Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a photovoltaic device is provided. The photovoltaic device includes a window layer and an absorber layer disposed on the window layer, wherein the absorber layer includes a first region and a second region, the first region disposed adjacent to the window layer. The absorber layer further includes a first additive and a second additive, wherein a concentration of the first additive in the first region is greater than a concentration of the first additive in the second region, and wherein a concentration of the second additive in the second region is greater than a concentration of the second additive in the first region. Method of making a photovoltaic device is also provided.

Abstract: A light source includes a base, a light-transmissive envelope coupled to the base, a composition disposed within the light-transmissive envelope, and a gas phase contained by the envelope for suppressing vaporization of the composition at operating temperatures greater than about 2000 Kelvin. The composition includes a first region and a second region and operable to suppress or reflect photons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously depositing a coating on a fibrous material. The process is a chemical vapor deposition process that includes causing multiple strands of a fibrous material to continuously travel through a coating zone within an enclosed chamber defined by a housing so that portions of the strands contact a reactant gas as the portions travel through the chamber, directly heating the portions of the strands without physically contacting the strands and without directly heating the housing, and depositing a coating material on the strands as a result of the reactant gas contacting the portions of the strands and decomposing to form a coating of the coating material. Heating of the strands can be achieved by capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, microwave radiation, and radiant heating.

Abstract: A radiation source is presented, the source comprising an ionizable mercury-free composition that comprises tin halide such that the halide to tin ratio is greater than 2.

Abstract: An all-metal electron emissive structure for low-pressure lamps is disclosed. The all-metal electron emissive structure consisting of one or more metal is operable to emit electrons in response to a thermal excitation, wherein an active region of the electron emissive structure under steady state operating conditions has a temperature greater than about 1500 degree K, and wherein the cathode fall voltage in the discharge medium under steady state operating conditions is less than about 100 volts. A lamp including an envelope, an electrode including the all-metal electron emissive structure, and a medium, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article is provided including a heating element and a high temperature coating coated on the heating element. The high temperature coating comprises a first region and a second region arranged in a structure such that the first and second regions maintain a periodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm. Furthermore, the first region includes a first material selected from the group consisting of carbides of transition metals, nitrides of transition metals, and borides of transition metals.

Abstract: An ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition is capable of emitting radiation if excited. A radiation source includes such an ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition. The ionizable mercury-free and sodium-free composition includes at least a metal, a metal and a metal compound, or a metal compound.

Abstract: A mercury-free discharge composition is provided. The mercury-free discharge composition may include Titanium, Zirconium, Hafnium, or combinations thereof, and a halogen. The composition may be capable of emitting radiation if excited, and the composition may produce a total equilibrium operating pressure of less than about 100,000 pascals if excited. A mercury-free discharge lamp is also provided. The mercury-free discharge lamp may include an envelope; an ionizable discharge composition including Titanium, Zirconium, Hafnium, or a combination thereof applied within the envelope.

Abstract: A high temperature stable composition includes a first material and a second material interspersed within the first material so as to form a structure. The composition is structured such that the first and second materials maintain a periodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm, and the composition is operable to reflect photons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm at temperatures greater than about 2000 Kelvin for at least about 10 hours.

Abstract: An electron emissive material comprises an alkaline earth metal halide composition and operable to emit electrons on excitation. A lamp including an envelope, an electrode including an alkaline earth metal halide electron emissive material and a discharge material, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A barium-free electron emissive material comprises a barium-free metal oxide composition and operable to emit electrons on excitation. A lamp including an envelope, an electrode including a barium-free electron emissive material and a discharge material, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiation source is presented, the source comprising an ionizable mercury-free composition that comprises tin halide such that the halide to tin ratio is greater than 2.

Abstract: A radiation source with an ionizable mercury-free composition. The ionizable composition including at least zinc or at least one zinc compound or both.

Abstract: An x-ray tube has at least one approximately planar electron emitter and an emitter-cup cathode configured to provide an electron beam of substantially greater perveance and beam compression ratio than otherwise obtainable with conventional cathode designs. The cup is optimized for use in a line-focus, planar-anode tube and has a slot in which the emitter is situated, an adjacent face region which is planar and angled so as to properly form the initial electron beam, a recess to allow the initial electron beam to be accelerated without significant shaping, and an overhanging portion which completes the electron beam forming.

Abstract: A mercury-free ultraviolet (UV) discharge source includes an elongated envelope having a diameter in a preferred range from approximately 2 to 3 cm, containing a rare gas fill (xenon or krypton, including mixtures of these with other rare gases) at a pressure in a range from approximately 10 millitorr to approximately 200 millitorr and a power supply for ionizing the rare gas fill and generating a discharge current in a range from approximately 100 to approximately 500 milliamperes (mA). The UV discharge source has an efficiency and output comparable to existing mercury-based low-pressure discharge sources and is intended for use with a suitable phosphor capable of converting the UV radiation to visible light in a fluorescent lamp.