Abstract: In order to bring about durable solder joints on transparent thin film electrodes which themselves are not solderable, the conductive layer is treated as follows. First, the conductive layer is applied in a vacuum and, more specifically, in the fully oxidized state, and then a solderable layer is generated on the conductive layer in the same vacuum. The electrode consists preferably of an indiumtin oxide and the solder layer consists of copper. The proposed coating technique is particularly simple since the solder layer requires neither an adhesion aid nor a corrosion protection layer. If it consists of copper, it can withstand without difficulty, if it is thick enough, even small thermal stresses such as occur for instance in the fabrication of liquid crystal displays with cementing frame.The layer system is particularly well suited for the electrode leads of electro-optical displays such as liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A device for capturing, guiding and concentrating light for coupling out of an outlet window comprising at least one flexible foil of synthetic material containing a fluorescent substance for converting ambient light into fluorescent light and means for forming an outlet for the fluorescent light. The device can include a second and/or a third flexible foil so that light going to the outlet windows passes through the second and third foils. In one embodiment, a pair of foils are arranged behind a liquid crystal display and each foil contains fluorescent material having a polarization plane extending at right angles to each other, an optical active layer is placed between the two foils which will rotate the direction of polarization and the means for forming an outlet is disposed on the outer surface of the one foil opposite from the liquid crystal cell so that a viewer sees the light modulated by the cell.

Abstract: A display device having a liquid crystal cell containing a medium, which can be switched zone-wise between at least two different optical states to form a light valve, a light trap in the form of a plate-shaped body disposed behind the liquid crystal cell when taken in a direction of observation of the device, the plate-shaped body having a material with an index of refraction greater than 1, containing fluorescent particles, and possessing a light emergent or outlet window at the rear of each switchable zone of the liquid crystal cell characterized by the light emergent or outlet windows comprising a groove in the plate and a light scattering surface disposed between the groove and the medium of the liquid crystal cell.

Abstract: An improved display device having a light valve unit or display and a fluorescent plate characterized by a frame member for holding the light valve unit and fluorescent plate with the exit windows of the fluorescent plate being aligned with the switchable zones of the light valve unit. Preferably, the frame member will pass light which will excite the fluorescent particles of the fluorescent plate but will not allow passage of the fluorescent light so that a high contrast of the display can be obtained. The frame, which is preferably molded of synthetic plastic, can contain fluorescent particles, which emit light at a frequency range that does not impair the optical contrast of the display and which can be utilized to charge a battery for an auxiliary illumination device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device characterized by a liquid crystal cell having a layer of liquid crystal material, which is switchable on a zonal basis between various optical states, interposed between a front and rear carrier plates; a fluorescent plate which is disposed behind the rear carrier plate of a liquid crystal cell in the path of observation and has light emergent or exit windows disposed behind the switchable liquid crystal zones; and at least one supplemental light source in optical contact with the fluorescent plate to provide light for exciting fluorescent centers in the fluorescent plate. The fluorescent plate has silvered edge surfaces and consists of a material which has an index of refraction greater than 1 and contains the fluorescent centers which are excited by ambient light to emit a fluorescent light isotropically. Preferably, the liquid crystal layer is interposed between front and rear electrodes which control the optical properties of the layer.

Abstract: 5-amino-1,2,3-thiadiazoles of the formula ##STR1## are made by reacting halogenoacetaldehydes of the formulaX--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.O IIwith hydrazine derivatives of the formulaH.sub.2 N--NH--COR IIIpreferably in an aqueous medium or in a mixture of an aqueous medium with organic solvents so as to form acylhydrazones of the formulaX--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.N--CH--CO--R IVwhereupon the latter are reacted with thionylchloride of the formulaSOCl.sub.2 Vwhereby 5-halogeno-1,2,3-thiadiazoles are formed which are then reacted with ammonia preferably in the presence of a catalyst such as a mineral acid or Lewis acid whereby the desired product is obtained. The products are useful in making plant protection agents and herbicides such as the 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl-urea derivatives.

Abstract: An extensible boom for portable lights has a two-part base. One part of the base is fixed to a trailer or other vehicle and the other part is rotatable with respect thereto about a vertical axis. Hinged to the rotatable part about a horizontal axis is a telescopic multisection boom. A first winch elevates the boom from horizontal to vertical position. A second winch controls a cable system located inside the boom sections to elevate the boom. A manually extensible top boom section may be used to increase the maximum height.