Abstract: An apparatus for optically detecting electronic circuit malfunctions includes a light transmitting plate member which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a plurality of individual electronic circuit elements positioned on a printed circuit board. First and second polarizing filters are positioned adjacent to opposing edges of the light transmitting plate. As the individual electronic circuit elements positioned on the circuit board are operated, the nonuniform heating of the light transmitting plate by the circuit elements produces mechanical stresses within the plate. As monochromatic or white light is passed through the pair of polarizing filters and the light transmitting plate, a light/dark striated pattern of light is produced on the surface of the second polarizing filter. By recording the pattern of a properly operating printed circuit board, a reference pattern may be obtained. Subsequent patterns of light are compared to the reference pattern in order to detect differences between patterns.

Abstract: An atomic iodine laser based on the electrical dissociation of CF.sub.3 I in a gas mixture produces excited atomic iodine in the upper level of its split ground state which subsequently lases at 1.315 micrometers to the lowerlevel of its split ground state. The two level atomic iodine laser process excited by the electrical dissociation of CF.sub.3 I or other alkyl-mono-iodides or perfluro-alkyl-monoiodides is efficient and suitable for high average power levels for application in isotope separation, fusion and weapons systems. Bromides may be substituted for the iodines to provide a two level atomic bromine laser which lases at 2.714 micrometers.