Abstract: A method of stabilizing the switching characteristics of a thin film chalcogenide glass material by subjecting said material to a hydrogenated atmosphere, preferably activated hydrogen and argon. It is also preferred to provide a post hydrogenation anneal step.

Abstract: Fully integrated thin film electronic arrays including thin film line driver circuits and address decoding circuits are disclosed. Each line driver employs a two terminal thin film threshold switching device of the type exhibiting a negative resistance characteristic for very high speed, high current operation. The line drivers are particularly useful when driving address lines or other switched conductors in arrays having large capacitive loads or current requirements. The address decoding circuits are constructed from an array of thin film diodes configured as a plurality of AND logic gates, with the output of each AND gate providing the trigger signal to turn on a line driver circuit associated with a particular address line. Thin film structures used to implement the fully integrated arrays include diodes and threshold switches arranged as high density vertical devices in the form of multilayer mesa structures.

Abstract: An electro-optical communication device which includes a light transmissive conduit integrally formed to interconnect a light emitter and a light detector. The length over which the light transmissive conduit extends is substantially greater than the size of either the light emitter or the light detector. In the preferred embodiment, the light emitter and the light detector are each formed from amorphous semiconductor alloy material and may be substantially surrounded by the light transmissive conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing electronic signals which are representative of a detectable condition on an image-bearing surface. The apparatus includes an elongated array of distinct thin film photosensitive elements formed on a common flexible large area substrate. The elongated array of photosensitive elements are fabricated as a large area, photovoltaic structure formed of a plurality of thin film layers, including a first layer of thin film conductive material. The discrete photosensitive elements are defined by patterning of the conductive layer into shaped regions which determine the overall configuration and dimensions of each element.

Abstract: A dynamic memory array includes plural sets of spaced apart address lines and storage locations defined by cross-overs of members of the plural sets of address lines. At each storage location a charge storage means is coupled to a threshold means. The charge storage means are addressable through the threshold means by the application of selected potentials to the plural sets of address lines. The charge storage means and the threshold means can be formed as vertically arrayed, deposited, layers of semiconductor materials, and preferably from amorphous semiconductor alloys. Also disclosed is a light influencing display having an improved bidirectional threshold isolation means.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gauge comprises an elastic member having a surface subject to stress; a semiconductor substrate secured to the elastic member and including at least one PN junction wherein both the P type and N type material is composed of amorphous semiconducting material; and an electrical connection for conducting a signal indicative of strain.

Abstract: A semiconductor strain gauge comprises an elastic member having a surface subject to stress; a semiconductor substrate composed of an amorphous semiconducting material secured to the surface of the elastic member; and an electrical connection on the amorphous material for conducting a signal indicative of strain.

Abstract: A processor controlled postage meter includes memories for storage of meter account balance data. Thermal security of the balance data is maintained through the employment of magnetic core memories constructed to withstand high temperatures which may be generated during a fire at the location of the meter. The magnetic core memory includes a matrix of toroids arranged in a plane and encased within ceramic cement for thermal insulation. The toroids are preferably formed of a non-oxidized pure metal magnetic alloy having a Curie temperature of at least 650 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reproducing an original gray scale image that may be divided into an array of discrete picture elements. The method comprises the steps of scanning each of the picture elements in the array on the original image to determine its gray level and location in the array and generating sequential signals that contain data indicative of the gray level and location in the array of each of the scanned picture elements. The gray level of the entire array is calculated from the data on each of its individual picture elements in accordance with a gray scale function. On a reproduction medium in an array of reproduction locations corresponding to the picture element array, locations are sequentially darkened in order of decreasing gray level, beginning at the location that corresponds to the scanned picture element having the darkest gray level, until the gray level of the reproduction array substantially equals the calculated gray level of the scanned picture element array.

Abstract: A moire optical transducer is described which has a minimal optical operating error. In normal moire grating sets, the lines of the gratings each inherently possess a periodic error in line spacing. This periodic error cannot be eliminated, but through the use of the instant invention, its influence on the optical operation of the transducer can be minimized. The stationary grating set has at least one window of grating lines. The length of the window is made to be a length which is a multiple of the length of the periodic error in the movable grating set. The net result is a decisive cancellation of a major portion of the error.