Abstract:
A vaporizer (film evaporator) (13) for halide-free, silicon-containing liquid reactants used in producing preforms is provided. The vaporizer includes a plurality of packed-bed columns (22) surrounding a central tube (24). A mixture of liquid reactant, e.g., octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, and gas, e.g., oxygen, is sprayed onto the top surfaces (54) of the columns (22) by a set of spray nozzles (32). The liquid reactant and the gas flow downward together through the columns and are heated by hot oil (28) which flows around the columns' walls (50). The liquid reactant evaporates into the gas until the dew point temperature is reached, at which point all of the liquid reactant will have been converted into vapor. The vapor/gas mixture exits the bottom surfaces (56) of columns (22), where its direction of flow changes from downward to upward. This change in flow direction separates higher molecular weight species (46) from the vapor/gas mixture. The vapor/gas mixture leaves the vaporizer (13) through the central tube (24) and is supplied to soot-producing burners (20) where it is used to produce preforms.
Abstract:
A glass breaking system is provided for breaking large sheets of glass (10) into small sheets. A protective coating (12) is applied to the glass sheet (10). A portion of the protective coating (12) is then selectively removed, preferably by a laser beam (17), so that a portion of the surface (11) of the coated side (12) of the sheet (10) is exposed. The glass sheet (10) is then broken using laser separation techniques to break the glass sheet (10) in the exposed area (14).
Abstract:
A distributed sensor (10) includes a plurality of stages (24, 28, 32, 36, 40) connected in series, each stage incorporating a length of polarization maintaining fiber (12) exposed to a phenomena such as mechanical deformation or temperature to be sensed. Inter-mode couplers are provided between the sensing fibers (26, 30, 34, 38) of the various stages. The overall transfer function of the device at a plurality of wavelengths is deconvoluted to determine the birefringence of each sensing region and does monitor plural phenomena independently of one another.
Abstract:
A method of producing a polarizing glass article that exhibits a broad band of high contrast polarizing properties in the infrared region of the radiation spectrum, that is phase-separated or exhibits photochromic properties based on silver, copper, or copper-cadmium halide crystals or a combination thereof precipitated in the glass and having a size in the range of 200-5000 Angströms, and that has a surface layer containing elongated silver, copper, or copper cadmium metal particles, or a mixture of same, the method comprising the step of thermally forming and precipitating large halide crystals by subjecting the glass article to a time-temperature cycle in which the temperature is at least 75 DEG C above the glass softening point. The figure is a graphical representation of stress levels in psi versus center wavelengths (CWLs) in nm, where center wavelength is defined as the center of a given range of polarizing capability. Specifically, the stess levels required to achieve a given center wavelength is compared for two heat treatment cycles. The upper line (A) represents data for the standard heat treatment of polarizing glasses; 710 DEG C for 4 hours. Line (B) represents data for the new high temperature heat treatment of 750 DEG C for 8 hours.
Abstract:
The invention relates to fused silica having low compaction under high energy irradation, particularly adaptable for use in photolithography applications.
Abstract:
A method for side writing Bragg gratings, having minimal birefringence, in a waveguide structure (2) is disclosed. The method employs the orientation of the polarization direction (10) of the writing light beam (8) relative to the long axis (7) of the waveguide structure (2) together with the orientation of the intrinsic birefringence slow axis (9) to effectively minimize birefringence in the subject grating.
Abstract:
A dispersion compensating single mode optical waveguide fiber designed to change the wavelength window of operation of a link from 1301 nm to 1550 nm. The dispersion compensating waveguide fiber is characterized by a core glass region refractive index profile comprised of at least three segments (2, 4, 6, 8). The segment (2) on the waveguide center has a positive relative refractive index. At least one segment (4, 8), spaced apart from the waveguide centerline has a negative relative refractive index.
Abstract:
The invention relates to photochromic compounds of general formula (I), in which: R1-R8 represent various substituents, characterized in that at least two of the groups R3-R6 are C1-C6 alkoxy groups.
Abstract:
Optical waveguide core compositions comprising a core containing two dopants in a silica based glass, wherein one of the dopants is titania. The core composition serves to suppress the presence of Ti and to preserve refractive index profile shape throughout the preform manufacturing process.