Abstract: An electron emitting, barium hafnate material for arc discharge lamp electrodes is manufactured by the method comprising the steps of: forming a mixture of barium carbonate and hafnium oxide in a 48 to 52 mole ratio; adding the mixture to a suitable carrier to form a slurry; ball milling the slurry for about 2 hours to form a powder mix; drying the powder mix; firing the dried powder mix in air at about 1500.degree. C. for about 22 hours to produce a product; and vibration milling the product in methanol with zirconia media to produce the barium hafnate. The latter material is then preferably vacuum impregnated into a tungsten electrode and hydrogen fired to produce a single phase barium oxide/hafnium oxide compound.

Abstract: An FED (10) utilizes a semiconductor junction to control the current flow (32) through an emission tip of the FED (10). The semiconductor junction is created between a conductive layer (12) and a doped semiconductor layer (14). The conductive layer (12) can be a metal or another doped semiconductor layer in order to form the semiconductor junction.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for correcting black shading errors in a video camera. The technique involves calculating a horizontal correction waveform as a function of the average pixel values for the columns of a field. Next, a vertical correction waveform is calculated as a function of the average pixel values for the rows of a field. Then, calculation of a diagonal correction waveform as a function of the average pixel values along predetermined diagonals is performed. Finally, an input video signal representing real images is combined with the correction waveforms to produce a video output signal having substantially reduced black shading errors. Correction waveforms can be determined in any order.

Abstract: A field emission display includes an insulating layer and an emitting layer disposed on the faceplate. A vacuum chamber is disposed between a backplane and the emitting layer and contains a getter. Apertures are defined through the insulating layer and the emitting layer for communicating contaminates from the faceplate to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A television camera lens diagnostic system for diagnosing the state of operation of a movable mechanism in a lens unit has a start button which generates a start signal for commanding initiation of the diagnosis when pushed and a diagnostic action commanding circuit commands the movable mechanism to take a predetermined action for the diagnosis upon receipt of the start signal. Potentiometers detects the actual action of the movable mechanism and a microcomputer determines whether the movable mechanism has trouble on the basis of the actual action of the movable mechanism detected by the potentiometers and the extent and the condition of the trouble are displayed.

Abstract: A microtip structure with high uniformity, low operating voltage and no resistive dissipation for a field emission display is described. A substrate is provided. A first conductive layer is formed on the substrate that acts as a cathode. A second conductive layer with a narrow circular opening acts as a gate. A first dielectric layer separates the cathode and the gate. The microtip extends up from the cathode and into the opening. A second dielectric layer is over the gate, with a circular opening that is larger than and concentric with the narrow circular opening in the gate. A means to provide a brief, charging voltage to the gate, followed by a longer operational voltage, wherein the amplitude of the operational voltage is lower than the amplitude of the charging voltage, is included.

Abstract: An image input apparatus, or "scanner," capable of adjusting the focal point of an image-forming optical system and pre-scanning the same portion of an original document for various focal points of the image-forming optical system. The various pre-scan images are displayed side-by-side on a display device so that an operator can compare images and select an appropriate focal point. The scanner includes an image-forming optical system which forms an image of an original source, an image pickup unit, positioned so as to correspond with the image-forming optical system, for sensing the image formed by the image-forming optical system, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the focus of the image-forming optical system, and a display device, interfaced to the image pickup unit, for displaying the image sensed by the image pickup unit.

Abstract: A body detector (10) detects when a body (12) is absent from a region (26) being monitored. The body (12) has a different dielectric constant than air. The region (26) is configured as a capacitor (20) in which the body (12), if present, serves as a dielectric. The capacitance of the capacitor (20) is measured (28). This measurement influences a baseline value (30). The capacitance is measured (38) a second time. The second measurement is checked to verify that it is within minimum (42) and maximum (46) values. In addition, it is checked to verify that it is within a more narrow range (54) that is defined in response to the baseline value. The second measurement is then used to adjust the baseline value and the process repeats. The range (54) within which the capacitance must stay slowly adapts to changes in the capacitance of the capacitor (20). Abrupt changes in the capacitance cause an alarm to be annunciated.

Abstract: A cadmium rare gas discharge lamp of the short arc type that has a high power of the spectra in a wavelength range of 210 nm to 230 nm and a stable lamp voltage in lighting operation for a long period. An arc tube 1 is provided within which are disposed opposed, spaced apart electrodes 2, 3 and thermal insulation films 6, 7. A rare gas is encapsulated together with metal cadmium and a quartz glass is used for the material of the arc tube whose OH radical has a weight content of no more than 200 ppm. Electrodes 4 and 5 are spaced apart no more than 10 mm, so that with a lamp current at least 20 amperes, an arc of the electrode-stable type is formed and radiant light of Cd ions obtained. For the encapsulated rare gas, in one embodiment at least one of the rare gases neon, argon or krypton, are used and are encapsulated at a gas pressure of 35 kPa to 2.5 MPa at a standard temperature of 25.degree. C. The arc tube 1 is formed of quartz glass, electrodes 2 and 3 are placed opposite one another.

Abstract: A one piece electrode for use in miniature and subminiature lamps having a large diameter post section and a smaller diameter lead-in section. The lead-in section is formed by an electrochemical process from a wire that has an outer diameter equal to the desired post diameter. A smooth evenly tapered transition section between the post and lead-in sections is created during the etching process which permits heat to pass through the electrode at a controlled and predictable rate.

