Abstract: A method for intermetallic diffusion bonding of piezoelectric components, wherein ceramic pieces with fired-on silver electrodes are stacked with a thin shim of solid indium alloy therebetween. The indium alloy preferably comprises 25% indium, 37.5% lead and 37.5% tin. The stack is placed under 150 psi compression and heated at a temperature of about 350.degree. for 30-48 hours in an inert gas. Almost immediately upon being heated, a liquid-solid diffusion takes place in which a small amount of the silver diffuses from the electrodes into the now liquid indium alloy. The alloy in the interface becomes saturated with silver producing a new quaternary alloy which has a higher melting point than the previous indium alloy shim. Thus, there is a gradual solidification of the alloy as the concentration of silver increases. After solidification of the new alloy during the remainder of the heating time, there is a gradual diffusion of the indium into the silver and vice versa.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts a substantially constant capacitance circuit for use with an external circuit having a variable voltage signal across first and second terminals. The circuit produces a constant capacitance across the terminals as the voltage signal varies. The value of capacitance is adjustable. The capacitance circuit comprises a first variable voltage source having its positive terminal operatively connected to the first terminal and a second variable voltage source having its positive terminal operatively connected to the second terminal. First, second, third and fourth reverse biased diodes are provided. The first diode is connected across the first voltage source and the fourth diode is connected across the second voltage source. The second diode is connected from one side of the first voltage source to the opposed side of the second voltage source and the third diode is connected between the first and second voltage sources in an opposite configuration to the second diode.

Abstract: An assembly for adaptively controlling vibration, shock, acceleration and position of an item mounted to the assembly independent of varying operating characteristics of the item or a support base for the assembly is provided. The assembly comprises an item to be controlled, a support platform for supporting the item, a viscous spring damper mechanically intercoupled between the item and the platform, a first accelerometer for sensing vibration, shock, acceleration and position of the item, a second accelerometer for sensing vibration, shock, acceleration and position of the support platform, a gas supply source for selectively supplying gas to the viscous spring damper, a fluid supply source for selectively supplying fluid to the viscous spring damper, and a logic control circuit for adjusting inputs from the gas supply source and the fluid supply source to selectively adjust the operation of the viscous spring damper and the dynamic mechanical coupling of the item to the platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polymer compositions and the novel method of their synthesis. The novel polymer compositions are synthesized by forming a tetrahydrofuran solution of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, and silicone; adding an anhydrous manganese salt of the formula:MnX.sub.2wherein X is a species capable of forming an anion, preferably a halogen or a thiocyanate, then adding to the solution of polymer and manganese salt, a phosphine of the formula:PR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 may be the same or different, and each is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen, provided that no more than two of the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups and that at least one of the groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group.

Abstract: A method for depositing a micron-size metallic film on a transparent substrate by thermal deposition employing a focused visible laser. The method includes the step of positioning the substrate in a gas cell containing a metal bearing gaseous compound. A nucleation layer is formed on a surface of the substrate by either shining an ultraviolet light on the substrate surface or by heating the substrate to a temperature which is less than the temperature at which the molecules of the gaseous compound decompose. Next, a laser which may be visible or near infrared is focused onto the substrate to provide localized heating of the area of the substrate to which the beam is incident. Molecules of the gaseous compound thermally decompose on the heated area to deposit a metal film thereon.

Abstract: A method is described for treating the surface of a field-effect transistor or a Schottky barrier diode. A polysilicon surface of a gate region of an FET or a single crystalline silicon surface of a Schottky barrier diode may be treated with a low-power argon-plasma for a relatively short period of time to enhance nucleation sites on the surface of the polysilicon or single crystalline silicon. A layer of tungsten or molybdenum may be selectively deposited on the surface of the polysilicon or single crystalline silicon by chemical-vapor deposition through silicon reduction of tungsten hexafluoride or molybdenum hexafluoride.

