Abstract: A contact lens has front and rear surfaces, the rear surface having a base curve fits the eye of a wearer. The front surface has a central circular zone which is substantially spherical and which, together with the base curve, generates a central zone power selected so as to correct near vision of the wearer. The front surface also has an annular outer zone which is substantially spherical and which, together with the base curve, generates an outer zone power which is less than the central zone power. The front surface further includes an annular region, intermediate the central and outer zones, having one or more contiguous intermediate annular zones, each of which is substantially spherical. The one or more intermediate annular zones generate respective one or more intermediate zone refractive powers in a monotonic progression of decreasing refractive power from the central zone to the annular outer zone.

Abstract: An ion source for an ion implanter is provided, comprising: (i) a sublimator (52) having a cavity (66) for receiving a source material (68) to be sublimated and for sublimating the source material; (ii) a gas injector (104) for injecting gas into the cavity (66); (iii) an ionization chamber (58) for ionizing the sublimated source material, the ionization chamber located remotely from the sublimator; and (iv) a feed tube (62) for connecting the sublimator (52) to the ionization chamber (58). The gas injected into the cavity may be either helium or hydrogen, and is designed to improve the heat transferability between walls (64) of the sublimator (52) and the source material (68).

Abstract: A method of implanting ionized icosaborane (B20HX), triantaborane (B30HX), and sarantaborane (B40HX) into a workpiece is provided, comprising the steps of (i) vaporizing and ionizing decaborane in an ion source (50) to create a plasma; (ii) extracting ionized icosaborane, triantaborane, and sarantaborane (collectively “higher order boranes”) within the plasma through a source aperture (126) to form an ion beam; (iii) mass analyzing the ion beam with a mass analysis magnet (127) to permit ionized icosaborane (B20HX+) or one of the other higher order boranes to pass therethrough; and (iv) implanting the ionized icosaborane (B20HX+) or one of the other higher order boranes into a workpiece. The step of vaporizing and ionizing the decaborane comprises the substeps of (i) vaporizing decaborane in a vaporizer (51) and (ii) ionizing the vaporized decaborane in an ionizer (53).

Abstract: A method of implanting ionized icosaborane (B20HX), triantaborane (B30HX), and sarantaborane (B40HX) into a workpiece is provided, comprising the steps of (i) vaporizing and ionizing decaborane in an ion source (50) to create a plasma; (ii) extracting ionized icosaborane, triantaborane, and sarantaborane (collectively “higher order boranes”) within the plasma through a source aperture (126) to form an ion beam; (iii) mass analyzing the ion beam with a mass analysis magnet (127) to permit ionized icosaborane (B20HX+) or one of the other higher order boranes to pass therethrough; and (iv) implanting the ionized icosaborane (B20HX+) or one of the other higher order boranes into a workpiece. The step of vaporizing and ionizing the decaborane comprises the substeps of (i) vaporizing decaborane in a vaporizer (51) and (ii) ionizing the vaporized decaborane in an ionizer (53).

Abstract: An ion source (50) for an ion implanter is provided, comprising a remotely located vaporizer (51) and an ionizer (53) connected to the vaporizer by a feed tube (62). The vaporizer comprises a sublimator (52) for receiving a solid source material such as decaborane and sublimating (vaporizing) the decaborane. A heating mechanism is provided for heating the sublimator, and the feed tube connecting the sublimator to the ionizer, to maintain a suitable temperature for the vaporized decaborane. The ionizer (53) comprises a body (96) having an inlet (119) for receiving the vaporized decaborane; an ionization chamber (108) in which the vaporized decaborane may be ionized by an energy-emitting element (110) to create a plasma; and an exit aperture (126) for extracting an ion beam comprised of the plasma. A cooling mechanism (100, 104) is provided for lowering the temperature of walls (128) of the ionization chamber (108) (e.g., to below 350° C.

Abstract: An ion source (50) for an ion implanter is provided, comprising a remotely located vaporizer (51) and an ionizer (53) connected to the vaporizer by a feed tube (62). The vaporizer comprises a sublimator (52) for receiving a solid source material such as decaborane and sublimating (vaporizing) the decaborane. A heating mechanism is provided for heating the sublimator, and the feed tube connecting the sublimator to the ionizer, to maintain a suitable temperature for the vaporized decaborane. The ionizer (53) comprises a body (96) having an inlet (119) for receiving the vaporized decaborane; an ionization chamber (108) in which the vaporized decaborane may be ionized by an energy-emitting element (110) to create a plasma; and an exit aperture (126) for extracting an ion beam comprised of the plasma. A cooling mechanism (100, 104) is provided for lowering the temperature of walls (128) of the ionization chamber (108) (e.g., to below 350° C.

