Abstract: A pulsed gas laser is constituted by Blumlein circuits wherein space metal plates function both as capacitors and transmission lines coupling high frequency oscillations to a gas filled laser tube. The tube itself is formed by spaced metal side walls which function as connections to the electrodes to provide for a high frequency, high voltage discharge in the tube to cause the gas to lase. Also shown is a spark gap switch having structural features permitting a long life.

Abstract: Continuous wave (CW) output power from a gas transport laser is substantially increased by disposing a plurality of parallel cylindrically tubular cathodes in the main stream transversely of the direction of gas flow and spaced above a coextensive segmented anode in the opposite wall of the channel. Ballast resistors are connected between the cathodes, respectively, and the power supply to optimize the uniform arcless distribution of current passing between each cathode and the anode. Continuous output power greater than 3 kw is achieved with this electrode configuration.

Abstract: A reference diode and a method for making same are described, wherein a single wafer of semiconductive material is processed to provide a reverse PN junction acting in its breakdown region and to provide one or more forward PN junctions in electrical series with the reverse junction. A wafer of semiconductive material of one conductivity type is diffused with an impurity to form a plurality of regions of semiconductive material of opposite conductivity type. The regions are laterally displaced from each other and each forms a reverse PN junction at the interface between the region and the remainder of the wafer. An impurity is then diffused into one or more of these regions to form one or more forward PN junctions. An additional reverse PN junction is then formed between and adjacent to two of the previously formed regions.

Abstract: A starting device for a sealed, cross-flow gas laser for operating at least wo electric discharges simultaneously in a single laser cavity using primary fins between the cathodes and anodes of the cavity as intermediate electrodes. A series of high voltage relays and resistors are placed in parallel with the discharge path between adjacent fin electrodes and by switching out pairs of relays current is coupled to the discharge path, one fin at a time.

Abstract: A gas laser system utilizing a mixture of water vapor and hydrogen deuteride wherein molecular vibrations are excited in the hydrogen deuteride in an electric discharge and the vibrational energy is stored until, by means of near-resonant energy exchange collisions, it is transferred to the active laser water molecules. Laser action occurs at about 4.6 microns with a theoretical efficiency of about 58%.

Abstract: A signal converter for converting a varying input voltage, such as an output signal from a detector, into an output voltage in absolute value, including an operational amplifier, a comparator and two groups of electronic switches. The comparator compares the varying input voltage to a predetermined reference voltage. The operational amplifier has negative and positive input terminals and generates an output voltage signal in proportion to the difference between the voltages applied to its two input terminals. When the input voltage is less than the reference voltage, one group of electronic switches turns on, so that the input voltage and the reference voltage are applied to the negative and the positive input terminals of the operational amplifier, respectively.

Abstract: A gas laser system utilizing a mixture of water vapor, hydrogen or hydrogen deuteride and nitrogen wherein molecular vibrations are excited in the hydrogen or hydrogen deuteride in an electric discharge and the vibrational energy is stored until, by means of near-resonant energy exchange collisions, it is transferred to the active laser water molecules. Nitrogen is added to stabilize the discharge and allow coherent emission at 4.6 microns with a theoretical efficiency of about 58%.

Abstract: In a nuclear reactor protection system, the control device initiates reactor shutdown when the amplitude of a voltage signal delivered by a detector oversteps a range limited by two adjustable values. The device comprises a stabilized supply, a detector supplied by a rectifier for delivering a d.c. voltage having an amplitude Ve which is proportional to the value of the signal to be measured, two generators for producing d.c. voltages of opposite sign having amplitudes Vd and Vref, and an adjustable voltage divider which delivers a periodic rectangular-wave voltage having an amplitude Vs. The detector output voltage is compared with the algebraic sum of the values Vd, Vref and Vs by means which produce a voltage level of 0 if the amplitude Ve is outside the range (Vd + Vref, Vd + Vref + Vs) and a voltage level of +1 if the amplitude Ve is within said range.

Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit has an input terminal connected to a source of analog voltages to be stored, this terminal being connected during a sampling phase via a first switch to an output terminal and to an input of a first amplifier working into a storage capacitor by way of a second switch also closed during that phase. The capacitor is tied to one of two differential inputs of a second amplifier, the other differential input being connected to the output of the first amplifier upon closure of a third switch during a holding phase in which the first and second switches are open.

