Abstract: A method and system for gauging deviations of a surface of a specular surfaced test object from a preselected nominal surface profile utilizes electromagnetic radiation that is directed towards a direction altering means and through an attenuating medium onto the reflective surface of the test object. An image sensor such as a camera is positioned to receive an image of the radiation reflected by the test object surface back through the attenuating layer, with the Intensity of such radiation varying across the image as a function of the deviation of the test Object surface from the nominal surface profile. The sensor output is digitized to form a set of digital signals indicative of the intensity of radiation associated with each location of the reflected image, and the digitized signals are stored in digital electronic memory and/or displayed on a screen.

Abstract: A system for gauging the surface of a test object includes an image sensor, such as a camera, positioned to receive an image of the radiation naturally emitted from the test object through an attenuating medium. The intensity of such radiation varies across the image as a function of the deviation of the test object surface from a nominal surface profile. The sensor output is digitized to form a set of digital signals indicative of the intensity of radiation across the image, and the digitized signals are stored in digital electronic memory and/or displayed on a screen. Methods for correcting optically generated errors in the image are disclosed that, together with the gauging system, provide a quantitative measurement of the deviations in a test object surface profile from a preselected profile.

Abstract: A method and system for gauging deviations of a surface of a test part from a preselected nominal surface profile is disclosed. The system includes a support having a master surface that is substantially a matched or mating surface of the nominal surface profile of the test part and a thin layer of an attenuating medium such as a dye liquid between the master and test surfaces. Electromagnetic radiation is directed through the support and master surface and through the attenuating layer onto the reflective surface of the test part. An image sensor such as a camera is positioned to receive an image of the radiation reflected by the test part surface back through the attenuating layer and support, with the intensity of such radiation across the image varying as a function of the deviation of the test part surface from the nominal surface profile.

Abstract: A method and system for gauging deviations of a surface of a test part from a preselected nominal surface profile is disclosed. One embodiment includes a support having a master surface that is substantially a matched or mating surface of the nominal surface profile of the test part and a thin layer of an attenuating medium such as a dye liquid between the master and test surfaces. In another embodiment, the interface between attenuation fluid and the air is used as a reference surface thereby eliminating the requirement of the master surface. In both embodiments, electromagnetic radiation is directed through the attenuating medium onto the surface of the test part to be gauged. An image sensor such as a camera is positioned to receive an image of the radiation reflected by the test part surface back through the attenuating medium, with the intensity of such radiation across the image varying as a function of the deviation of the test part surface from the nominal surface profile.

Abstract: A method and system for gauging deviations of a surface of a test part from a preselected nominal surface profile is disclosed. The system includes a support having a master surface that is substantially a matched or mating surface of the nominal surface profile of the test part and a thin layer of an attenuating medium such as a dye liquid between the master and test surfaces. Electromagnetic radiation is directed through the support and master surface and through the attenuating layer onto the reflective surface of the test part. An image sensor such as a camera is positioned to receive an image of the radiation reflected by the test part surface back through the attenuating layer and support, with the intensity of such radiation across the image varying as a function of the deviation of the test part surface from the nominal surface profile.

Abstract: A process for making a hollow spherical shell of silicate glass composition in which an aqueous suspension of silicate glass particles and an immiscible liquid blowing agent is placed within the hollow spherical cavity of a porous mold. The mold is spun to reduce effective gravity to zero and to center the blowing agent, while being heated so as to vaporize the immiscible liquid and urge the water carrier of the aqueous suspension to migrate into the body of the mold, leaving a green shell compact deposited around the mold cavity. The green shell compact is then removed from the cavity, and is sintered for a time and a temperature sufficient to form a silicate glass shell of substantially homogeneous composition and uniform geometry.

Abstract: A regenerative cavity X-ray lasing oscillator and method in which an X-ray laser target is positioned between a pair of opposed coaxial mirrors at predetermined fixed spacing and forming an X-ray cavity. A series of light pulses is directed onto the target surface at predetermined fixed time intervals that correspond to spacing between the mirrors. Each light pulse ablates a portion of the target surface to form an ion plasma adjacent to the target surface of a character and composition for spontaneous emission of X-ray energy along the axis of the cavity. Such X-ray energy oscillates in the cavity and is amplified upon each passage through the plasma. One of the mirrors is constructed for extracting the amplified X-ray laser energy from the cavity.

Abstract: A method of igniting a deuterium-tritium ICF fuel target to obtain fuel burn in which the fuel target initially includes a hollow spherical shell having a frozen layer of DT material at substantially uniform thickness and cryogenic temperature around the interior surface of the shell. The target is permitted to free-fall through a target chamber having walls heated by successive target ignitions, so that the target is uniformly heated during free-fall to at least partially melt the frozen fuel layer and form a liquid single-phase layer or a mixed liquid/solid bi-phase layer of substantially uniform thickness around the interior shell surface. The falling target is then illuminated from exteriorly of the chamber while the fuel layer is at substantially uniformly single or bi-phase so as to ignite the fuel layer and release energy therefrom.

