Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting for quantitative analysis ions of selected atomic components of a sample. A lens system is configured to provide a slowly diminishing field region for a volume containing the selected atomic components, enabling accurate energy analysis of ions generated in the slowly diminishing field region. The lens system also enables focusing on a sample of a charged particle beam, such as an ion beam, along a path length perpendicular to the sample and extraction of the charged particles along a path length also perpendicular to the sample. Improvement of signal to noise ratio is achieved by laser excitation of ions to selected autoionization states before carrying out quantitative analysis. Accurate energy analysis of energetic charged particles is assured by using a preselected resistive thick film configuration disposed on an insulator substrate for generating predetermined electric field boundary conditions to achieve for analysis the required electric field potential.

Abstract: Removal of abnormal human tissue with reduced thermal damage is achieved by selecting a laser having a wavelength in the order of 290-400 nm, orienting a laser-transmitting glass member toward the abnormal tissue and directing the laser through the glass member at power densities, pulse rates, and times sufficient to cause multiphoton absorption and bond breaking by Coulomb repulsion rather than thermal destruction. The glass member may include a laser beam concentrator provided by a lens or cone at the tissue-treatment end to increase the beam energy per unit area and reduce the treatment area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for trace and other quantitative analysis with high efficiency of a component in a sample, with the analysis involving the removal by ion or other bombardment of a small quantity of ion and neutral atom groups from the sample, the conversion of selected neutral atom groups to photoions by laser initiated resonance ionization spectroscopy, the selective deflection of the photoions for separation from original ion group emanating from the sample, and the detection of the photoions as a measure of the quantity of the component. In some embodiments, the original ion group is accelerated prior to the RIS step for separation purposes. Noise and other interference are reduced by shielding the detector from primary and secondary ions and deflecting the photoions sufficiently to avoid the primary and secondary ions.

Abstract: A vapor phase method for the synthesis of MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 products, including MgO--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2 glasses of optical quality, wherein SiCl.sub.4, aluminum halide, and organometallic magnesium vapors are oxidized by flame oxidation and the oxides collected and sintered to glass or ceramic products, is described. A added shield gas stream is provided during flame oxidation of the vapors to reduce or prevent MgCl.sub.2 by-product formation at the burner and in the product.

Abstract: A wet electrostatic precipitator (10) including a plurality of removable nested collecting electrodes or plates (36) forming a repeating pattern of hexagonal collecting zones (44) throughout the precipitator (10). Each collecting plate (36) is formed with a sixty degree bend along two opposing longitudinal edges so as to allow three plates (36) to form a self-nesting Y-shaped intersection point (46). Six points (46) form a hexagonal collecting zone (44). The plates (36) are removable thereby expediting replacement. A plurality of strategically placed spray nozzles (34) provide wash fluid to the plates (36). Magnet sets (56 and 58) provide for discharge electrode (18 and 18A) alignment and rapping.

Abstract: A flash smelting burner is provided which consists of an assembly of feed pipes for solids and gas, which discharge into a mixing tunnel, the feed pipes being concentric at the point of discharge so that gas is fed into the mixing tunnel from an annular opening between the feed pipes, the solids feed pipe having a bend therein and being provided with apertures which enable a small proportion of the gas stream to enter the solids feed pipe at the bent region thereof.

Abstract: In the installation of a jacket or substructure component of an offshore platform on the sea floor over an underwater fixture containing one or more wellheads, a jacket is first ballasted to rest in a vertical orientation on the sea floor. Power winches are mounted atop the jacket above the water line and anchored mooring lines are connected to the winches via fairlead sheaves which define points of attachment for the mooring lines to the jacket. The jacket is deballasted to float with a near sea bottom clearance and is maneuvered horizontally with the power winches toward the underwater fixture. Docking guides carried by the jacket engage vertical guideposts driven drilled into the sea floor at preselected locations relative to the underwater fixture to align the jacket with the underwater fixture. The jacket is then lowered into the desired on-bottom position during controlled ballasting procedures. Finally, piles are driven through hollow jacket columns to anchor the jacket to the sea bottom.

Abstract: A method for separating specific isotopes present in an isotopic mixture by aerodynamically accelerating a gaseous compound to form a jet of molecules, and passing the jet through a stream of electron donor atoms whereby an electron transfer takes place, thus forming negative ions of the molecules. The molecular ions are then passed through a radiofrequency quadrupole mass filter to separate the specific isotopes. This method may be used for any compounds having a sufficiently high electron affinity to permit negative ion formation, and is especially useful for the separation of plutonium and uranium isotopes.

Abstract: A method for joining two or more jacket or substructure components of an offshore platform in the water to form a single jacket unit. An offshore platform is located in deep water by dividing a jacket or support of extensive length therefor into at least two sections which have only sufficient buoyancy to float at water surface when the sections are launched from at least a vessel at a selected location. The sections are aligned and connected together. Guide means ensure proper alignment of the legs of the sections. Access tubes from the surface of the water to the hollow legs permit direct internal welding in securing the legs of the sections together. The sections are then sunk at the selected location until the jacket is in an upright position at which point it is anchored by driving piling through the jacket's hollow legs into the sea floor, following which the deck of the platform is placed or stabbed on the anchored jacket.