Abstract: A spectral wavelength discrimination system and method for using are provided which allows the wavelength of a beam of radiation to be accurately determined using compact inexpensive optics and electronics. The system is particularly useful for identifying the emission wavelength of a multi-component marker system which includes a plurality of components having different wavelength ranges. The system comprises a wavelength selective beamsplitter, termed a Linear Wavelength Filter, that directs predetermined fractions of the beam at each wavelength into each of two output beams. The intensities of these output beams are measured. The measurements and selected system parameters, including the beamsplitter spectral characteristics and the detector sensitivity characteristics are used in a special algorithm for performing Fourier based wavelength-dispersive analysis. The unique solution of the Fourier based analysis is the wavelength of the beam of radiation.

Abstract: A power connector in accordance with IEC320 for providing common connections for individual male and female connectors and a ground lead, for example, to a anti-glare filter. The power connector device includes an insulating body which houses male ground and power plugs and female ground and power receptacles which are joined within the body to the male plugs; a common ground connector adapted for external connection to a ground lead as well as to the electrically common male and female ground connectors; and preferably a shroud surrounding the external sections of the male plugs for preventing accidental human contact.

Abstract: A new solar cell cover comprises a substrate that transmits the spectral region to which the solar cell responds and a multilayer infrared-reflecting coating which incorporates means for suppressing low order reflections. The multilayer coating may also contain ultraviolet or blue coatings and be formed on one or both substrate surfaces. The multilayer coating reflects spectral bands which are adjacent to the short- and long-wavelength limits of the spectral response of the cell. The upper limit wavelength of the short-wavelength reflection band and the lower wavelength limit of the long-wavelength reflection band are independent and may be separately specified.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge device painlessly discharges electrostatic energy from a computer operator and/or an optical element such as a filter mounted on a cathode ray tube (CRT) computer monitor. The electrostatic discharge device preferably is mounted on the frame of the optical filter, and includes an electrostatic discharge pad circuit which includes a discharge pad comprising a substrate coated with a conductive material and connected to ground. A person such as a computer operator who contacts the coated substrate is discharged of any electrostatic charge through the coated substrate, to ground. A display to indicate the discharge can be connected between the discharge pad and ground and in parallel with a resistor to control the rate of discharge through the display. The device also includes an electrostatic field drain circuit for discharging electrostatic energy emanating from the face of a CRT monitor.

Abstract: A rotary cylindrical sputtering system incorporates separate, separately-controlled linear magnetron sputter deposition and reaction zones for sputter depositing materials such as refractory metals and forming oxides and other compounds and alloys of such materials. In one aspect, the associated process involves rotating or translating workpieces past the differentially pumped, atmospherically separated, sequentially or simultaneously operated deposition and reaction zones and is characterized by the ability to form a wide range of materials, by high throughput, and by the ability to form durable optical quality thin films of nominal refractive indices and controlled coating thickness, including both constant and selectively varied thickness profiles.

Abstract: A leak-corrected linearly variable filter comprises optical filter coatings formed on an assembly of one or more optically transmissive substrates. Leaks due to the longitudinal precession of incident light within the substrates are suppressed by forming the filter such that no two surfaces which are reflected at the same wavelength within the range of interest are parallel. Typically, the constituent substrates of the filter are oriented at a slight angle relative to one another and filter coatings having overlapping reflective wavelengths are deposited on different substrates rather than on the two parallel sides of the same substrate. Alternatively, venetian shade structures can be incorporated within the substrates to block longitudinal precession of light.

Abstract: High purity (95-99.5 percent) red, orange and yellow filters are disclosed which comprise a periodic stack of relatively low index of refraction dielectric material (L) such as SiO.sub.2 or MgF.sub.2 and absorbing relatively high index material such as silicon or Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3. Together, the low and high index materials provide a high index ratio (typically 1.7 to 2.5). The filters are fabricated according to designs such as (H/2 L H/2).sup.n, typically using only 5 to 7 layers. Despite the very small layer count, these filters provide overall optical performance which is at least the equivalent of all-dielectric filters of 30 or more layers, with color purity that is unachievable by all-dielectric filters and simple low cost design. In addition, our filters have inherently low stress levels and absorb and reflect unwanted light such as blue light.

Abstract: Method for forming an optical element having an optical coating thereon by replication having the steps of preparing first and second molds having polished surfaces which are to be replicated, depositing a soluble inorganic salt to form a release layer, depositing an optical coating in reverse order upon the release layer, supplying liquid material between the molds and in contact with the optical coating, causing the liquid material to solidify and form a bond with the optical coating, separating the molds from the solidified material with the optical coating adherent to the solidified material with separation occurring between the mold and the optical coating in the parting layer and removing any remaining portions of the parting layer from the optical coating.

