Abstract: Organic photochromic materials comprising a photochromic dye and a resinous material can be stabilized with a protective coating which will protect them from deactivation by exposure to moisture, oxygen, various plastic host materials, reactive chemicals or even normal atmospheric conditions. Useful organic photochromic dyes include the spiropyrans, the spirooxazines, the metal dithizonates, the phenazines, the phenothiazines and other known photochromic compositions. Useful resinous materials include vinyl-type thermoplastics, cellulosic materials, polyesters, epoxy resins and aminoplast resins. The encapsulated photochromic materials of the invention comprise an organic photochromic dye in combination with an organic resinous material enclosed within an outer shell of an inorganic material and find use in the preparation of photochromic plastic films, sheets, ophthalmic lenses such as lenses for sunglasses and in camera lenses and filters.

Abstract: Rare earth elements with partially filled 4f electron shells are used to form a class of absorption type band pass optical filters. The rare earth elements are advantageously incorporated in glass at concentrations with the rare earth atoms constituting upwards of 15% of all the metallic atoms. Filters with pass bands less than 5% of the center wavelength are realized.

Abstract: Inorganic photochromic crystalline particles which are particularly useful in ophthalmic quality plastic host materials are formed for instance utilizing a silver halide crystal whose dimensions lie generally in the range between 30 Angstroms and 10,000 Angstroms. The surface of the silver halide crystal is coated with an inorganic material in an effective thickness to render the coating resistant to diffusion from within and to protect the crystal from interaction with host material. The stabilized coated particles can be introduced by known schemes into plastic host materials in order to form photochromic plastic articles useful in the preparation of films, sheets, filters for cameras, wall panels and ophthalmic lenses and other optical devices.

Abstract: 1. In a laser, a solid luminescent sensitive element of Fabrey-Perot optical regenerative configuration and consisting essentially of a clear glass activated with trivalent ytterbium ions.

Abstract: A laserable material with a host of non-gaseous, non-periodic atomic structure is provided. The host material is plastic and dispersed in solid solution within the plastic is a chelate of a rate earth metal. The material exhibits narrow-line fluorescence when excited by a high energy light source.

Abstract: Organic photochromic materials comprise a photochromic pigment stabilized with a protective inorganic coating which serves to protect the pigments from deactivation by exposure to moisture, oxygen, various plastic host materials, reactive chemicals or even normal atmospheric conditions. Useful organic photochromic pigments include the anils, hydrazones, semicarbozones, osazones, sydnones, fulgides and others. Inorganic coatings comprising such materials as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, antimony oxide and silicon dioxide are useful in the preparation of photochromic plastic films, sheets, ophthalmic lenses such as lenses for sunglasses and in camera lenses and filters.