Abstract: A telephone disconnect system having a current-sensitive relay which automatically operates to electrically connect the telephone lines to the telephone network when the cradle switch of the telephone is closed, and which automatically operates to electrically disconnect the telephone lines from the telephone network when the cradle switch is open thus providing protection against the use of a cradled telephone as a clandestine listening device.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayered structure with a single crystal film bonded to a polycrystalline substrate has the steps of: bonding a single crystal film to a polycrystalline substrate; and growing an epitaxial layer on said single crystal film bonded to said polycrystalline substrate.

Abstract: The invention uses implantation, typically hydrogen implantation or implantation of hydrogen in combination with other elements, to a selected depth into a wafer with that contains one or more etch stops layers, treatment to split the wafer at this selected depth, and subsequent etching procedures to expose etch stop layer and ultra-thin material layer. A method for making an ultra-thin material layer bonded to a substrate, has the steps: (a) growing an etch stop layer on a first substrate; (b) growing an ultra-thin material layer on the etch stop layer; (c) implanting an implant gas to a selected depth into the first substrate; (d) bonding the ultra-thin material layer to a second substrate; (e) treating the first substrate to cause the first substrate to split at the selected depth; (f) etching remaining portion of first substrate to expose the etch stop layer, and (g) etching the etch stop layer to expose the ultra-thin material layer.

Abstract: A new class of mesogenic compounds has the formula: where R1 is an ester (—COO—) group; R2 is H, NO2, CN, F, or Cl; R3 is H, CH2═CH, or (CH3)3Si; k is 1 or 2; q is 0 or 1; m is from 2 to 16; n is from 2 to 12; r is from 0 to n−1 (but not greater than 3 or 4); s=1 when r=0, s=0 when r≠0; x is from 0 to 4; and * denotes the position of a chiral carbon. Compounds within this class will have a smectic A* phase, and in some cases a smectic C* phase. Mixtures including one or more of these mesogenic compounds will be useful for a variety of applications.

Abstract: A near field optical microscope according to the present invention has (1) a single mode infrared optical fiber made from chalcogenide glass, chalcohalide glass, or a combination thereof, having a probe end adapted as a probe for near field optical microscopy, and further adapted for positioning within a near optical field of a sample; (2) a source of infrared light; for illuminating the sample; (3) a detector of infrared light; for detecting infrared light reflected from, emitted by, or transmitted through the sample, where at least one of the source of infrared light and the detector of infrared light are optically coupled to a distal end of the single mode infrared optical fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new class of novel inorganic-organic hybrid ceramics that are formed from novel linear polymers of varying molecular weight and varying carborane content.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for inspecting a base of a liquid filled tank for corrosion, having (a) a housing for use in the liquid filled tank; (b) a set of one or more ultrasonic transducers mounted to the housing, for directing one or more ultrasonic pulses at the base, where the ultrasonic pulses each have a frequency selected to produce a return signal from the base, and for receiving this return signal; and (c) a data capturing system for storing information from these return signals. Optional features include a second set of one or more ultrasonic transducers for directing one or more ultrasonic pulses at the liquid/gas interface at a frequency selected to produce a return signal from the liquid/gas interface, a data analysis system, a locomotive system, and a spatial location system.

Abstract: A passivating layer is provided for a III-V semiconductor. The passivating layer is preferably made of Fe and is used with III-V (especially GaAs) devices. At least one full monolayer of the passivating layer is formed, so that one full monolayer of the passivating layer bonds with one full monolayer of the atomic species of the semiconductor.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a method for making a functional active device (photodetector, laser, LED, optical modulator, optical switch, field effect transistor, MOSFET, MODFET, high electron mobility transistor, heterojunction bipolar transistor, resonant tunneling device, Esaki tunneling device etc.) disposed over a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, having the steps; (a) forming an ultrathin compliant layer direct bonded to an oxide layer over said-CMOS device; (b) growing an epitaxial layer on said ultra-thin compliant layer (c) forming a functional active device in said epitaxial layer grown on said epitaxial layer that is grown on said ultrathin compliant layer; and (c) interconnecting said functional active device and said CMOS device, wherein said CMOS device is configured as either a readout circuit or a control circuit for said photodetector.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is an optical spectrometer for detecting a spectral signature of a input optical signal, including: (a) a collimating lens having an optical axis and focal plane, for collimating the input optical signal; (b) an input optical system, for directing the input optical signal to the collimating lens; (c) a diffraction grating, for scattering the collimated input optical signal, positioned in the path of collimated light from the collimating lens, oriented to reflect a majority of the scattered light through the collimating lens; and (d) a detector, in a focal plane of the collimating lens. Another aspect of the invention is a fiber-based sensing system using the optical spectrometer of the invention.

Abstract: A device for measuring residual stress in ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic metal objects. The device having four electrically identical induction coils which form a four terminal alternating current bridge circuit. There is a fine wire shield formed of fingers for shielding the coils from stray capacitance. The bridge having four coil terminals. Two diagonally opposite coil terminals are connected to a variable frequency constant voltage generator. The other two diagonally opposite coil terminals are connected to a low noise broad band preamplifier. The preamplifier amplifies any unbalance in the bridge. There is a double pole double throw switch connected to two coil terminals which are diagonally opposite each other. Connected to the preamplifier is an amplifier. The amplifier is connected to a phase detector which is connected to a computer. The phase detector detects in phase and quadrature component signals.

Abstract: A novel test method enables physical properties in ferromagnetic metals to be more reliably measured with induced eddy current flow. An adverse Barkhausen effect is prevented during the test measurements to enable detection of extremely small conductivity changes in the particular ferromagnetic metal object being tested.