Abstract: A laser package includes a laser with first and second spaced terminals and a layer between the terminals with properties of emitting light when voltage pulses are applied between the terminals. A current of a particular magnitude is produced between the terminals in the time periods between the voltage pulses. The voltage required to produce such current is dependent upon the layer temperature. Variations in this voltage produce variations in the rate of pulses from a thermoelectric cooler included in the laser package. Variations in the rate of such pulses from the thermoelectric cooler affect the rate at which heat is withdrawn by the thermoelectric cooler from the laser. A cooler body is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric member and is constructed to pass a cooling fluid through the cooler body to cool the thermoelectric member. The cooling fluid passes through an inlet port to a plurality of channels converging at a central recess.

Abstract: Monochromatic light from a laser gain generator passes through a first aperture to a beam expander which expands the beam width and reduces the angular divergence of the beam. The light from the beam expander has a curved wavefront because of (1) light diffraction in the aperture and (2) deviations from planar surfaces in the optical components in the light path. The light is then reflected by a first mirror to a grating which has a plurality of steps in a stepped configuration. The grating is adjustable curved so that the steps in the grating are parallel to the curved wavefront and so that light from only a particular band of wavelengths is reflected back to the first mirror. The light then passes back through the beam expander, which compresses the beam width, to the discharge chamber for further amplification. The light then passes through a second aperture to a partially reflecting mirror. A portion of the light is reflected by the partial mirror back to the discharge chamber for further amplification.

Abstract: First and second members are constructed to be disposed in an individual's body without adversely affecting the functioning of the individual's body. The first and second members may be illustratively an orthodontic bracket and an orthodontic pad. An armorphous alloy is disposed between or adjacent to the first and second members in a thin layer (e.g. three thousandths of an inch (0.003")) and is bonded, as by brazing, to the first and second members. The alloy is provided with properties of not affecting the functioning of the individual's body adversely. The alloy preferably has eutectic properties and has properties of being ductile and corrosion resistant. The alloy is preferably a metallic glass in which the primary element may be palladium. The alloy may consist of palladium, nickel and silicon.

Abstract: Apparatus seals holes in an airplane bulkhead and provides for the passage through such holes of members (e.g. electrical wires) furnishing utilities to the airplane. The apparatus includes: 1. A hollow sleeve made from a light, strong and stable material (e.g. titanium) to provide a conduit for the utility members; 2. A relatively hard (e.g. 90 durometer "A") grommet having an internal opening and with an axially extending recess for disposition on the bulkhead with the bulkhead hole in the recess; and 3. A compliant (e.g. 55 durometer "A") gasket with internal opening to receive the sleeve in tight fit relationship. The gasket is provided with first and second portions each having an external periphery with a diameter greater than the diameter of the internal opening in the grommet. The gasket has an external recess axially defined between the first and second portions to receive the grommet at the internal opening in the grommet.

Abstract: A scanning tunneling microscope is corrected in real time for coupling effects from the scanning electrodes or bias voltage circuit of the microscope on the tunneling current. In an automatic embodiment, a test voltage waveform is applied to the scanning electrodes or bias voltage circuit, the system determines the correction required and corrects the tunneling current signal. A method enables the operator to verify the correction. In other embodiments, predetermined values of the parameters of the coupling effects are entered by the operator; the system determines the correction required from these values and corrects the tunneling current signal with this correction; the correction is verified, and the operator enters an adjustment of the values, if the corrections did not sufficiently correct for the coupling effects.

Abstract: Electrons released by an anode are attracted by an electric field toward a target cathode in a cavity to ionize argon atoms in the space between the anode and target. Magnets produce a magnetic field in the cavity in a direction perpendicular to the electrical field to produce a trapping spiral movement of the electrons in the cavity, thereby enhancing the ionization of the gaseous molecules. The ions bombard the target to emit sputtered atoms which are deposited on a semi-conductor wafer. The target may have a frusto-conical configuration defined by a single member or by a plurality of segmental tiles formed from different materials to provide for a deposition of a mixture of such different materials on the wafer. The target may be magnetizable.

