Abstract: A portable light fixture which illuminates the volume of water in a swimming pool has the light source and all attendance electrical hardware mounted above the water's surface to avoid the normal measures required to waterproof the light. Light is projected downward into the water through a light shaft which hangs over the edge of the pool and extends down below the water line. The shaft and light element enclosure is opaque. Light travels down the light shaft, traverses the air/water boundary and then exits the light shaft below the water line to a reflective light diffuser suspended within or directly below the shaft exit. The light diffuser spreads the beam away from the pool wall by reflecting the vertical rays exiting the light shaft into a diffuse horizontal beam which then propagates throughout the swimming pool.

Abstract: For plasma enhanced chemical vapor processing of semiconductor substrates, substrates are mounted on an elongate support, in a spaced parallel array. A shaft is rotatably mounted on the support and has electrode holding means, the electrodes alternating in polarity. The shaft, when rotated, moves the electrodes down in between the substrates, for positioning of the assembly in a reaction chamber for processing. After processing, and removal from the chamber, the shaft is rotated to move the electrodes out from between the substrates, to permit easy loading and unloading. The substrates are normally supported on boats positioned on the support. A particularly effective rf power feedthrough connects rf power from a power source through the door of the chamber.

Abstract: Opposed ends of optical fibers are fused within a holding member, by heating the fiber ends by means positioned in, or on, the member. A self-contained package can be provided to which an electric current is applied, or some other heating method.

Abstract: In a method of breaking an optical fiber, wherein the fiber is scored transversely and tensioned to cause a crack to propagate completely across the fiber, tension sufficient to cause the crack to propagate is applied after, but not during, the scoring step. During the scoring step the fiber is subjected to a controlled tension insufficient to sever the scored fiber. The resulting broken fiber ends generally are flat and perpendicular, and thus suitable for making low-loss interconnections. Preferred apparatus for breaking the fiber has a common actuator providing sequential control of individual means for locating, scoring and tensioning the fiber. The common actuator may be rotational, facilitating powered operation by a drive motor, and may be adjustable axially to enable accurate adjustment of the position at which the fiber is scored. In one, preferred, embodiment suitable for breaking a fiber at a predetermined distance from a connector already attached to it, the connector skirt screws onto a bush.

Abstract: An overvoltage or surge protector, particularly for telephone lines, has two electrodes in opposition in a housing. The gap between the inner ends of the electrodes is set by a layer of dielectric material on the center portion of one or both end surfaces of the electrodes. Breakdown occurs with assistance from dielectric stimulation of the arc, resulting from an electrical field across the dielectric. The center portions are surrounded by annular grooves, which are also covered with a dielectric layer. The end surfaces external to the center portions can be convex, and also roughened.

Abstract: The etch rate of silicon dioxide, particularly thermally grown silicon dioxide, in boiling phosphoric acid, can be controlled by deliberately adding additional silicate to the acid. For thermally grown silicon dioxide, the etch rate can be reduced from about 5A per minute with no added silicate, to about 0.5A/minute with 1 gram of added silicate to about 1 liter of acid.