Abstract: A detector assembly for a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer has a modular microchannel plate (MCP)-based detector and a replaceable MCP cartridge containing at least one MCP secured within the detector. The detector includes an integrated support for a voltage divider and high voltage connections. The detector is also adapted to be secured to a modified vacuum flange for the instrument.

Abstract: A method of making an optical fiber having a strippable polyimide coating includes the steps of drawing an optical fiber through curable polyamic acid solution to form a coating on the fiber and curing the coated fiber. The cured coating can subsequently be stripped from the optical fiber by exposing the cured coating to an organic polar solvent such as acetone. A fiber having a strippable polyimide coating is also provided. The method is particularly applicable to heavy metal fluoride fibers, and to chalcogenide fibers which carry optical signals in the infrared region.

Abstract: A heavy metal fluoride glass composition for an optical fiber in mole percent, about: 20 to 40% InF.sub.3, 20 to 0% GaF.sub.3, 2 to 10% PbF.sub.2, 0 to 25% ZnF.sub.2, 0 to 25% CdF.sub.2,10 to 25% BaF.sub.2, 0 to 6% NaCl, 0 to 6% NaF, 0 to 7% SrF.sub.2 and 0 to 5% CaF.sub.2 ; the total of InF.sub.3 and GaF.sub.3 being about 40%; the total of BaF.sub.2, SrF.sub.2 and CaF.sub.2 being about 25%; the total of ZnF.sub.2 and CdF.sub.2 being about 25%, and the total of NaCl and NaF being about 6%; said composition being further doped with a lanthanide series heavy metal fluoride in amount up to about 1%.