Abstract: Techniques for monitoring optical transmissions between an optical transmitter and an optical receiver are described. A transmitter monitor is coupled to an optical transmitter and detects light, such as reflected light, conducted into the transmitter by an optical cable conveying light between the transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter monitor produces a signal providing information about the light conducted into the transmitter and adjustments are made to the transmitter operation based on the signal. A receiver monitor coupled to an optical receiver detects light conducted into the receiver by the optical cable. The receiver monitor produces a receiver monitor signal providing information about the light and adjustments are made to the receiver operation based on the signal. In addition, an optical signal is sent to the transmitter based on the receiver monitor signal, and the optical signal is used by the transmitter monitor to direct adjustments to the transmitter operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that prevents a damaging movement—in any plane—between fiber ends within a connector assembly, where a damaging movement is a movement of the fiber ends with the connector assembly which may give rise to a damaging thermal event while an optical power source is generating a high-optical-power-density signal that is propagated through the fibers. A prevention mechanism is integral to the connector precludes damaging movement. The prevention mechanism includes a) a locking mechanism that precludes any damaging movement while engaged and b) an indication generator that upon being engaged or disengaged generates an indication that can be used to control the on/off state of the optical power source.

Abstract: Three-phase composite materials system having a low dielectric constant and physico-chemical properties suitable for IC fabrication conditions, and a method for making such materials, are disclosed. The three-phase composite material includes an organic phase, an inorganic phase and a void phase. The organic phase is in the form of an organic polymer matrix, the void phase is represented by microporosity present in the matrix, and the inorganic phase is implemented as inorganic particles that are coupled, via a coupling agent, to the organic matrix. The low dielectric constant of the composite is attributable to the microporous organic polymer matrix. The inorganic particles are responsible, at least in part, for providing thermal stability and other required physico-chemical properties to the composite.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of silica particles is mixed with a dialkyldialkoxysilane monomer, e.g., dimethyldiethoxysilane (DMDES), typically under basic conditions. Optionally, the monomer, or a portion thereof, is partially reacted prior to mixing, such that it is possible for a polydialkylsiloxane oligomer, e.g., polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), to be added either with or instead of the monomer. The addition of the monomer (or oligomer) induces gelation of the silica. The contemplated mechanism is that the silanol groups on the growing polydialkylsiloxane chains are able to condense with silanol groups found on the silica particle surfaces, thereby anchoring the chains to the particles. These chains appear to have the ability to form bridges between particles and/or loops on individual particles. Such bridges appear to initiate formation of a silica particle network, and both the bridges and loops increase the silica particles' hydrophobicity.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for determining the characteristics of dispersed particles. The process involves directing waves (acoustic or light) into a dispersion, and measuring the attenuation of the waves for particular frequencies to provide an attenuation spectrum. The measured attenuation spectrum is then compared to a set of theory-based calculated attenuation spectra to determine the particle size distribution corresponding to the measured attenuation spectrum. Unlike previous processes, the particle size distribution is capable of being accurately determined by a single inversion algorithm, thus eliminating burdensome steps of previous methods.

Abstract: Three-phase composite materials system having a low dielectric constant and physico-chemical properties suitable for IC fabrication conditions, and a method for making such materials, are disclosed. The three-phase composite material includes an organic phase, an inorganic phase and a void phase. The organic phase is in the form of an organic polymer matrix, the void phase is represented by microporosity present in the matrix, and the inorganic phase is implemented as inorganic particles that are coupled, via a coupling agent, to the organic matrix. The low dielectric constant of the composite is attributable to the microporous organic polymer matrix. The inorganic particles are responsible, at least in part, for providing thermal stability and other required physico-chemical properties to the composite.

Abstract: The invention provides an alternative to conventional sol-gel methods that utilize undesirably high amounts of a stabilizing agent such as TMAH and a gelling agent such as methyl formate. The method involves the steps of (a) providing a colloidal silica dispersion containing a stabilizing/gelling agent, where only a portion of the molecules of the agent ionize, and (b) subsequently adding to the silica dispersion a pH-reducing additive. The stabilizing/gelling agent has a dual function. The agent, e.g., an amine, initially acts as a stabilizer in the silica dispersion in that a portion of its molecules ionize, while an appreciable amount of the agent remains non-ionized. The agent later transforms in situ to a gelling agent upon addition of a pH-reducing additive. Specifically, as the pH-reducing additive lowers the pH to values at or around the pK.sub.