Abstract: A reflection hologram is recorded in a photosensitive film on a substrate held in a support by interference between an illuminating beam and its return from a back reflector. A scanning device moves the beam from a laser angularly about a fixed apparent beam source position which remains stationary relative to the film to give improved hologram formation with the back reflector spaced from the film.

Abstract: High phosphorus polyphosphides, namely MP.sub.x, where M is an alkali metal (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) or metals mimicking the bonding behavior of an alkali metal, and where x=7 to 15 or very much greater than 15 (new forms of phosphorus) are useful semiconductors in their crystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous forms (boules and films). MP.sub.15 appears to have the best properties and KP.sub.15 is the easier to synthesize. P may include other pnictides as well as other trivalent atomic species. Resistance lowering may be accomplished by doping with Ni, Fe, Cr, and other metals having occupied d or f outer electronic levels; or by incorporation of As and other pnictides. Rectifying Schottky junction devices doped with Ni and employing Ni as a back contact comprise Cu, Al, Mg, Ni, Au, Ag, and Ti as junction forming top contacts. Photovoltaic, photoresistive, and photoluminescent devices are also disclosed. All semiconductor applications appear feasible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible manufacturing unit with at least two machine tools (1,2) and a transport device (9) movable in rectangular coordinates having receptacles for carriers (8) holding workpieces and for the tools (6). The invention consists in that the transport device (9) is numerically controlled, that the tools (6) are individually transportable between a tool buffer store (29) and the machine tools (1,2) and that tool magazines (5) integrated with the machine tools are provided, which tool magazines are also accessible for tool exchange during the working period of the machine tools (1,2). In this way, a rapid method of operation is possible which is independent of the cycle and permits free selection.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved throttle valve regulating system for automatic transmissions for motor vehicles. In such automatic transmissions, the throttle valve reciprocates in a bore as a result of the action of a plunger and a throttle valve spring to control the flow and pressure of transmission fluid or oil to effect gear shifting. The present improvement provides a rigid spacing element of predetermined length received within the throttle valve spring for urging the valve towards a full throttle position in the event that the valve sticks in the bore in a lower throttle position. The system further includes a high rate spring located in the full throttle position in the bore to prevent sticking of the valve in that position, and a low rate spring similarly positioned in the bore to counteract the force of the throttle valve spring for returning the throttle valve to a low throttle or zero position.

Abstract: Pnictide thin films, particularly phosphorus, grown on III-V semiconductors, particularly InP, GaP, and GaAs, are amorphous and have a novel layer-like, puckered sheet-like local order. The thin films are typically 400 Angstroms thick and grown preferably by molecular beam deposition, although other processes such as vacuum evaporation, sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, and deposition from a liquid melt may be used. The layers are grown on the <100> <110>, and <111> surfaces of the III-V crystals. The pnictide layer reduces the density of surface states, and allows the depletion layer to be modulated, the surface barrier reduced, the electron concentration at the surface increased, and there is a decrease in the surface recombination velocity and an increase in the photoluminescence intensity.

Abstract: A zoom lens cam mechanism has two cam follower bearings mounted on a common shaft and arranged so that they engage against and roll on opposite sides of a cam groove or slot so as to reduce backlash.

Abstract: An optically athermalized infra-red lens has a group of a least three closely spaced lens elements of different respective materials having positive thermal coefficients of refractive index. Two of the elements are of materials whose refractive indices are relatively temperature insensitive, one, e.g. of zinc selenide or chalcogenide glass, being positively powered and the other, e.g. of zinc sulphide, being negatively powered to effect achromatization and correct spherical aberration. The third element is negatively powered and of a relatively temperature senitive refractive index material, e.g. germanium, of lower dispersion and higher refractive index than the other two. The lens may be the objective of an afocal telescope having an eyepiece and associated scanner and detector arrangement and may effectively athermalize the whole system.

Abstract: The semiconductor layer of an opto-electronic device has one or more films of a pnictide rich material deposited thereon. The pnictide has a smaller reflective index than the semiconductor layer. These films provide a wave-guiding effect to light within the semiconductor layer in opto-electronic devices, such as solid state lasers and light emitting diodes and wave guides interconnecting such devices.

Abstract: An infra-red objective zoom lens has a fixed front positive singlet, a movable negative component, a movable positive singlet and a fixed rear component. The zoom lens can be relatively short and can be used with an "eye-piece" lens to form an infra-red afocal telescope. The system can be further shortened by using a rear group of telephoto form. The fixed front positive singlet is shaped so that at high magnification it gives undercorrected third and fifth order spherical aberration, and the moveable negative component has at least one lens element shaped so that at high magnification the negative component gives compensating overcorrected third and fifth order spherical aberration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circulating rack having an electric drive which can be pivoted, to a limited degree, in opposed directions dependent upon the transmitted torque of the electric drive. The drive is mounted on a pivotal rocker element which is displaced against the force of two counteracting elastically deformable abutments. A torque transmitted by the electric drive to overcome non-uniform loading of the circulating rack system causes the pivotal rocker to be displaced in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. A displacement measuring sensor measures the extent of pivotal movement of the rocker to provide an indication of the non-uniform loading condition so that corrective action may be taken. If the rocker is pivoted beyond a predetermined range, as for example that caused by a severe overloading condition, the displacement measuring sensor will cause the electric drive to turn off and prevent further circulation of the system until the overload has been corrected.

