Abstract: Node-link data can be converted into audio outputs. For example, a system can generate a graphical user interface (GUI) depicting a node-link diagram having nodes and links. The GUI can include a virtual reference point in the node-link diagram and a virtual control element that is rotatable around the virtual reference point by a user to contact one or more of the nodes in the node-link diagram. The system can receive user input for rotating the virtual control element around the virtual reference point, which can generate a contact between the virtual control element and a particular node of the node-link diagram. In response to detecting the contact, the system can determine a sound characteristic configured to indicate an attribute associated with the particular node. The system can then generate a sound having the sound characteristic, for example to assist the user in exploring the node-link diagram.

Abstract: Geospatial data can be converted into audio outputs. For example, a system can receive a dataset indicating geospatial locations of objects within a region. Based on the dataset, the system can generate a virtual map representing the region and including virtual points representing the objects. The virtual points can be spatially positioned at locations in the virtual map corresponding to the geospatial locations of the objects in the region. The system can receive a user input via a user input device for interacting with a particular virtual point among the virtual points in the virtual map. The system can determine one or more sound characteristics for a sound based on receiving the user input. The system can then transmit an audio signal to an audio device for causing the audio device to generate the sound having the one or more sound characteristics, which may assist with exploring the virtual map.

Abstract: Geospatial data can be converted into audio outputs. For example, a system can receive a dataset indicating geospatial locations of objects within a region. Based on the dataset, the system can generate a virtual map representing the region and including virtual points representing the objects. The virtual points can be spatially positioned at locations in the virtual map corresponding to the geospatial locations of the objects in the region. The system can receive a user input via a user input device for interacting with a particular virtual point among the virtual points in the virtual map. The system can determine one or more sound characteristics for a sound based on receiving the user input. The system can then transmit an audio signal to an audio device for causing the audio device to generate the sound having the one or more sound characteristics, which may assist with exploring the virtual map.

Abstract: Process for treating molten mixtures of fluorozirconate glass to form high purity infrared transparent glass which is essentially free of zirconium fluoride disassociation impurities and anion impurities. The molten mixture or melt is treated with a moisture-free oxygen reactive atmosphere to prevent formation of disassociation impurities or to remove any of these impurities already present in the melt. The melt is also contacted simultaneously or subsequently with a fluorine species reactive gas to remove any oxygen anion impurities formed during the oxygen reactive atmosphere treatment of the melt to thereby provide a glass having complete fluorine stoichiometry and which is free of disassociation and anion impurities.

Abstract: A method for preparing ultra-pure metal tetrafluorides in which 3d such as Fe impurities are separated from impure material by a combined vaporization-electrolytic separation procedure. Sublimation and distillation methods are disclosed in combination with electrolytic separation by both emf-series displacement (ESD) and direct melt electrolysis (DME).

Abstract: Hot pressing of fluoride glasses is provided. These glasses are synthesized from ZrF.sub.4 -BaF.sub.2 and HfF.sub.4 -BaF.sub.2 systems. Hot pressing rough blanks in a closed die made of hard, polished, optically-figured material, such as cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide, is done by pressing the glasses at a temperature between that of the softening point of the glass and its crystallization temperature and at a pressure sufficient to cause flow of the glass at the pressing temperature. As a consequence, mechanical polishing steps on all glass surfaces is eliminated, thereby minimizing surface contamination.

Abstract: Improved multicomponent fluorozirconate glasses, doped with chlorine, and a process for making them are disclosed that are continuously transmissive in the infrared spectrum.

Abstract: A tetrafluoromethane (CF.sub.4) generator and process is disclosed that facilitates the relatively low temperature production of CF.sub.4 gas via controlled decomposition of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) and tetrafluoroethylene (C.sub.2 F.sub.4). CF.sub.4 produced via this process proves to be an excellent OH.sup.- scavenger in the processing and growth of metal fluoride single crystals.

Abstract: Single crystals, useful as laser emission compounds, having the formula ARF.sub.4 wherein A is potassium, sodium, or lithium, and R is holmium, yttrium, erbium, or dysprosium are prepared by a direct congruent melt crystal growth process that yields crystals exhibiting substantially superior physical and chemical characteristics compared to those grown by conventional methods.

Abstract: An invention directed to the preparation of laser windows from halide crystals purified by congruent growth from the melt by a reactive atmospheric processing method is disclosed. Single crystal refractory metal halides, and rare earth halides prepared by this invention can be used to produce laser windows of excellent mechanical, thermal, and optical properties.