Abstract: Reversible phase change storage material is thermally isolated in a storage medium by means of grooves in the substrate and at least one layer of a thermally conductive dielectric material.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a model of an underground geological formation is disclosed wherein a quantity of non-solid material of the type which solidifies at volumetric positions impinged upon by preselected incident energy as used. Memory means are provided which have uniquely addressable location for storing data indicative of the desired and actual material states at respective volumetric positions. Means are additionally for scanning the data and sequentially directing the energy at supported, non-blocking, volumetric positions in the medium volume.

Abstract: A memory comprises a multilayer film (1) in which each layer (2) is capable of carrying a charge, built up by successive deposition of a plurality of monomolecular layers (2), at least one of which has been deposited by a process of chemisorption and a photo-injector layer (D) is located on one side of the film for introducing charges into the film in a time sequence which corresponds to the information to be carried. Means (6) are provided for applying a voltage between the faces of the film to cause the charge carried by any layer to be transferred to the adjacent layer. The sequence of charges carried by the film may be read out by a photon-emitting electron arrival detector (F) on the opposite side of the film, or by a method of current differentiation. The film (1) is preferably formed of a polydiacetylene.

Abstract: A system for generating three-dimensional objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed at a selected surface of a fluid medium capable of altering its physical state in response to appropriate synergistic stimulation by impinging radiation, particle bombardment or chemical reaction, successive adjacent laminae, representing corresponding successive adjacent cross-sections of the object, being automatically formed and integrated together to provide a step-wise laminar buildup of the desired object, whereby a three-dimensional object is formed and drawn from a substantially planar surface of the fluid medium during the forming process.

Abstract: An optical data retrieval system featuring probe beams of different wavelengths directed onto an optically reflective recording medium having different spectral responses to the probe beams. A first probe beam is directed onto the reflective medium in a manner such that the amount of light reflected from the medium may be detected while a second probe beam is directed through the medium in a manner such that the amount of light passing through the medium may be measured. Different amounts for both beams are detected at pits in the medium and in the reflective field surrounding the pits. The redundancy provided by two probe beams eliciting different spectral responses from the medium reduces errors due to dirt and media defects.

Abstract: An optical recording media as well as methods and apparatus for reading and writing on the novel media are provided. The novel media has the property of birefringence, and information is stored thereon by modifying the birefringence of the storage media at selected locations and leaving the birefringence of the storage media intact at other selected locations. Alternatively, information is stored by inducing birefringence onto the storage media only at selected locations. The information may be stored either in a binary format, or in a multi-level (or analog) format. In a birefringent material wherein birefringence is formed by stretching, a pulse from a focused laser is utilized to modify the birefringence at selected locations by the application of thermal energy. The recorded information is read by passing polarized light through the material and ascertaining whether the polarized light was modulated as it passed through the various selected locations.

Abstract: An information storage and retrieval system has a storage medium, a read device and a write device. The system uses light to transmit signals between the storage medium and the read, the write devices. And it is capable of both read and write operations. The storage medium has a substrate with a number of cells of empty spaces in it. The cell has an ablative material deposited on its wall. The pattern of distribution determines the information stored. To read an information, a light beam is directed towards a cell and the transmitted light is detected by a sensor. To write an information, the ablative material is vaporized and redistributed inside the cell by high intensity light beam. The storage medium can also be used to store visual images directly by having cells and pigment plates arranged regularly in a substrate.

Abstract: The use of a photoconducting material having specific characteristics in conjunction with a heat sensitive optical recording medium also having specific characteristics yields desirable properties. Specifically, through the use of this combination an optical recording medium that has a relatively low applied power threshold for writing and yet a relatively long-term stability is obtained. The photoconductor material should have an unilluminated resistivity of at least 10.sup.6 Ohm-cm and should undergo a resistivity descrease of at least 10.sup.5 upon illumination to yield this desired attribute.

Abstract: Methods and active media for controlled production and optical access of data in the form of physio-chemical inhomogeneities, such as controlled differences in absorption characteristics of molecules at selected regions. The methods involve use of at least two intersecting beams of radiation which are matched to selected optical properties of the active media.

Abstract: An optical memory with a storage plate and an optical write/read unit, with which during a relative movement the storage plate is illuminated pointwise for writing and reading of information, the storage plate and the optical write/read unit each being positioned in a coordinate with the aid of electromagnetic mechanical positioning means for addressing storage elements.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a frequency selective memory having a storage material for storing frequency holes in at least two spatial dimensions and a frequency dimension. Interference patterns are stored in the memory such that each complete interference pattern is found in the spatial dimensions while the series of interference patterns is in the frequency dimension. A laser beam is directed onto the surface of the memory to read the memory. By changing the electric field across the storage material, subsequent interference patterns are shifted in the frequency dimension into resonance with the laser beam thereby changing the interference pattern detected. The interference patterns may be a series of holographic interference patterns which would provide as an output a series of three dimensional images, or they may be a series of gratings which would provide a laser beam which scans in a spatial dimension as an output.

Abstract: A thermo-optic data writing process and record in which focussed radiation is directed onto a data medium made up of a substrate, an organic layer directly deposited thereon with the interface therebetween being non-reflective and, on the organic layer, a metal layer of an alloy of metals selected to provide desired adhesion, range of deformation and shock resistance to rupture, for example, incorporating gold, silver or copper. Gas evolution by local degradation of the organic layer produces a bubble in the metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reversible memory structure with thermo-optical inscription or writing and optical reading on a moving support.According to the invention, the memory structure deposited on a substrate (1) is constituted by a double layer (2 and 3). A second alloy layer (3) at ambient temperature in the martensitic phase is deposited on a first thermally deformable layer (2). A heat pulse creates a deformation in the first layer, which deforms the martensitic alloy layer. A more powerful heat pulse raises the alloy layer to a temperature above its transformation point from the martensitic phase to another crystallographic phase and erases the inscribed deformation.Particular application to optical disks.