Abstract: A system and process for forming optical quality, protective, relatively thick, thin film coatings on workpieces such as detectors or solar cells. The apparatus includes a rotary cylindrical sputtering system which incorporates separate deposition devices and at least one chemical reaction device for simultaneously (1) depositing materials which form tensile and compressive oxides and (2) oxidizing the deposited materials. The system also includes a stressometer system, preferably a cantilevered beam stressometer system which monitors the stress of the depositing film in-situ. The monitored stress levels are used to control the relative amounts of compressive and tensile materials which are deposited and, thus, control stress in the thin film coatings. In a preferred embodiment for forming protective covers on solar cells, the deposition devices are linear magnetron sputter cathode devices having silicon and aluminum targets, and the reaction device is a linear magnetron ion source oxidizer device.

Abstract: An optical screen or cover for computer monitors and other video displays comprises a frame to which is mounted an optical plate such as an anti-glare screen, and a concave, U-shaped lip which is mounted to the rear of the frame along three sides of the frame. The lip slides onto and off the monitor for mounting and removing the cover. Also, the lip adapts to monitors of different sizes and provides a snug, custom-appearing fit.

Abstract: A high ratio planetary drive system, a vacuum processing chamber system incorporating the planetary drive system, and a method of operating the system are disclosed. The planetary drive system provides relatively slow planetary workpiece rotation for effecting processing (deposition and reaction) of thin films, in particular, optical thin films, with complete film oxidation, controlled film uniformity, reduced bearing wear and reduced heat dissipation.

Abstract: A simple, double rotary workpiece or cage holder is disclosed for coating articles such as tubes or article-holders. The articles or article holders are supported in oversized support holes or on undersized pegs so that rotation of the cage about a horizontal axis causes gravity-induced precession of the tubes. The center of gravity of the article holders may be displaced so that the article holders are maintained at an acute angle relative to the cage axis, to facilitate coating difficult shapes such as lenses.

Abstract: The fabrication and structure of a hermetically sealed, environmentally-sensitive, thin film coating between two planar transmitting substrates is disclosed. The edges of the substrates are metallized to allow solder to wet and form a vapor barrier. Two such substrates are assembled with an O-ring spacer or an epoxy/glue spacer and the assembly is then soldered to a protective ring using a benign low temperature indium based solder. Fluxes from the soldering step are separated from the coating by the O-ring spacer, which also acts as an aperture stop.

Abstract: A vacuum evaporation plasma plating system is disclosed in which the plasma and the crucible containing the evaporant material are part of an electrical circuit which effects vacuum evaporation operation. The crucible includes a constant anode cap which is heated by the plasma and thus maintains a low resistance circuit path to the crucible and also provides a uniform source of evaporant.

Abstract: A substrate holder is mounted within the vacuum chamber for carrying at least one substrate; an electrically conductive crucible is positioned within said vacuum chamber and is electrically insulated therefrom but has a low electrical resistance connection therebetween. The crucible is adapted to contain a preselected material for evaporation onto a substrate on the substrate holder. A high voltage electron beam source is positioned within said vacuum chamber in the vicinity of said crucible and includes a high voltage electron gun and a deflection magnet system arranged for bending electrons from said gun into said crucible for evaporating the preselected material therein, the magnet system forms a magnet field of prearranged characteristics in the region above said crucible.

Abstract: A substrate holder is mounted within the vacuum chamber for carrying at least one substrate; an electrically conductive crucible is positioned within said vacuum chamber and is electrically insulated therefrom but has a low electrical resistance connection therebetween. The crucible is adapted to contain a preselected material for evaporation onto a substrate on the substrate holder. A high voltage electron beam source is positioned within said vacuum chamber in the vicinity of said crucible and includes a high voltage electron gun and a deflection magnet system arranged for bending electrons from said gun into said crucible for evaporating the preselected material therein, the magnet system forms a magnet field of prearranged characteristics in the region above said crucible.

Abstract: A flat plate polarization separator assembly and a flat plate beam splitter and partial polarizer are disclosed, along with an optical system for an optical disk reader which utilizes these flat plate components.

Abstract: A rotary cylindrical sputtering system incorporates separate, separately-controlled linear magnetron sputter cathode and reaction zones for sputter depositing materials such as refractory metals and forming oxides and other compounds and alloys of such materials. The associated process involves rotating or translating workpieces past the differentially pumped, atmospherically separated, sequentially or simultaneously operated cathode and reaction zones and is characterized by the ability to form a wide range of materials, by high throughput, and by controlled coating thickness, including both constant and selectively varied thickness profiles.

Abstract: An optical interference filter structure incorporates antireflectance and light absorbing elements disposed on a substrate. The filter structure is shaped to conform substantially to the face of a cathode ray tube or other luminous display, such as a cathode ray tube for example. The materials of the elements are selected for their characteristics including indices of refraction, light absorption and chromatic filtering so that in combination they provide optimum antireflectance, antiglare and image contrast features.

Abstract: Tamper evident optical device having at least first and second layers with a spacer layer therebetween and providing a desired optical property. A release layer is disposed between the first and second layers which permits the first and second layers to be separated from each other and to destroy the desired optical property.