Abstract: An acoustical sparker probe apparatus is described for generating a high energy acoustical pulse at a frequency between 600 hz and 10 khz in a borehole having a diameter between 50 mm and 100 mm. The apparatus includes an uphole electronic system having a low voltage AC power source which is directed through an electrical cable to a borehole probe that is moved along the length of the borehole. The borehole probe has a sparker section with electrodes for generating a high energy acoustical pulse when a high energy electrical spark discharge is created between the electrodes. The probe has a high voltage DC energy section with a voltage multiplying and electrical energy storage for receiving the low voltage AC from uphole and creating and storing over 100 joules of electrical energy at a voltage above 1000 volts within the probe. The probe has a triggering network for rapidly discharging the high voltage electrical energy across the electrodes at above 5000 amp for 10 .mu.

Abstract: A scan acoustical holographic imaging apparatus is disclosed that is capable of displaying an isometric image of an object scanned with acoustical energy in which the image visually depicts surface contour information. The apparatus includes mechanisms for generating X, Y and Z electrical distance signals as an acoustical transducer is scanned in a scan plane over the object. The apparatus further includes mechanisms for generating object signals that are mixed with a holographic reference signal that may be phase shifted to produce a resultant holographic object signal which is used to modulate the brightness input of a CRT display device. The X, Y and Z electrical distance signals are transformed into an electronic isometric projection and applied to the horizontal and vertical inputs of the CRT display.

Abstract: An improved detector having a reflective surface which is substantially insensitive to vibration. The detection surface comprises a thin layer of liquid metal which is disposed over a substantially rigid, wettable substrate. In a presently preferred embodiment, the detector comprises a receptacle having disposed therein a rigid brass plate covered by a thin layer of mercury. The detector is submersed in a suitable fluid, such as water, to which an acidic substance has been added to reduce the pH of the fluid to the range of 5 to 6.

Abstract: A cold cathode gas-ion laser is described having a stabilizing electrode positioned adjacent the cathode to increase the discharge field strength adjacent the cathode to increase the life span and reliability of the laser during high performance operating conditions.

Abstract: An improved system for ensonifying an object, which comprises upper and lower fluid-filled chambers. The chambers are separated by a partition including a lens; a further, movable lens may be disposed within the upper chamber. A reflective-type detector is disposed in the floor of the bottom chamber, and ports provided at opposite sides of the chamber for light impinging upon, and reflected from, the detector surface. A resilient closure at the upper end of the upper chamber conformably receives the surface of an object to be ensonified. A transducer producing the object, or ensonifying, acoustic beam is disposed within another fluid-filled enclosure one wall of which comprises a flexible membrane. The latter membrane is disposed against the upper side of the object to be ensonified and conforms thereto so that a relatively continuous fluid path is presented between the transducer and the object, and from the object to the detector.