This is a regular geometric pattern etched onto the surface of the tungsten.

ECONOMIST: Solar power

What at first glance appears to be a jumble of boulders was probably a workshop where expert stonecutters practiced their trade. (One chunk of granite has been carved into almost-finished steps.) Another large stone, known as Serpent Rock, has snakes etched into its top surface.

BBC: What most people miss at Machu Picchu

Unlike Blu-ray, which has a much shallower (and therefore a more delicate) data layer, an HD DVD has its digital information etched deeper beneath the surface just like a conventional DVD and can therefore be stamped out on much the same sort of equipment as a DVD.

ECONOMIST: Can Toshiba��s David topple Sony��s Goliath?

In particular, the processes by which the circuit pattern is first projected on to a chip's surface lithographically, and then etched on to it chemically, will need to be altered to take account of the fact that the surface is curved.

ECONOMIST: Semiconductors

The most common question, though, concerned the date etched into the rock's surface.

NPR: Unearthing History in 'A Voyage Long and Strange'

Just put a real phone down on Surface: it can recognize etched tags (like barcodes) on new phones and will retrieve more details.

FORBES: Surface Surfaces At AT&T

The mirrors reflect light into the etched glass, producing a greenish, satiny wall surface.

WSJ: Architects' Fussiest Clients

Existing ultracapacitors get their extra surface area by using electrodes coated with carbon and etched to produce holes, rather like a sponge.

ECONOMIST: Electricity storage

With the sun setting, the sky is etched with a calligraphy of pink clouds, their reflection a soft wash on the river surface.

CNN: Bradley's twilight cruise