Ron Roach papers, 1970-2001
Part of collection: David Sarnoff Research Center records (2464-09)
Dates
- Creation: 1970-2001
Biographical Note
William Ronald “Ron” Roach (1938-) conducted research on non-linear optics for RCA for thirty-five years. Roach was born in Baltimore in 1938. He earned a bachelor of engineering physics from Cornell University in 1961, and completed an M.S. and Ph.D. in physics from the University of Illinois by 1966. Upon graduation, Roach was hired by the David Sarnoff Research Center (DSRC) to conduct research in non-linear optics. Assigned to the VideoDisc project, he developed optical instrumentation for the manufacture, inspection, and measurement of videodisc parts and was responsible for the precision laser recording of grooves into the photoresist.
After RCA abandoned VideoDisc in 1986, Roach was assigned as Project Manager on two programs. On the first, MicroLab, DSRC worked cooperatively with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a tool, BlueChip, for use in nucleic acid diagnostic testing. The second project was the development of electroluminescent (EL) plasma displays for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
Roach was awarded fourteen patents and authored or co-authored more than a dozen technical papers during his career at the DSRC, from which he retired in 2001.
Scope and Content
The Ron Roach papers consist of patent applications and disclosures, and notes, presentations, photographs, slides, and subject files pertaining to projects overseen by Roach.
Eleven of Roach's lab notebooks (1967-1991) can be found in Record group 26.
General Physical Description (AVD portion only)
(AVD portion only) 9 photographic prints : color ; 8 x 10 in. and larger. 1 photographic print : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. 1 photographic print : color ; 7 x 8 in. 14 photographic prints : color ; 4 x 5 in. 5 photographic prints : b&w ; 4 x 5 in.3 photographic prints : color ; 3 x 5 in. 19 photographic negatives : color ; 4 x 5 in. and smaller. 5 photographic negatives : color ; 8.5 x 11 in. 24 photographic negatives : color ; 8 x 10 in and larger. 5 photographic slides : color ; 35 mm.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged into two subseries:
A. Patents
B. Projects
Files are arranged alphabetically.
Extent
From the Collection: 990 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Records subject to 25-year time seal.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged into two subseries:
A. Patents
B. Projects
Files are arranged alphabetically.
Processing Notes
Processed by Rachael A. Beyer, June 2014.
Related Names
Subject
- Roach, Ron (William Ronald), 1938- (Person)
Creator
- From the Collection: Sarnoff Corporation (Organization)
- From the Collection: Radio Corporation of America. David Sarnoff Research Center, Princeton, N.J (Organization)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
