Abstract: An article, having particular use as an optical memory medium, includes a thin electron trapping photoluminescent film upon a substrate. In one preferred embodiment, a selected material is prepared in bulk, then applied in a relatively thin film to a substrate, and then heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient period of time such that the selected material acquires electron trapping characteristics and becomes photoluminescent. Some preferred methods of depositing the material are electron-beam deposition and sputtering. Some preferred methods of heating the material include photo crystallization and laser crystallization.

Abstract: An efficient energy upconversion unit is optically coupled to a photocathode. The upconversion unit receives incident infrared electromagnetic energy of longer wavelengths and emits, in response, electromagnetic energy within a band of shorter wavelengths to which the photocathode is more responsive. Through such energy upconversion, the photoresponse of the cathode is extended to much longer infrared wavelengths.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically transmissive conductors, particulary resistive electrodes for optical devices such as electroluminescent lamps and displays, comprising a thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) stabilized by a layer of a metal oxide, such as palladium oxide or nickel oxide. In the disclosed method, a thin layer of conductive ITO is coated with a metal layer and then oxidized by heating in air to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants and a fusible salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide such as calcium sulfide. Lithium fluoride is used to enhance the interdiffusion of materials. Samarium and a europium compound are used as the first and second dopants for providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. The material is then placed in a transparent binder and applied to a substrate, or deposited as a thin film directly on a substrate for different uses.

Abstract: An optical memory system and associated method uses electron trapping materials. Data may be written into an optical memory made of the electron trapping material by application of a visible light source to the material. The visible light source causes electrons to be trapped in the material, which electrons will be released and emit visible light upon application of a read beam infrared source to the material. An arrangement realizes logical functions by parallel memories each memory having stripes of memory material disposed upon a plastic substrate.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a radioluminescent lamp having a glass face plate with a plurality of parallel planar light guides, each preferably having a transparent glass, sapphire or quartz base member, disposed perpendicularly with respect to the glass face plate and coated on both sides with a thin film of radioluminescent phosphor material. The plates are mounted in a sealed envelope filled with tritium gas, the radioactive decay of the tritium causing the phosphor to luminesce. The phosphor material and all but one of the edges of each light guide are overcoated with a reflective material, such as aluminum, to guide the generated light to a single edge of the light guide, which edge is adjacent the glass face plate. The phosphor is preferably a calcium sulfide-based material forming a continuous, binder-free layer on the transparent base member.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials for radiography are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants and a fusible salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide such as strontium sulfide. Lithium fluoride is used to enhance the interdiffusion of materials. Samarium and cerium sulfide are used as the first and second dopants. Improved performance may be achieved by adding barium sulfate and/or cesium iodide. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperatue, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. When cesium iodide is added it is mixed in after the grinding step. The material is then placed in a transparent binder and applied to a substrate, or deposited as a thin film directly on a substrate for different uses.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for photonic applications are prepared using a dual base material, first, second and third dopants, and a fusable salt. The base materials are alkaline earth metal sulfides, such as strontium and cerium sulfides. Lithium fluoride is used to enhance the interdiffusion of materials. Samarium, europium and cerium are used together for dopants in providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature. The material is then either ground to particles or is deposited as a thin film for different uses.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants, barium sulfate and a fusable salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide or selenide such as strontium sulfide. Barium sulfate is used to increase the brightness of output light, whereas lithium fluoride is used to allow the material to be fused together. Samarium and europium oxide are used as the first and second dopants for providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. The material is then placed in a transparent binder and applied to a substrate.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are constructed using a base material of strontium sulfide. Barium sulfate is used to increase brightness of output light of the materials, whereas lithium floride is used to allow the material to be fused together. Samarium and either cerium oxide or europium oxide are used in specific examples for providing electron traps in the photoluminescent material. An infrared sensing device or card may be constructed using the material. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing point, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature. The material is then placed in a transparent binder and applied to a substrate. An alternate process involves applying the components of the photoluminescent material to a substrate of aluminum oxide and fusing the components onto the substrate.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants, barium sulfate and a fusable salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide or selenide such as strontium sulfide. Barium sulfate is used to increase the brightness of output light, whereas lithium fluoride is used to allow the material to be fused together. Samarium and cerium oxide are used in specific examples as the first and second dopants for providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. The material is then placed in a transparent binder and applied to a substrate.

