Abstract:
A method is provided for using abrasive colloidal particles having multi-component composition comprising mixed 1) metal or metalloid oxides, 2) oxyfluorides, or 3) oxynitrides, each grouping (1, 2, or 3) individually alone or in combination thereof, in a chemical-mechanical manufacturing process for planarizing or polishing metal, semiconductor, dielectric, glass, polymer, optical, and ceramic materials. The particles exhibit a modified surface chemistry performance and have an isoelectric point (pHIEP) greater than the pH of the dispersed particles in solution, and with a stabilized particle dispersion at pH values of interest for CMP operations. The composition of the multi-component particles may be adjusted as desired, in regard to their chemical or physical properties such as surface chemistry, hardness, solubility, or degree of compatibility with the workpiece material being planarized or polished. Also provided is a chemical-mechanical planarization slurry mixture incorporating such multi-component particles and with a solution chemistry that enhances the CMP effects by in-part adjusting the pH of the solution away from the pHIEP of the media to maximize dispersion.
Abstract:
A tapered lensed fiber (2) includes a tapered multimode fiber (4) having a gradient-index core and an optical fiber (6) attached to the tapered multimode fiber (4). A method for forming a tapered lensed fiber (2) includes attaching an optical fiber (6) to a multimode fiber (4) having a gradient-index core, applying heat to a surface of the multimode fiber, and pulling the multimode fiber (4) into a taper. The method also allows for forming a tapered polarization-maintaining fiber while preserving stress rods and polarization isolation properties of the polarization-maintaining fiber.
Abstract:
A method of making a microlensed fiber (1) by splicing a doped silica rod to an optical fiber (3) and shaping the end of the doped silica rod into a plano-convex refracting lens (2). The doped silica rod has a lower melting point and annealing point than undoped silica, and therefor less power is required to manufacture the microlensed fiber (1). This decreases wear to the heating elements of the manufacturing equipment and therefor increases the number of microlensed fibers that can be manufactured between cycles. A further aspect of the present invention is a microlensed fiber (1) made by the above process.
Abstract:
A sol-gel method of preparing a powder for use in forming a glass is provided, along with methods of preparing glasses and glass fibers from the powder. The inventive method allows for the incorporation of a wide range of elements and compositions into a homogeneous glass or glass fiber that is substantially free of hydroxide groups. In addition, dopants incorporated into glasses prepared by the inventive method are uniformly distributed throughout the glass structure.
Abstract:
A spherical lens formed by fusing a generally homogenous glass lens blank to the distal end of an optical fiber, heating and tensioning the lens blank to separate it in two segments with the segment attached to the optical fiber defining a tapered end, and heating the lens blank above its softening point so that the spherical lens forms. The lens blank is fabricated from a 4 weight percent borosilicate glass having a softening point less than that of the core of the optical fiber. The lens member defines a throat region adjacent the optical fiber whose cross-sectional dimension is substantially greater than the diameter of the optical fiber, but substantially less than the diameter of the spherical lens.