Abstract: A method of forming a thin film capacitor having a tantalum oxide dielectric is described. A dielectric substrate having a non-tantalum electrically conductive film electrode formed thereon is disposed within a vacuum environment. A film of tantalum oxide is applied over the conductive film within the vacuum environment. The composite is then removed from the vacuum environment and disposed within an anodizing bath wherein an electrical current is passed through the tantalum oxide film, the current being substantially constant until a predetermined desired voltage is reached. Thereafter, a second electrically conductive film electrode is disposed over the so-formed tantalum oxide film.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film capacitor having a tantalum oxide dielectric is described. A dielectric substrate having formed thereon a duplex electrically conductive film comprising a non-tantalum electrically conductive film electrode covered by a thin tantalum film is disposed within an oxygen-inert gas containing vacuum environment, said non-tantalum film being disposed intermediate said substrate and said tantalum film. A film of tantalum oxide is applied over the conductive film by r-f sputtering of a tantalum oxide target within the oxygen-inert gas containing vacuum environment while the dielectric substrate and conductive film are being cooled. The composite may then be removed from said oxygen-inert gas containing environment and a second electrically conductive film electrode applied over the so-formed tantalum oxide film.

Abstract: A flow metering apparatus comprising an elongated vortex generating element disposed transversely in a stream of fluid to produce on opposite sides thereof vortices which are shed in alternating fashion and a sensor disposed downstream of the generating element and aligned therewith in such a manner that the vortices alternately pass along opposite sides of the sensor. The sensor comprises an elongated, cylindrically shaped support having two high TCR resistive films longitudinally disposed on the surface thereof which faces the vortex generating element. This combination of vortex shedder and sensor produces a strong, highly reliable electrical signal.

Abstract: A method of increasing the coercivity of a magnetic device having a magnetite film reduced from alpha ferric oxide. The alpha ferric oxide film is reduced to magnetite by subjecting it to a temperature greater than 400.degree. C in a reducing atmosphere. The temperature of the film is then changed to between about 150.degree. and 300.degree. C, and the reducing atmosphere is replaced by an oxidizing atmosphere. The film is subjected to the oxidizing atmosphere while the temperature is held between 150.degree. and 300.degree. C, thus causing the magnetite film to become partially oxidized to form a solid solution of magnetite and gamma ferric oxide as represented by the formula, (1-x)Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 .sup.. xFe.sub.2 O.sub.3, where x is between 0.49 and 0.85.

Abstract: A hermetic enclosure for an electrical component, particularly for a tantalum capacitor, and a method of forming it is disclosed. A silver container is provided having an open end at which an outwardly protruding flange is formed. A quantity of sealing glass is sealed to a lead and formed into a bead about the lead intermediate the ends thereof. A metallic member having an aperture therein is provided and the bead is sealed to the surface of the aperture bordering portion of the metallic member. A silver ring is disposed on the surface of the metallic member and the peripheral portion of the metallic member is folded over and pressed into a portion of the silver ring to form a compression seal therebetween. This assembly is disposed adjacent the outwardly protruding flange of the container with the lead extending from within the container to the exterior thereof.

Abstract: A system wherein a magnetic tape is divided into a plurality of data storage blocks, each of which is preceded by a unique block marker. A phase encoder and phase decoder associated with the read/write head are connected by a data control circuit to a computer. As the head scans the block marker, the phase decoder supplies the computer with the block marker data via the data control circuit. Immediately after a predetermined block marker has been read, the computer provides the data control circuit with a write-signal and makes available a byte of parallel data to be written on the tape. The data control circuit includes an erase latch activated by the ongoing transition of the write-signal for providing the phase encoder with an erase-signal which causes the first byte on the magnetic tape following the block marker to be an erased gap.

Abstract: A sensing element for measuring fluid flow comprising an elongated cylindrically-shaped support on which is disposed two resistive films having high TCR values. The support is symmetrical about a plane parallel with the direction of flow, and one of the resistive films is disposed on each side of that plane. The films are less than 10,000 A thick, thereby possessing a high ratio of surface area to thermal mass. These films are quickly cooled by pressure variations accompanying the generation of vortices in the fluid stream, and they are therefore capable of operating at high frequencies.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical system for dividing a single optical image into two or more geometrically identical images which are contiguous and coplanar in space and which have the same magnification. A beam splitter and a fold mirror divide the original optical path into a first optical path which forms an image from light passing through the beam splitter and a second optical path which forms an image from light reflected from the beam splitter and fold mirror. A displacement block is inserted into the second optical path to move the image plane away from the fold mirror and cause the images formed from the first and second paths to become coplanar. The displacement block is mounted so that it can rotate about two axes so that one image can be positioned precisely adjacent to the other image. By forming the block from two glasses having different absorption characteristics light in the second path is adjustably attenuated.

Abstract: A process for making BaSi.sub.2 O.sub.5 :Pb having a high energy conversion efficiency of ultraviolet emission under electron bombardment. The process includes mixing BaCO.sub.3, BaF.sub.2, Pb(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and SiO.sub.2 in a form having extremely small particle size so as to facilitate complete dispersal of the SiO.sub.2 in the mixture. Pb(NO.sub.3).sub.2, a soluble salt, is mixed with the other ingredients in a slurry of alcohol. The soluble salt dissolves in the alcohol to obtain complete dispersal of lead throughout the mixture. After mixing the other ingredients and before firing, H.sub.3 BO.sub.3 is added. The product BaSi.sub.2 O.sub.5 :Pb is used as a high efficiency phosphor in combination with photochromic glass in an information display system.