Abstract: Materials having thermoluminescent properties use a base material and two dopants and made from a process of mixing the parts together, heating the mixture to fuse together, grinding the mass into a fine powder, and reheating the powder. The resultant powder may be combined with a vehicle to form a paint. A fusible salt may be used in making the thermoluminescent material. The dopants may be Eu.sub.2, O.sub.3, Sm, Ce O.sub.2, and/or La O.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants and a fusible salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide such as calcium sulfide. Lithium fluoride is used to enhance the interdiffusion of materials. Samarium and cerium sulfide are used as the first and second dopants for providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. The material is then placed in a transparent binder and applied to a substrate, or deposited as a thin film directly on a substrate for different uses.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants, barium sulfate and a fusable salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide or selenide such as strontium sulfide. Barium sulfate is used to increase the brightness of output light, whereas lithium fluoride is used to allow the material to be fused together. Samarium and cerium oxide are used as the first and second dopants for providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. An infrared sensing device or card may be constructed by placing the material in a transparent binder and applying it to a substrate. The material and its substrate may then by encapsulated.

Abstract: Photoluminescent materials useful for detection of infrared light are prepared using a base material, first and second dopants, barium sulfate and a fusable salt. The base material is an alkaline earth metal sulfide or selenide such as strontium sulfide. Barium sulfate is used to increase the brightness of output light, whereas lithium fluoride is used to allow the material to be fused together. Samarium and europium oxide are used as the first and second dopants for providing electron traps. The photoluminescent material is made according to a process involving heating of the material to a fusing temperature, grinding the material after cooling, and reheating the material to below the fusing temperature, but sufficiently high to repair the crystal surfaces. An infrared sensing device or card is constructed by placing the material in a transparent binder and applying it to a substrate. The material and substrate may then by encapsulated.

Abstract: Materials having thermoluminescent properties use a base material and two dopants and made from a process of mixing the parts together, heating the mixture to fuse together, grinding the mass into a fine powder, and reheating the powder. The resultant powder may be combined with a vehicle to form a paint. A fusible salt may be used in making the thermoluminescent material. The dopants may be Eu.sub.2 O.sub.3, Sm, Ce O.sub.2, and/or La.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically transmissive conductors, particularly resistive electrodes for optical devices such as electroluminescent lamps and displays, comprising a thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO) stabilized by a layer of a metal oxide, such as palladium oxide or nickel oxide. In the disclosed method, a thin layer of conductive ITO is coated with a metal layer and then oxidized by heating in air to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: An infrared communications device includes a novel infrared-triggered phosphor which stores energy in the form of visible light of a first wavelength and releases energy in the form of visible light of a second wavelength when triggered by infrared light. Modulated infrared input signals produce modulated visible light output signals which are supplied through a photomultiplier to amplification and demodulation circuitry. The phosphor is a composition comprising an alkaline earth metal sulfide, rare earth dopants, and a fusible salt.

Abstract: Disclosed are electroluminescent devices employing a stabilized tantalum sub-oxide as a dielectric. The tantalum sub-oxide is a non-stoichiometric oxide of the general form Ta.sub.2 O.sub.m, where 4.5<m<5.0, stabilized by bonds with suitable anions such as OH. In a disclosed method, a layer of tantalum sub-oxide is deposited to a thickness of from 3000 to 4000 angstroms. More particularly, a source mixture of tantalum metal and tantalum pentoxide is provided, vaporized by electron beam evaporation, and allowed to condense on a surface. The layer of tantalum sub-oxide is exposed to anions for completing a stable oxide network. Preferably, the anions are OH radicals, and the bonds are formed by exposing the layer to a humid atmosphere. The thus-stabilized layer is reheated to remove any water.