Abstract: A tool consists of an array of field-emitting nanostructure probe tip extensions on the end of a metal probe. The probe is tapered to a long, narrow, flat end with typical dimensions of 1 cm.times.1 .mu.m. The probe tip extensions typically extend approximately 100 .ANG. beyond the probe surface and their ends are shaped to act as independent field-emission tips, each at an exact atomic location. These ends are a single crystal plane terminating in a single crystal unit plane cell having a central atom with a lower work function than the atoms surrounding the central atom. The nanostructures are spaced in a prescribed, repeating pattern with typical spacings on the order of 400 .ANG.. The probe voltage, current and position, as well as CVD or etching gas pressures, are sequentially adjusted to fabricate nanostructures on a nearby substrate, which is typically 10-30 .ANG. below the termination points of the probe tip extensions.

Abstract: A high-T.sub.c superconductor contact unit having low interface resistivity is disclosed, as is a method for making the unit. An inert metal is deposited on the surface of the superconductor, which surface is preferably non-degraded, to form a unit with the surface of the superconductor, and where temperatures as high as 500.degree. C. to 700.degree. C. can be tolerated, the unit is oxygen annealed to establish a still lower surface resistivity between the surface of the high-T.sub.c superconductor and the inert metal, including a low surface resistivity of about 10.sup.-10 .OMEGA.-cm.sup.2 at high-T.sub.c superconductor operating temperatures. The superconductor is a metal-oxide superconductor, and may be rare earth, thallium, or bismuth based.

Abstract: A periodic scattering array is used to diffract electromagnetic radiation or massive particles of specific wavelength and energy. A detector sutiable to the radiation or particles is integrated into the surface or bulk of the array. The detector is configured so as to not perturb the diffraction resolution of the array.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic monolith comprises exposing a pre-formed metal substrate to a NaCl filtered continuous wave laser beam of about 50 to 100 W power and about 80 to 315 W/cm.sup.2 power density in an atmosphere of a gas desired to react with the metal, allowing for the gas to diffuse into the metal substrate at a temperature effective to permit reaction thereof to form the ceramic monolith, and cooling the monolith.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping ocean currents with a single radar. The radar is a pulsed monostatic radar operating in the HF/VHF range using a single transmitting antenna with a wide beam width. There is a linear array of antennas, each with its own receiver/digitizer system to sample the complex signal. The summing and phasing of the signals is done in software. The correlation functions are calculated using two successive complex Fourier transforms. The current vectors are measured as a function of range and angle from the radar site, thereby generating the current map.

Abstract: A simple, compact optical spectrometer employs solid-state nonlinear crystals for obtaining broadband multichannel infrared spectra with picosecond or femtosecond time resolution. Spectrally broad infrared pulses are produced by difference frequency mixing in a first LiIO.sub.3 crystal between the second harmonic of a picosecond Nd.sup.+3 :YAG laser and broadband output of a synchronously pumped dye laser, and a resultant broadband IR pulse is upconverted by a second LiIO.sub.3 crystal to yield a blue visible pulse which is dispersed by a 0.25 meter spectrograph onto a multichannel vidicon or reticon detector to obtain four wavenumber resolution single-shot transient infrared spectra of a sample. The present invention enables rapid acquisition of ultrashort time infrared spectra over a broadly tunable spectral range (in the mid to near infrared) at minimal cost and by a simple but versatile optical system employing readily available components.

Abstract: A method of disposal of waste solid material in an underwater geologic fotion on the continental margins comprises the steps of: drilling a large diameter hole into the geologic formation to a depth of several hundred feet in a single stroke operation; depositing a slug of a paste of waste material into the bottom of the hole thereby burying the slug; and permitting the geologic formation adjacent to the hole above the buried slug to fill the hole above the slug, thereby sealing the buried slug in the geologic formation. A continuous slug of waste material can be used, or the waste material can be formed into discrete charges of material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing bonding properties in compositions which utilizes thermal energy to cause controlled debonding of interface and/or interply bonds. Debonding events resulting from the controlled debonding are detected and utilized to characterize the interface and/or interply properties of the composition.

Abstract: A transparent thin film thermocouple and a method of manufacturing comprig a positive element of indium tin oxide (ITO) and a negative element of indium oxide (In.sub.2 O.sub.3) formed on a surface by reactive sputtering with the elements being electrically joined to form a hot junction for conversion of heat into electricity.

Abstract: A phase modulator for use in a two-oscillator phase noise measurement system is placed in the line from either the reference oscillator or the device under test. The phase modulator couples a small portion of the input signal to an amplitude modulator and phase shifter to shift the small signal by exactly 90 degrees. The small signal portion is then coupled back into the input signal such that small variations in the coupled signal result in phase modulation and not amplitude modulation which would undermine the calibration of the instrument. The phase modulator described can also be used with known devices of many types to correct the added phase noise of components, e.g., power amplifiers.

