Abstract: Devices for converting digital data into a light pulse train and decoding such a pulse train are disclosed. The light pulse generating device generates a train of light pulses having a pattern determined by a numerical value represented by a plurality of binary bits. The light pulse train generating device stores the bits in a register. Each cell of the register is connected to a light switching device that will interrupt a first light beam in response to a light signal if the value stored in the cell is a logical one. If the value is a logical 0, the interruption will not occur. The decoding device utilizes a plurality of light activated switches to route individual pulses in the light pulse train to different photodetectors. The light activated switching devices avoid the delays inherent in electrically activated switching devices.

Abstract: An improved method for making aluminum connections to platinum electrodes is described. The method utilizes an oxide layer to isolate the aluminum from the platinum. The oxide layer is created by ashing the surface of the platinum using an Oxygen plasma.

Abstract: An improved method for constructing integrated circuit structures in which a buffer SiO.sub.2 layer is used to separate various components comprising ferroelectric materials or platinum is disclosed. The invention prevents interactions between the SiO.sub.2 buffer layer and the ferroelectric materials. The invention also prevents the cracking in the SiO.sub.2 which is commonly observed when the SiO.sub.2 layer is deposited directly over a platinum region on the surface of the circuit. The present invention utilizes a buffer layer of material which is substantially inert with respect to the ferroelectric material and which is also an electrical insulator to separate the SiO.sub.2 layer from the ferroelectric material and/or the platinum regions.

Abstract: An improved read/write optical disk is disclosed which is capable of being rewritten more than 10.sup.6 times. The disk utilizes a storage medium in which data is stored by causing a localized region of the storage medium to assume one of two states. The two states can be converted from one to another by the application of electric fields to the localized region of the storage medium. The localized region in question is selected by illuminating an area on an addressing layer directly above the region in question with light. The preferred embodiment utilizes a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate material for the storage medium.

Abstract: An improved ferroelectric structure and the method for making the same is disclosed. The improved structure reduces the fatigue problems encountered in ferroelectric capacitors while providing avoiding problems in depositing the ferroelectric material which have prevented other solutions to the fatigue problem from being effective. The improved ferroelectric structure also provides improved adhesion to the underlying substrate. The ferroelectric structure has a bottom electrode comprising a layer of PtO.sub.2 which is generated by depositing a layer of Platinum on a suitable substrate and then exposing the Platinum layer to an Oxygen plasma. The ferroelectric material is then deposited on the PtO.sub.2 layer.

Abstract: An improved memory device based on a non-volatile variable resistance element is disclosed. The resistive element is based on a semiconductor having a resistivity which is determined by the state of polarization of a ferro-electric layer. The semiconductor forms one plate of a parallel plate capacitor having a dielectric comprising the ferro-electric layer. The state of the memory device is determined by measuring the resistivity of the semiconductor layer between two contacts on the semiconductor layer. The state of polarization of the ferro-electric layer is altered by applying a voltage between one of these contacts and the other plate of the capacitor.

Abstract: A light activated AND gate is disclosed which generates a light signal at a first output port in response to the simultaneous presence of light signals at an input port and a control port. With a light signal present at the control port, a light beam at the input port is reflected from an interface between two regions having different indices of refraction, and the reflected light beam then exits through a first output port. In the absence of a light signal at the control port, the two regions of the switching device have the same index of refraction, and the light beam at the input port passes through both regions and exits through a second output port.

Abstract: A light activated switching device is disclosed in which the receipt of a light signal is used to switch a light beam between two output ports. The input light beam is reflected from an interface between two regions having different indices of refraction when the light signal is present. The reflected light beam then exits through the first output port. In the absence of the light signal, the two regions have the same index of refraction, and the light beam passes through both regions and exits through the second output port.

Abstract: An improved non-volatile variable resistance element is disclosed. The resistive element is based on a semiconductor having a resistivity which is determined by the state of polarization of a ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: An improved read/write optical disk is disclosed which is capable of being rewritten more than 10.sup.6 times. The disk utilizes a storage medium in which data is stored as different polarization states in the same phase of the material. The preferred embodiment utilizes a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate material for the storage medium. The state of polarization of the material at the location of a specified data bit is changed by applying a voltage to the bit location in question. The location is specified by illuminating the surface of the disk with light in the infra-red.