Abstract: An electrophoretic record that includes at least one gel separation is mounted for motion laterally of the separation record. A light source is positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the record, and a linear array camera is positioned to have a field of view of the illuminated portion of the record and orthogonal to the direction of record motion. The elements of the linear array are scanned at increments of motion of the record across the field of view to develop a series of signals corresponding to intensity of light at each element at each scan increment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring concentration of micrometer- and submicrometer-size particles on a carrier as a function of Mie scattering in the visible spectrum. A collimated beam of white light is directed through a carrier onto the particles, with a portion of the light energy being scattered and a portion transmitted according to Mie scattering theory. Particle size, index of refraction and measurement wavelength are selected such that scattering extinction varies essentially monotonically with the ratio of particle size to illumination wavelength. Particle concentration is indicated as a function of a difference between light scattered at two wavelengths at opposite ends of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A system for laser-ignition of explosives or the like includes a laser system coupled to an optical fiber for conducting light energy to a window positioned at an end of the fiber remote from the laser system. An explosive charge is contained within an initiator housing on a side of the window remote from the adjacent fiber end. A dichroic film is positioned at the window surface adjacent to the explosive charge, and is constructed to reflect light energy within one wavelength range and transmit light energy within another wavelength range. The laser system is controlled for selectively transmitting light energy at the one wavelength range to test continuity of the laser-fiber-initiator light path as a function of reflections from the dichroic film, and at the other wavelength range to ignite the explosive charge. In one embodiment of the invention, the dichroic film takes the form of a transparent disc having the film deposited thereon.

Abstract: A radiation-detection/scintillation composite in which a multiplicity of particulate glass carriers embodying radiation target nuclei are embedded within a matrix of solid scintillation plastic composition. The glass target-containing carriers have an index of refraction which closely matches that of the scintillation plastic. In one embodiment of the invention, the carriers comprise hollow spherical micro-size shells containing He-3 gas detection nuclei under pressure. In another embodiment, Li, B or Pb or other heavy element detection nuclei are contained within the composition of the glass carriers.

Abstract: A system for obtaining spherically symmetrical implosion of sample materials by directing radiant ignition energy onto a target which includes a spherically symmetrical core of selected sample material concentrically surrounded by a shell of high explosive material. The resulting implosive compression produces hydrodynamically controlled physical and/or chemical and/or metallurgical transformations of state in the sample material.

Abstract: A process for fabrication of refractory insulating materials wherein essentially pure silica shells are mixed with a polymeric graphite precursor dissolved in a solvent. The resulting slurry is placed in a forming mold, and the solvent is evaporated to form a polymeric matrix containing the shells as a dispersion. This matrix is pyrolized under an inert or reducing atmosphere to decompose the polymer and form a first product consisting essentially of a carbon matrix containing a dispersion of silica shells. To enhance refractory characteristics, such first product is fired at high temperature in an inert or reducing atmosphere to form a second product consisting of a carbon matrix containing a dispersion of SiC-lined voids, or in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a third product consisting of the carbon matrix containing a dispersion of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 -lined voids.

Abstract: A system and method of pulsed-laser microfabrication wherein a first substrate of transparent material, such as glass, has one or more target materials positioned on a surface, preferably a flat surface, of the substrate. These target materials include a thin film of electrically conductive material--i.e., a conductor or semiconductor--immediately adjacent to the substrate surface. Pulsed laser energy is directed through the transparent substrate onto the conductive film at a sufficient intensity and for a sufficient duration to rapidly vaporize the metal film. The target materials are driven by film vaporization energy and by the reaction thereof against the glass substrate onto the opposing or object surface of a second substrate.

Abstract: A particulate aerosol tracer which comprises a particulate carrier of sheet silicate composition having a particle size up to one micron, and a cationic dopant chemically absorbed in solid solution in the carrier. The carrier is preferably selected from the group consisting of natural mineral clays such as bentonite, and the dopant is selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements and transition elements. The tracers are dispersed by forming an aqueous salt solution with the dopant present as cations, dispersing the carriers in the solution, and then atomizing the solution under heat sufficient to superheat the solution droplets at a level sufficient to prevent reagglomeration of the carrier particles.

Abstract: An x-ray source having a cathode and a disc-shaped anode with a peripheral surface at constant radius from the anode axis opposed to the cathode. The anode has stub axle sections rotatably carried in heat conducting bearing plates which are mounted by thermoelectric coolers to bellows which normally bias the bearing plates to a retracted position spaced from opposing anode side faces. The bellows cooperate with the x-ray source mounting structure for forming closed passages for heat transport fluid. Flow of such fluid under pressure expands the bellows and brings the bearing plates into heat conducting contact with the anode side faces. A worm gear is mounted on a shaft and engages serrations in the anode periphery for rotating the anode when flow of coolant is terminated between x-ray emission events.

Abstract: A heat transport system, method and composite material in which a plurality of hollow spherical shells or microspheres having an outside diameter of less than or equal to 500 microns are encapsulated or embedded within a bulk material. Each shell has captured therein a volatile working fluid, such that each shell operates as a microsized heat pipe for conducting heat through the composite structure.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition process for making glass-surfaced microcarriers, and the resulting product, in which hollow spherical micro-sized shells of glass or ceramic composition replaced within a fluidized bed coater, and separate preheated reaction gasses are directed into the coater bed. The shell precursors have a preferred starting density of not more than the predetermined desired final density in the range of 1.01 to 1.2 g/cc, and have a diameter in the range of 5 to 500 .mu.m, preferably 105 to 150 .mu.m. The thickness of the silicate glass coating is preferably in the range of 11 to 16 .mu.m. An alternative embodiment employs solid precursor beads of polyphenylene oxide.

Abstract: A system for illuminating a tiny target of fusion fuel with energy from a laser source to achieve uniform surface heat leading to fusion including a laser light source with a beam splitter to provide two laser beams directed to a common target point and a pair of identical ellipsoidal mirrors facing each other concavely and positioned to have a common reflective focal point, the mirrors each being coaxially and centrally apertured to pass respective laser beams to the other and opposed mirrors of said pair wherein reflected energy will be directed normal to and distributed around the surface of a spherical target located at the common spherical focus.