Abstract: A low voltage series pass regulator configuration has an input terminal for receiving a predetermined input voltage and an output terminal operatively connected to a load. The regulator comprises at least one field effect transistor in a source follower configuration. The drain of the field effect transistor is operatively connected to the input terminal and the source is operatively connected to the output terminal which provides an output voltage across the load. In one embodiment of the present invention a current limiter is operatively connected between the source and a gate of the field effect transistor. In another embodiment of the present invention a comparator for comparing the output voltage to a first reference voltage is provided. The comparator supplies a control voltage, indicative of the value of the output voltage compared to the first reference voltage, to the gate of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A star coupler is described in which a plurality of optical fibers are embedded in a first rigid substrate. The fibers may be etched or polished to a core area to expose a first evanescent coupling zone. A second substrate has one or more optical fibers embedded in the second substrate. The optical fibers in the second substrate are similarly etched or polished to expose a second evanescent zone area. The two substrates are then placed in juxtaposition with each other so that the first and second evanescent zones are in close proximity to one another so that evanescent coupling may occur between the plurality of fibers in the first evanescent zone and one or more optical fibers in the second evanescent zone.

Abstract: The subject invention is a method of sputtering a material on a substrate in which the substrate is first locally heated so that the mobility on the surface of the substrate is increased to a value E.sub.s. A material is then sputtered on the substrate with a sputtering energy E.sub.k whereby the sum of E.sub.k and E.sub.s is greater than the activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur between the sputtered surface of the substrate and the sputtered material. In the preferred embodiment, the substrate is silicon and the material to be sputtered is a refractory metal such as titanium.

Abstract: This disclosure depicts an electrostatic grey tone printing device having a writing head for use with dielectric paper. The printing device comprises recording electrodes on the writing head having a substantially elongated cross-sectional geometry such that a width dimension is significantly less than a length dimension. Complementary electrodes are operatively associated with the recording electrodes and have a predetermined cross-sectional geometry. A means is provided for applying a first voltage of one polarity to one or more of the recording electrodes, and a means is provided for applying a second voltage of opposite polarity to one or more of the associated complementary electrodes. The printing device also comprises a means for advancing the dielectric paper past the complementary and recording electrodes in increments substantially equal to the width of the recording electrodes. The recording electrodes are oriented such that their width dimension is parallel to the direction of advancing paper.

Abstract: An optical interferometer matrix is described which includes a reference waveguide for optically transmitting a reference signal. The optical interferometer matrix further includes a signal source waveguide for optically transmitting a source signal which has been modulated with respect to the reference signal in response to an applied physical effect. The physical effect may be, for example, thermal, acoustic, hydrodynamic, electrical, electromechanical or magnetic. The reference and signal waveguides are then optically coupled to one another at two different points so that interference between the light in the waveguides occurs under two different phase conditions, with a phase difference between these conditions which approaches .pi./2 radians. In the preferred embodiment, the two points of optical coupling are confined in a small space so that thermal- or pressure-induced differential phase changes of light between the first and second coupling points are negligible.

Abstract: A chemically sensitive device for monitoring chemical properties is described. The device includes a depletion-mode field-effect transistor. Two electrical leads are connected between source and drain region of the field-effect transistor to monitor changes in current or potential resulting from changes in the amount of chemical to be monitored. A reference electrode is attached to a lower substrate surface of the field-effect transistor and electrically connected to the source via a highly doped region adjacent to the source and another highly doped region adjacent to the reference electrode, both having a polarity identical to the substrate. A sensing membrane which is specific to the chemical to be monitored is located on a portion of the substrate remote from the gate region but electrically connected to the gate region to alter conductance between the source and the drain in accordance with the presence or absence of the chemical to be monitored.