Abstract: First terminals are equally spaced on a substantially uniformly resistive thin film at or near a first side edge of the film at progressive positions downwardly from the top of the film. Near the bottom of the film, second terminals are preferably equally spaced progressively inwardly from the first side edge of the film. An energizing potential is applied to the film either at the corner defined by the top and the first side edge of the film or in a curved pattern of positions near such corner. A reference potential (e.g. ground) is applied to the film near the otherside of the film and near the bottom edge of the film. Voltages are thus produced at the successive ones of the first terminals with an exponential relationship with respect to such terminal positions and at the successive ones of the second terminals with a linear relationship with respect to such terminal positions. The disposition of the second terminals may be compensated for deviations in a logarithmic response in an output member (e.g.

Abstract: A source produces light, preferably in a wavelength band of approximately 185-200 nm and in pulses at a suitable frequency (e.g., 100 Hz). The light may be directed in a progressively diverging beam into the atmosphere for a Rayleigh scattering by molecules in the atmosphere in the 185-200 nm wavelength band and for fluorescence by particular molecules (e.g. oxygen) in the atmosphere in another wavelength band (e.g. 210-260 nm). The Rayleigh scattered light and the fluorescent light may pass in a progressively converging beam to two detectors, one responsive to the Rayleigh scattered light to produce first signals and the other responsive to the fluorescent light to produce second signals. Optical elements may prevent the second detector from responding to the fluorescent light and the second detector from responding to the scattered Rayleigh light. A data processor processes the first and second signals to provide outputs representative of the atmospheric pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A plurality of semi-conductor diodes disposed in an array may be constructed to emit light when subjected to a particular voltage. This voltage reversely biases the semi-conductor diodes to break down the semi-conductor diodes and to provide for the emission of light upon breakdown. The breakdown occurs at the junction between a pair of electrodes in each semi-conductor diode. One of the electrodes may be an n electrode and the other electrode may be a p electrode. To break down the diode, a positive voltage (e.g. 3-5 volts) may be applied to the n electrode and a ground voltage may be applied to the p electrode. The diodes are so small that an array of 1024.times.1024 diodes can be disposed in a space approximately 0.4" square to act as pixels. The diodes may be scanned, as in a raster scan, preferably on a repetitive basis.

Abstract: A waveguide filter switch, including a waveguide transmission path for electromagnetic energy. At least one series resonator filter positioned in shunt with the transmission path. At least one coupling aperture in the waveguide for coupling the at least one series resonator to the waveguide. A switching positioned across the coupling aperture and having an open state wherein the coupling aperture is electrically open to provide for coupling the series resonator to the waveguide and having a closed state wherein the coupling aperture is electrically shorted to prevent coupling of the series resonator to the waveguide. The switch including a sliding member physically located to have an open retracted position wherein the coupling aperture is physically unencumbered to produce the open state for the switch and to have a closed extended position wherein the coupling aperture is physically encumbered to produce the closed state for the switch.

Abstract: An enhancement mode field effect transistor and a depletion mode field effect transistor are connected in a circuit to provide for a conductivity of the transistors during a first polarity in an alternating voltage and to provide for a non-conductivity of the transistors during a second polarity in the alternating voltage. The circuit also provides for the continued and proper operation of the circuit even when voltages having a magnitude greater than the breakdown voltage of the enhancement mode field effect transistor are applied to the circuit. Each of the transistors may have a source, a gate and a drain. The gates of the transistors receive an alternating voltage of one polarity at the same time that the drain of the depletion mode field effect transistor receives a voltage of the opposite polarity. The source of the depletion mode field effect transistor and the drain of the enhancement mode field effect transistor are common.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus including a storage body and a tailgate positioned rearwardly of the storage body which defines a hopper that is positioned adjacent to an opening into the storage body. An upper and a lower panel within the tailgate are pivotally connected and movably positioned with respect to the hopper. The upper panel is moved in a downward and rearward convexly curved path between an upward and forward position and a rearward and lowered position and the lower panel is rotated forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the upper panel. A fixed panel positioned in the tailgate structure defines the upper extent of the opening into the storage body and during upward movement of the upper panel, refuse is packed against the fixed panel.The lower surface of the fixed panel may have an upwardly curved lower surface which imparts a forward direction of movement to refuse which is packed against it.