Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing domains in ferroelectric crystals from depoling by providing compressive stress along a preferred crystallographic axis.

Abstract: Nonintrusive sensors capable of measuring various storage cell parameters such as voltage, state-of-charge, electrolyte level, internal resistance, and temperature are attached to a monitoring module which gathers and processes signals representative of information concerning the condition of electrolytic storage cells and transmits the information to a central computer for further processing. In response to commands issued by the central computer, appropriate maintenance and/or repair operations can be initiated. Alternatively, the system described can be used to automatically perform such maintenance tasks as checking and adding electrolyte levels, reducing the voltage in cells whose output voltage is too high, and leveling the state-of-charge of each cell in an array of electrolytic storage cells. The system can monitor other functions of the electrolytic storage cells, including the evolution of hydrogen gas and the accumulation of sediments in individual electrolytic storage cells.

Abstract: A raised-rib waveguide provides a low-loss coupling to a conventional single-mode optical fiber propagating light of a wavelength (.lambda.). An exemplary embodiment of the waveguide is disclosed for a wavelength of 0.85 .mu.m. In order to identify the values of the structural and compositional parameters of the raised-rib waveguide, a method employing a computer is used to identify a set of parameters that optimize the efficiency of the coupling of the waveguide to an optical fiber while maintaining the waveguide's ability to propagate a selected mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting an ion beam from a standard ion gun into a neutral particle beam by the processes of resonance neutralization followed by Auger deexcitation and/or Auger neutralization, established by directing the ion beam to pass in the proximity of a suitable metal surface.

Abstract: A neutrally buoyant, wide frequency range underwater acoustic baffle suite for extended depth operation comprising a laminated structure including a rigid inner separator sheet having a plurality of uniformly distributed cavities sandwiched between two flexible outer cover sheets and surrounded along its edges with a waterproof seal to completely encapsulate the separator sheet within the cover sheets and waterproof seal. Entrapped air within the air cavities offers a low effective acoustic impedance compared to water, and the rigid inner separator sheet maintains constant separation between the flexible cover sheets, and therefore low acoustic impedance, even under high hydrostatic pressures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely activating and analyzing fiber optic ed and conformal sensor arrays using fiber optic transmission and reception with multiplexed input and output signals using optical wavelength division, electronic frequency division, or both.

Abstract: A ceramic fiber composite material comprised of boron nitride coated cera fibers embedded in a ceramic matrix. The boron nitride coating limits both physical bonding and chemical reaction between the fibers and matrix to improve both strength and toughness of the composite material.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing high power, high efficiency pulsed TEA laser energy at N.sub.2 O wavelengths by suppressing discharge arc formation with H.sub.2 or CO that is added to the N.sub.2 O lasing medium. Energy loading levels up to in the range of 266 J/L atm are achieved with gas mixtures of N.sub.2 lasing mediums and H.sub.2 or CO additives comprising N.sub.2 O:He:N.sub.2 :H.sub.2 ::0.03:0.69:0.27:0.01 and N.sub.2 O:He:N.sub.2 :CO::0.03:0.66:0.26:0.05 mole fraction.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a notched indium phosphide planar transferred electron oscillator device which automatically aligns the high-resistivity notch position immediately adjacent to the cathode contact by slant evaporation of a metal coating over the edge of a masking layer followed by ion implantation.