Abstract: An electron gun having a stacked construction is provided, comprising a cylindrical shell, a cathode concentrically disposed within the shell, and at least one spacing ring disposed within the shell in abutting engagement with the cathode. The cathode is electrically insulated from the shell by the spacing ring, which is comprised of an electrically insulative material. The cathode and spacing ring are held together within the shell by simple mechanical force, such that the cathode and spacing ring can be readily detached from the shell as desired. An additional electrode, such as an anode or grid, may also be concentrically disposed within the shell, with a second spacing ring disposed in abutting engagement with the cathode and the electrode. A third spacing ring may also be disposed between the electrode and a shoulder portion of the shell disposed at an end thereof.

Abstract: An anode plate 50 for use in a field emission flat panel display device comprises a transparent planar substrate 58 having a plurality of electrically conductive, parallel stripes 52 comprising the anode electrode of the device, which are covered by phosphors 54.sub.R, 54.sub.G and 54.sub.B. A substantially opaque, electrically insulating material 56 is affixed to substrate 58 in the spaces between conductors 52, acting as a barrier to the passage of ambient light into and out of the device. The electrical insulating quality of opaque material 56 increases the electrical isolation of conductive stripes 52 from one another, reducing the risk of breakdown due to increased leakage current. Opaque material 56 preferably comprises glass having impurities dispersed therein, wherein the impurities may include one or more organic dyes, selected to provide relatively uniform opacity over the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp includes a discharge gas sealed in a lamp tube. The discharge gas includes a halide of rare earth metal. An auxiliary electrode is disposed on or adjacent to an outer periphery wall of the lamp tube such that the auxiliary electrode is capacitively coupled to an interior space of the lamp tube. A main induction coil is wound around the lamp tube and receives power from a first high frequency power source. The auxiliary electrode receives power from a second high frequency power source. In operation, the electrodeless discharge lamp attains smooth lighting upon starting or restarting.

Abstract: A vehicle obstacle monitoring system for alerting a driver to the presence of an obstacle within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. The system includes a signal generator which radiates a signal around the vehicle and a plurality of signal receivers encircling the exterior of the vehicle. A display monitor located in the interior of the vehicle displays a zone image around the car and alerts the driver to the presence of an obstacle within the zone.

Abstract: A size-arrayed emitter structure is disclosed for use in a field emission display device. The emitter structure is designed such that each emitter array (illustratively, an array comprising microtips 40 in a 5.times.5 matrix) has an emitter hole 52 size (critical dimension) distribution that is centered on the optimum hole critical dimension and extends past the point at which the emitter tip 40 will operate. If the manufacturing process varies and produces an actual critical dimension larger than the designed value, emitters with the designed critical dimensions smaller than optimal will shift toward optimal, and emitters with critical dimensions smaller than the minimum operating value will become operational, while emitters with designed critical dimensions larger than optimal will cease to function.

Abstract: A photomultiplier tube, image intensifier tube, or night vision device includes a cascade of plural microchannel plates which are physically and electrically connected together to provide an electron multiplication through the microchannel plate cascade. At least two adjacent microchannel plates in the cascade are also physically interbonded to one another. The bonding of the adjacent microchannel plates may be accomplished by use of a metallic interbonding layer covering all except a peripheral edge portion of at least one face of one or both of the bonded microchannel plates, which interbonding layer confronts and bonds with the other of the bonded microchannel plates. The interbonding layer may cover only a peripheral annular portion of the one face of the one bonded microchannel plate, or only sub-areas of this peripheral annular portion of this one microchannel plate. During manufacturing of such an image intensifier tube, the microchannel plates are initially fabricated and handled as individuals.

Abstract: Glare or stray light from a lamp is controlled by determining the location of a filament relative to a major axis of the ellipsoidal portion of a lamp envelope. Once the maximum deviation of the filament from the major axis has been determined, the lamp may be marked with indicia, or immediately secured to a base to assure the location of the filament in the final assembly of the headlamp. Any stray or glare light is then controlled or directed in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: An improved adapter bulb is provided for inserting within a rectangular base tail light socket of a powered vehicle for providing external electrical connection to a trailer lighting system. The adapter bulb includes a base member adapted to be disposed within a rectangular base tail light socket. The base member terminates in a rectangular contact portion having four electrical leads disposed substantially at each corner thereof thereby forming two pairs of substantially diagonally opposed electrical leads. A bulb is secured within the base member, and includes two filaments. Each filament is connected to one pair of the two pairs of substantially diagonally opposed electrical leads, that is, in a criss-cross relationship. Four wire leads are respectively joined, at one end, to one of the electrical leads, and at the other end to a diode. Two connectors for communicating with the trailer lighting system are each respectively joined to two of the four diodes, thereby defining two pairs of wire leads.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a field emission device is made by disposing emitter material on an insulating substrate, applying a sacrificial film to the emitter material and forming over the sacrificial layer a conductive gate layer having a random distribution of apertures therein. In the preferred process, the gate is formed by applying masking particles to the sacrificial film, applying a conductive film over the masking particles and the sacrificial film and then removing the masking particles to reveal a random distribution of apertures. The sacrificial film is then removed. The apertures then extend to the emitter material. In a preferred embodiment, the sacrificial film contains dielectric spacer particles which remain after the film is removed to separate the emitter from the gate. The result is a novel and economical field emission device having numerous randomly distributed emission apertures which can be used to make low cost flat panel displays.

Abstract: A photomultiplier uses an avalanche photodiode as a position-sensitive anode. The envelope of the photomultiplier has a flat input end. Electrically conductive regions mounted to the input end are configured to produce at the input end a potential distribution characteristic of a photomultiplier with a spherical-type input end as measured in a transverse plane immediately adjacent the spherical-type input end. A photocathode is located inside the photomultiplier and is electrically connected to the electrically conductivew regions. Advantageously, the envelope has flat sides and a square cross-section; in this instance, conductors are run along the sides to produce within the envelope a potential distribution characteristic of a photomultiplier which is cylindrical in cross-section, as measured at flat surfaces having the same shape as the envelope.