Abstract: A technique is described for use in determining the reliability of microscopic conductors deposited on an uneven surface of an integrated circuit device. A wafer containing integrated circuit chips is formed with a test area having regions of different heights. At the time the conductors are formed on the chip areas of the wafer, an elongated serpentine assay conductor is deposited on the test area so the assay conductor extends over multiple steps between regions of different heights. Also, a first test conductor is deposited in the test area upon a uniform region of first height, and a second test conductor is deposited in the test area upon a uniform region of second height. The occurrence of high resistances at the steps between regions of different height is indicated by deriving the "measured length" of the serpentine conductor using the resistance measured between the ends of the serpentine conductor, and comparing that to the design length of the serpentine conductor.

Abstract: The invention is a Clock for synchronizing operations within a high-speed, distributed data processing network. The clock is actually a distributed system comprising a Central Clock and multiple Site Clock Interface Units (SCIU's) which are connected by means of a fiber optic star network and which operate under control of separate clock software. The presently preferred embodiment is as a part of the flight simulation system now in current use at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC), Hampton, Va.

Abstract: A pulse sharpening circuit is disclosed for decreasing the current and voltage risetimes of pulse power devices. It is useful in many systems ranging from the particle beam fusion accelerator to field emission electron guns for intense microwave sources requiring an extremely quick high power turn-on for proper operation. A polyvinyl chloride dielectric flashover switch is used in combination with a velvet covered transmission line which has a metal ring near its end to produce switching when the initial radial electron flow is diverted to axial electron flow as the critical magnetic insulation current is exceeded. Nominal peak voltages of 500 Kv have been obtained with current and voltage risetimes of 0.5 nanoseconds.

Abstract: A process for improving the technique of measuring residual stress by x-ray diffraction in pieces of nickel-base alloys which comprises covering part of a predetermined area of the surface of a nickel-base alloy with a dispersion, exposing the covered and uncovered portions of the surface of the alloy to x-rays by way of an x-ray diffractometry apparatus, making x-ray diffraction determinations of the exposed surface, and measuring the residual stress in the alloy based on these determinations. The dispersion is opaque to x-rays and serves a dual purpose since it masks off unsatisfactory signals such that only a small portion of the surface is measured, and it supplies an internal standard by providing diffractogram peaks comparable to the peaks of the nickel alloy so that the alloy peaks can be very accurately located regardless of any sources of error external to the sample.

Abstract: A solvent extraction composition for radium including a high molecular wet organophilic carboxylic acid and an organophilic macrocycle dissolved in a suitable solvent.

Abstract: A method for producing foil of titanium aluminide is described which comprises providing a preselected quantity of blended powder of chloride free commercially pure elemental titanium, aluminum and other alloying metal(s) in preselected proportions, rolling the blended powder into a green foil, sintering the green foil, and thereafter pressing the sintered foil to full density.

Abstract: Antithrombogenic and antibiotic composition of matter and method of preparation thereof. A random copolymer of a component of garlic and a biocompatible polymer has been prepared and found to exhibit antithrombogenic and antibiotic properties. Polymerization occurs selectively at the vinyl moiety in 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiin when copolymerized with N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

Abstract: An aerosol generator is described which is capable of producing a monodisperse aerosol within narrow limits utilizing an aqueous solution capable of providing a high population of seed nuclei and an organic solution having a low vapor pressure. The two solutions are cold nebulized, mixed, vaporized, and cooled. During cooling, particles of the organic vapor condense onto the excess seed nuclei, and grow to a uniform particle size.

Abstract: The thermal hysteresis of quartz crystal resonators is measured by exciting two modes of a quartz crystal of interest with an external frequency source at a preselected temperature, calculating the difference frequency as between the modes, resetting to the original set temperature after temporarily altering the temperature, remeasuring the frequencies while maintaining the temperature and the difference frequency at the same respective values as the original values, and taking the mode frequency difference as representative of the thermal hysteresis of the crystal.

Abstract: A multi-faceted mirror forms a retroreflector for a resonator loop in a free electron laser (FEL) operating in the XUV (.lambda.=10-100 nm). The number of facets is determined by the angle-of-incidence needed to obtain total external reflectance (TER) from the facet surface and the angle through which the FEL beam is to be turned. Angles-of-incidence greater than the angle for TER may be used to increase the area of the beam incident on the surface and reduce energy absorption density. Suitable surface films having TER in the 10-100 nm range may be formed from a variety of materials, including Al, single-crystal Si, Ag, and Rh. One of the facets is formed as an off-axis conic section to collimate the output beam with minimum astigmatism.