Abstract: Method and active media for controlled production of physical and refractive index inhomogeneities in a volume of a suspension medium by use of at least two intersecting beams of electromagnetic radiation matched to the excited state properties of molecules in the media. In addition, complex three-dimensional physical and chemical structures are produced by selective excitation of different types of molecules in the media and by employing transportive capabilities of liquid or gaseous support medium.

Abstract: A method for storing data in an archival memory semiconductor target by providing a masking layer of a conductive material on the surface of an insulative layer upon the top surface of a semiconductor substrate; the material layer is assigned a two-dimensional array of possible data storage sites. The masking layer at those storage sites at which a first binary value is to be stored, is melted; the selected material is one which, at the melting temperature thereof, does not wet the surface of the chosen insulator whereby apertures are formed by the writing electron beam in the masking layer, at energy levels insufficient to evaporate the masking material. The writing beam energy is reduced at the data sites at which data bits of the remaining binary value are to be stored, and does not melt the masking material thereat.

Abstract: The output beam of a read laser for an optical memory is diffracted to provide a plurality of read beams of substantially equal intensity for simultaneously scanning all of the data tracks of a selected data channel with a different one of the read beams, whereby each of the read beams is optically modulated in accordance with the data recorded on a respective one of the data tracks. The optically modulated read beams are applied to respective detectors, whereby the data recorded on the different data tracks is simultaneously converted into corresponding video electrical signals. Those signals are, in turn, output selectively or in parallel.

Abstract: Recovery from a record of information recorded in an elongated information track comprising depressed areas alternating along the length of the track with relatively non-depressed areas, is effected by an optical playback system. The playback system employs means for illuminating a focusing lens with a light beam having a cross-section forming a closed band of light, such as an annulus, to thereby increase the depth-of-field of the resulting focused spot formed on the information track. Light detection means, responsive to light diffracted by the track provides an output signal representative of the recorded data.

Abstract: A verification system utilizing a holographic memory defined by a multiplicity of individual holograms on a photographic strip arranged side by side in elongate, parallel, hologram channels of substantially equal length. A holographic index on the strip identifies the information stored in each channel. The memory is a holographic record of binary spot patterns of multi-digit numbers which are sequentially recorded. The spot pattern for any given number may extend over one or more holograms to fully utilize the available recording space. Data compression is employed to reduce or eliminate the recordation of digits which are identical to corresponding digits of a preceding number to thereby reduce the memory bulk. A given number to be verified is entered in a keyboard and stored, the index is searched and the appropriate memory channel is then searched for a match of the given number with a number in the memory by producing and detecting images from the recorded holograms.

Abstract: An interleaving device for processing energy signals between various logic devices having a first plurality of spaced energy carrying layer materials. Each of the first layer materials has a plurality of juxtaposed conduits for passing energy signals therethrough. Each of the conduits has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a diagonal of each of the first layers. A second plurality of energy carrying materials is arranged between adjacent ones of the spaced first layer materials. Each of the second layer materials has a plurality of juxtaposed conduits for passing the energy signals therethrough. Each of the conduits in the second layer has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a diagonal of each of the second layer materials and substantially perpendicular to the axes of the conduits of the first layer materials.

Abstract: An optoelectronic memory comprising the following elements placed one after another in succession downstream the original beam from the source of electromagnetic radiation: a means for scanning the original beam, which is electrically connected to an address register, a means for splitting the original beam into m beams forming a scan pattern and a focusing lens. The focusing lens is followed by n beam splitters whose number along each beam direction is equal. The memory also comprises .vertline.n+1.vertline. information memory plates each being positioned at a focal distance from the focusing lens and carrying m memory modules arranged upon the surface facing the beam.

Abstract: An optical data recording system in which during recording the writing beam is made to move at the same velocity as the recording medium whereby motion blur is minimized or reduced. Movement of the writing beam at the same velocity as the recording medium is achieved by supplying a constantly varying frequency RF signal to an acousto-optic device which deflects (diffracts) the writing beam in accordance with the instantaneous frequency of the RF signal. The acousto-optic device can also be utilized to amplitude modulate the writing beam.

Abstract: A record system and method for recording and reproducing information relative to record cards is provided wherein the information is in the form of optically scannable parallel tracks containing recordings therein which are defined by variations in the surface topography of the record tracks.A narrow beam of radiation such as that generated by a laser or an electron beam gun is modulated with information such as a video picture signal or digital information and is caused to scan the surface of a record card to generate either a variable topography represented by variations in the widths and/or depths of the narrow recording area of a record track caused by variations in the intensity of the beam of radiation as the beam is deflected to scan the recording track or the card is automatically moved to effect scanning by the beam.

Abstract: An optical data record playback apparatus is described for simultaneously scanning a plurality of data tracks on the optical record by employing two or more light beams controlled by closed loop servos. First and second optical servo means respectively, are employed to deflect the light beams for tracking of such beams during scanning along the data tracks and for maintaining the proper spacing between beams to cause each beam to follow a different track. In addition, a time adjust means, which may be a third optical servo or an electronic signal delay means, is employed to adjust the time relationship of the two readout signals produced by such light beams. The optical servos may include either movable mirrors or light refraction plates. Alternatively, an electromagnetically deflected bundle of optical fibers can be employed as the first servo and a zoom lens at the output of such fibers as the second servo.