Abstract: A superconducting structure is provided comprising a substrate, a superconductor coating supported by the substrate and a diffusion barrier positioned between the superconductor coating and the substrate to inhibit diffusion of contaminants from the substrate to the superconductor coating. The coating is a ceramic oxide having superconducting properties. The diffusion barrier may likewise be a ceramic oxide, but differs in its specific composition to provide it with a peritectic decomposition temperature greater than the superconductor coating. Accordingly, the diffusion barrier exhibits substantially lower atomic mobility than the superconductor coating during manufacture of the superconducting structure, thereby preventing contamination of the coating by the substrate.

Abstract: A barrier supported by an object, such as a satellite or missile for use in space, for scattering a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a predetermined range of wavelengths which range is within, but does not necessarily fully include, the range of about 0.2 micron to about 11 microns and emanating from a distant source of such radiation. The barrier includes a non-metallic layer formed by a large number of first components and large number of second components with each of the second components spacing adjacent ones of the first components. The first components have a relative high index refraction and the second components have a relatively low index of refraction. The optical thickness of at least a majority of the first and second components is within an order of magnitude of the wavelength of the radiation and both of the components are transparent at the wavelength of the radiation. The layer has a thickness between 0.2 micron and 1000 microns.

Abstract: A pre-existing superconductor ceramic which is bonded to a substrate is passed through a relatively short heating zone to melt the ceramic superconductor. As the superconductor is subsequently cooled after it has passed through the heating zone, a temperature gradient is established along the superconductor which causes the melted crystals to renucleate and grow along and parallel to the temperature gradient. The resulting crystalline structure exhibits improved superconducting properties when the superconductor is placed in the presence of a magnetic field. For appropriate applications, the substrate can be formed as a wire.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating at least one superconductive phase from a multiphase material which may contain multiple superconductive phases and a normal phase by the use of diamagnetic force. A material containing multiple phases is pulverized into granules approximately the grain size of a selected superconductive phase and is then subjected to a force to cause movement of the particles in a particular direction. The selected superconductive phase is made superconducting by cooling the material below its transition temperature. Diamagnetic force is then generated by an applied magnetic field which deflects and separates the superconducting granules but has substantially no effect on the nonsuperconducting granules. Conversely, the selected superconductive phase has a magnetic field applied to it and then is made superconducting to cause a separation.

Abstract: A high surface area substrate with controlled pore size and slot geometry is made by depositing at least two materials in alternating layers. The film is then broken up and one of the materials is etched away to produce a slotted surface structure. These slots can add size and shape selectively to separations and catalytic processes which because of the uniform and controllable dimensions (>5A) would be superior to that obtainable from zeolites and clays.

Abstract: A solar cell module is provided in which a plurality of solar cells are linearly arrayed on a support structure, preferably in a close packed configuration. Adjacent the linearly arrayed cells is a lengthwise land area having facets with light reflective surfaces, the grooves defined by the facets running the length of the linearly arrayed cells. A light transparent optical medium couples the facets and the solar cells. Importantly the facet surfaces are angularly disposed at a predetermined angle such that solar radiation incident on the facet surface will be reflected upwardly into the optical medium where it will be internally reflected downwardly onto a solar cell thereby enhancing the output of the module.

Abstract: Apparatus for optical switching which uses a fluid medium whose refractive index is matched to that of a highly dispersed optical scattering layer to provide optical transparency of said scatterer when immersed in the fluid media and optical reflection in the absence thereof. The fluid optical switch is embodied in a solar energy collector to provide overtemperature protection to collector components and further to provide a convenient means for turning off the collector during periods of nonuse.

Abstract: Low reflectivity surfaces are formed by particle track etching of a dielectric material such that the horizontal scale of surface texture is less than the wavelength of incident radiation and the depth of texture is equal to or greater than said wavelength. As a consequence, the reflection coefficient is thereby reduced by a factor of at least two, and light is more efficiently transmitted into the material. For solar cells encapsulated in transparent material, efficiency of absorption of solar radiation may be improved by at least about two times per etched surface, or to less than about 2% for the air/transparent material interface and to less than about 15% for the transparent material/solar cell interface.

Abstract: An optical switching device for reflecting incident light at or above a predetermined temperature comprises a layer of a metal sulfate salt solution in thermal contact with a source of heat. The solution is characterized as having decreasing salt solubility with increasing temperature. When the heat source exceeds a predetermined temperature, the solution precipitates a light scattering layer, substantially reflecting incident light.Embodied in a solar panel, the present invention provides automatic over-temperature control, reflecting light from the energy converter whenever panel temperature exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is disclosed which comprises a reflecting material, the surface of which is characterized by cavities of average depth D and of average spacing S such that for incident radiation of wavelength .lambda., S is less than about .lambda./20 and D is either greater than .lambda./6 or less than .lambda./6 and is capable of being altered to either less than or greater than .lambda./6, respectively.In the practice of the invention, the heat from a high intensity energy source, such as a laser operating in the ultraviolet, optical or near-infrared region or a beam of electrons, softens the reflective material at the surface and, depending on the sign of the surface energy, either increases or decreases D, thus lowering or raising the reflectivity of the surface, respectively.