Abstract: An active alignment photonics assembly actively couples optical energy between optical devices. An adjustable fiber or other optical carriers, carries an optical signal which is received at a detector where the power level of the optical signal is measured. Based on the power level measurement, the alignment of the fiber or other optical devices contained in the assembly are provided by an optical feed-back loop which controls the position of the fiber or other devices relative to the detector by use of microactuator mechanisms.

Abstract: Providing triatomic nitrogen (N.sub.3) as a relaxation species to an exhaust gas that includes nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x) increases the rate of reducing NO.sub.x in a corona discharge apparatus.

Abstract: In a gaseous pollutant destruction apparatus employing a corona discharge reactor for reducing nitrogen oxide compounds (NO.sub.x), a fuel injection system provides a precisely controlled small quantity of hydrocarbon fuel to the corona discharge reactor to facilitate the destruction of NO.sub.x.

Abstract: A nozzle for generating a supercritical fluid from a cleaning fluid. The nozzle includes a mechanism for directing the supercritical fluid onto a surface of a part to be cleaned. The nozzle comprises a body having (a) an interior portion which includes a mechanism for generating the supercritical fluid by suitable temperature and pressure increase of the cleaning fluid; (b) an inlet portion for introducing the cleaning fluid into the interior portion; (c) an outlet portion for directing the supercritical fluid generated in the interior portion onto the surface of the part to be cleaned; and (d) counteracting mechanism for resisting high pressure that is produced during the generation of the supercritical fluid so as to permit the nozzle to be maintained a suitable distance from the surface of the part to be cleaned so that the supercritical fluid impinges on the surface.

Abstract: A system for continuously processing items using supercritical fluid wherein the main process vessel in which the items are cleaned or extracted is continuously pressurized with supercritical fluid. The continuous pressurization of the main process vessel is achieved by using an entry airlock to initially pressurize the item to be processed prior to transport into the main process vessel. An exit airlock is provided to depressurize the item after cleaning or extraction in the main process vessel. The system also provides for pretreatment of the items in the entry airlock prior to processing in the main vessel. Post-treatment may also be provided in the exit airlock when desired.