Abstract: A polymeric infrared window (10) is described which comprises a sheet of polymeric material (14). Sheet 14 further may comprise a layer of molecular weave polymer material (34) fixed to a electromagnetic interference shield (32). In addition, a polymeric sheet (42) may be embossed with a binary defractive pattern (40) to create a polymeric defractive lens (38).

Abstract: A method of removing B.sub.2 O.sub.3 encapsulant from a structure which includes providing a structure having a melting temperature and having a layer of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon. This structure with the layer of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon is placed in a chamber at a temperature in excess of 400.degree. C. and below the melting temperature of the structure and at some pressure and the pressure in the chamber is decreased, preferably to about -14.7 psig, until the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 foams. Then the temperature in the chamber is lowered to below 400.degree. C. and preferably to about ambient temperature external of the chamber. The structure with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon is washed in an alcohol, preferably one of methanol and isopropanol, after the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 has foamed and the structure is then washed with the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 thereon after the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 has foamed in a liquid non-reactive with the structure to remove the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 from the structure, preferably water.

Abstract: A protective, impact resistant material and method, the material comprising a fabric of thermoplastic polymeric fibers having a strength of at least 0.5 GPa and an elastic modulus of at least 25 GPa and a matrix of polymeric material disposed in the interstices between the fibers, the matrix having an elastic modulus in the range 0.2 to 3.times.10.sup.6 psi. The polymeric fibers can be gel spun polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene terephthalate. In a second embodiment, the matrix is derived from the fabric.

Abstract: A protectively coated optical device which includes an infrared transmissive optical surface and an infrared transmissive polymer coating on the surface having low hardness, high strength and low elastic (Young's) modulus and is transmissive in the 8 to 12 micrometer wavelength range. The hardness is less than 50 kg/mm.sup.2, the strength is from about 10,000 to about 100,000 psi and the elastic (Young's) modulus is from about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 to about 3.times.10.sup.6 psi.

Abstract: A protectively coated optical device which includes an infrared transmissive optical surface and an infrared transmissive polymer coating on the surface having low hardness, high strength and low elastic (Young's) modulus and is transmissive in the 8 to 12 micrometer wavelength range. The hardness is less than 50 kg/mm.sup.2, the strength is from about 10,000 to about 100,000 psi and the elastic (Young's) modulus is from about 0.2.times.10.sup.6 to about 3.times.10.sup.6 psi.

Abstract: Mechanically toughened GaAs and other group III-V and group II-VI materials by hot-forging the GaAs and other materials to obtain the toughening or increase in mechanical strength. The material to be toughened is heated to its plastic temperature or higher but sufficiently below its melting point to maintain decomposition of the material to an acceptable level. A force or stress is then applied along a surface of the material which, acting in concert with the thermal energy (temperature) on the GaAs, is sufficient to nucleate and move dislocations along slip planes in the material to obtain slip or plastic deformation. The material is thereby being flattened due to the stress applied thereto, resulting in a fine, almost polycrystalline or textured (micron size grains) material. This slip process forms many dislocations throughout the GaAs and slightly rearranges most of the parts of the crystal.