Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the temperature and/or displacement of a glass ribbon formed in a downdraw glass forming process, and measured across width of the ribbon. Temperature and displacement measurements may advantageously be performed simultaneously with a high degree of spatial resolution by a measurement assembly which does not contact the glass ribbon. Temperature measurements may be performed across substantially the entire width of the ribbon. Data developed by the measurement assembly may be used in an automated feedback loop to control the glass ribbon forming conditions.

Abstract: Feed materials are melted in a furnace to form a glass melt at a first temperature T1, the glass melt containing at least one fining agent. The glass melt is cooled to a second temperature T2 less than T1, and an oxygen-containing gas is bubbled through the cooled melt. The glass melt is then re-heated to a third temperature T3 equal to or greater than the first temperature T1.

Abstract: A noncontact glass sheet stabilization device is described herein that is capable of reducing translation (deflection) and/or rotational movement of a glass sheet while the glass sheet is being manufactured in a glass manufacturing system that implements a fusion process. Several different embodiments of the noncontact glass sheet stabilization device are also described herein.

Abstract: A method of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped optical fiber by diffusing an alkali metal into a surface of a glass article is disclosed. The silica glass article may be in the form of a tube or a rod, or a collection of tubes or rods. The silica glass article containing the alkali metal, and impurities that may have been unintentionally diffused into the glass article, is etched to a depth sufficient to remove the impurities. The silica glass article may be further processed to form a complete optical fiber preform. The preform, when drawn into an optical fiber, exhibits a low attenuation.

Abstract: A method of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped optical fiber by diffusing an alkali metal into a surface of a glass article is disclosed. The silica glass article may be in the form of a tube or a rod, or a collection of tubes or rods. The silica glass article containing the alkali metal, and impurities that may have been unintentionally diffused into the glass article, is etched to a depth sufficient to remove the impurities. The silica glass article may be further processed to form a complete optical fiber preform. The preform, when drawn into an optical fiber, exhibits a low attenuation.

Abstract: An isotopically-altered, silica based optical fiber is provided having lower losses, broader bandwidth, and broader Raman gain spectrum characteristics than conventional silica-based fiber. A heavier, less naturally abundant isotope of silicon or oxygen is substituted for a lighter, more naturally abundant isotope to shift the infrared absorption to a slightly longer wavelength. In one embodiment, oxygen-18 is substituted for the much more naturally abundant oxygen-16 at least in the core region of the fiber. The resulting isotopically-altered fiber has a minimum loss of 0.044 dB/km less than conventional fiber, and a bandwidth that is 17 percent broader for a loss range between 0.044-0.034 dB/km. The fiber may be easily manufactured with conventional fiber manufacturing equipment by way of a plasma chemical vapor deposition technique. When a 50 percent substitution of oxygen-18 for oxygen-16 is made in the core region of the fiber, the Raman gain spectrum is substantially broadened.