Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a method for forming an insulating layer over a substrate surface comprises providing first and second raised portions extending from the substrate surface, the first and second portions extending distances X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 respectively, and X.sub.2 being greater than X.sub.1. An insulating layer of thickness T.sub.3 is deposited over the surface so as to conform to the topography of the substrate surface and raised portions and a flowable layer is then deposited over the insulating layer. The flowable layer is next flowed so as to yield a substantially planar surface and then thinned until that portion of the insulating layer that overlies the second portion is exposed. The flowable layer and the exposed surface of the insulating layer are then simultaneously thinned so as to remove a greater thickness of flowable layer than insulating layer. The thinning is stopped when that portion of the insulating layer that overlies the first portion is exposed.

Abstract: A sterile testing and dispensing apparatus is adapted for insertion into a sterile aseptically packaged container to permit the contents of the container to be tested and then dispensed. The apparatus includes a dispensing tube and a pH indicator removably received in the dispensing tube. When inserting the dispensing tube into the container through an appropriate hole or weakened area therein, the pH indicator is automatically exposed to the contents of the container. The pH indicator can then be withdrawn from the dispensing tube and visually examined to determine the presence or absence or spoilage.

Abstract: An electron discharge device, such as a photomultiplier tube, has an evacuated envelope with an alkali-antimonide photoemissive cathode therein. A thermionic emission-reduction coating is disposed within the envelope. The coating alloys with the constituents of the photoemissive cathode to reduce thermionic emission. The thermionic emission reduction coating is formed preferably of indium; however, indium oxide may also be used.

Abstract: An optical channel waveguide is manufactured by forming an optical isolation pedestal or ridge on a substrate and coating the substrate and pedestal with an optical channel layer. The optical channel waveguide is that portion of the optical channel layer which overlies the pedestal. Cladding layers may be added overlying the optical channel film or the cladding function may be performed by air. The disclosed process requires no high temperature diffusion steps and is thus suitable for manufacturing optical channel waveguides integrated on a semiconductor substrate with semiconductor devices. In addition, the entire process for manufacturing the optical channel waveguide may be carried out during a single pumpdown of a vacuum system.

Abstract: A process for preparing CuInSe.sub.2 crystals includes melting a sufficient quantity of B.sub.2 O.sub.3 along with stoichiometric quantities of Cu, In, and Se in a crucible in a high pressure atmosphere of inert gas to encapsulate the CuInSe.sub.2 melt and confine the Se to the crucible. Additional Se in the range of 1.8 to 2.2 percent over the stoichiometric quantity is preferred to make up for small amounts of Se lost in the process. The crystal is grown by inserting a seed crystal through the B.sub.2 O.sub.3 encapsulate into contact with the CuInSe.sub.2 melt and withdrawing the seed upwardly to grow the crystal thereon from the melt.

Abstract: A blood sampling tube preferably of glass is formed with a hermetic closure which is applied by press fitting and can be pulled off the tube. The closure has an annular cap in which the needle-pierceable membrane is secured and whose inner and outer walls flank the walls of the tube to the mouth of the cap, an annular portion of the membrane being compressed between the inner cap wall and the inner surface of the tube.

Abstract: A method for making a fluid lamp assembly which includes a fiberglass wick, consisting of approximately 100 individual fibers in a bundle, is inserted in a glass tube, adjusted with its tip a desired distance above opening, and fused in place by heating to 600 degrees Centigrade for 20 minutes. Fusing temperatures of from about 500 to 600 degrees Centigrade may be employed, for times of from about 10 minutes to about one hour, with a longer fusing time employed with lower temperatures. This provides a premanent wick that is not consumed in use of the lamp assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing sodium-containing glasses, by a vapor deposition process wherein a vapor mixture containing a sodium fluoroalkoxide compound is reacted to provide a particulate sodium-containing vapor deposition product which can be sintered to a glass.

Abstract: A process for producing a glass product having .DELTA.n, the difference between the central and peripheral portions of the glass, greater than 0.04. This process utilizes a porous glass body which is produced via a phase separation technique. A dopant selected from the group consisting of (1) TlNO.sub.3, (2) TlNO.sub.3 and an alkali metal compound and (3) TlNO.sub.3, Pb(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and an alkali metal compound is then permeated into the micropores of the porous glass product. A concentration gradient of the dopant is then formed by leaching out a portion of the dopant from the micropores. After the dopant is solidified in the mircopores, the porous glass product is dried. A heat-treatment step then serves to collapse the micropores. A glass product having a gradient of refractive indices is therby obtained.

Abstract: An arc discharge device such as a fluorescent lamp comprising a lamp envelope having an inner phosphor coating. An arc spreading assembly is disposed in or in close proximity to the lamp envelope. The lamp envelope is of an oval or elliptical cross-section and the major axis is a multiple of the minor axis of the lamp's cross-sectional shape. The lamp envelope is strengthened mechanically and protected against atmospheric pressure by being enclosed in an evacuated outer cylindrical protective envelope.

