Abstract: Disclosed is a cathode cup for X-ray tubes which is manufactured in two pieces so that the filament can be set before the upper channels are added, thereby, simplifying accurate setting of the filament and minimizing the likelihood of causing scratches or nicks in the outer surface of the cup.

Abstract: A process for producing a laser cathode by vacuum coating provides well-controlled, slow layer growth in the presence of the laser gas at a total pressure of up to 5.times.10.sup.-4 mbar. Such process includes laser gas atoms in the cathode layer. Without interruption of the vacuum, the coated cathode is moved into a (second) position and laser gas is introduced under slight pressue against the cathode coating by means of a nozzle. At the same time, a number of discharge cycles are initiated via the electrically conductive base of the cathode basic element and an electrode, arranged concentrically with respect to the nozzle, having the effect of premature sputtering-off to cause a levelling of the current density and a further inclusion of inert gas atoms in the Al coating. After a number of discharge cycles, a small amount of oxygen may be added to form an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 passivation layer before flooding of the recipient.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of vacuum tube bases wherein to mould bases of electronic tubes shaving conductors of different lengths, a widened opening is made in the upper mould and a distance sleeve with a dead hole is placed in it. This distance sleeve compensates for the difference in length with respect to the longest conductors. Also set forth is a device for application of this method.

Abstract: An ion laser includes a plurality of thin refractory metal disk members with the perimeter of the disks embedded directly into a ceramic plasma tube. A central aperture is formed in the middle of each disk, and a plurality of apertures are formed around the periphery of the disk. In the fabrication process, ceramic powder is compacted to form an outer plasma tube. Two separate tubes, each with electrodes and embedded washer ends, can be formed and fused to form a single tube. The disks (with the surrounding compacted ceramic disposed around the periphery of the disk) are stacked within the plasma tube and the green ensemble of ceramic and metal is fired in only one furnace step with controlled atmosphere. Hermetic cathode and anode electrodes are also formed in the same firing through the plasma tube. Ends are sealed with a mirror-mount of the Brewster window structure, in one embodiment either laser welded or soldered to a refractory metal end disk embedded in the green ceramic at the ends of the tube.

Abstract: A wall-stabilized infared flash tube has a glass bulb with a flash chamber therein with a cathode lead having an electrode member welded thereto inserted in the flash chamber, the flash chamber, the lead, and the electrode member having dimensions selected for minimizing the influences of white light on the output of the flash tube, so as to enhance the spectrum of the infared output. The flash chamber preferably has a length no longer than 20 mm, and an interior diameter in the range of approximately 0.6 mm to approximately 1.3 mm. A method for manufacturing such a flash tube includes the steps of welding the electrode member to the lead at one location, inserting the lead and electrode combination into a flash chamber of a glass bulb having suitable dimensions, and fusing the lead vacuum-tight to the glass bulb.

Abstract: A plasma tube for a gas laser includes a series of heat webs and insulative spacers between the heat webs, with tungsten bore insert members supported by the heat webs and having aligned apertures defining a laser discharge path. To produce the plasma tube, the heat webs, spacers and other connected components are assembled in a vertical stack outside the ceramic tube of the laser, with a stacking gauge which helps assure that the heat webs are correctly spaced apart within close tolerances. The heat webs lie adjacent to annular metallized areas on the inside surface of the ceramic tube when the assembly is inserted into the tube, which is precision-formed ceramic tubing. The tube assembly is heated in vertical orientation to expand the heat webs diametrically so that they engage outwardly against and are brazed to the metallized areas of the ceramic tube.

Abstract: Method for improving signal response of a linear array ionization detector. The detector employs a detector assembly having plural closely-spaced detector elements mounted on a substrate with the assembly positioned in a high pressure, gas-filled chamber. Signal response is improved by cleaning the assembly and coating it with a moisture resistant material before insertion into the chamber.

