of trajectory at a different angle to allow said high-energy charged particle to form a track in each layer which track from one layer is non-parallel to the track from said other layer as said workpiece assumes a non-flexed position, said housing assuming said second position apart from said source of high-energy charged particles upon exhausting said workpiece to allow a second housing to assume said first position with respect to said source of high-energy charged particles.
An apparatus for forming a plurality of tracks in a flexible workpiece with a high-energy charged particle traveling on a path of trajectory emanating from a source of high-energy charged particles which tracks are capable of receiving etchants, comprising a housing and a turntable, said with said source of high-energy charged particles and a second position removed from said source, said housing supporting and containing said turntable in a position to receive said high-energy charged particles from said source, said turntable capable of receiving a workpiece flexed in a roll-like configuration having a circumference, to form at least two layers, each said layer traversing said trajectory at a different angle with respect to said path, said turntable for holding said workpiece in said roll-like configuration in said path, to allow said high-energy charged particles to form a track in each layer, said turntable capable of rotation to allow said workpiece in said roll-like configuration to receive a plurality of high-energy charged particles about the circumference to form a plurality of tracks, which tracks formed in one layer are non-parallel with tracks formed in another layer as said workpiece assumes a non-flexed position, said housing upon exhaustion of said workpiece for being placed in said second position to allow a second housing to assure said first position with respect to said source of high-energy charged particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.