Abstract: A method for preparing polycrystalline fluoride ceramics using powder of fluoride ceramics nanocrystallites as starting material, wherein the method includes: (a) Optionally, a pre-processing step at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 300° C. at vacuum of 10-5 mbar (10-3 Pa) to 10-8 mbar (10-6 Pa) for 30 minutes to 10 hours, (b) Applying a uniaxial pressure in the range from 1 to 200 MPa, at or around ambient temperature, to obtain a pre-compacted sample, (c) Applying to the pre-compacted of step b) a hydrostatic pressure by Cold Isostatic Pressing, to obtain a pre-compacted sample, (d) Loading the pre-compacted sample from step (c) into a die and submitting the sample to a uniaxial compression in combination with electric field-assisted sintering, under vacuum equal to or higher than 5 Pa. Polycrystalline fluoride ceramics obtained by this method find use in IR devices.

Abstract: A fiber coupler with an inner tube, an inner fiber arranged within the inner tube and several outer fibers arranged around the inner fiber, is disclosed, wherein said fiber coupler tapers in the longitudinal direction of the inner fiber from a main section to a terminal section and the inner cross section on the inner tube corresponds to the diameter of the inner fiber along the tapering section of the fiber coupler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for removing the sheath or for stripping fibres of a fibre bundle. Each fibre comprises a core and a sheath, wherein the fibres are arranged adjacent to each other on a base such as to run in a first direction, a cut is made with two blades running perpendicular to the first direction in a plane from opposing sides such that the blades from a notch in each sheath running in the circumferential direction, the fibre bundle is then dipped in a chemical solvent up to the cuts in the fibres for a given period in order to pre-weaken the connection between the sheath and the core and d) the pre-weakened sheath sections are mechanically drawn from the fibre cores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for removing the sheath or for stripping fibres of a fibre bundle. Each fibre comprises a core and a sheath, wherein the fibres are arranged adjacent to each other on a base such as to run in a first direction, a cut is made with two blades running perpendicular to the first direction in a plane from opposing sides such that the blades from a notch in each sheath running in the circumferential direction, the fibre bundle is then dipped in a chemical solvent up to the cuts in the fibres for a given period in order to pre-weaken the connection between the sheath and the core and the pre-weakened sheath sections are mechanically drawn from the fibre cores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stripping fibers of a fiber bundle, wherein each fiber comprises a core and a cladding, wherein the fibers are disposed next to each other on an underlayment such that they extend along a first direction, a cutter extending transverse to the first direction cuts into the claddings and simultaneously all fibers are rolled about the longitudinal axis thereof on the underlayment, so that the cutter generates a cut running in the circumferential direction in each cladding, the fiber bundle is then immersed in a chemical solvent for a prescribed period of time, in order to pre-weaken the bond between the cladding and the core, and the pre-weakened cladding segments are mechanically pulled off of the fiber cores.

Abstract: A fiber coupler with an inner tube, an inner fiber arranged within the inner tube and several outer fibers arranged around the inner fiber, is disclosed, wherein said fiber coupler tapers in the longitudinal direction of the inner fiber from a main section to a terminal section and the inner cross section on the inner tube corresponds to the diameter of the inner fiber along the tapering section of the fiber coupler.