Monsanto Research Corporation

Michael C Willson

Donald J David

Douglas H Harris

Richard J Janowiecki

A coated waveguide holder-humidifier to supply moisture in the case of moisture-sensitive reactions in order that quantitative results might be obtained with a gradient light analytical detector which will quantitatively measure atmospheric contaminants by comparing changes in light transmission through the coated waveguides before and after exposure. The coated waveguide holder-humidifier comprises a container, a porous material capable of absorbing water and desorbing water vapor mounted within the container, means to hold one or more waveguides within the container, and one or more openings in the container to allow fluid (liquid or gas) sample to contact a waveguide. Also, a method for improving the sensitivity of gaseous reactants on a waveguide where the reaction is moisture sensitive comprising humidifying the environment of said waveguide providing an atmosphere which has a substantially constant humidity normally in the range of 85 to 100% at which said reaction is not appreciably affected by changes in ambient relative humidity.

Chemical analysis with coated, light waveguide under humidity control

This invention is a coated waveguide holder-humdifier which is used to supply moisture in the case of moisture sensitive reactions in order that quantitative results might be obtained with a gradient light analytical detector which will quantitatively measure atmospheric contaminants by comparing changes in light transmission through the coated waveguides before and after exposure. The coated waveguide holder-humidifier comprises a container, a porous material capable of absorbing water and desorbing water vapor mounted within the container, means to hold one or more waveguides within the container, and one or more openings in the container to allow fluid (liquid or gas) sample to contact a waveguide. Also the invention is a method for improving the sensitivity of gaseous reactants on a waveguide where the reaction is moisture sensitive comprising humidifying the environment of said waveguide providing an atmosphere which has a substantially constant humidity normally in the range of 85% to 100% at which said reaction is not appreciably affected by changes in ambient relative humidity.

Waveguide holder-humidifier

Polycrystalline silicon films useful in preparing solar cells primarily for terrestrial application are prepared by a plasma spraying process. A doped silicon powder is injected into a high temperature ionized gas (plasma) to become molten and to be sprayed onto a low-cost substrate. Upon cooling, a dense polycrystalline silicon film is obtained. A p-n junction is formed on the sprayed film by spray deposition, diffusion or ion implantation. A sprayed junction is produced by plasma spraying a thin layer of silicon of opposite polarity or type over the initially deposited doped film. In forming a diffused junction, dopant is applied over the surface of the initial plasma-sprayed film usually from the vapor phase and heat is used to cause the dopant to diffuse into the film to form a shallow layer of opposite polarity to that in the original film. A junction is also formed by implanting dopant ions in the surface of the originally deposited film by the use of electrical fields. When used in conjunction with ohmic contacts and electrical conductors, the p-n junctions produced using plasma-sprayed polycrystalline silicon films are formed into solar cells which are useful for directly converting sunlight into electricity by means of the photovoltaic effect.

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Waynesville, OH, United States of America

Michael C Willson