Abstract: A process is disclosed for increasing the sensitivity of photographic film wound on a roll or film cartridge. The film is treated by soaking in a dilute atmosphere of hydrogen mixed with a non-reactive gas, such as nitrogen, at relatively low temperatures for long time periods. The apparatus includes a hermetically sealed chamber for the film, a pressure gauge, and valves together with a vacuum pump and gas source for administering the film treatment. An alternative version includes a heater for the chamber. The treated film exhibits enhanced sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation, reduced low-intensity reciprocity law failure, and improved accuracy of color rendition.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for guiding a telescope during long-exposure astronomical photography. A reflecting prism or mirror is inserted into the peripheral portion of the optical field in front of the camera. The reflected light is observed through an eyepiece with cross-hairs, allowing the observer to focus the eyepiece on a particular guide star in the image field and adjust the telescope during the exposure to track the apparent motion of the object. The reflecting element is over half the diameter of the optical field in length, providing substantial improvement in light collection. The reflecting element may be rotationally adjusted around the optic axis for guide star selection. Further, the eyepiece position may be adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the eyepiece axis and in the plane of the optic axis, to provide for radial selection of the guide star in the optical field. A filter compartment behind the reflecting element is further provided.

Abstract: A flashlamp excited dye laser capable of high amplification and high pulse repetition rate. An active region of laser amplification is defined in a flowing dye by a long narrow channel created between confronting tube-shaped chambers. Laser excitation is directed into the channel through the transmissive walls of the chambers from flashlamps contained in each of the chambers, but which are thermally isolated from the dye channel. A specific geometry of the chambers provides a structural rigidity for long amplification channels.

Abstract: An ultra-high Q isotropically sensitive optical filter or optical detector employing atomic resonance transitions. More specifically, atomic resonance transitions utilized in conjunction with two optical bandpass filters provide an optical detector having a wide field of view (.about.2.pi. steradians) and very narrow acceptance bandwidth approaching 0.01 A. A light signal to be detected is transmitted through an outer bandpass filter into a resonantly absorbing atomic vapor, the excited atomic vapor then providing a fluorescence signal at a different wavelength which is transmitted through an inner bandpass filter. The outer and inner bandpass filters have no common transmission band, thereby resulting in complete blockage of all optical signals that are not resonantly shifted in wavelength by the intervening atomic vapor.

Abstract: A method for producing a deuterium enriched material by photoinduced dissociation which uses as the working material a gas phase photolytically dissociable organic carbonyl compound containing at least one hydrogen atom bonded to an atom which is adjacent to a carbonyl group and consisting of molecules wherein said hydrogen atom is present as deuterium and molecules wherein said hydrogen atom is present as another isotope of hydrogen. The organic carbonyl compound is subjected to intense infrared radiation at a preselected wavelength to selectively excite and thereby induce dissociation of the deuterium containing species to yield a deuterium enriched stable molecular product. Undissociated carbonyl compound, depleted in deuterium, is preferably redeuterated for reuse.

Abstract: A method for deuterium enrichment by photoinduced dissociation which uses as the deuterium source a multihalogenated organic compound selected from the group consisting of a dihalomethane, a trihalomethane, a 1,2-dihaloethene, a trihaloethene, a tetrahaloethane and a pentahaloethane. The multihalogenated organic compound is subjected to intense infrared radiation at a preselected wavelength to selectively excite and thereby induce dissociation of substantially only those molecules containing deuterium to provide a deuterium enriched dissociation product. The deuterium enriched product may be combusted with oxygen to provide deuterium enriched water. The deuterium depleted undissociated molecules may be redeuterated by treatment with a deuterium source such as water.

Abstract: Enrichment of carbon, hydrogen and/or oxygen isotopes by means of isotopically selective photo-predissociation of formaldehyde is achieved by irradiation provided by a frequency-tripled, temperature tuned neodymium laser.

Abstract: Enrichment of carbon, hydrogen and/or oxygen isotopes by means of isotopically selective photo-predissociation of formaldehyde is achieved by irradiation with a fixed frequency ion laser, specifically, a neon, cadmium, or xenon ion laser.

Abstract: A method for deuterium enrichment by the infrared-induced addition reaction of a deuterium halide with an unsaturated aliphatic compound. A gaseous mixture of a hydrogen halide feedstock and an unsaturated aliphatic compound, particularly an olefin, is irradiated to selectively vibrationally excite the deuterium halide contained therein. The excited deuterium halide preferentially reacts with the unsaturated aliphatic compound to produce a deuterated addition product which is removed from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Dissociation products, mainly formaldehyde and carbon monoxide, enriched in a desired isotope of carbon, oxygen, or hydrogen are obtained by the selective photodissociation of glyoxal wherein glyoxal is subjected to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength such that photon absorption excites and induces dissociation of only those molecules of glyoxal containing the desired isotope.