Abstract: A high energy, high performance, ultrahigh-burning rate composite propell results when 2-azidoethyl acrylate is copolymerized with acrylic acid and is employed as the binder system for the composite propellant. The energetic binder when used in an amount of about 4.25 weight percent of an azido-based propellant composition as compared to a ethyl acrylate binder system results in a specific impulse increase from about 264 (lb-s/lb) to about 275 (lb-s/lb), and a burning rate increase from about 13.7 ips to about 19.8 ips at 1000 psia, and a burning rate increase from about 21.6 ips to about 30.2 ips at 2000 psia. The other propellant ingredients comprise a high solids loading of ammonium perchlorate, aluminum flake and aluminum powder, a burning rate catalyst of carboranylmethyl propionate, graphite linters, the crosslinking and curing agent 4,5-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 4',5'-epoxycyclohexylcarboxylate (ERL-4221), tris-1,2,3[bis(1,2-difluoroamino)ethoxy]propane (TVOPA), and a processing aid of lecithin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an integrated optical grating device having extremely low scattering losses. The method employs a highly polished and prepared silicon chip for receiving a grating pattern or any other surface relief feature on the silicon wafer surface for its predetermined use. The pattern after it is generated is etched to a predetermined period, for example, when the pattern is for a waveguide device. An SiO.sub.2 growth layer is thermally grown to a thickness of about 4 to 8 micrometers to replicate the generated pattern in the SiO.sub.2 growth layer. This method yields a waveguide or similar optical grating device having undulations of extremely low values as determined by SEM photographs of this device.

Abstract: An improved NF.sub.4.sup.+ composition for solid propellant NF.sub.3 -F.sub.2 gas generators and high detonation pressure explosives is described which combines high oxidizer content with good thermal stability. The novel composition has the formula (NF.sub.4).sub.2 MnF.sub.6, and a process for its production is disclosed.

Abstract: A composite/laminated window for electron-beam guns is comprised of a first aterial of a polyester film, a second material of a low-Z metal selected from the low-Z metals consisting of aluminum, beryllium, and titanium in intimate contact with the polyester film, and a plurality of fluid cooled, spaced apart foil support members for supporting and cooling the composite window. The metal layer provides for heat transmission of the heat deposited in the metal layer and the polyester film by the electron beam. The polyester film which has 3 to 4 times the strength of the metal layer provides the strength and transmission required for a window operating in a vacuum on the electron gun side and a high pressure on the laser cavity side when the electron beam gun is employed as the source of electrons to produce ionization in the laser cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of synthesis and the compound synthesized B.sub.10 ub.12 [(CH.sub.3).sub.2 S].sub.2. The method employs the starting compound (R.sub.4 N).sub.2 B.sub.10 H.sub.10, as a source of the ten-boron ion (e.g., B.sub.10 H.sub.10.sup.-2), in which the starting compound, wherein R equals an alkyl with the formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 and wherein n equals 2, 3, or 4, is converted to Li.sub.2 B.sub.10 H.sub.10 by ion-exchange. The Li.sub.2 B.sub.10 H.sub.10 is reacted with HCl in (CH.sub.3).sub.2 S solution to produce the compound B.sub.10 H.sub.12 [(CH.sub.3).sub.2 S].sub.2, a precursor compound for synthesizing carboranyl burning rate accelerators. The precursor compound is reacted with propargyl propionate if the interest is to synthesize carboranylmethyl propionate; 1-octyne to synthesize n-hexylcarborane; or propargyl ethyl sulfide or propargyl propyl sulfide to synthesize carboranylmethyl ethyl sulfide or carboranylmethyl propyl sulfide, respectively.

Abstract: Phosgene, COCl.sub.2, an impurity in BCl.sub.3 is dissociated by CO.sub.2 ser radiation that is passed through a stainless steel laser cell with NaCl windows on each end of the cell. The power level of a cw CO.sub.2 multiline laser can be varied to accomplish the irradiation to effectively dissociate the COCl.sub.2 into its dissociation products, substantially CO and Cl.sub.2. The BCl.sub.3, .nu..sub.3 (956 cm.sup.-1) fundamental is resonant with CO.sub.2 (P.sub.20) laser line and strongly absorbs this energy which is followed by an intramolecular V--V transfer of energy to the COCl.sub.2 which results in its dissociation. The gaseous compound C.sub.2 H.sub.4 having combination bands and overtones that match reasonably close to the energy levels of COCl.sub.2 can also serve as a diluent for COCl.sub.2 to effect transfer of energy for dissociation of COCl.sub.2 by cw CO.sub.2 laser radiation.