Abstract: The method provides an X-ray tube rotary anode by increasing the thickness of a thin, highly deformed anode disc to the desired value by deposition of a layer, consisting mainly of molybdenum, by means of thermal spraying. The method provides an X-ray rotary anode which has the attractive properties of a highly deformed anode disc and which also has a large diameter which cannot be obtained by means of the high-speed deformation impact process due to the maximum applicable thickness-diameter ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detectors used in X-ray tomographic imaging. The invention describes a xenon ionization detector having individual detector elements spaced 1.5 mil apart, thus providing high resolution. In one embodiment, a procedure is described for reducing a spurious electric current which was found to arise when such narrow spacings were used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of ionization detectors used in X-ray tomographic imaging. One form of the invention discusses a method of manufacturing an array of ionization detectors which reduces spurious electric currents in the detectors when the detector spacing is in the 1.5 mil range. Also discussed is a method of manufacture of a chamber for containing an ionizable gas such as xenon, and of sealing the detector array at its point of entry into the chamber in order to prevent the escape of xenon.

Abstract: Method of fabricating an cold cathode for a laser such as ring laser gyro characterized by the use of vitreous carbon as the material of the cathode. For this purpose a predetermined amount of resin is pressed formed into the shape of a hollowed cathode body which is then heated in an oxygen free environment form a vitreous shaped cathode by thermal degradation of the resinous body. The vitreous carbon material reduces the difference between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the housing and electrode which can cause the indium seal to fail, e.g., in the case of prior aluminum cathode. The electrical connection may be made via either a silver epoxy or indium solder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a bulb wherein a bead mount and a glass bulb are set in a recess in an upper surface of a heater arranged inside a hermetically sealed chamber, a first gas comprised of one component of a composition of a sealing gas in the glass bulb or an inert gas excluding the sealing gas is supplied to the chamber at a predetermined pressure after the chamber is evacuated, a second gas comprised of a remaining component of the sealing gas or all of the components thereof is sprayed in a space between the glass bulb and the bead mount at a pressure higher than that of the first gas to exhaust the first gas from the space within the glass bulb. The heater is energized after the substitution of the gas within the space of the bulb is performed, or while the gas substitution in the space is being performed, in order to heat and melt an edge portion of the bead mount and glass bulb to seal the glass bulb to the bead mount with the second gas sealed within the glass bulb.

Abstract: A Geiger-Mueller ("GM") tube containing a noble gas mixture of about 98-99.9% Ne and the remainder Ar, and in addition containing from 2-5% ethylene as the quench gas, provides high stability and high count rates in the temperature range from about -100.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. When this GM tube is provided with a sleeve-and-screen liner in electrical contact with an outer cathode, the tube exhibits exceptional sensitivity. The sleeve may be a continuous deposit of a heavy metal having an atomic number from about 73 to about 83, deposited on the inner surface of the cathode tube, or the sleeve may be a foil liner of tungsten or tantalum. The screen is woven of metal wire on which is deposited a heavy metal.

Abstract: A method of vacuum assembling a rotating anode X-ray tube of the type having a rotor and a shaft extending therefrom with a magnetic fluid for vacuum sealing about the shaft. The tube is subjected to a high temperature bake-out whereby gases are sufficiently evolved from exposed metal parts that a stable low pressure region is created. A static seal is used to temporarily seal the region during bake-out with the anode temporarily rendered non-rotatable and the permanent magnetic vacuum seal protected from the high temperature. The system is then allowed to cool off before the permanent magnetic vacuum seal is moved into its operational position within the high vacuum. Assembly tooling is provided ensuring that the high vacuum is maintained throughout the installation. Bearings are installed external to the region of high vacuum to transmit rotary motion of the shaft through the permanent seal. Finally, the tube is rendered operational by displacing the static seal thereby permitting the anode to be rotated.

