Abstract
Evolution of knowledge perhaps relates more to the replacement of belief then in believing per se. Evolution can be contrasted with consolidation - a period of stability, of little or no change in beliefs. Evolution of knowledge manifests itself in the evolution of special languages. The consolidation of knowledge will manifest itself in minimal change in the special language of the subject during consolidation. Science is defined as observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of phenomena. Scientists appear to be focused on issues of evolution. Technology relates to consolidation and science to the evolution of knowledge. This division of labour in the study of knowledge is a model for our study. As such our model ignores the impact of the technology on science. We looked at the conversion of the end-product of a research (evolutionary) enterprise - the journal paper- to the advanced text of the first stage of application - the patent documents. We have used methods and techniques of text analysis based on a corpus of texts to track the change in scientific language. We have looked at the production of journal publications and patent documents by Professor Leo Esaki, a key figure in the field of semiconductor physics. Our analysis shows that research papers and patent documents can be distinguished somewhat on the basis of single word and compound terms. These two lexical signatures show the potential for identifying cross-over points in the transfer of knowledge from the research arena to applications domain.