Abstract: A method for producing an electric current having a current value in a selected range at one end of a crystal or rock (“stone”), having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends of the stone along this axis. A stress is applied adjacent to the first end, to produce a non-uniform stress field in which the stress has a substantially different magnitude adjacent to the first end than a magnitude of the stress adjacent to the second end. An electric current, having a non-zero current value within a selected current value range is thereby generated, adjacent to at least one of the first end and the second end of the stone. The method is used to predict occurrence of an earthquake in a selected region of the Earth's surface, using presence of any of ten measurable conditions.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction apparatus for use in analyzing the x-ray diffraction pattern of a sample. The apparatus includes a beam source for generating a collimated x-ray beam having one or more discrete x-ray energies, a holder for holding the sample to be analyzed in the path of the beam, and a charge-coupled device having an array of pixels for detecting, in one or more selected photon energy ranges, x-ray diffraction photons produced by irradiating such a sample with said beam. The CCD is coupled to an output unit which receives input information relating to the energies of photons striking each pixel in the CCD, and constructs the diffraction pattern of photons within a selected energy range striking the CCD.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of charge distribution analysis insulating and semiconducting dielectric materials to measure by using a Coulomb Balance surface/subsurface space charge layers and the sign, mobility and polarizability of charge carriers. The technique includes measuring the force, attractive or repellent, between a bias electrode to which a voltage is applied and a dielectric material in a condensor half cell arrangement. An apparatus is provided for heating a sample for causing the generation of surface/subsurface charges, and then for applying an external potential while the sample is maintained at a high temperature. The effective mass of the sample is detected by determining the amount of force necessary to restore a balance arm, by which the sample is supported, to its original position, the alteration in position being due to attractive or repulsive electrostatic forces between the sample and the electrodes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of charge distribution analysis insulating and semiconducting dielectric materials to measure by means of a Coulomb Balance surafce/subsurface space charge layers and the sign, mobility and polarizability of charge carriers. The technique includes measuring the force, attractive or repellent, between a bias electrode to which a voltage is applied and a dielectric material in a condensor half cell arrangement. An apparatus is provided for heating a sample for causing the generation of surface/subsurface charges, and then for applying an external potential while the sample is maintained at a high temperature. The effective mass of the sample is detected by determining the amount of force necessary to restore a balance arm, by which the sample is supported, to its original position, the alteration in position being due to attractive or repulsive electrostatic forces between the sample and the electrodes.

Abstract: A method of achieving long-term stability in the transmission properties of high purity low-hydroxyl vitreous silica optical waveguide fibers having preexisting peroxy linkages disposed therein in which the peroxy linkages are exposed to deuterium molecules and the reaction between the deuterium molecules and the peroxy linkages to form deuteroxyl group is substantially enhanced by simultaneously or sequentially exposing the permeated fibers to a light source having an intensity of at least 10 Lambert Units and a wave length of from the short wave length absorption edge of vitreous silica up to about 650 nanometers until the absorption at 1.7 micrometers reaches saturation.