Abstract: A passivated deep p/n junction obtained by ion implantation is disclosed. The passivated deep p/n junction is formed in a wafer, preferably a silicon wafer, thus providing an emitter region that is both lightly doped and extending to a depth of about one micrometer. The emitter region in turn is provided with a surface layer so as to reduce surface recombination. Preferably, the surface layer is a silicon oxide layer of about 0.01 micrometer thickness. The p/n junction is obtained by ion implantation whereby the dopant is introduced at room temperature and then distributed thermally. The surface layer preferably is formed near the end of the thermal distribution by admitting a small amount of dry oxygen to a gas stream, and passing the gas stream along the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: An improved latch to mount a night vision goggle system to a face mask is disclosed. The latch comprises a part secured to the face mask and parts secured to the goggle system. Specifically, it includes a tongue, which angularly adjustably is secured to the face mask. In one embodiment, the goggle system is provided with a receiver, a switch to render the system operational mounted adjacent the receiver and means mounted in operative association with the receiver both releasably to secure the goggle system to the face mask via the tongue and also to actuate the switch. In a second embodiment, the goggle system is provided with a receiver and a leaf spring releasably to secure the goggle system to the face mask via the tongue.

Abstract: A solar cell of novel construction is disclosed featuring the formation of a p-n junction at its rear surface. This allows for a reduction in series resistance and optimization of the p-n junction. The solar cell has a metallic front contact and is lightly doped to reduce contact resistance at the interface between the front contact and the front surface of the cell. The solar cell preferably is formed of either n-type or p-type silicon, with the p-n junction preferably formed therein by ion implantation. Preferably, the solar cell is about 50 micrometers thick and, possesses a conversion efficiency of at least 15% over an input intensity range of from about one to about 1,000 suns. The solar cell is particularly useful for concentrator solar cells intended for operation at high intensity (in excess of 500 suns).

Abstract: A low profile shelf lock of improved construction is disclosed for securing shelves in cabinets and the like. The shelf lock includes a body portion formed of a bottom half and a top half resiliently joined thereto at an angle and defining a rectangular window. A resilient crescent-shaped protrusion is formed in the top half of the body portion and defines a shelf-engaging semicircular edge that extends substantially along the upper length of the window. A shelf support extends from the bottom half of the body portion in a direction normal thereto and flush with the bottom of the window. One or more reinforcing webs support the bottom of the shelf support to the bottom half of the body portion. A post extends from the bottom half of the body portion in a direction normal thereto but opposite to that of the shelf support and for a distance about one half of the shelf support. Preferably the post is fluted. Preferably, the angle between the top half and the bottom half of the body portion is about nine degrees.

Abstract: A novel printed circuit laminate product and process are provided for use in connection with a printed circuit board. The laminate is composed of a polyimide support stratum, a copper electrical conductor stratum, and an intermediate adhesive stratum. In one form, the opposite faces of the laminate are separately etched to provide different circuit related features and the laminate as an entirety has through holes, which have particular cross sectional geometry and which are produced by particular process steps. In another form, the copper stratum is laminated to the adhesive face of the adhesive and support strata and is etched after through holes have been drilled in the adhesive and support strata.

Abstract: An optically readable system and method to allow for the remote identification of people and/or objects is disclosed. The system includes a spectrally continuous source of radiation generating an interrogating beam, an optically readable device carried by a person or attached to an object and having a unique spectral signature and, generating a retroreflected beam when exposed to the interrogating beam, and an optical spectrum analyzer and decoder for identifying the unique spectral signature of the interrogated optically readable device and for transmitting the identifying information to a display and/or a computer input. The spectrally continuous source of radiation can comprise a tungsten filament lamp, a tunable laser or the like. If covert identification is desired, the source is operated to generate an interrogating beam in the infra-red spectrum only.

Abstract: A passive night vision reflex sight with a wide F.O.V. and designed for attachment to a weapon, such as a rifle, is disclosed. The night vision reflex sight preferably is designed for use in combination with a night vision goggle; it can also be used as in daylight without such a goggle, however. When in place, it continues to allow the use of the daytime battle sight of the weapon. The night vision reflex sight comprises a sight for viewing an image of a scene along a line of sight, a photoreceptive sensor aligned with the line of sight and viewing the image, a battery powered red L.E.D., together with a reticle, a lens, and a filter for generating a pulsed or d.c. light and for directing it at the reflex sight, with the sight reflecting the pulsed or d.c. light into the photoreceptive sensor and superimposing it on the image. Preferably, the reticle is adjustable, the pulsed light is pulsed at a rate between about two to about twelve c.p.s.

