Abstract: A method is described for the preparation of a DFB/DBR laser which includes an electro-optic grating formed by periodically modulating the index of refraction of the cladding employed. The method involves depositing a waveguide upon a semi-insulating or doped substrate and then depositing an active layer upon the resultant structure. The active layer is subsequently selectively etched and a cladding material deposited adjacent thereto and electrically isolated therefrom. The cladding is then selectively patterned with a conductive material by photolithographic techniques to yield a grating to periodically modulate the index of refraction.

Abstract: A disposable toothbrush system that includes a toothbrush and a one use supply of toothpaste that is easily carried in a pocket or the like and discarded after use. The disposable toothbrush system is packaged suitable for sale through vending machines and that includes a tubular, plastic film, outer package, a disposable toothbrush, and a toothpaste dispensing bladder assembly. The toothpaste dispensing bladder assembly includes a seamless, non-elastic, plastic film bladder member filled with toothpaste and has a dispensing end thereof adhesively attached to an interior surface of the tubular film outer package and heat sealed and crimped between two edge sections of the first end of the tubular, plastic film, outer package.

Abstract: A rocker-type switch having components which can be assembled by automatic assembly machines and do not require the intervention of a human operator. A star shaped spring provides the necessary forces to hold the rocker in a selected position and hold the rocker to a switch spacer and couple the rocker to a movable contact arm. The movable contact arm is inserted in the switch spacer. The star spring is assembled to the rocker and the rocker is assembled to the movable contact arm when the rocker is assembled to the switch spacer.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors, modulators and lasers with improved optical properties are provided with an atomically smooth transition between the buried conductive layer and quantum-well-diode-containing intrinsic region of a p-i-n structure. The buried conductive layer is grown on an underlying substrate utilizing a surfactant-assisted growth technique. The dopant and dopant concentration are selected, as a function of the thickness of the conductive layer to be formed, so that a surface impurity concentration of from 0.1 to 1 monolayer of dopant atoms is provided. The presence of the impurities promotes atomic ordering at the interface between the conductive layer and the intrinsic region, and subsequently results in sharp barriers between the alternating layers comprising the quantum-well-diodes of the intrinsic layer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically managing multimedia assets for use in a multimedia application. The method includes the step of storing a plurality of multimedia asset data files in the system memory. Next, the method includes automatically categorizing the multimedia asset data files. The method further includes the step of storing identifying information associated with each multimedia asset data file. The method concludes with the step of generating a set of multimedia application asset files based on the steps of categorizing and storing. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: This application discloses seven newly synthesized pentapeptide amides and our tetrapeptide amides. The synthesis utilized both naturally occurring and modified amino acids; the modified amino acids are constituents of the well known dolastatin 10 and dolastatin 15 which are structurally distinct peptides with excellent antineoplastic activity. These peptides were constructed by introducing a peptide bond between selected amino acids and modified amino acids and coupling the resulting di- and tri-peptides to obtain peptides having a high anticancer activity against a series of human cancer cell lines.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices such as photodetectors, modulators and lasers with improved optical properties are provided with an atomically smooth transition between the buried conductive layer and quantum-well-diode-containing intrinsic region of a p-i-n structure. The buried conductive layer is grown on an underlying substrate utilizing a surfactant-assisted growth technique. The dopant and dopant concentration are selected, as a function of the thickness of the conductive layer to be formed, so that a surface impurity concentration of from 0.1 to 1 monolayer of dopant atoms is provided. The presence of the impurities promotes atomic ordering at the interface between the conductive layer and the intrinsic region, and subsequently results in sharp barriers between the alternating layers comprising the quantum-well-diodes of the intrinsic layer.

Abstract: This application discloses seven newly synthesized pentapeptide amides and our tetrapeptide amides. The synthesis utilized both naturally occurring and modified amino acids; the modified amino acids are constituents of the well known dolastatin 10 and dolastatin 15 which are structurally distinct peptides with excellent antineoplastic activity. These peptides were constructed by introducing a peptide bond between selected amino acids and modified amino acids and coupling the resulting di- and tri-peptides to obtain peptides having a high anticancer activity against a series of human cancer cell lines.

Abstract: This invention involves an apparatus for terminating conduit, cable, and braided bundle in which the termination is accomplished with an interference fit between a collar and an end fitting. Once assembled, the conduit, cable, or braided bundle is compressed between the collar and the end fitting such that the final assembly can withstand the required level of axial and transverse force for the application, but not so much that the conduit, cable, or braided bundle loses its structural integrity.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are several pentapeptide methyl ester derivatives of dolatin 10, using both naturally occurring and modified amino acids. The selected modified amino acids are constituents of dolastatin 10 which is a structurally distinct peptide with excellent in vitro and in vivo antineoplastic activity.

Abstract: Conventional microfabrication techniques in conjunction with the precise growth of layers of single crystalline materials by epitaxial growth techniques allow the creation of electro-optic microstructures which achieve high reflectivity with only few periods of layer pairs. Standard lithographic techniques are utilized to fabricate quantum wells which are confined on both sides by air, acrylic resin, or vacuum. The quantum wells are fabricated from spatially and compositionally modulated III-V superlattices in which alternate layers of the structures are sacrificed by selective etching. The structures are patterned such that the quantum wells are suspended between support posts.

Abstract: A method of supplying power to a device such as a lunar rover located on a planetary surface is provided according to the present invention. At least one, and preferably three, laser satellites are set in orbit around the planet. Each satellite contains a nuclear reactor for generating electrical power. This electrical power is converted into a laser beam which is passed through an amplifying array and directed toward the device such as a lunar rover. The received laser beam is then converted into electrical power for use by the device.

Abstract: A hammer with interchangeable head and tail tool pieces where the head and tail pieces are inserted into tool voids in opposite ends of the hammer body and further having a removal pin for insertion into additional voids in the hammer body for urging the head and tail pieces out of the tool voids.

Abstract: A volumetric direct nuclear pumped laser has been developed in which the gas is a mixture of .sup.3 He and a minority gas from the group of argon, krypton, xenon, chlorine and fluorine. The mixture of .sup.3 He and the minority gas produces lasing with a minority gas concentration of from 0.01 to 10 percent argon, 1 percent krypton, 0.01 to 5 percent xenon and small concentrations of chlorine or fluorine.