Abstract: A furnace assembly for automatically transporting circuit board of varying sizes through a firing chamber and for maintaining heat within the firing chamber and preventing ambient air from entering into the firing chamber by having an adjustable twin-track rail assembly for housing and positioning conveyor belts which secure the circuit boards and by having baffle gate chambers in which a series of baffle gates maintain a constant atmosphere at the open ends of the firing chamber.

Abstract: An infrared furnace has a housing with insulated walls defining an elongated straight tunnel disposed on a longitudinal axis between an entrance and an exit. A conveyor continuously moves through the tunnel along the longitudinal axis between the entrance and the exit. A first plurality of elongated tubular infrared heating elements are disposed in the tunnel above the conveyor in spaced apart parallel relationship transverse to the longitudinal axis. A second plurality of tubular elongated infrared heating elements are disposed in the tunnel below the conveyor in spaced apart parallel relationship transverse to the longitudinal axis. The housing has insulated walls each comprising a porous insulative inner panel and a non-porous outer panel. At least one of the outer panels is spaced from its associated inner panel to form a plenum chamber therebetween. The insulated walls define an elongated tunnel in which a source of infrared radiation is disposed.

Abstract: An insulated firing chamber has oppositely disposed sidewalls with a plurality of aligned pairs of holes. A plurality of infrared lamps are disposed in the chamber. The end terminals of the lamps pass through the respective pairs of holes to the exterior of the chamber. The end terminals of the lamps are enclosed by sealed compartments so the only way for gas to escape from the compartments is through the holes in the sidewalls of the firing chamber. Nonreactive gas under pressure is introduced into the compartments to induce unidirectional gas flow through the holes into the firing chambers. The gas introduced into the compartments cools the end terminals of the lamps without danger of contaminating the environment inside the firing chamber. The compartments each have an access opening, a removable hatch that engages a gasket on the compartment around the opening to seal the opening when the hatch is in place.

Abstract: An infrared furnace has a firing chamber in which a source of infrared energy is disposed and an elongated envelope transparent to the infrared energy extending through the firing chamber. The envelope has first and second open ends outside the firing chamber. First and second baffle chambers surround the respective first and second ends of the envelope. A product conveyor travels through the furnace via the baffle chambers and the envelope. Gas flow is prevented from the exterior of the furnace into the baffle chambers and from the firing chamber into the baffle chambers. Non-atmospheric gas is supplied to the baffle chambers so as to create therein a superatmospheric pressure which prevents gas flow into the baffle chambers from the exterior of the furnace. The non-atmospheric gas is exhausted from one of the baffle chambers, thereby inducing flow of the non-atmospheric gas from the other baffle chamber through the envelope.

Abstract: Mounting devices are provided for mounting the end portions of a replaceable infrared lamp on the sidewalls of heating chamber formed of a compressed insulation material with sheet metal covers on the outer surface thereof. Each mounting device comprises a ceramic holder having a hollow cylindrical body with a shoulder on the outer end thereof and a bottom wall on the inner end thereof. The bottom wall has a concentric circular opening with diametrically disposed notches. One of the ceramic holders is positioned in each of a pair of opposing holes in the sidewalls with its shoulder secured to the sheet metal cover by a sealant. The lamp is held with its end portions extending through the circular openings in the bottom walls of the ceramic holders so that the metal terminals of the lamp protrude outside the sidewalls.

Abstract: A hazard prevention control circuit is provided for an electric heater having heating coils enclosed in a quartz tube immersed in a tank of solution. A circuit breaker is connected in series with a contactor coil controlling a set of contacts connecting the main lines of a power supply to the heating coils of the heater. Upon sensing a hazard condition, the control circuit causes excess current to flow through the circuit breaker to open the circuit and deenergize the contactor coil so as to open the contacts connecting the power to the heating coils. Transformers are provided for coupling power supplied by the main lines to the control circuit and the contactor coil and for coupling the pulse output of the control circuit to trigger a triac which conducts the excess current through the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A pyrex tank for heating corrosive solutions is formed with a main body portion having an open top and with a small annular cavity portion depending from the bottom of the main body portion. A heater unit comprising a heating element enclosed in a quartz tube is securely mounted in an upright position on a support. The tank is positioned on the support with the central opening of its annular cavity receiving the quartz tube of the heating element. The solution in the main body portion of the tank is heated in the annular cavity portion thereof by convection. A thermocouple supported in an upright position on the support is inserted through the open lower end of an upright tube fixed to the bottom wall of the tank and extending upwardly into the interior thereof.