Abstract: An improved electro-optic modulator for a light valve device of the kind wherein the modulator is sandwiched between cross polarizer elements. The modulator includes a ferroelectric ceramic panel having a plurality of parallel grooves forming intervening parallel walled ridge portions. A series of address and reference electrode pairs are formed on the ridge side walls with each electrode pair being substantially parallel and opposingly centered on a normal across the intervening ridge portion. The electrode pairs of the series are staggered in location along respective ridge portions to define an array having a linear direction at about 45.degree. to the direction of the panel grooves. The panel can be oriented between the polarizer elements with the polarization directions of the elements parallel to and perpendicular to the linear direction of the array.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for angularly deflecting and intensity modulating a laser beam. Specifically, an acousto-optic cell is driven by a signal that causes a laser beam incident thereon to be deflected through an angular range .DELTA..theta. and intensity modulated in accordance with a number of pixels N.sub.pix of information per angular deflection range .DELTA..theta.. The number of pixels N.sub.pix per angular range .DELTA..theta. is, in accordance with the invention, substantially larger than a resolution parameter N.sub.res defined by ##EQU1## where .DELTA.f is the frequency range in the drive signal which produces the angular deflection .DELTA..theta., D is the effective diameter of the incident laser beam, V.sub.s is the acoustic velocity of the acousto-optic cell, and .epsilon. is a constant referred to as the "beam separation constant" and is defined below.

Abstract: Radiation is directed toward a support through an ordered array of lateral walls to form interlaid radiation-exposed and shadowed microareas on the support. A first composition is then located on the support in either the shadowed or unshadowed microareas. At least one additional composition is then positioned on the support in laterally displaced microareas forming an interlaid pattern with the first microareas.

Abstract: Radiation is directed toward a support through an ordered array of lateral walls to form interlaid radiation-exposed and shadowed microareas on the support. A first composition is then located on the support in either the shadowed or unshadowed microareas. At least one additional composition is then positioned on the support in laterally displaced microareas forming an interlaid pattern with the first microareas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laser printer for printing alphanumeric characters and the like on a photosensitive surface. An acoustooptic cell, in cooperation with its driving circuitry, serves to diffract an incident laser beam to produce two or more first-order diffracted beams, and to deflect such beams in a common plane through discrete angular ranges to produce tandem scan lines on a photosensitive surface. A data source, such as a character generator or programmed computer, is used to modulate the intensity of each of the diffracted beams independently so that the tandem scan lines collectively define a full column (or row) of picture elements of information to be printed.

Abstract: A planar array of microcells is formed in a support. An electrostatic charge pattern is established on the support differentiating first and second interlaid sets of microcells. An electrographic imaging composition is introduced into the first set of microcells, and a second, differing imaging composition is introduced into the second set of microcells. Multicolor photographic elements, particularly dye image transfer photographic elements, can be prepared.

Abstract: In an electrostatic stylus recorder, a DC biased RF field is produced between the writing styli and the dielectric recording element. The DC bias prevents charged gas ions from bombarding and thereby abrading the dielectric recording element during electrical discharge between the styli and the recording element.

Abstract: Acoustooptic apparatus for intensity modulating and angularly deflecting a beam of coherent light includes optical means for spreading the beam into a sheet having a cross-sectional shape with a major axis and a minor axis, acoustooptic cell means in the path of the sheet beam and electrical-to-mechanical transducers associated with the cell means for propagating variable amplitude acoustic waves across the beam in the direction of the beam's minor axis and for propagating variable frequency acoustic waves across the beam in the direction of the beam's major axis.

Abstract: An acoustooptic deflection cell diffracts a multi-color beam into a plurality of different mono-color beams of distinct scan angles. An optical system intercepts the diffracted light beams, equalizes the differenct scan angles and realigns the beams to register at an image plane. Equalization of the scan angles may be accomplished by a prism system, while realignment may be done with a mirror system.

Abstract: An acoustooptic material comprising a sterically hindered polyphenyl compound is disclosed. The material is typically a chlorinated para-terphenyl compound. The material is characterized in that its sound attenuation is lower than 10 dB/cm at 40 MHz measured at about 25.degree. C. In another aspect, the polyphenyl compound is mixed with other polymers to form useful acoustooptic materials. In yet another aspect, an acoustic transducer may be associated with the polyphenyl material by molding the transducer in the material or softening a portion of the material with a solvent and attaching the transducer to the softened portion.