Abstract: The use of a photoconducting material having specific characteristics in conjunction with a heat sensitive optical recording medium also having specific characteristics yields desirable properties. Specifically, through the use of this combination an optical recording medium that has a relatively low applied power threshold for writing and yet a relatively long-term stability is obtained. The photoconductor material should have an unilluminated resistivity of at least 10.sup.6 Ohm-cm and should undergo a resistivity descrease of at least 10.sup.5 upon illumination to yield this desired attribute.

Abstract: Well-oriented device quality silicon is formed on a dielectric material through a specific melting procedure. In this procedure, a body including polycrystalline or amorphous silicon overlying a dielectric is heated to a temperature close to the melting point of silicon. A narrow region of the amorphous or polycrystalline silicon whose length is substantially longer than its width is then melted using an energy source such as a laser. This long, narrow region is propagated through the amorphous or polycrystalline silicon to produce the desired device quality material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electro-optical device in which color changes are electrically induced in an electrochromic material which is a single or polycrystalline niobium tungstate represented approximately by the formula W.sub.9 Nb.sub.8 O.sub.47. The device comprises an ion source and a source of an electrical field which may be reversible so as to produce coloring and bleaching of the electrochromic material. Due to high corrosion resistance of such material, the ion source may conveniently be a hydrous electrolyte.

Abstract: Objects are displaced with precision over very small distances by a micropositioner which includes a body of crystalline material having at least one domain wall. One end of the crystalline body is affixed to a base. An object to be moved is secured to the opposite end. The crystalline material is such that movement of the domain wall causes relative motion between the ends of the crystalline body, resulting in a displacement of the object with respect to the base. A ruled scale is disposed along the path of travel of each domain wall to indicate displacement over known, precisely controllable distances. In a first embodiment, the object is a microprobe and the crystalline body includes a single domain wall. Movement of the latter provides linear motion of the microprobe. In another embodiment, the object is an electron microscope grid assembly. Here the crystalline body includes two domain walls, allowing two-dimensional planar motion of the assembly.

Abstract: An acoustic microscope for scanning an object stereo-optically and with both dark field and light field imaging. The microscope focuses acoustic waves on a focal point and moves the object in a planar raster pattern through the focal point. The acoustic waves are modulated by the object and displayed on an oscilloscope. The microscope permits the rotation of the object about the focal point so that two, azimuthally displaced images of the object can be obtained. These two images can be observed as one three-dimensional image in a lenticular stereoscope. In addition, the microscope can scan the acoustic waves scattered by the object and display a dark field image of the object.

Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope wherein a high frequency acoustic plane wave is focused by an acoustic lens to scan an object at the focal plane and is then recollimated by a second acoustic lens, detected with a piezoelectric detector, and the detected acoustic signal applied to an oscilloscope to provide a visual display.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for imaging objects utilizing acoustic waves wherein an acoustic beam or beams are generated at one or more frequencies and are focused into proximity with the object to generate output acoustic energy at a different frequency or frequencies resultant from nonlinear interactions with the resultant production, after detection and conversion to electric output signals, of high resolution, enhanced images.

Abstract: A microscope for scanning an object with light and acoustic waves and producing both acoustic and optical images thereof. The microscope includes optical and acoustic lenses that focus both the light and acoustic waves on substantially the same point on the object. In one portion of the microscope the acoustic waves and light propagate coextensively through the same medium. The apparatus generates a simultaneous presentation of both acoustic and optical images formed by the microscope.