Abstract: A transistor having increased reverse second breakdown capabilities includes a collector formed with a high resistivity region including a channel portion adjacent the central portion of the emitter and with a lower resistivity region forming an interface around said channel portion. The second region is arranged to include a portion located laterally inwardly of the outer edges of the emitter so that a preferential current path is provided that defocuses the minority carriers injected by the emitter during the time the transistor is being switched off.

Abstract: An improved sputter etching apparatus for etching a substrate with a reactive gas. The improvement in the apparatus comprises utilizing a cryogenic pump as the vacuum means to evacuate the plasma chamber. The improved apparatus of the invention is particularly useful for the reactive sputter etching of aluminum substrates utilizing a highly reactive gas such as boron trichloride.

Abstract: A calibration device for an optical scanner for optically detecting microscopic defects on object surfaces is formed on a substrate having a characteristic pattern of a plurality of different arrays of artificially created defects. Each array is arranged by size and spacing of the artificial defects to represent an actual defect size. Each artificially created defect of a given array is of the same size. Each defect is provided with a surface which in response to an incident beam of light scatters the light. The response of the system to the scattered light forms a characteristic pattern which corresponds to actual defects.

Abstract: A method of accurately determining the degree of resin coating on the conductive particles in a conductive molding composition for a conductive, high density information disc at various stages in the manufacturing process as well as in the finished disc through the use of electron spin resonance techniques. The method is likewise useful in evaluating proposed changes in the formulation and processing parameters of the conductive molding composition.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens display system comprises a liquid crystal lens, display elements, a polarizer and a light source. The liquid crystal lens comprises a dielectrically anisotropic liquid crystal material covering two electrodes each having a plurality of spaced, parallel, interleaved fingers. The display elements comprise one or more elements to which are affixed alphanumeric or analog information and which are optically distinguishable. The angle of refraction of light passing through the liquid crystal lens is electrically alterable by applying a voltage source to the lens' electrodes. Portions of one of the display elements viewed through an activated liquid crystal lens are changed since light from these portions are no longer within the field of view of the observer.

Abstract: A susceptor for use in a rotary disc reactor comprises a disc having a plurality of radial slots formed adjacent the periphery of the disc. The slots are circumferentially spaced from each other such that the oppositely-flowing heating currents in the sectors disposed between the slots are forced to be adjacent each other to cause a cancelling effect. A plurality of such discs may be supported in stack-like relationship by supporting posts having the ends thereof adapted to fit into the radial slots. Each disc also has radiation shielding means attached to and extending beyond the periphery thereof. The radiation shielding means is made of a material different from the susceptor material of the disc.

Abstract: An improved cathode head is disclosed for electroforming record matrixes. The cathode head includes a conductive cathode plate which is of approximately the same diameter as the matrix to be electroplated so that electrical contact is made to substantially the entire diameter of the matrix during electroforming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing electrical shorts and shunts from solar cells, such as amorphous silicon solar cells. The method involves back-biasing the solar cells while they are in an electrolytic solution. It has been found that the process results in the removal of the shorts and shunts present in the cell.

Abstract: The invention is a phase-locked array of CDH-LOC semiconductor injection lasers which has a single, coherent continuous wave output beam. Coupling between elements of the array can occur over long distances because the radiated light wave propagates primarily in the transparent guide layer of the array structure. The elements of the array are then thermally isolated from one another so that continuous wave operation can occur.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device (LCD) for displaying a dot matrix is formed of a pair of LCD's in back-to-back relation. Conductive bar pattern coatings are provided on each of the LCD's. Each LCD pattern is orthogonally oriented to the pattern of the other LCD to define thereby a dot matrix in a row and column array. The electrically conducting patterns are energized with control signals to activate the liquid crystal compositions in the respective LCD's to transmit light through two spatially superposed vertical dots to provide a display of dots in accordance with the selected energization signals.

Abstract: The electron mobility in an active layer on a semi-insulating substrate is enhanced by initially performing a high energy implantation of an element which is inert in the semi-insulating material. Donor ions are then implanted so as to form the active layer in that area of the substrate in which the high energy implantation was performed, and the substrate is annealed.