Abstract: Equipment for glass container manufacturing wherein a plunger used to form a parison in a glass container forming operation is provided with a cylindrical sleeve adapted to lock the plunger base end against a support member firmly fastened to a reciprocal piston. The sleeve is spring-loaded to hold it in operative position and permit lateral limited adjustment during operation, and may be manually elevated to facilitate quick rotative removal of installation of the plunger.

Abstract: A plasma ion source includes a discharge chamber in which a plasma is produced by plasma generator, with an acceleration electrode being disposed adjacent to the discharge chamber in order to extract ions from the produced plasma. A deceleration electrode is disposed adjacent to the acceleration electrode to decelerate the extracted ions, and a ground electrode is disposed adjacent to the deceleration electrode. An insulator container is disposed so as to surround the discharge chamber and the respective electrodes, and a shield ring electrode of ground potential is disposed in the vicinity of the deceleration electrode and along an inner wall surface of the insulator container in order to prevent any discharge from arising across the deceleration electrode and the ground electrode.

Abstract: A CRT comprising a screen support, a luminescent viewing screen on the support, a light-reflective metal layer on the screen, and a particulate layer of carbon particles and preformed silica particles on the metal layer. The particulate layer may be made by spraying a suspension of carbon (amorphous carbon and/or graphite) and silica (less than 0.1-micron size) on the metal layer while it is preheated in the 50.degree. to 75.degree. C. range.

Abstract: A polarization-preserving single mode fiber coupler, fabricated by a method which does not require mutually aligning the fiber polarization axes provided the actual misalignment angle is not close to 90.degree.. The protective jackets from two or more polarization-preserving single mode birefringent fibers are partially removed and the fibers are twisted around each other to bring them into contact over the jacketless region and provide a coupling length that is large compared to the birefringent beat length of the fibers. Next, the cladding layers of the fibers in the contacting region are partially etched without degrading the birefringent beat length over their coupling length. Then, the etched region is heated to the softening point of the fibers while axial tension is applied to taper and fuse the etched region until a desired coupling of the fibers is achieved. Finally, a mechanical supporting structure is added to the tapered and fused region of the fibers.

Abstract: A carrier arm for a glass blowing machine employing two or more holders with removable heads. The heads fit into the holders by the utilization of a bayonet fitting, and a retainer ring is provided that encircles the holders and maintains the heads in locked position in the holders without exerting any lateral forces on the heads.

Abstract: Method for producing a ceramic-glass-ceramic seal by the use of microwave energy, and a sealing mixture which comprises a glass sealing material, a coupling agent, and an oxidizer. The seal produced exhibits greater strength due to its different microstructure. Sodium nitrate is the most preferred oxidizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monocrystal pulling head.A carriage carrying the vertical pulling spindle, in which is placed a weight transducer, moves parallel to said axis under the action of a torque motor, which is controlled in position and speed and which is directly connected to the threaded rod of a screw - nut system. During its displacement, the carriage is guided by a rail, on which roll at least two pairs of rollers. A torque motor is mounted in the carriage for directly rotating the pulling spindle. Thus, the spindle displacement speeds are very accurately controlled. An electronic system integral with the pulling spindle processes the signals from the weight transducer. Contactless means make it possible to supply the electronic system, feed the useful information to the fixed parts and return thereto control instructions.

Abstract: A chemical sensor matrix is provided for sensing the presence of chemical agents by chemo-electronic means. The chemical sensor matrix is comprised of a plurality of resonators embedded in a single monolithic piece of piezoelectric crystal. The resonators are arranged in rectangular row and column configuration including m rows and n columns, each of the resonators being separated from its neighboring resonators by distances such that the resonant energies do not overlap. Each of the resonators is coated with a different chemical substance to be sensitive to a chemical agent to be detected so that when the chemical substance reacts with the chemical agent, the frequency f.sub.mn changes. Each of the rows of resonators bears a metallic electrode stripe for that row, and each of said columns of resonators bears a metallic stripe for that column. The electrode row stripes are positioned on the top surface of the crystal, and the electrode column stripes are positioned on the bottom surface of the crystal.

Abstract: Crystals containing a molten liquid at the bottom of a purifying tower are cooled, so that three effects i.e., washing, sweating and recrystallization are improved while maintaining a heat balance within a tower to thereby obtain highly pure crystals.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a wafer in the neck of a CRT has two groups of burners, one group provides the optimum temperature for sealing, the other group provides the optimum temperature for cutting off the cullet. The burners are arranged in an arc with the outer burners performing the cutting off operation and the inner burners performing the sealing operation.