Abstract: A multiple layer dielectric for use in a hot-film laminar separation layer 21. The multiple layer dielectric substrate is formed by depositing a first layer 22 of a thermoplastic polymer such as on an electrically conductive substrate such as the metal surface 23 of a model 24 to be tested under cryogenic conditions and high Reynolds numbers. Next, a second dielectric layer 26 of fused silica is formed on the first dielectric layer 22 of thermoplastic polymer. A resistive metal film is deposited on selected areas of the multiple layer dielectric substrate of form one or more hot-film sensor elements 27 to which aluminum electrical circuits 28 deposited upon the multiple layered dielectric substrate are connected.

Abstract: Polymer composites reinforced with carbon fibers coated with polybutadiyne and the coated fibers are described. The polybutadiyne coating is formed in a closely adherent film on or slightly below the surface of carbon fibers by substantially simultaneously vapor depositing and polymerizing butadiyne on the fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for obtaining a single crack in fatigue loading which emanates from a predetermined starting notch in a test specimen. This crack propagates in a direction in line with that of the applied Mode II load. The loading may be performed either monotonically or in a cyclic fatigue.

Abstract: Magnetometers disposed as magnetostrictive segments on optical fiber elems are incorporated in multiple order gradiometers to reduce the size, weight and cost thereof. In the preferred embodiments, such reductions are greatly enhanced by consolidating a plurality of magnetometers on individual optical fiber elements, which also serves to decrease the number of devices associated with the magnetometers in the multiple order gradiometers.

Abstract: A cutting device is provided which is useful in trimming the jackets from semi-rigid coaxial cables and wire having a cutting bit and support attached to movable jaws. A thumbpiece is provided to actuate the opening of the jaws for receiving the cable to be trimmed, and a spring member is provided to actuate the closing of the jaws when thumbpiece is released. The cutting device utilizes one moving part during the cutting operation by using a rolling cut action. The nature of the jaws allows the cutting device to work in space having clearances less than 0.160 inches.

Abstract: This invention is for a reflection diffraction grating that functions at X-ray to VUV wavelengths and at normal angles of incidence. The novel grating is comprised of a laminar grating of period D with flat-topped grating bars. A multiplicity of layered synthetic microstructures, of period d and comprised of alternating flat layers of two different materials, are disposed on the tops of the grating bars of the laminar grating. In another embodiment of the grating, a second multiplicity of layered synthetic microstructures are also disposed on the flat faces, of the base of the grating, between the bars. D is in the approximate range from 3,000 to 50,000 Angstroms, but d is in the approximate range from 10 to 400 Angstroms. The laminar grating and the layered microstructures cooperatively interact to provide many novel and beneficial instrumentational advantages.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/biological process which is highly effective to destroy the herbicide, Atrazine, in wasterwater solutions is herein disclosed. The process comprises subjecting the atrazine molecule in an aqueous carrier to ozone to produce the oxidized product, diamino-s-triazine and thereafter, metabolizing the diamine in soil having indigenous and selected microogranism capable of degrading the diamine to carbon dioxide. Also disclosed is a disposal system capable of preforming the process of the invention in a single system.

Abstract: A non-planar, focusing mirror, to be utilized in both electron column instruments and micro-x-ray fluorescence instruments for performing chemical microanalysis on a sample, comprises a concave, generally spherical base substrate and a predetermined number of alternating layers of high atomic number material and low atomic number material contiguously formed on the base substrate. The thickness of each layer is an integral multiple of the wavelength being reflected and may vary non-uniformly according to a predetermined design. The chemical analytical instruments in which the mirror is used also include a predetermined energy source for directing energy onto the sample and a detector for receiving and detecting the x-rays emitted from the sample; the non-planar mirror is located between the sample and detector and collects the x-rays emitted from the sample at a large solid angle and focuses the collected x-rays to the sample.For electron column instruments, the wavelengths of interest lie above 1.

Abstract: A quick-sealing assembly and method for forming an adhesive seal on opposite sides of a mechanical seal for a flexible containment bag of the type used for working with radioactively contaminated objects. The assembly includes an elongated mechanical fastener having opposing engaging members affixed at a predetermined distance from each of the elongated edges, with an adhesive layer formed between the mechanical fastener and the elongated edge such that upon engagement of the mechanical fastener and adhesive layers to opposing containment fabric, a neat triple hermetic seal is formed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel having a backlight for providing high brigess, uniformity of illumination intensity, high efficiency, and long battery life, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. The display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a light source for illuminating the liquid crystal panel, a light passage member which can be formed of a transparent material disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the light source. The light source inlet side of the light passage member is formed with a recess with the thickness being reduced at the region diametrically opposed to the light source. A light reflecting member reflects light from the light source. Within the photoconductor, two or more of the wedged shaped photo conductor can be used for increased area of coverage.