Abstract: An improved system for guiding one part relative another in an accurately defined path, both planar and linear, is disclosed. The improved system eliminates friction associated with heretofore moving parts, is characterized by simplicity and cost effectivness, and comprises a first part having a primary reference surface prepared to close tolerances and accurately defining a predetermined path and an opposed parallel secondary surface, and a second part designed for guidance by the primary surface. A fixed air pad is adjustably mounted on the second part adjacent the primary surface. A second air pad is resiliently mounted on the second part adjacent the opposed secondary surface. The resilient mounting includes a bellows. Fluid under pressure is admitted to both air pads, directly to the first and indirectly via the bellows to the second. Preferably, the fluid is compressed air.

Abstract: An improved system for guiding one part relative another in an accurately defined path, both planar and linear, is disclosed. The improved system eliminates friction associated with heretofore moving parts, is characterized by simplicity and cost effectiveness, and comprises a first part having a primary reference surface prepared to close tolerances and accurately defining a predetermined path and an opposed parallel secondary surface, and a second part designed for guidance by the primary surface. A fixed air pad is adjustably mounted on the second part adjacent the primary surface. A second air pad is resiliently mounted on the second part adjacent the opposed secondary surface. The resilient mounting includes a bellows.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the on site spectrometric analysis of metallic parts in an air gap is disclosed. The apparatus essentially comprises a probe to be positioned on the part, a mobile unit including a current-pulse generator for the probe to excite the part for analysis of its chemical composition in a direct reading optical emission spectrometer contained in the unit, and a flexible optical cable coupling the probe to the unit. The probe is designed for use on both flat and round parts, such as bars, billets, pipes, rods or wires as small as having a radius of one mm. The probe features an adjustable counter electrode, an inner sleeve serving as a contact electrode and an outer sleeve axially movable about the inner electrode and having a positioning V-groove. The probe further includes an electro-mechanical interlock to prevent accidental discharge thereof, and a self-cleaning mechanism for its sensor head.

Abstract: A speed lace structure for footwear that allows the footwear to be put on and tightened up quickly. The speed lace structure comprises lacer assemblies and rivet assemblies combinatively secured to a footwear quarter. Each lacer assembly is formed with a lacer loop portion having peripheral lips and with opposed fastening portions provided with central openings surrounded by a plurality of gripping teeth. Each lacer assembly is made of metal provided with a fine coating of a plastic, so as to render it smooth and very slippery. Each rivet assembly includes a capped eyelet serving as an anchoring stem to fit in and though the opposed central openings of the lacer assembly, and a deformable eyelet designed to fit into one of the opposed central openings and over the capped eyelet.

Abstract: A device for moving air quietly and in volume comprising a frame, a pair of disks or rotor in another form eccentrically and rotatably supported in spaced apart relationship in the frame and a plurality of paddle members mounted, with their planes at approximate right angles to the flow of air, to and between the pair of rotors. Preferably one of the pair of rotors is driven, which in turn rotates the other rotor via the connection of the paddle members or both rotors are driven separately. When placed in a vertical attitude, in order to mount paddles to be at approximate right angles to the flow of air, one rotor supports the top of the paddles at one end of them, and the other rotor, located suitably lower, supports the bottom of the paddles at the other end of them. Thus the paddles are all continually vertical as they rotate to push air in volume in two directions through the top and bottom parts.

Abstract: A radioactivity detection system including a crystal detector formed of a unitary body and having two sensing heads. Each sensing head defines a specific address location in a sensing array having a plurality of detectors. A number of detectors are superposed on the sensing array such that activity in one sensing head activates two adjacent detectors, one more than the other. The system further includes means for mounting the detectors for relative motion with respect to a subject and processing means coupled to the detectors. Preferably, the mounting means is operatively connected to an exercising means for stress analysis. Preferably, the mounting means is secured on a movable platform and is connected to the exercising means by a quick connect-disconnect mechanism. In a further embodiment, a detector assembly is designed for rotation about the subject.

