Abstract: A broadband directional transducer which provides a beam pattern that is essentially constant for all frequencies above a certain cutoff frequency, an acoustic pressure angular distribution that is virtually independent of the distance from the transducer and no side lobes, includes an array of isophase, omnidirectional electro-acoustic elements on a spherical shell, each element being amplitude-shaded according to the shading function ##EQU1## where n is a positive integer, and .theta. is an angle measured from the axis of the spherical surface to a shaded element.

Abstract: An optically pumped laser which is operative by photolysis of a rare gas (RG)-halogne atom (X) compound (RGX.sub.2) which creates lasing from the RGX* molecule the RGX* molecule being diatomic. This type of laser is gaseous but a solid fuel is used to supply the gas; therefore the system is self contained.

Abstract: An improved energy storage superheater assembly for storing heat energy rlting from solar or other types of energy. An enclosed housing includes a heat transfer means in the bottom or top which is heated by SO.sub.2 +O.sub.2 due to solar chemical reaction or any other suitable means. The heat transfer means heats wet steam in a superheater piping that passes through the heat transfer means to produce superheated steam. A plurality of vertical, potassium-containing steel wall heat pipes extends from the heat transfer means and distributes heat over the large area of the housing. Vertical containers which contain a salt are assembled among the vertical pipes and are heated by the heat radiated and convected from the vertical pipes in order to store heat in the salt-containers by "heat of fusion". During heat withdrawal, heat is radiated and convected from the salt-containers to the vertical steel pipes. Heat is carried to the heat transfer means by the steel pipes which in turn heats the superheater tubes.