Abstract: A method of protecting silver reflectors from damage caused by contact with gaseous substances which are often present in the atmosphere and a silver reflector which is so protected. The inventive method comprises at least partially coating a reflector with a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide to a thickness of 15 .ANG. or less.

Abstract: A diffraction grating structure in the form of a substrate having a grating portion at an input surface thereof and a solid portion at an output surface thereof. A plurality of diffracting elements are formed in the grating portion, the diffracting elements having grooves, the depths thereof depending on the wavelength of incoming radiation impinging on the diffraction elements. The diffracting elements are formed at a selected slant angle with reference to a direction orthogonal to the plane of the input surface of the grating portion of the structure. The incoming radiation is redirected through the grating structure in a selected direction so as to be effectively concentrated at a selected spatial region.

Abstract: An interference filter is deposited on a high temperature transparent plastic film which passes normal incident radiation below 694 nm and reflects other wavelengths out to 1064 nm regardless of the angle of incidence of the laser radiation applied thereto. The interference filter is optically bonded directly onto a ballistic protective plastic substrate which transmits visible radiation thereby providing a laser shield having ballistic properties as well as laser radiation rejection properties. The ballistic protective plastic substrate may also contain absorbing dyes for absorbing laser radiation in the region of high sensitivity of 400 to 700 nm. The interference filter is then optically bonded directly onto the transparent ballistic protective plastic substrate thereby providing a protective laser shield having ballistic protection properties as well as hybrid filter properties both absorbing and reflecting laser radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing an X-ray mirror, having a substantially cylindrical mirror body and a reflecting mirror surface on the inner surface of the mirror body, includes a support post supporting the mirror body, and a male member which is inserted into an unfinished mirror body. The male member includes a chamber therein, an outer circumferential surface shaped in correspondence with the reflecting mirror surface, and a number of fine holes open to the outer circumferential surface. The male member is supported by a support section so that the outer circumferential surface faces the reflecting mirror surface with a required gap. An abrasive solution containing free abrasive grains is ejected toward the reflecting mirror surface from the outer circumferential surface of the male member through the fine holes, thereby polishing the reflecting mirror surface.

Abstract: A multifaceted aluminum scanwheel 11 mounted for rotation on a steel bearing assembly 19 is made less susceptible to thermally-induced stresses by the provision of a specially-configured web section 17 that extends between the hub 15 and facet ring portions 13 of the wheel 11. A circumferential, slotted jog section 45 provides the flexibility to relieve compressive forces in the web 17 which might distort either the bearing assembly 19 or the scanwheel facet ring 13, or both.

Abstract: A concentrator arrangement (10) consists of a plate (11) to which there is coupled a plurality of first stages (14) with parabolic side walls (2, 3) arranged parallel to one another. The first stages (14) are optically coupled with second stages (15) whose coupling surfaces with the first stages (14) and whose coupling surfaces with the solar cells (21) are square. The side walls as well as the front and rear walls of the second stages (15) are parabolically curved.

Abstract: A rearview mirror located in the interior of a motor vehicle passenger compartment, the support for the mirror being adjustable telescopically be the guided movement of an inner tube within an outer tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a viewing window assembly for observing gas-tight and pressure-tight closed chambers of installations from outside comprising a cylindrical frame made of metal, in which is arranged a transparent insert. The frame is made of a stainless steel of low coefficient of thermal expansion and the insert is made of a glass having a similar or still smaller coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A strain relieving channel 32 is provided between the hub 31 of a multifaceted scanwheel 15 and the bearing assembly 13 on which the hub 31 is mounted. Compression of the bearing assembly 13 and distortion of the scanwheel facets 29 due to thermally induced compression of the scanwheel web 33 are both reduced by bowing of the hub 31, made possible by the strain relieving channel 32.

Abstract: A method for driving an optoelectronic switching device such as a pnpn semiconductor device comprises applying a predetermined biased voltage to the optoelectronic semiconductor device, and supplying plural light inputs to the optoelectronic semiconductor device to which the predetermined biased voltage is applied. The plural light inputs are supplied to the optoelectronic semiconductor device intermittently with a predetermined period before carriers excited by a first input pulse of the plural light inputs become extinct. As a result, the number of light sources is decreased.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle rearview mirror assembly comprising a plastic mirror holding member and a plastic support member provided with cooperating integral connecting structures providing for relative pivotal movements about two perpendicular intersecting axes. The connecting structures having a snap-in relation providing large interengaging dual parallel truncated spherical surfaces and smaller interengaging segmental spherical surfaces all having a common centerpoint. The support member connects with a cooperating casing member to form a casing assembly carrying a remotely controlled power operated mechanism for effecting pivotal movements of the mirror holding member. A sensing mechanism is also carried within the casing assembly for enabling the power operated mechanism to be automatically controlled as well as manually controlled.