Abstract: A system for etching superconducting films of yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.2) is disclosed. The etchant comprises ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid of varying concentrations in water or a water/glycerol mixture. The described etchant permits superconducting transition temperatures to remain unaffected within the experimental accuracy of 1.degree. C. Additionally, films do not require reoxygenation after etching, and the etchant is suitable for micropatterning using standard photolithography.

Abstract: Techniques for the preparation of superconducting perovskites in the MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-y system wherein M represents yttrium of a rare earth element and y is an integer ranging from 0.1 to 0.8 are described. The techniques involve the use of either a sol-gel or controlled precipitation process in which a barium solution in acetic acid is reacted with copper acetate and either a rare earth hydroxide or rare earth nitrate to form a colloid which is subsequently heated and fired to yield the desired composition. In the embodiment in which the nitrate is employed, the resultant colloid is freeze dried. In both the sol-gel and controlled precipitation processes, heating and firing are required to yield the desired characteristics.

Abstract: A method is described for the preparation of superconducting compositions in the yttrium-barium-copper oxide system. The oxygen stoichiometry required to assure the superconducting state is attained by a either a thermal annealing process or by means of plasma oxidation.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of silicate glasses of controlled index of refraction involves the thermal and/or plasma processing of organo-silicon polymers. Compositions so treated evidence a suppressed index of refraction which may subsequently be increased by sintering to yield a material uniquely suited for use in fiber optic devices.

Abstract: A sensitive deep utltraviolet radiation resist suitable for use in two layer lithography is obtained by brominating poly (1-trimethylsilylpropyne). Positive patterned layers are obtained by coating a substrate with the polymer, irradiating it with ultraviolet radiation, baking the polymer and developing the irradiated portions.

Abstract: A channel waveguide structure comprises a substrate, a channel pattern defined in the substrate adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a planar film layer on top substrate. The channel pattern comprises channels having a high index of refraction, while the film layer is made from a nonlinear organic material. In a preferred embodiment, the substrate is glass and the channel pattern comprises ion-exchanged channels. In this preferred embodiment, the nonlinear organic material is a soluble polydiacetylene, such as poly(3BCMU), poly(4BCMU), or poly(TS12). The thicknesses of the ion-exchanged channels and of the film layer can be adjusted so that the channel waveguide structure functions as a single mode waveguide for light having a wavelength in the range of 1.3 to 1.67 microns.

Abstract: A silica fiber coated with an organosilsesquioxane polymer guide light and evidences excellent mechanical integrity under adverse conditions of temperature and humidity. The polymer serves as a suitable coating and cladding for silica-based fibers designed for low fabrication cost fiber optic applications, as a replacement for plastic coatings on silica-based fibers, and as a water barrier for fiber applications in humid environments. The polymeric material described evidences characteristics which are superior for both polymeric coatings (acrylate) and claddings (linear siloxanes).

Abstract: Novel optical waveguides and methods for their fabrication are provided. The waveguides are made from polydiacetylene materials. The waveguides are made by a bilayer process wherein a film made from a soluble polydiacetylene material is applied to a substrate and a silicon-containing imaging layer is applied atop the polyacetylene layer. Thereafter a pattern is produced in the imaging layer, for example, by photolithographic methods, and the pattern is transferred to the underlying polydiacetylene layer by exposure to an oxygen plasma. Polydiacetylene waveguides greater than 0.4 microns thickness are thereby produced.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a semiconductor-metal-semiconductor electronic device and the device formed thereby from a semiconductor substrate is described. The substrate forms a first active region of the device. A porous layer of conductive material is deposited on the substrate preferably by molecular beam epitaxy forming a control region. A layer of a semiconductor material epitaxially matched to the substrate is then grown on the layer of conductive material so that the layer of semiconductor material forms a second active region of an electronic device.