Abstract: A method of forming a protective coating on a glass envelope of a photoflash lamp. The method comprises the steps of orienting the lamp within a mold member such that the external surfaces of the lamp's glass envelope do not contact the internal surfaces of the mold, depositing a quantity of powdered thermoplastic or thermosetting resin within the mold such that the resin surrounds the entirety of the glass envelope's external surfaces, simultaneously applying pressure and heat to the powdered material to cause it to liquify, and thereafter cooling the liquified material to form a light-transmitting, solid polymer member having the glass envelope located therein. Pressures within the range of about 500 to 8000 pounds per square inch were possible without fracturing the glass envelopes or adversely effecting the components therein. The finished product is ideally suited as one component of a multilamp photoflash device for use with many of today's cameras.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash array and fabrication process is provided wherein electrically conductive leads of a plurality of flashlamps are embedded in and wrapped about the ends of a plastic reflector unit which is, in turn, affixed to a circuit board to provide contact between the bent leads and a printed circuit on the circuit board.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a miniaturized multilamp photoflash array includes the steps of forming a printed circuit board having electrical contact pads thereon and a plurality of shaped holes having a wire-receiving portion and a tapered portion extending therefrom, selecting a photoflash lamp having conductive leads, threading the conductive leads through the wire-receiving portion and urging the conducting leads into the tapered portion of the shaped holes and affixing the conductive leads to the electrical contact pads.

Abstract: A method of making a photoflash lamp wherein an elongated piece of glass tubing is sealed at a first end thereof to secure a pair of lead-in wires therein. Thereafter, a quantity of primer material is positioned within the tubing through the second, open end thereof and deposited on an internal bottom surface of the tubing. A quantity of shredded combustible material (e.g. zirconium) is then air blown within the tubing member, and thereafter a thin member (mica disk) is frictionally inserted through the open end. The tubing member is then restricted, a combustion-supporting atmosphere (e.g., oxygen) introduced therein, and the second open end of the tubing member is sealed (tipped) to define the finished envelope. Use of the disk substantially eliminates the possibility of shred migration into the second open end region during sealing thereof, thus assuring a positive seal at the envelope's tip portion.

Abstract: A method of making a photoflash lamp wherein an elongated piece of glass tubing is sealed at a first end thereof to secure a pair of lead-in wires therein. Thereafter, a first quantity of primer material is positioned within the glass tubing through a second, open end thereof and deposited on an internal bottom surface of the tubing. A quantity of combustible material (e.g., zirconium) is then air blown within the tubing member, and thereafter a thin member (mica disk) is inserted through the open end, said disk having a second quantity of primer material thereon. The tubing member is then restricted, a combustion-supporting atmosphere (e.g., oxygen) introduced therein, and the second open end of the tubing member is sealed (tipped) to define the finished envelope.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing light detection units which comprise a photocathode disposed on an entrance window, an electron detector including a semiconductor junction, and means which transmit the electrons from the photocathode to the electron detector including a perforated aperture plate disposed between the entrance window and the electron detector. The photocathode is formed on a surface of the entrance window after assembling the entrance window and electron detector to the means which transmit the electrons. Perforations in the aperture plate are covered with spherical shields while the photocathode is formed on the surface of the entrance window. The shields are then removed.

Abstract: A photoflash lamp includes a glass envelope having a pair of electrical conductors forming a recessed seal with a primer material bridging the electrical conductors and extending into the recessed seal to contact the electrical conductors. Also, a process for fabricating a photoflash lamp is provided wherein the electrical conductors and glass envelope are moved with respect to one another to provide a recess in the envelope adjacent the electrical conductors. A primer material in liquid form is bridged across the electrical conductors and subjected to a vacuum to insure removal of any gap between the electrical conductors and the primer material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a sealed-off RF excited CO.sub.2 laser with a longer operating life. The invention, which relates to the method and the resulting laser, comprises means for stabilizing the laser gas chemistry otherwise affected by CO.sub.2 dissociation, O.sub.2 consumption, and outgassing of H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. More specifically, the aluminum housing of the laser assembly is nickel-plated and then passivated by an oxidation technique using concentrated nitric acid. In addition, novel gettering substances, comprising either a group B metal or cellulose, are employed to adsorb hydrogen and/or water vapor to alleviate the outgassing problem.

Abstract: A method of making a gaseous laser is disclosed using a thin-walled, ceramic tube such as alumina. Heat conducting members are assembled and aligned in a spaced-apart relationship within the tube. Coaxially aligned cylindrical shields are affixed to the heat-conducting members to control gas pumping within the tube. Bore-defining aperatures in the heat-conducting members, or in sputter-resistant discs affixed to the heat-conducting members, are aligned by a mandrel under tension at which time the parts are permanently bonded within the tube.