Abstract: An apparatus capable of producing carbon dioxide snowflakes for the purpose of cleaning optics and other delicate surfaces. Carbon dioxide tanks (10) send liquid carbon dioxide to nozzles (110) where the liquid is throttled into a mixture of carbon dioxide snowflakes and gas. The snowflakes grow as they move through drift tubes (120) and develop a soft, fluffy, structure capable of wiping a delicate optical surface clean without causing scratching. The flow of snowflakes and gas are scattered by a turbine head (152) which turns by means of a jet of nitrogen gas emerging from a tube (240). Both the nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide flows can be controlled by a nitrogen flow pneumatic valve (212) and a carbon dioxide flow pneumatic valve (42) respectively. Both of these pneumatic valves can ultimately be controlled by a computer (530).

Abstract: A gas trap having several independently controlled storage vessels (140,150). Access to each vessel is achieved via pneumatic valves (80,90), and these pneumatic valves are, in turn, controlled by solenoid valves (300, 380). The solenoid valves receive their electrical power from a relay system (520) which is controlled by a computer (550).

Abstract: A elecret substrate (10), which is exposed to the environment so as to collect molecular contamination, lies at the bottom of a holder (20). Above the substrate a sensor head (100) is supported. Signals from the sensor head are relayed to an electrostatic voltmeter (130). The voltage reading at electrostatic voltmeter (130) is a function of the amount of polar molecule contamination on substrate (10).

Abstract: An ultralight mirror which utilizes a light weight fibrous substrate (10), made of a tangle of silica and alumina fibers, which support a set of thin layers that form the mirror surface. These layers, from the bottom to the top, are a sealant layer (20) to plug substrate surface voids, a polished glassy layer (30), a reflective layer (40), and a protective overcoat (50).

Abstract: An electronic device for devolatilizing agricultural and other products. The device utilizes an electrode (100) enclosed in a helium filled insulating sheath (110) suspended above a vessel (150) containing the product to be devolatilized. A high voltage power supply (140) is connected to electrode (100) by a high voltage cable (130). High voltage power supply (140) is switched on while a fan (70) blows air over the product.

Abstract: An optical method of detecting impurities in powders. The detector employs a laser (10) as a source of radiation which impinges upon a stream of powder and impurities as they are blown through a clear glass tube (14). The scattered radiation then stimulates photoresistors (18) so as to produce a signal which can be displayed and recorded on a chart recorder or computer display device (26).

Abstract: A thin, flexible, hollow fiber capable of transmitting ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation enters the fiber through entrance pupil (10) and travels through the hollow interior of fiber body (20) by reflecting and scattering off the inner wall of the fiber, frequently at grazing incidence angles. Fiber body (20) is covered at one end by thin film cap (30) which is thin enough to be at least semitransparent to ionizing radiation, but which is also strong enough to allow air to be withdrawn from fiber body (20) at the opposite uncapped end. Small obstructions (32) at the exit end of the fiber can be used to spread the beam of ionizing radiation to a desirable width. A flexible fiber capable of transmitting ionizing radiation has important applications in medicine for the radiation therapy of tumors. Applications also exist in communications and other fields.