Abstract: The invention is an improved avalanche photodiode having higher sensitivity at short wavelengths and a method of making it. The improvement comprises a contacting layer of varying thickness which can have a thin portion through which light enters the avalanche photodiode and a thicker portion surrounding the thin portion to which electrical contact can be made. This structure exhibits substantially greater sensitivity at wavelengths less than 500 nanometers without affecting the long wavelength sensitivity. The invention is also a method of forming the avalanche photodiode where the thicker portion and the thinner portions are sequentially formed using a two-step diffusion process.

Abstract: A high-current, high-voltage semiconductor device is fabricated on a metallurgical grade substrate of a first conductivity type by first growing an epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type on the substrate and then fabricating a semiconductor device thereon designed for high-current, high-voltage applications.

Abstract: The invention is an improved semiconductor laser diode which includes a substrate having a pair of substantially parallel grooves in a major surface thereof with a land therebetween, a first confinement layer overlying the major surface of the substrate and the surfaces of the grooves; a guide layer overlying the first confinement layer, an active layer overlying the guide layer and the second confinement layer overlying the active layer. The improvement is a guide layer which tapers in increasing thickness from that portion of the layer over the land and whose surface, contacting the active layer, is concave in shape, and an active layer which is thickest over the land between the grooves and tapers in decreasing thickness in the lateral direction. This structure provides a positive lateral waveguide index for light propagating in the active and guide layers resulting in a reduced threshold current for lasing action and a reduced spontaneous emission near threshold.

Abstract: A low conductivity, first conductivity type epitaxial layer is formed on a substrate of high conductivity, first conductivity type semiconductor material. Conductivity modifiers of second conductivity type are then implanted into the epitaxial layer so as to create a PN junction in the epitaxial layer. The substrate is next thinned, and conductivity modifiers of first conductivity type are implanted into the thinned surface so as to form a very high conductivity layer at the thinned surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a metal stamper from a metal mold on which the stamper is electro-formed. The gas flows between the mold and stamper to separate the stamper from the mold which are maintained separated by the vacuum applied to their back surfaces. Means is provided for centering the mold-stamper assembly between the backing plates just before the assembly is clamped between the backing plates. Means is provided for mechanically bending the outer peripheral portion of the mold-stamper assembly back and forth to separate the peripheral portion of the stamper from the mold.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method of fabricating a semiconductor laser which comprises bonding an electrically conducting sheet to a metallized surface of a strip of semiconductor material prior to separating the strip into one or more laser chips. The invention provides a simplified method of fabricating a laser having reduced resistive heating in the contact and improved uniformity of electrical current flow.

Abstract: An improved self-aligned conductive gate member formed by suppressing or decreasing the size of the as-deposited grains of polysilicon and by suppressing further grain growth which may occur during a subsequent annealing or processing step. By maintaining the as-deposited grains as small as possible, the initiation of intergranular voids is minimized.

Abstract: Improved indium oxide resistor inks useful in constructing multilayer integrated circuits, particularly on porcelain-coated metal substrates, are provided. The subject inks, which are characterized by an improved temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), comprise: indium oxide, magnesium oxide as a TCR controlling agent, a barium calcium borosilicate glass frit and a suitable organic vehicle.

Abstract: Heated material is injected into an annular cavity, defined by a pair of mold-halves, through a sprue passage, defined by a sprue bushing and an end portion of a punch. The annular cavity and the sprue passage form, respectively, the centrally apertured part and a sprue. After partial cooling of the heated material, the punch is locked in place while the annular cavity is displaced relative to the sprue passage so that the sprue is severed from the part along the peripheral surface of the punch end portion. The mold halves are separated to open the annular cavity while the sprue is resting on the punch end portion, and while the part is held by the punch end peripheral surface. After the mold halves are separated, a sprue ejector member and a part ejector member are actuated to eject, respectively, the sprue and the part from the punch end portion.