Electro-ionizing laser

The 20^th century has been called the age of the atom, the age of polymers, or the space age. It would be equally correct to call it the age of the laser. It is impossible to list all the jobs a laser can do. It has become a part of our life being used in various industries, medicine, biology, etc. it should be mentioned that all the methods we know of processing materials with lasers were suggested not long ago. Physicists knew of the tremendous capabilities of the laser beam, but they could not be realized until lasers of adequate capacity were developed. To make a laser really useful the radiation intensity had to be increased (since capacity determines productivity) and high beam efficiency created.

Creating highly effective laser is still one of the main problems of quantum electronics. In a gas laser all one has to do in order to increase the capacity is to increase the volume and the pressure of the gas. This sounds simple, but the doing of it is not. The best results were achieved with electro-ionizing laser (EIL) operating on carbon dioxide. They have found a wide field of application. EIL’s of some 10-kilowatt capacity can weld and cut metal; pulse EIL’s with radiation energy of 10 kilojoules and a pulse duration of 1/1,000,000,000^th of second can heat plasma to nearly thermonuclear temperatures. Several other methods for building powerful gas lasers have been suggested and used.

Questions to be answered in writing:

1. How was the 20^th century called and why?

2. What are the capabilities of the laser beam?

3. Where were the best results in using lasers achieved?

4. What types of lasers do you know?

New microcomputer

An entirely new microcomputer has been developed in our country. The microcomputer is equipped with an arithmetical logical device which carries pre-set programmes. Because of this the microcomputer can perform various logical functions. In other words, it possesses a solving field for various commands. It is comparatively easy to change commands or add new ones. The arithmetical logical device is known to be adjusted by computers of a higher level. The memory device based on semiconductors keeps information for several days, even with the power supply unplugged. In this case the microcomputer automatically switches over to the microaccumulator.

The new computer is very small in size and weight (25 kg), is resistant to temperature fluctuations, does not require special ventilation, is reliable and easy to operate. It can be used in computer control complexes as an information-processing unit and also as a built-in computer in various analysing and display devices. It receives data, calculates the optimum conditions and supplies signals for the control of technological processes. For example, in pressure-die casting the microcomputer receives information about the temperature in the furnace, the speed of the liquid metal movements, location of the various devices, etc. The computer processes the data and controls the casting, i.e. keeps the temperature and the pressure within required limits, and commands the beginning of the casting operation.

The programme is written by technicians, and the operator inserts the required data. The field of application of the new computer appears to be vast. It can analyse various substances in oil, gas, chemical and food industries, as well as soil and plants. It can also be used for processing information about conditions in the environment, for control of conveyors and other equipment.

Questions to be answered in writing:

1. Why can the microcomputer perform various functions?

2. How does this computer operate?

3. Who writes the programmes for microcomputer?

4. Where is it applied?

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