Abstract: An optical device for monitoring pressure is described. The device is capable of monitoring pressure in relatively hostile high temperature, high pressure environments through the use of a pressure-sensitive means having an all-glass housing. The subject optical device relies on the photoelastic effect produced when a material is subjected to a uniaxial stress to produce birefringent banding. In the subject device, polychromatic light is modified to produce a signal having wavelength-dependent intensity variations to allow the pressure-sensitive device to monitor pressure over a relatively wide range.

Abstract: A signal processor for filtering unwanted narrowband noise from received wideband electrical signals also containing desired wideband noise is described. The signal processor includes means for partitioning the wideband received signal into a plurality of narrowband, noise-containing signals and for producing a plurality of narrowband output signals. The signal processor further includes means for monitoring each of the narrowband output signals and for reducing the voltage of any narrowband output signal when that signal exceeds a predetermined level. In the preferred embodiment, the monitoring means of the signal processor includes a plurality of voltage-regulating networks, wherein each network receives as a network input signal, a single one of said narrowband output signals into a detector and integrator network to produce an output command signal only when the voltage across a channel exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: The subject invention involves the provision of a cermet for providing relatively high resistivity in a relatively small space. The cermet includes a substrate and multiple, ultra-thin, alternating layers of conductive and nonconductive materials on the substrate. Each ultra-thin layer is formed by radio-frequency sputtering to produce layers of discontinuous islands of particles of each of the above materials. The invention also relates to a method of producing such cermets by radio-frequency sputtering.

Abstract: A technique utilizing either particular software with a microprocessor or computer or a hard wired digital or analog circuit for determining, from a few sample magnitudes acquired from an analog signal at equal time intervals, the shape of the waveform and displaying it. The analog waveform slope at each sample is calculated from the magnitude of the two samples taken from the waveform immediately preceding a given sample and the two immediately following the given sample. A slope of the analog waveform intermediate of each sample interval is then calculated from this information, leading to a final calculation of the magnitude of a selected number of points during the sample interval. The acquired sample magnitudes and the calculated intermediate magnitudes are then combined in a display of a reconstruction of the original analog waveform.

Abstract: An electrochemical system including a chlorine positive electrode, such as zinc-chlorine cell, is disclosed which complexes chlorine by utilizing (1) a selected organic compound, such as, for example, n-butyl carbamate, which includes a --NH.sub.n R.sub.2-n functionality wherein R is an appropriate organic moiety, and n is an integer, either 1 or 2, and an electron-withdrawing substituent alpha to the nitrogen and (2) a buffer to provide a liquid oil, which yields chlorine when required in discharge of the cell.

Abstract: Activation of thermoplastics, such as polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, and polyether sulfone thermoplastics by subjection thereof to bromine is disclosed. The activation process is carried out at relatively low temperatures, such as below 200.degree. F. and illustratively, may be carried out at room temperatures. The bromine, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided in an aqueous solution with or without acids or halide salts. The halide salts, when utilized, provide control of the activity of the bromine. The process advantageously adapted for activating the thermoplastic material where it is intended that it serve as a substrate for use in accepting copper plating, as in printed circuit board manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining one end of an optical fiber and a focusing lens is provided including means for adjustably focusing a beam of light onto the end of the fiber. The adjustable focusing means includes a means for pivoting the focusing lens and fiber to provide a very fine adjustment to direct the light beam into the core at the end of the optical fiber. The subject device includes a framework for maintaining the lens and one end of the optical fiber in a precisely controlled relationship. The adjustable focusing means may further include at least one screw in threaded engagement with the base portion of the device. One end of the screw contacts a peripheral portion of the maintaining means so that rotation of the screw causes the maintaining means to pivot about the end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Exhaust gases produced by combustion of fuel are monitored by a sensing probe. An indicating device responsive to signals from the sensing probe provides a readout of a condition sensed by the probe. At least one signaling device responsive to signals from the sensing probe provides a warning signal when the sensed condition is a predetermined value. An interrupting device responsive to signals from the sensing probe interrupts the combustion of fuel when the sensed condition is above the predetermined value.