Abstract: The output power and efficiency of a gas discharge laser is substantially improved by the substitution of neon (Ne) for helium (He) as a buffer in the lasing medium. One embodiment of the invention is a pulsed excimer laser having a lasing gas comprising a mixture of krypton (Kr) and fluorine (F.sub.2). Use of Ne with the KrF excimer lasing medium further enables advantageous utilization of corona wire pre-ionization to initiate the main discharge of this type of laser.

Abstract: In a CRT system having a cathode coupled to a source of first potential voltage and a control grid biased negatively with respect to the cathode, means coupled between a source of second potential voltage and control grid for superimposing negative-going transitions in the second potential voltage upon the control grid so as to suppress the appearance of spots upon the face of the CRT subsequent to the de-energization of that system.

Abstract: Time-correlation apparatus for collecting correlation data when the noise level is low and inhibiting the collection of correlation data when the noise level is high without losing valid correlation data which has already been obtained. An incoming signal is checked for data pulses during each correlation measurement pulse of a synchronizing signal. The correlation measurement pulses are counted by a first counter, and the coincidences of data pulses and correlation measurement pulses are counted by a second counter. A noise monitor samples the incoming signals 100 times during each of a continuous series of noise analysis periods and counts the number of times the signal (assumed to be noise) exceeds a predetermined threshold. A high noise signal is generated if the threshold is exceeded 30 or more times, and a low noise signal if it is exceeded less than 30 times.

Abstract: A detector circuit for detecting the loss or reduction of dc power to a dc load and for detecting a low battery voltage condition of a standby battery employed to power the load upon loss or reduction of dc power supplied to the load. The dc voltages for use by the dc load and for charging the battery are derived from a dc power supply circuit with which the detector circuit of the present invention is used.The detector circuit of the invention includes a first voltage monitoring circuit operative to examine a dc voltage at a predetermined point in the dc power supply circuit and when the value of this dc voltage is less than a predetermined value indicating a loss of power to the dc load to cause a transfer circuit to couple the battery and the dc voltage thereacross to the dc load. Following this coupling operation, the transfer circuit receives the dc voltage coupled from the battery to the load and maintains the battery coupled to the load.

Abstract: A small, portable lightweight, water-resistant, manually-operated signalling device. The signalling device includes a signalling assembly fully enclosed within a pair of hermetically sealed housings. The signalling assembly includes a signalling circuit and a pressure sensitive switch adapted, when depressed, to actuate the signalling circuit. One of the housings includes a recessed, flat, semi-rigid deflective wall having an indentation formed therein and in physical contact with the pressure sensitive switch. The indentation is capable of being manually depressed and, when depressed, to transmit the pressure applied to the indentation to the switch, thereby operating the signalling circuit. The indentation and the switch are arranged with respect to each other so that depression of the switch and actuation of the signalling circuit can only occur in response to pressure being applied to the indentation.

Abstract: A data transmission circuit for use in a telephone system. The telephone system includes a telephone line connected with tip and ring terminals and a subscriber telephone coupled across the tip and ring terminals. The on/hook condition of the telephone is determined by a telephone status monitor circuit which periodically examines the voltage across the tip and ring terminals and produces an output signal when the telephone is in an on/hook condition. Following this output signal, and when data is to be transmitted between a first terminal of the data transmission circuit and the tip and ring terminals, a continuous dc loop is established between the tip and ring terminals and, after a dialtone period, the loop is made and broken in accordance with dialing pulses representing a telephone number of the location to be called.

Abstract: The thermistor assembly comprises a thermistor disc disposed within a closed ceramic container which has a support arm fastened thereto.

Abstract: A dc power supply circuit for supplying simultaneously dc voltages to a dc load and to a standby battery employed to power the load upon a loss of dc power to the load. The load is adapted to draw varying amounts of current.The dc power supply circuit in accordance with the invention includes a capacitor which is arranged to retain a dc voltage derived from an ac voltage. A fixed voltage regulator circuit coupled to the capacitor operates to supply a fixed dc voltage to the load and to maintain this voltage as the current drawn by the load varies. An adjustable voltage regulator circuit coupled to the capacitor operates to supply a varying dc voltage to the battery as the current drawn by the load varies.

