Abstract: A method for tuning fiber optic coupler and wavelength division multiplexer devices comprises the steps of fusing optical fibers having a refractive index responsive to ultraviolet radiation to form a coupling region having a coupling ratio dependent upon the refractive index, and subjecting the coupling region to ultraviolet radiation to adjust the coupling ratio to a predetermined value at a given operating wavelength.

Abstract: A fiberoptic cable junction for joining the ends of two fiberoptic cables mprises the steps of inserting a tube fastener over each cable end and inserting a protective sleeve and a splint fastener over either cable end. The cable ends are then spliced together. The protective sleeve is positioned over the splice and is supported by fastening an inner splint rod to the cable buffer with the tube fasteners. The cable buffer is supported by an outer splint rod fastened to the tube fasteners by the splint fastener.

Abstract: A method is described for fabricating a complementary, vertical bipolar semiconducting structure. An N+ silicon island and a P+ silicon island separated by a first oxide layer are formed on a sapphire substrate. An NPN junction device is formed on the N+ silicon island by epitaxially growing an N-type silicon layer on the N+ silicon island. Then, a P region is created in the N-type silicon layer. An N+ region created in the P region completes the NPN junction device. Similarly, a PNP junction device is formed by epitaxially growing a P-type silicon layer on the P+ silicon island. Then, an N region is created in the P-type silicon layer. A P+ region created in the N region completes the PNP junction device.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is also disclosed for measuring or detecting the prece of an environmental field condition such as under-water acoustic perturbations. The sensor includes a force transfer transducer, which is enclosed within a shell, with a pressure equalizer for equalizing the interior and exterior shell pressures. An optical fiber is coiled about the transducer. An optical detector detects stress or strain in the optical fiber, resulting from external perturbations. The sensor is able to operate at various depths or altitudes. Pressure equalization enables the isolation of dynamic external perturbations from other pressure variations. For this purpose, a pressure equalizing valve may be used to allow the equalization of slow changes in static pressures, and the detection of higher frequency perturbations which might emanate from a target source.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin. The microcable is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, squeezing the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and then curing the resin with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition system utilizes a microwave carrying dielectric member and inner chamber that are both placed within a reaction chamber. The inner chamber is used as a semiconductor source material, which in one particular embodiment is reactive with atomic hydrogen to form volatile hydrides or other gaseous compounds which react to form a desired film composition. The invention is useful for, but not limited to, submicron dimension integrated circuit fabrication, in particular, low temperature, cold wall reactor environments. By constraining the semiconductor production reaction between the inner chamber source material and an integrated circuit substrate, particulate formation is minimized, thereby reducing integrated circuit particle yield losses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for using a single digzed component of an analog signal to be converted into a pair of digital signals used to re-establish the analog signal. A low level serial transceiver transforms a first analog signal into a first digital signal representing the complement of the first analog signal. The first digital signal is propagated through an electronic interface circuit such as a matrix switch or through some electronic circuit used to detect characteristics of the analog signal. In response to receiving the first digital signal, a logic circuit generates a second digital signal representing the analog signal, and also outputs the first digital signal. In response to receiving the first and second digital signals, a retimer generates a third digital signal comprising a series of pulses.

Abstract: The narrowband signal revealer comprises a sensor, a baseband generator, an daptive locally optimum processor (ALOP), and a complex signal spectral analyzer. The sensor generates an input signal representative of a tonal signal masked by wideband interference. The baseband generator transforms the input signal into a complex baseband signal. The ALOP processes the complex baseband signal to suppress the interference and generates a complex output signal representative of the tonal signal. The spectral analyzer then analyzes the complex output signal and displays tonal signal power.

Abstract: A non-volatile, bidirectional electrically programmable integrated memory ement is describe which includes a dielectric structure supported by a substrate and a programming terminal supported by the dielectric structure. The programming terminal includes: (1) a first polysilicon structure; a second polysilicon structure; and an electrically conductive first interconnect which electrically connects the first polysilicon structure to the second polysilicon structure; (2) a floating gate structure supported by the dielectric structure which includes: (a) a third polysilicon structure which overlies and is separated from a section of the first polysilicon structure by the dielectric structure; (b) a fourth polysilicon structure which is overlain and separated from a section of the second polysilicon structure by the dielectric structure; and (c) an electrically conductive second interconnect which electrically couples the third polysilicon structure to the fourth polysilicon structure.

Abstract: A buried, gate insulator field effect transistor is disclosed. It comprises a source, drain, substrate, gate, and a gate insulator layer separating the gate from the source, drain and substrate; and a protective silicon dioxide covering layer. Windows are excised into this covering layer to allow electrical connection to the source, substrate, drain, and gate. The substrate and gate are vertically aligned in the resulting structure. The source, drain and gate are fabricated from a doped, semiconductor of one polarity while the substrate is fabricated from doped semiconductor of the opposite polarity. The gate insulator layer is fabricated by implanting an element or elements selected from Group V, VI or VII into the semiconductor to form a semiconductor-compound insulator. Methods of fabricating this device are also disclosed. In one embodiment the device is fabricated on top of an insulating support. The gate is formed next to the base. In a second embodiment, no base is used.

Abstract: A method for spectrum analysis by complex cumulants comprises the steps of eceiving a signal, Fourier transforming the signal to form a series of complex Fourier coefficients, forming complex cumulants from the series of complex Fourier coefficients, and displaying the cumulants in a form wherein the non-Gaussian components of the signal are emphasized.