Abstract: A universal single roller bracket is disclosed for use with sliding drawers in cabinets, bureaus, chests and the like. The universal single roller bracket is self-positioning and has no right or left-handed characteristics. It includes a unitary bracket, formed either of a high impact strength plastic material or of metal. A pair of flat mounting flanges, formed integral with the bracket, extend at an angle in respective divergent planes from an apex and define an axis adjacent the apex. A pair of parallel spaced roller supports, also formed integral with the bracket, extend from the apex in planes normal to the axis and connecting with the mounting flanges. A roller, formed of a high impact strength plastic material, is supported within the roller supports for rotation about the axis. The roller can be provided with a flanged shoulder to serve as a side guide for the drawers. In the alternative, one of the pair of roller supports can be formed with shoulders for serving as the side guide.

Abstract: A solar cell of improved conversion efficiency and a process of making it are disclosed. The solar cell is designed to trap incident light within the cell by multiple internal reflections and thus increases the absorption of light in the cell. The solar cell is formed with a plurality of spaced parallel grooves on both the front and the back surfaces. The direction of the grooves on the front surface is at an angle with respect to the direction of the grooves on the back surface.

Abstract: A precision current meter of wide dynamic range and sensitivity to low currents is disclosed. The precision current meter is particularly useful as a component for spectrochemical computations in spectrometers for the simultaneous multielement analysis of unknown samples in solution. The precision current meter comprises a source of input current, preferably a photomultiplier tube, an integrator having an integrating capacity for detecting the input current from the source, a source of reference currents including an offset current, a switch with a drain current coupled to the integrator. A clock is provided for generating clock signals for the current meter, including a series of pulses to actuate the switch and thereby to admit drain current segments to the integrator.

Abstract: In a radioactivity distribution detection system of the kind for determining the location and distribution of radioactive events emitted from a subject under diagnosis, the improvement of electrically isolating the subject from the potentially harmful effects of leakage currents. The improvement comprises a first converter for converting electronic data signals representing the location and distribution of radioactive events to optical signals, a coupler for effecting an optical path of transmission for the converted optical signals, and a second converter for converting the transmitted optical signals to electronic data signals so that they can be processed to provide a presentation of the distribution of the sensed events. Preferably, the coupler comprises a pair of fiber optic cables for complete, duplex and bidirectional transmission of optical signals. The coupler allows the processing console to be far removed from the sensors and detectors of the radioactive events.

Abstract: A hybrid annular airship of the kind including an annulus containing at least one gas containing portion is disclosed which is characterized by improved maneuverability, stability and speed. This improvement is effected by combined means comprising a pair of tubes mounted diametrically within the annulus and normal one to the other. A plurality of doors are provided for selectively closing off one or the other of the pair of tubes. Each tube is provided with a propulsion unit, having an access port, and preferably reversibly mounted therein. The tubes either are mounted on the same level or at different levels. Preferably, the propulsion units are jet engines which are individually operable. An elevator and a walkway preferably are provided communicating with each of the access ports leading to the propulsion units. Preferably, each access port has its own opening and closing mechanism.

Abstract: An improved process, optimizing quality and growth rate with independent control of residual stress, is disclosed for the growing of membranes for use as X-ray lithography mask blanks. The process comprises providing a mounting fixture and a low-cost substrate material thereon, cooling the substrate to about the boiling point of hydrogen by passing a liquid coolant in contact with the fixture, depositing by a low-temperature plasma-enhanced method a thin membrane onto the cooled substrate, removing the substrate and the thereon deposited membrane from the fixture, and allowing the substrate thermally to expand by gradually assuming ambient room temperature, whereby the membrane will acquire optimum tensile stress. Preferably, the low-cost substrate is low grade industrial silicon and the membrane is formed of boron nitride, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, amorphous silicon, diamondlike carbon, aluminum oxide, beryllium and silicon oxide.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for cold drawing a disk into a cap for a paper core. The process comprises cold drawing a disk to form a cylindrical cup having a rim and a socket, removing the central portion of the cup leaving a flange, straightening the flange and trimming the rim. The resultant cap is characterized by having a uniform-sized rim of a width equal to the width of the socket.The apparatus comprises a press having a fixed portion and a movable portion, a cylindrical member mounted on the fixed portion, a ram and a number of opposed cylinders carried by the movable portion, and means for moving the movable portion toward the fixed portion.