Abstract: A method and converter topology for ensuring charge and discharge of electric current to a coil so as to allow simultaneous and independent charge and discharge thereof, particularly suitable for a superconducting coil and showing an increase in power transfer by a factor of up to two as compared with prior art converters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analyzing changes in continuously measured hemodynamic parameters in response to a set of predetermined changes in airway pressure or tidal volume. The method is generally called "respiratory systolic variation test" (RSVT). The analysis of the change in the hemodynamic parameter in response to such airway pressure maneuver serves as a non-invasive or minimally invasive method of assessing the cardiovascular status, particularly the volume responsiveness of the patient.

Abstract: A chew toy for dogs comprises a plurality of threads of soft pliable material having a knot tightly formed therein and a skirt of a soft durable material disposed about a portion of the threads. The skirt is secured within the knot with the threads disposed throughout the skirt and projecting therefrom. The skirt is closed about the threads so as to secure the threads in place within the skirt. A second portion of the threads projects from the knot on a side thereof opposite from the skirt.

Abstract: An improved ion detection system and method for detection of low or high mass ions. A target having a low work function, photoemissive surface layer is employed to fragment the incident ions and produce secondary negative ions and electrons. The target surface preferably is formed of a thin layer of an alkali antimonide compound, bialkali antimonide compound, multi-alkali antimonide compound, cesiated III - V semiconductor compound, or other photoemissive material having a relatively low band gap energy and electron affinity. Additionally, the photoemissive material should have a low thermionic emission level at room temperature to reduce noise levels in the detector. The secondary ions and electrons may be detected by a conventional electron multiplier detector. The potential difference between the target surface and electron multiplier detector is chosen to accelerate the secondary ions and electrons to the electron multiplier detector with an energy corresponding to high detection efficiency.

Abstract: An improved ion detection system and method for detection of low or high mass ions having high electron affinity constituent atoms or molecules. A target with a low work function target surface is employed to fragment the incident ions and produce secondary negative ions and electrons. A cesium or barium oxide source is employed to optimally provide a monolayer of cesium or barium oxide on the target surface of a molybdenum or tungsten target. The secondary ions and electrons are detected by a conventional electron multiplier detector. The potential difference between the target surface and electron multiplier detector is chosen to accelerate the secondary ions and electrons to the electron multiplier detector with an energy corresponding to high detection efficiency.

Abstract: A nail puller which is an assembly of a front hollow tube having a diamond-shaped end opening which fits over and engages the nail head and a handle, and having an intermediate member which extends from the handle into the end of the hollow tube opposite the nail-engaging end for completing the assembly of the nail puller.

Abstract: A process for producing ultrafine particles includes the steps of providing a consumable electrode having a rod or wire configuration, melting the tip of the electrode by means of electron bombardment, and applying an intense electric field to the molten tip to generate a beam of charged droplets. By heating the tip of the rod but avoiding melting of the tip and subsequently applying an electric field to the heated tip, an ion beam may be generated.

Abstract: Impure silicon, in relatively thin sheet form is purified by heating it in the presence of a strong electric field to ionize and remove impurity elements. Ion bombardment may be used to dislodge impurities accumulating on the surface of the sheet.

Abstract: An improved system for generating an ion beam comprises a nozzle through which a gas to be ionized is fed, and a ring electrode encircling the tip of the nozzle. High positive potential and negative potential are applied to the nozzle and ring electrode, respectively, to create a high intensity electric field. The gas atoms passing through the capillary nozzle are ionized, and the ions so created are accelerated in a direction forwardly from the nozzle by the field. The current level or "brightness" of the ion beam so generated may be controlled by varying the pressure of the gas supplied to the nozzle, or the electrical potential difference applied between the nozzle and ring electrode.

Abstract: Amorphous or microcrystalline alloy powder is prepared by the rapid quenching of ultrafine metallic spheroids generated from the molten metal state. The molten metal droplets are formed when an intense electric field (10.sup.5 V/cm) is applied to the surface of liquid metal held in a suitable container. The interactions between the intense electric field and liquid surface tension disrupts the metal surface, resulting in a beam of positively charged droplets. The liquid metal spheres generated by this electrohydrodynamic process are subsequently cooled by radiative heat transfer. Rapid cooling of the droplets may be accomplished by heat transfer to a low pressure gas by free molecular heat conductivity. Quenching rates exceeding 10.sup.6 .degree.K./sec are possible using this technique. Thin film coatings are prepared by electrohydrodynamically spraying a beam of charged droplets against a target (substrate). The target can be electrically controlled to effect the charged particles impact.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating materials, particularly isotopes of heavy metals. An electrohydrodynamic source of positive ions directed in a beam to a transverse magnetic field which deflects the ions along paths which carry the different mass ions to different collectors. An ion source incorporating a container for molten material, a pressure system for delivering the liquid material to a capillary tube, and a high voltage power supply providing an intense electrostatic field at the tube end for producing ions by field emission.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transferring semi-conductor discs to and from a slab-form quartz boat which apparatus includes a carrier having a pair of hingedly attached shells having a plurality of opposed slots; the method including the receiving and discharge of discs by and from the slots in the carrier, into and from cooperative slots in the said quartz boat by the pivotal opening and closing of the shells of the carrier.