Abstract: Preionization is achieved in transverse-discharge gaseous lasers by means of the Malter effect. In two embodiments, the preionization is achieved either with a metal electrode which is the cathode during preionization and then is the anode during the subsequent pumping phase, or by means of a separate set of preionization electrodes. These preionization cathodes are metal electrodes, such as aluminum or tantalum electrodes, exhibiting high secondary electron emission by the Malter effect. High-field electron emission from these preionization cathodes is inherently possible because of a thin insulating layer on the surface. This layer separates positive ions attracted to the surface from the conducting metal and thereby creates a very high field gradient over a very short distance.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved switching circuit with overload protection for transforming a source of direct current power into a pulsating voltage of constant frequency and variable pulse duration adapted to be connected through a load to a first controllable rectifier of the switching circuit which in turn is connected through a current sensing resistor to a common circuit ground. The gate electrode of the first controllable rectifier is connected to a source of constant frequency pulses of variable duration. The secondary winding of a current transformer is connected from the common circuit ground in series with a diode, the cathode of which is connected to the anode of a second controllable rectifier, the cathode of the second controllable rectifier being connected to the common circuit ground. The gate of the second controllable rectifier is coupled to a source of pulses which are the exact complement to the pulses applied to the gate of the first controllable rectifier.

Abstract: A gas-discharge laser having a Brewster window near at least one of the reflectors which is secured directly to the laser tube. The Brewster window is secured to a surface of the laser tube and a normal to the window makes an angle equal to the Brewster angle with the axis of the laser tube. The surface may be a slot in the laser tube or a recessed end face of the laser tube near a reflector. An advantage is that the Brewster window may have any convenient diameter and that the laser tube need not be drilled to form a cavity.

Abstract: A flip-flop circuit comprises a pair of inversely operated first and second npn vertical transistors. The first npn transistor has dual collectors. Also provided are a pair of first and second pnp lateral transistors operated as loads and a pair of third and fourth pnp lateral transistors for triggering, each base of the first and second npn vertical transistors being connected to a collector of the second npn transistor and to one of the dual collectors of the first npn transistor, respectively. Each collector of the first and second pnp transistors is connected to said one of the dual collectors of the first npn transistor and to the collector of the second npn transistor, respectively.

Abstract: A sideband detector capable of detecting one of two mixing products and disregarding the other is provided. The characteristic of the invention is provided by feeding a sequential logic mixer in each of two channels by the output of a reference source which feeds one channel in phase and delayed to the second. An input signal is also simultaneously applied to both of the mixers. The mixer outputs then feed a sequential logic circuit for detecting the desired sideband.

Abstract: A circuit for switching a voltage between a pair of terminals by means of a thyristor, preferably a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR), connected at its anode to one of the terminals and at its cathode to the other terminal, is characterized by a control switch connected with a normally open contact thereof between the gate and the anode of the SCR, and with a normally closed contact controlling the voltage at the gate of the SCR. With the control switch in its normal or "off" condition, the SCR is nonconductive and the voltage at the gate thereof is controlled independently to adjust the voltage at which the SCR would be turned on by a rapidly increasing voltage between the terminals, i.e., to adjust its dv/dt withstand capability. With the switch in its "on" condition, the gate is disconnected from control voltage and connected to the anode of the SCR, thereby to minimize the gate current required to render the SCR conductive.

Abstract: An electron beam pumped gas laser includes an evacuated cavity adapted to house a lasing gas and an electron beam launching means (such as a field emission diode). Means are provided to insert a lasing gas into the cavity so as to produce a traveling density discontinuity. The diode is energized prior to the time the traveling density discontinuity reaches it so as to launch an electron beam under substantially evacuated conditions. The principles of the invention can also be applied to gaseous electron beam transport.

Abstract: A triple diffused interdigitated NPN transistor formed in an isolated N-epitaxial pocket of an otherwise standard NPN bipolar junction isolated integrated circuit. The N-type diffused collector pocket in the N-epitaxial layer lowers collector resistance of the triple diffused NPN device.

Abstract: A very low noise input charge coupled device employing switches to provide a voltage gain in all electrodes prior to or in conjunction with the transfer of the signal(s) into, for example, a shift register so as to insure a signal amplitude well above the noise level associated with the shift register of the charge coupled device.

Abstract: An arrangement for the determination and visualization of measuring signals having incident or thrown-in narrow and high-amplitudinal voltage peaks, in particular EKG signals which have pacemaker impulses superimposed thereon, including an RC-filter connected into the measuring signal path, a recognition element for recognizing the signal peaks, and an apparatus for the visual recording of the signals.

Abstract: A distributed Josephson junction logic circuit is disclosed which includes a plurality of serially disposed Josephson junctions in a superconductive wire-over-groundplane environment wherein the latter is terminated at both ends in its characteristic impedance and energized at one end with a constant voltage source. In addition, at least one portion of the wire-over-groundplane transmission line, which is disposed in series with the junctions, is utilized as an output control and has the same steady state current flowing in it as the plurality of Josephson junctions. Utilizing such an arrangement, logic can be performed by means of multiple controls on a single junction as in terminated line logic or by means of several junctions, each with one or more independent controls, in series. The design is such that the switching of any one or more junctions to the voltage state causes a decrease in current from a level which represents a logical "1" to a lesser current which is representative of a logical "0".