Abstract: A high-power broadband antenna comprises an impedance matching transformer electrically coupled to a radio frequency source generating an input signal having a base wavelength corresponding to the lowest frequency of the input signal. The impedance transformer is electrically coupled to at least two vertical antenna sections. Each antenna section comprises a plurality of substantially collinear electrically conductive radiating elements fixed to an electrical insulator mounted on a horizontal ground plane. Each radiating element has a length appropriate to effect optimum overall efficiency of the high-power broadband antenna over the frequency bandwidth of the input signal. At least two loading elements are each electrically coupled between the radiating elements in each antenna section. Each loading element comprises a parallel combination of a resistor, an inductor, and a capacitor to effect optimum overall efficiency of the high-power broadband antenna over the frequency bandwidth of the input signal.

Abstract: An omni-directional antenna is provided which comprises: 1) a first prolate spheroid having an electrically conductive first outer surface and a first center axis, 2) a second prolate spheroid having an electrically conductive second outer surface and a second center axis, 3) a structural member for supporting the first prolate spheroid a fixed distance from the second prolate spheroid so that the first and second center axes are coincident, 4) a first resistive ring mounted to the surface of the first prolate spheroid; 5) a second resistive ring mounted to the surface of the second prolate spheroid; and 5) a coaxial cable having an outer conductor electrically connected to the second surface of the second prolate spheroid and a center conductor electrically connected to the first surface of the first prolate spheroid.

Abstract: An interferometer employs liquid crystals to effect optical path length cges in a Michelson-type interferometer. A beam splitter divides a first optical signal into second and third optical signals. The second optical signal is directed through a first array of liquid crystals, and the third optical signal is directed through a second array of liquid crystals. Mirrors reflect the second and third optical signals back through the arrays to the beam splitter which combines them into a fourth optical signal having an interference pattern. A detector array transforms the fourth optical signal into an electrical signal. A processing circuit is used to modulate the indices of refraction of the liquid crystals to effectuate optical path length changes between the second and third optical signals. The data processor may also be employed to transform the electrical signal into digital data which may be analyzed to discern spectral characteristics of the first optical signal that are of interest.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell for measuring concentrations of metal ions comprises a sampling enclosure including a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. Ports are provided in the sampling enclosure for the introduction and removal of a liquid sample, an auxiliary reagent, and a standard solution. A stirring mechanism maintains a uniform composition of the liquid sample during operation of the cell. The electrochemical cell is operated by introducing the liquid sample into the sampling enclosure, applying a plating voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode, and measuring the voltage response of the working electrode when the applied voltage is removed. The concentration of metal ions is then calculated from the voltage response. A standard solution is added to the liquid sample, after which the measurement is repeated to calculate the concentration of metal ions relative to the standard solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for fabricating a fiber optic microcable mposed of materials having properties which facilitate its manufacture. The microcable is comprised of an optical fiber core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a protective sheath surrounding the buffer consisting of an electromagnetic radiation cured resin impregnated with fibers suspended in the resin to enhance the resistance of the microcable to physical damage. The microcable is fabricated by soaking the fibers in an electromagnetic radiation curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the core and buffer to form a matrix, and then irradiating the matrix with electromagnetic radiation to cure the resin.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a fiber optic cable splice comprises the steps of: ) positioning a malleable tube around a first fiber optic cable having a first optical fiber; 2) fusing the first optical fiber to a second optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable to form a fused region; and 3) crimping the malleable tube to the first and second fiber optic cables. The malleable tube may bent into an arc to facilitate payout of the splice through a payout guide. A heat shrinkable tube may be formed around the malleable tube and first and second cables to provide a dustproof seal around the splice.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor system includes a first optical power source which icts a light pulse into an optical fiber loop system. The light pulse circulates in the optical fiber loop system at a circulation frequency. The optical fiber loop system includes a transducer which modulates the circulation frequency in response to detecting a changing physical condition, a filter, polarization controller, an isolator, and an optical fiber gain medium for amplifying the light pulse. A second optical power source provides optical energy to the optical fiber gain medium. A detector system transforms a portion of the light pulse received from the optical fiber loop system into an output signal representing the circulation frequency.

Abstract: A process for developing conductive interconnect regions between integrated circuit semiconductor devices formed on an insulating substrate utilizes the semiconductor material itself for formation of device interconnect regions.A patterned layer of semiconductor material is formed directly on the surface of an insulating substrate. The patterned layer includes regions where semiconductor devices are to be formed and regions which are to be used to interconnect terminals of predetermined ones of the semiconductor devices. After forming the semiconductor devices in selected regions of the semiconductor material, the regions of the semiconductor material patterned for becoming interconnects are converted to a metallic compound of the semiconductor material.

Abstract: A system for measuring toxicity levels of a solution includes a water proof sample container transparent to visible light which holds an aqueous test solution containing bioluminescent organisms. A light tight chamber has a cavity which holds the sample container and includes a light port. A stress generating system positioned in the sample container generates pressure pulses which stimulate the organisms to generate light emissions. A light detector system mounted to the light tight chamber in a light tight manner detects light emissions generated in the sample container which propagate through the light port and are received by the light detector system. The light detector system generates an electric pulse in response to detecting each detected light emission. A controller enables the stress generating system and the light detector system, and then counts the electric pulses within a predetermined period of time.