Abstract: Ohmic contact formation inclusive of Carbon films on 4H and 6H n-type Silicon Carbide is disclosed. Contact formation includes an initial RF sputtering to produce an amorphous Carbon film with the sp2/sp3 Carbon ratio of about 1.0 measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This Carbon film gradually evolves from sp3 to sp2 structures of high sp2 content during an annealing at temperatures ranging from 600° C. to 1350° C. depending on the substrate doping levels, between 1016 and 1019, employed. Formation of sp2 Carbon is accelerated by the presence of metal and gaseous catalytic agents including for example nickel and argon. The sp2 Carbon structures consist especially of nano-size graphitic flakes and also of amorphous aromatic-like Carbon structures, and polyene-like Carbon structures, as are revealed by Raman spectroscopy. Ohmic contact is achieved when a sufficient amount of nano-graphitic flakes are formed at the selected annealing temperature.

Abstract: Ohmic contact formation on p-type Silicon Carbide is disclosed. The formed contact includes an initial amorphous Carbon film layer converted to graphitic sp2 Carbon during an elevated temperature annealing sequence. Decreased annealing sequence temperature, reduced Silicon Carbide doping concentration and reduced specific resistivity in the formed ohmic contact are achieved with respect to a conventional p-type Silicon Carbide ohmic contact. Addition of a Boron carbide layer covering the p-type Silicon Carbide along with the sp2 Carbon is also disclosed. Ohmic contact improvement with increased annealing temperature up to an optimum temperature near 1000° C. is included. Addition of several metals including Aluminum, the optimum metal identified, over the Carbon layer is also included; many other of the identified metals provide Schottky rather than the desired ohmic contacts, however.

Abstract: A multi-layer optical storage medium includes a transparent substrate, a partially reflective layer, a transparent spacer, and a highly reflective layer. One pattern of data pits is provided on the substrate, adjacent the partially reflective layer, and another pattern of pits is provided on the spacer layer, adjacent the highly reflective layer. The partially reflective layer may be made of amorphous selenium (a-Se) and preferably has an index of refraction having a real component, n, greater than 2.8 and an imaginary component, K, less than 0.01. The invention also includes the optical data storage systems compatible with such media.

Abstract: A multi-layer optical storage medium includes a transparent substrate, a partially reflective layer, a transparent spacer, and a highly reflective layer. One pattern of data pits is provided on the substrate, adjacent the partially reflective layer, and another pattern of pits is provided on the spacer layer, adjacent the highly reflective layer. The partially reflective layer may be made of antimony sulfide, such as antimony(III) sulfide, Sb2S3. The invention also includes the optical data storage systems compatible with such media.

Abstract: A method of sequential deposition of source materials onto a web substrate. A substrate transfer mechanism imparts continuous movement of a substrate past a plurality of deposition sources during vapor deposition of deposition source materials. Every portion of the substrate is exposed to deposition fluxes from the deposition sources in an alternating periodic manner. The number of source exposures is greater than the number of sources.

Abstract: A digital communication system having a universal backplane bus and a plurality of interface circuits connected to remote peripherals, for effecting bidirectional communication of information signals between the remote peripherals via the bus, as well as the exchange of message signals between local control circuitry resident on individual ones of the interface circuits. Each interface circuit has a digital time and space switch for transmitting the information signals in PCM format between the remote peripherals and the universal bus, under control of the control circuitry resident on respective ones of the interface circuits. An HDLC controller is provided on each of the interface circuits for controlling the exchange of message signals between the local control circuitry resident on the respective ones of the interface circuits.

Abstract: A powered impact instrument comprising a spring-loaded head mounted at one end of a housing; a spring-loaded striker mounted within the housing; a block which slides reciprocally within the housing to which the striker is attached; a drive for the block which draws the block toward the rear of the housing; a sear which releasably couples the block to the drive to permit the block to draw the striker back against its spring, and which releases the block at a selected point of each stroke of the block so that the spring drives the striker against the head in order that the head may provide a high impacting force on the object being impacted thereby. An adjustable trigger is also provided by which the displacement of each stroke of the striker, and thus the impact by which it strikes the head, may be controlled. A unique coupler releasably attaches different tools to the head.

Abstract: A device is described which provides egress for persons trapped in burning buildings. The invention comprises a portable supportive base structure having attached thereto a plurality of interconnected channel members which are manually extended to reach the upper levels of multi-storied buildings wherein trapped victims of fire may be located. Winches attached to the device enable an operator to position the extendable members in front of an upper level window whereupon the person being removed enters a personnel receptacle attached to the terminal end of the final extendable member and is thereupon lowered safely to the ground.

Abstract: A heating device is taught which includes a subdivided electrochemical cell comprising subdivided metal pieces which serve as the anode and conductive cathode layers coated on the anode pieces. When such coated pieces are enveloped in a liquid electrolyte, heat is generated by electrochemical-cell reactions; and the reactions and accompanying production of heat are accelerated by the direct electrical contact between the anode pieces and cathode layers. The cathode layers can be coated on the anode pieces either prior to assembly of the heating device, or in situ after the device has been activated. In the latter case, plating is accomplished through the presence in the liquid electrolyte of a plating salt that reacts with the metal anode pieces and produces an electroless deposition on the pieces.