Abstract: A secondary lithium battery including a silver molybdenum sulfide cathode evidences a theoretical energy density of 280 watt-hours per kilogram of cathode material, a value several times greater than that of the commercially available nickel-cadmium batteries. During operation of the cell, the silver ions in the cathode are reduced to metallic silver with lithium replacing vacant sites in the cathode. Complete replacement of silver with lithium occurs after 4 discharge cycles, so resulting in a reversible cell comprising a lithium anode and a Mo.sub.6 S.sub.8 cathode.

Abstract: A non-aqueous battery is described which employs a lithium anode and a cathode of the formula Li.sub.x Mo.sub.2 O.sub.4 wherein x ranges from 0.3 to 2.

Abstract: Poly(alkenyltrialkylsilane sulfone)s have been found to be electron beam sensitive and suitable for use as positive resists in a two layer resist system. The described resists are prepared by the polymerization of an .omega.-alkenyltrimethylsilane with sulfur dioxide with or without a second solubilizing olefinic compound. The resultant composition evidences high sensitivity, excellent resolution characteristics and excellent resistance to oxygen reactive-ion etching.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention control, manipulate and tailor the shape of input optical pulses to produce substantially transform-limited output pulses which can be shorter than the input pulses.In embodiments of a first aspect of the present invention an input optical pulse is chirped, the chirped pulse is then passed through an optical component that spatially disperses the frequency components of the chirped pulse and partially compensates the chirp, the spatially dispersed frequency components are then passed through spatial amplitude and/or phase masks that control and/or adjust the amplitude and/or phase of the frequency components, and, finally, the masked components are passed through the first or a second optical component that returns the masked, spatially dispersed frequency components substantially to the spatial distribution of the input pulse while substantially completing the compensation of the chirp to form an output pulse.

Abstract: An intraocular lens system including a soft bio-compatible elastomer lens is described. The lens is capable of being collapsed and inserted in the eye on the head of a cannula integral to the lens system.

Abstract: A non-aqueous battery is described which employs a molybdenum dichalcogenide negative electrode and a positive electrode of the formula Li.sub.x Mo.sub.6 Se.sub.6 wherein x represents an integer ranging from 0.5 to 9.

Abstract: A technique is described for preparing molecular biaxially oriented hollow articles from thermoplastic materials. The invention involves forming a parison on a cooled core rod by injecting a hot thermoplastic material into a cavity formed by the core rod and a cooled injection mold, cooling the parison with low temperature coolant to a temperature within the orientation range of the thermoplastic material, transferring the parison to a stretch blow molding position and permitting the temperature of the parison to equilibrate itself. The parison is then stretched, oriented to yield the desired biaxially oriented article, cooled and ejected.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of a plastic preform suitable for use in the preparation of biaxially oriented hollow articles is described wherein the duration of the preform injection molding cycle is reduced, thereby enhancing the productivity of the injection molding step. This end is attained by injection molding and cooling, and supercooling and conditioning simultaneously at a single station of an injection molding machine at different positions within the station.

Abstract: Presaturated plastic preforms suitable for use in preparing molecularly oriented hollow articles from thermoplastic materials are obtained by adding controlled amounts of a saturant gas, under pressure, into a molten polymer stream residing in the screw channels of a screw plasticizer in a preform injection molding machine. The polymer so treated is then injected into cooled preform molds to obtain the desired article.

Abstract: Presaturated plastic preforms suitable for use in preparing molecularly oriented hollow articles from thermoplastic materials are obtained by adding controlled amounts of a saturant gas, under pressure, into a molten polymer stream residing in the screw channels of a screw plasticizer in a preform injection molding machine. The polymer so treated is then injected into cooled preform molds to obtain the desired article.

Abstract: Molecular biaxially oriented hollow articles are obtained by injection blow molding using a novel apparatus. The technique involves the use of an inline, single stage injection blow molding apparatus wherein injection molding and cooling, and conditioning and stretch blow molding of parisons are all performed simultaneously at a single station at different positions within that station.