Abstract: A telephone status monitor circuit for determining the on/hook and off/hook conditions of a telephone connected across standard tip and ring terminals of a telephone system. The telephone status monitor circuit includes a charging circuit, in the form of a series combination of a capacitor and a resistor, which is adapted to be alternately and periodically switched in and out of circuit with the tip and ring terminals. When the charging circuit is in circuit with the tip and ring terminals, the capacitor is charged to the value of the voltage across the tip and ring terminals. When the charging circuit is out of circuit with the tip and ring terminals, the charging circuit is coupled to additional circuitry which examines the value of the voltage across the capacitor. If the value of the voltage across the capacitor corresponds to an on/hook condition, a first output signal is produced by the additional circuitry.

Abstract: An improved projection unit which permits removal of the unit's lamp from the front, concave portion of the unit's reflector. A first retention member is used to maintain the lamp in pre-established alignment within the reflector and a second retention member, e.g. resilient clamp, is movably oriented on the reflector's neck portion to secure the first retention member in a first position and release it in a second.

Abstract: An improved flashlamp assembly which utilizes a plurality of percussively-ignitable flashlamps disposed on an elongated support member. Firing of the flashlamps is accomplished using a spring-loaded ratchet, a movable carriage, and a striking mechanism, e.g. helical torsion spring, positioned on the movable carriage and in engagement with the ratchet. The spring engages and fires each of the lamps in response to movement of the ratchet and carriage members. The improvement comprises providing a longitudinal passage within the ratchet member to permit movement of the carriage therein. An improved firing mechanism for the assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fine particle size cobalt metal powder is prepared by treating an aqueous solution of a soluble cobaltic ammine halide with a sufficient amount of a soluble metallic hydroxide to form a cobalt containing precipitate. The precipitate is separated from the solution and reduced in a reducing atmosphere to produce metallic cobalt.

Abstract: An electric lamp comprises a curved reflector having a double ended tungsten-halogen lamp disposed therein. A lens is fastened to the front of the reflector by means of a metal retaining ring. The lens has a light-modifying coating on its inner surface.

Abstract: Arc suppressor coating structures with enhanced limiting characteristics for color cathode ray tubes are achieved by employment of a high electrical resistance coating (30) having, in a specific area, an extremely high resistance (i.e., insulator) coating (46) thereon which provides a seating area for an antenna getter mounted upon the electron gun. The insulator coating is preferably comprised of about 71.2% Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 28.2% K.sub.2 SiO.sub.3.Insulating the antenna getter from, the high resistance coating reduces electrical shorts and keeps arc currents within the range of less than 40 amps. Such results were not previously achievable with antenna getter usage.

Abstract: A flash lamp which is electrically activated using capacitive coupling between a pair of conductors located externally of the lamp's glass envelope and a respective pair of conductors located within the envelope. A quantity of primer material, also located within the envelope, serves to ignite the flash lamp's combustible material (e.g. shredded zirconium). The primer material is electrically joined to the internal conductors through either a pair of spring contacts or the shredded combustible material.

Abstract: An integral fluorescent lamp-ballast unit comprises a fluorescent lamp fastened to an end cap at one end and a housing at the other end. An elongated support member extends between the end cap and the housing, is fastened to both, and serves as a backing for the lamp. The ballast comprises a choke and a preheat starter which are disposed in the end cap and/or housing.

Abstract: A composition consisting essentially of reaction products of an ammonium salt of an aliphatic acid and a gold complex of a reactive nitrogen-containing organic compounds is soluble in organic solvents and can be used for various purposes including decorating substrates and in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. Typical reaction products include the reaction product of ammonium decanoate and the gold or platinum complex of 1, 2-diaminopropane. The process for producing the composition involves reacting a precious metal salt with a reactive nitrogen containing organic compound to form the precious metal complex and reacting an organic nitrogen compound containing a reactive nitrogen group such as an amino group and an aliphatic acid to form an ammonium salt of an aliphatic acid. Thereafter the ammonium salt is reacted with the precious metal nitrogen organo complex to form the compositions of this invention.

Abstract: An arc tube has a metal end cap at its end, electrically connected to an electrode in the arc tube. The end cap has a bowed spring contact fastened thereto which is the support means and the electrical connection means for the arc tube when it is inserted into a socket.

Abstract: A percussively-ignited photoflash lamp having an hermetically-sealed glass envelope containing no glass-to-metal seals therein. Ignition of the lamp is achieved by applying a percussive force (e.g. striking) to an external surface of the envelope which results in actuation of an ignition means disposed within the envelope. The ignition means, preferably a frictionally disposed, spring-loaded wire having a quantity of pressure sensitive primer thereon, ignites a quantity of shredded combustible material (e.g. zirconium) within the envelope to produce the desired flash. A method of making the lamp is also described.