Abstract: A high-current, very-wide-band transconductance amplifier includes a differential voltage to current converter and a plurality of complementary unipolar current mirror cells. The differential voltage to current converter isolates the input voltage terminal from the common side of the output load current terminal. A plurality of positive current mirror cells are connected in parallel and a plurality of negative current mirror cells are connected in parallel to avoid the need for a single low resistance current sensing resistor and the fabrication problems inherent in such resistors.

Abstract: A reference standard and a method for manufacturing a reference standard for use in calibrating an eddy current probe is disclosed. The reference standard is produced from a block of metal that is deformed by an indentation tool to provide a notch of prescribed dimensions. The reference standard is compressed along an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the notch to substantially close the notch. A family of reference standards formed in this manner can be produced to calibrate an eddy current probe prior to use of the probe in evaluating metal components such as aircraft framework for the presence of fatigue cracks and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a desired product from a supritical fluid extraction solution employ a restrictor nozzle, a coarse-pore sintered-glass enclosure member and a collecting means for collecting an oil suspension of the desired product. The supercritical fluid extraction solution is decompressed by passing through the restrictor nozzle. The resulting decompressed fluid stream is directed at the enclosure member which is saturated with an oil in which the desired product is soluble. Solutes including the desired product are dissolved in the oil, and the oil is collected. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for use in separating .beta.-carotene from a carbon dioxide solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for producing two-dimensional micrographs of overall surface microtopography of a given specimen (19) by using a photodetector (22) to measure the off-specularly reflected light from a focussed light beam (50) which is projected through a hemispherical mirror (20) onto the specimen surface as the specimen surface is scanned by the focused beam of light (50). Scanning can be accomplished either by moving the specimen surface (19) as a result of moving the sample holding member (18) or by moving the focused beam of light by means of a light beam deflection device (25).

Abstract: Superconductor-polymer composite materials comprise a matrix formed of a rmoplastic polymer and a superconductor powder dispersed in the matrix. The superconductor powder preferably has a composition RBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x wherein R is a rare earth metal and x is less than or equal to 1. The thermoplastic polymer matrix comprises a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer or copolymer. The composite materials may be formed as shaped products, sheets or films.

Abstract: A method andan apparatus for producing a photopumped VUV laser in an Mo.sup.6+ ion-containing plasma comprise photopumping the Mo.sup.6+ ion-containing plasma with radiation from Mo.sup.11+ ions. In one embodiment, the Mo.sup.6+ ion-containing plasma has an electron density of less than about 10.sup.18 cm.sup.-3 and the Mo.sup.11+ ions are contained in a plasma having an electron density greater than about 10.sup.20 cm.sup.-3.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method of treating fish meat which becomes softened due to contamination with sporozoa parasites. The method involves mixing salt and an improved freeze-dried water extract of potato or a freeze-dried raw potato powder with the contaminated fish meat paste. A particular extraction process is described which results in an improved color characteristic of the finished product. Also, a method of obtaining a freeze-dried raw potato powder which has an improved color characteristic, is described. The invention also pertains to the use of the powder in treating meat from uncontaminated fish to improve the gelation characteristic thereof.

Abstract: Aluminum hydroxides are used as solid lubricants for aluminum oxides, cercs and other materials having oxide surfaces. Aluminum oxide hydroxides and aluminum trihydroxides are preferred compositions for such lubricating purposes. In particular, the use of boehmite in an aqueous solution significantly reduces frictional coefficients between contacting surfaces.

Abstract: An electronic interface circuit and method for receiving high speed serial ata, converting the data to parallel data and multiplexing different types of data together with a temporary buffer storage utilizing a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) buffer memory and controllable output interface circuits and signals is provided. Sources of the data can be, for example, a frame synchronizer used to process high speed data from a TIROS-N satellite. The circuitry of a specific embodiment includes line receivers for receiving the data and a controllable output register and line drivers for providing the output data. The input data includes a synchronizing clock signal and control signals and three types of data. A serial to parallel data converter converts the appropriate data and controllable tri-state buffers determine the sequence of providing the data to an internal data bus connected to the input of the FIFO memory.

Abstract: An optical method and apparatus is disclosed for stabilizing the frequency f semiconductor lasers. The basic system includes only the optical elements of a conventional semiconductor laser optically coupled to a separate, external resonator having an optical cavity with a particular resonance frequency. The optical geometry is configured such that the output from the resonator is fed back to the laser only when the laser frequency matches or substantially matches the resonance frequency. In other disclosed embodiments, optical electronic feedback loops are used to modulate the laser injection current to stabilize the frequency and to adjust the phase of the optical feedback signal.