Abstract: A natural gas detection system is provided for use with a vehicle. A natural gas detector apparatus is mounted to the vehicle so that the vehicle transports the detector apparatus over an are of interest at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. The detector apparatus includes a transmitter section and a receiver section displaced a preselected distance from each other. The transmitter section has a light source transmitting a light beam to the receiver section forming a beam path therebetween. The apparatus is arranged such that natural gas intercepts the beam path and absorbs representative wavelengths of the light beam. The receiver section receives a portion of the light beam onto an electro-optical etalon for detecting the gas. A method of detecting natural gas is also provided. The method has the steps of providing a vehicle and mounting a natural gas detector apparatus to the vehicle. The detector apparatus has a transmitter section and a receiver section displaced a preselected distance from each other.

Abstract: Stereo-regular polymers are produced by forming a moving stream of gaseous monomer having an electric dipole moment, irradiating the monomer with monochromatic light of a wavelength suitable for activating it, and orientating the activated monomer in an electric field. The activated, oriented monomer then polymerizes to form a stereo-regular polymer.Alternatively, a monomer of the general formula ##STR1## can be used, where at least one of the R groups, the resonating R group, forms an electric dipole moment with the remainder of the monomer. The monomer is then irradiated with a monochromatic light beam having a frequency which resonates with a harmonic frequency resulting from the bond between the resonating R group and the remainder of the monomer. Activation of that particular bond on that particular type of monomer results in a stereo-regular polymer.For best results, however, the two methods are combined.

Abstract: Stereo-regular polymers are produced by forming a moving stream of gaseous monomer having an electric dipole moment, irradiating the monomer with monochromatic light of a wavelength suitable for activating it, and orientating the activated monomer in an electric field. The activated, orientated monomer then polymerizes to form a stereo-regular polymer.Alternatively, a monomer of the general formula ##STR1## can be used, where at least one of the R groups, the resonating R group, forms an electric dipole moment with the remainder of the monomer. The monomer is then irradiated with a monochromatic light beam having a frequency which resonates with a harmonic frequency resulting from the bond between the resonating R group and the remainder of the monomer. Activation of that particular bond on that particular type of monomer results in a stereo-regular polymer.For best results, however, the two methods are combined.

Abstract: A reaction system is disclosed wherein a moving, unidirectional stream of an activatable gaseous species is produced, the individual members of which have the forward components of their velocities at least 10 times greater than the lateral components of their velocities. The stream is irradiated with substantially monochromatic light having a frequency which activates at least some of the individual members of the species. The activated members can then be reacted with another stream or otherwise utilized.

Abstract: A method for deriving, from a starting material including an element having a plurality of isotopes, derived material enriched in one isotope of the element. The starting material is deposited on a substrate at less than a critical submonatomic surface density, typically less than 10.sup.16 atoms per square centimeter. The deposit is then selectively irradiated by a laser (maser or electronic oscillator) beam with monochromatic coherent radiation resonant with the one isotope causing the material including the one isotope to escape from the substrate. The escaping enriched material is then collected. Where the element has two isotopes, one of which is to be collected, the deposit may be irradiated with radiation resonant with the other isotope and the residual material enriched in the one isotope may be evaporated from the substrate and collected.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are produced by activating a mixture of carbon monoxide and water with monochromatic light. Preferably, a unidirectional stream of steam activated with a laser at 5400 cm..sup.-1 collides with a carbon monoxide stream to effect the reaction. The carbon dioxide can then be reacted with water to produce formaldehyde. Ketene and water are produced by exposing the formaldehyde to ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A unique imaging device operating in the far infrared is provided by utilng fiber optic techniques. The system is used to improve the performance of photoconductive and thermoresistive type retinas.