Abstract: An electrical device assembly wherein a plurality of electrical components or conductors having opposing terminal ends are disposed within apertures in a flat dielectric substrate, at least one of the terminal ends of selected components or conductors extending beyond a flat surface of the substrate. Metallic members are affixed to the extending terminal ends of selected components or conductors at one or both of the flat surfaces of the substrate while at least one conductive path is formed on one or both flat surfaces electrically connecting selected ones of the component or conductor terminal ends in a desired manner. The components may be passive components such as electrical resistors, capacitors, inductors, and the like, or active components such as diodes, transistors, and the like. The components and conductors may be maintained within the substrate apertures by means of friction, by means of a dielectric sealing compound, or by means of wedges.

Abstract: In the preparation of blood films for microscopic examination a slide spins in a centrifuge for a time which is a function of the red blood cell concentration of the blood. A drive circuit controls the time of spinning of a slide centrifuge. A variable control for the centrifuge motor includes a manual adjustment which is adjustable across a scale labeled as a function of the percent hematocrit of the blood.

Abstract: A fluorine containing silicate glass substrate is heated to a temperature sufficiently high to permit fluorine to out-diffuse from the surface thereof. A surface region is formed having a gradient fluorine concentration in a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface, the region of lowest fluorine concentration having the highest refractive index. The resultant device is capable of functioning as an optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical information storage system is disclosed which comprises a cathode ray tube having a photochromic fiber optic face plate on which data can be written by appropriate modulation and deflection of the electron beam. The readout function is accomplished by scanning appropriate portions of the phosphor by an electron beam of reduced intensity. Light which passes through the face plate is detected by a photocell.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device and a method of forming it is disclosed. A first film or coating of an adherent electro-conductive metallic oxide is applied over the exterior surface of a dielectric substrate. The metal oxide coating is thereafter thoroughly cleansed and a second coating or layer of a metal having a relatively high temperature coefficient of resistance is applied over the metallic oxide film so as to form a strong physical bond as well as a chemical bond therebetween. The composite so formed is fired at a temperature up to about 750.degree.C. If desired, the metal layer is thereafter suitably spiralled to provide the desired resistance and terminal leads are attached to the element. Also, if desired, the element is then coated with a dielectric protective coating.

Abstract: A method of improving the magnetic properties of cobalt substituted magnetite by magnetizing the material to the saturation level in the desired direction, and then removing the magnetizing field. The material will retain a level of magnetization normally referred to as the remanent state of magnetization or simply remanence. The magnetized material is then subjected to a heat treatment to anneal the material. The above process significantly improves coercivity, hysteresis loop squareness ratio, and resistance to remanence loss due to external forces.

Abstract: A pulse discriminator circuit for use in a closed loop scanning and positioning system for finding and positioning white blood cells. The surface of a slide is scanned to produce an optical signal which is converted by a sensor into an electrical signal. This signal is applied to the pulse discriminator circuit which provides an output pulse only when a white blood cell is being scanned. The output of the pulse discriminator is coupled to a logic circuit which produces signals that are used to drive the microscope stage to cause the white blood cell to be positioned within a small aperture in the optical system.

Abstract: In a system which automatically analyzes laboratory slides, the adjustable objective lens is automatically focused. A beam splitter splits light from the slide into two parts. One slide image is projected to an actual image plane where it is converted into electrical signals representing the optical characteristics of the slide. The other slide image is projected to a parfocal image plane at which two light sensing devices for the focusing system are positioned. One light sensing device is in front of the parfocal image plane and the other is behind the parfocal image plane. These light sensing devices produce electrical signals representing the position of the actual image plane with respect to the desired image plane. The electric signals are differentiated and then applied to a comparator which supplies pulses to a stepping motor which moves the objective lens.

Abstract: In a system which automatically analyzes laboratory slides, the adjustable objective lens is automatically focused. A beam splitter splits light from the slide into two parts. One slide image is projected to an actual image plane where it is converted into electrical signals representing the optical characteristics of the slide. The other slide image is projected to a parfocal image plane at which two light sensing devices for the focusing system are positioned. One light sensing device is in front of the parfocal image plane and the other is behind the parfocal image plane. These light sensing devices produce electrical signals representing the position of the actual image plane with respect to the desired image plane. The electric signals are differentiated and then applied to a comparator which supplies pulses to a stepping motor which moves the objective lens.

Abstract: In a system which automatically analyzes laboratory slides, the adjustable objective lens is automatically focused. A beam splitter splits light from the slide into two parts. One slide image is projected to an actual image plane where it is converted into electrical signals representing the optical characteristics of the slide. The other slide image is projected to a parfocal image plane at which two light sensing devices for the focusing system are positioned. One light sensing device is in front of the parfocal image plane and the other is behind the parfocal image plane. These light sensing devices produce electrical signals representing the position of the actual image plane with respect to the desired image plane. The electric signals are differentiated and then applied to a comparator which supplies pulses to a stepping motor which moves the objective lens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for permanently splicing glass optical fibers. The fibers are aligned colinearly, and their ends are brought into contact. Electric and magnetic fields are generated in the vicinity of the fiber end portions. The electric field creates an arc which moves along the fiber junction under the influence of the magnetic field, thereby ensuring complete fusing of the fiber endfaces.