Abstract: Lack of versatility and efficiency in optical multiplexing/demultiplexing is countered by progressing incident light along a wavelength selective holographic reflection filter which reflects different wavelengths at different positions along the filter. Light from a fibre optic input cable is directed by mirrors to make successive passes at the filter at respective different positions therealong and detectors receive the respectively reflected wavelengths. The filter preferably varies the reflected wavelength continuously and progressively as the incident light progresses along the filter.

Abstract: MP.sub.15, where M is an alkali metal is used in a generator of P.sub.4 gas. KP.sub.15 is preferred. The generator is heated to produce the P.sub.4 gas. The generator may be used in various deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition, vacuum evaporation, and molecular beam deposition. It is particularly useful in high vacuum processes below 10.sup.-3 Torr, particularly below 10.sup.-4 Torr such as vacuum evaporation and molecular beam deposition, for example vapor phase epitaxy and molecular beam epitaxy.

Abstract: A well defined passband for an optical reflection filter is achieved by causing light to be reflected at least twice from a holographic wavelength selective reflector. Preferably the wavelength/reflectivity characteristics differ at the two reflections to give relatively shifted, but overlapping, spectral passbands. The apparatus may comprise a fibre optic input cable which directs light at the holographic reflector and a corner cube reflector which returns the reflected light for a second reflection prior to receipt by a detector.

Abstract: A contact or spectacle or implant lens has positive diffractive power which introduces negative longitudinal chromatic aberration that more than counteracts, and is preferably greater than twice, the natural positive longitudinal chromatic aberration of the eye. The residual negative longitudinal chromatic aberration enables the eye/brain system to perform tasks by concentrating on the appropriate color component at the different respective distances without need to accommodate.

Abstract: In a tire chain, at least one junction point has a horizontal link having the form of a shackle with a main part and with outward-directed ends adjoining this. The hardness of the main part is greater than the hardness of the ends facing one another, these being joined to one another by means of a connecting part which is mushroom-shaped. The connecting part in turn has a hardened head and a hardened foot which are connected to one another via a soft shank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing fine quality pnictide films by vacuum evaporation and molecular beam deposition. A pnictide source, preferably phosphorous, is heated to produce a continuous supply of vapor species, preferably P.sub.4. The vapor species is cracked by a heated tungsten wire positioned adjacent the pnictide source to produce P.sub.2 molecules. A second tungsten wire cracker is located adjacent a substrate to prevent the recombination of P.sub.2 molecules into P.sub.4 molecules. The P.sub.2 molecules are deposited on the substrate and condense into amorphous pure phosphorous shiny red films. A separate source of alkali metal intercalate, preferably KC.sub.8, may also be heated to provide an alkali metal vapor for producing films of alkali metal polypnictide films, preferably KP.sub.x where x is equal to or greater than 15, to be deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rain disperser system of the type in which an assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally extending plate-like members and a plurality of transversely mounted spacer members for maintaining the plate-like members a predetermined distance apart. The assembly is mounted proximate to the edge of a roof by a suitable bracket. The spaced apart, plate-like member assembly disperses rain water flowing down a roof into fine droplets, thus avoiding the need to install roof gutters and, at the same time, preventing corrosive damage to the ground below by otherwise unimpeded run-off water. In accordance with the present invention, a new spacer element is provided for the disperser system which includes tab-like members integrally extending from the body of the spacer element for mounting the spacer elements to the plate-like members. The tabs may be inserted through openings in the plate-like members and orbitally riveted thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement to a coupling device which allows for quickly changing electrical fixtures without rewiring. The quick change mounting fixture comprises a combined electrical and mechanical two-piece male and female fastening device. A female receptacle plate is mounted to a standard ceiling or wall-mounted electrical junction box, and a male tap support plate which also functions as a fixture support may be selectively rotatably mounted to the female receptacle plate. Rotation of the male tap support plate through a predetermined angle with respect to the female receptacle plate automatically aligns respective live and neutral electrical contacts supported on the respective plates.

Abstract: In an endless conveyor with a plurality of load carriers, current collectors are associated with the load carriers and each exhibit an input part and a current collecting part. The current collecting part is mounted on the load carriers rotatably relative to the input part. Contact arms attached to the current collecting part are in contact with sliding contact rails. The current collected from the sliding contact rails passes via the contact arms, the current collecting part and sliding contacts connected to the current collecting part to the input part and from there to the respective load carrier.

Abstract: A coupling device which allows for quickly changing electrical fixtures without rewiring. The quick change mounting fixture comprises a combined electrical and mechanical two-piece male and female fastening device. The invention allows for consumer as well as professional installation and detachment of fixtures by providing an easy and safe method. All wires and contacts are self contained and shielded from accidental contact. The invention comprises a female receptacle plate for mounting to a standard ceiling or wall mounted electrical junction box, a male tap support plate which also functions as a fixture support, a block terminal support, where contacts and wire routes are located, and a shield cover.