Abstract: Fiber optic coupler for coupling two mutually isolated optical fibers to a third union fiber rapidly and easily. Two mechanical elements are used, the first one being a hollow cylinder with an inside diameter equal to twice the fiber outside diameter, and the second being a second hollow cylinder with an inside diameter equal to one fiber diameter and an outside diameter equal to twice the fiber diameter. The union fiber is inserted into the smaller cylinder, the two mutually isolated fibers are inserted into the larger cylinder, the empty space in the larger cylinder is filled with an index-matching cement, and the two cylinders are then pushed together. This provides a simple and economical assembly of a coupler which will work for plastic fibers, and does not require any expensive manufacturing steps. Preferably stainless steel is used for the two cylinders.

Abstract: Coupler for joining two optical fibers to a third fiber, while preserving good optical isolation between the first two fibers. The coupler is preferably formed of an approximately index-matching plastic, and the fiber ends are cemented in place. The two fibers which are to be isolted are located parallel and adjacent to each other, and their ends are glued into an elongated hole on one side of the coupler. Opposite to this hole is a second hole into which the union fiber is seated. Epoxy glue is used to connect the fibers in place. Plastic fibers are preferably used.

Abstract: Direct Moat Isolation for VLSI integrated circuit structures is formed by growing oxide over the entire substrate area, and then cutting windows in the oxide, using an anisotropic polymer-free oxide etch, where moat regions are to be formed. To prevent polysilicon filamentation, gate patterning is performed with an extremely selective polysilicon etch. The combination of these processing steps permits a direct moat isolation device fabrication process which is insensitive to the oxide sidewall angle, increasing yield and permitting extremely compact isolation structures to be formed.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) imager has an output shift register having a number of bits equal to at least a multiple (N), where N is an integer greater than 1, times the number of columns of pixels in the imager. Appropriately spaced in the output shift register are N groups of N outputs each for non-destructive, simultaneous readout of N.times.N bits. The N.times.N bits are then available for pre-processing or display without the requirement for having previously stored each bit, digitally represented, in a computer memory.

Abstract: A visual display and method for producing the same. A plurality of electro-optic cells, such as liquid crystal cells, are placed in an optical series. Each of the cells receives approximately simultaneous identical signals. Due to the series relationship, the resulting contrast ratio will be significantly improved. The transmission function acting on the entering light will be squared after the second electro-optic cell, cubed after the third cell, etc. The enhanced transmission function has a vastly improved rise after the threshold voltage allowing for greater multiplexing capability.

Abstract: A proximity switch in which the electronic characteristics of a liquid crystal display are monitored relative to a reference liquid crystal display to determine when an operator has come into proximity thereto. A controller monitors the display elements, liquid crystal displays, respective capacitances or inductance and when an operator comes into proximity to an electrode in the display element, the controller senses this proximity due to the change in capacitance or inductance of the element. This sensing allows the controller to recognize when a change of state is desired by the operator. The use of the reference element allows the controller to respond only to operator proximity and not to noise caused by changes in the environment, such as temperature.

Abstract: In a non-volatile random access memory, a selected one of a plurality of magnetic cells arranged in an array on a major surface of a substrate is inductively switched between opposite remanent, i.e. permanent, states upon the simultaneous application of electrical pulses to a pair of conductors intersecting adjacent the selected cell, each of the electrical pulses having an amplitude less than, but the sum thereof being at least equal to, the amplitude required to inductively switch the remanent state of the selected cell.