Abstract: Benzocyclobutenes have been found to be an ideal material for growing and cultivating biological materials such as biological cells. This property makes benzocyclobutenes suitable for use in devices for analyzing biological materials. A commercially available benzocyclobutene, namely, B-staged divinylsiloxane-bis-benzocyclobutene (BCB) is a spin-on dielectric material produced in several forms by Dow Chemical. This spin-on dielectric may be used in place of other conventional materials requiring use of a more complicated vacuum based deposition process. The applicant has found BCB to be an excellent dielectric material for fabricating microelectrode arrays.

Abstract: A simple compact optical device and method for quickly measuring the concentration of CO and CO.sub.2, bound to hemoglobin or dissolved in a person's blood using optical techniques which do not require removing a blood sample from the body. It also provides a simple fiber optic device for measuring blood-gas concentrations of critical internal points of the circulatory system such as the aorta.

Abstract: A window seal apparatus capable of transmitting infrared radiation for use under high temperature ultra-high vacuum conditions. The apparatus includes a window clamped between an annular rim of a clamp flange and an annular rim of a sealing flange. The rim of the sealing flange includes an annular sealing knob machined therein having an annular indentation in its upper surface. An annular lead gasket is located between the sealing knob and one side of the window. An annular lead gasket having roughened surfaces is positioned adjacent to the other side of the window and a TEFLON gasket is positioned adjacent to the annular rim of the clamp flange. A constant force means is provided for pushing the clamp flange toward the window and the sealing flange thereby producing a seal therebetween. The window is preferably formed from alkali halide material.

Abstract: Isotopes of carbon are separated by irradiating an isotopic mixture of methyl fluoride with a laser tuned to an absorption and of one of the isotopes, reacting the isotopic mixture with atomic bromine, whereby the excited isotopic form of methyl fluoride reacts at a faster rate than the other form, and separating the products.

Abstract: A coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopic (CARS) imaging device especially adapted to observe specific molecular groups in living cells. Two laser beam pulses of different wavelengths in the visible or UV spectra and of picosecond duration are used to simultaneously illuminate a sample (e.g., a living cell) containing molecules of the type it is desired to observe. By proper selection of the laser frequencies, the molecules are excited to emit characteristic coherent anti-Stokes radiation which can be imaged through a microscope or other device.

Abstract: Isotopes of hydrogen are separated by reacting a normal alkane, its deuterated form, atomic bromine, a deactivating gas, and a isotopically selective vibrational sensitizer gas selected from the class consisting of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and mixtures thereof and separating the products which are enriched in deuterium.

Abstract: A laser system in which acetylene is mixed with a gaseous mixture of helium and carbon monoxide which has been vibrationally excited significantly populating the lower vibrational levels of the CO. The carbon monoxide will transfer its energy to the acetylene, populating the upper (01000) level to create laser radiation near 15.9 microns which may be operated in continuous-wave or pulsed modes. The laser cavity includes mirrors which are highly reflective at 16 microns but transparent to radiation at 8 microns or other well-known means which will operate in the same fashion.

Abstract: A method of separating isotopes of hydrogen which comprises subjecting a ture of methane and isotopes of hydrogen in a methane to hydrogen mole ratio from about 1000:1 to about 1:10 to a glow electrical discharge from about 10.sup.-3 to about 50eV per hydrogen bond at a temperature from about 50.degree. K. to about 310.degree. K. and at a pressure from about 0.3 Torr to the pressure at which arcing occurs.

Abstract: An electric discharge gas-dynamic laser (EDGDL) providing laser action in CO.sub.2 at 16 microns between the (02.degree.0) and (01'0) levels as well as between the (10.degree.0) and (01'0) levels at 14 microns. A 9.mu. or 10.mu. saturating pulse equilibrates the (001) level with either the (02.degree.0) or (10.degree.0) level and creates the 14.mu. or 16.mu. inversion. Extraction efficiencies of 50% have been achieved. Repetition frequencies of 200Hz have been achieved using a repetitively Q-switched cavity.

Abstract: Production of acetylene by pyrolytic cracking of hydrocarbons following lr volumertric heating by: doping the feed stock with an absorbing gas such as ethylene to absorb laser radiation in a controlled manner: applying laser radiation in the form of a sheet with a thickness from about 5 to about 20 mm perpendicular to the flow direction of the feed stock; maintaining a reaction temperature around 1800.degree. to 200.degree. K by adjusting the energy output of the laser; and maintaining the temperature of the reaction chamber walls below 1000.degree. K.

Abstract: A method of separating isotopes of hydrogen which comprises subjecting a ture of nitrogen and isotopes of hydrogen in a H.sub.2 --N.sub.2 mole ratio from 1:4 to 10:1 to a glow electrical discharge from 10.sup..sup.-3 to 10.sup.+.sup.1 eV per reactant molecules at a temperature from 50.degree. K to 200.degree. K and at a pressure of at least 0.3 Torr.

Abstract: A system for protecting ships from attack by an infrared-seeking missile is provided which comprises decoying the missile by deploying an aerosol. In one embodiment, the aerosol merely scatters a modulated light beam. Another embodiment deploys particles that can undergo an exothermic photochemical reaction when initiated by an ultraviolet laser. The laser projects an image of the ship onto the aerosol and at the same time causes the particles to generate sufficient heat to attract the infrared-seeking missile away from the ship. This system presents an infrared-decoy target with a suitable infrared image of appropriate spatial scale to mislead a missile with imaging capability. The spectral content of the decoy's image resembles that of a blackbody 20.degree.-50 .degree. C. above ambient, and has a brightness and spatial extent equal to the largest ships, approximately 10 kw/steradian, in the 3-5 and 8-12 micrometer bands.