Abstract: A biometrics-enabled smart card for use in transactional or identity applications (e.g., credit cards and identity cards). The biometric smart card includes a substrate, a biometric sensor capable of reading biometric information through the substrate, and a microprocessor to process, store, and authenticate biometric information. The substrate has a Young's modulus of at least abut 50 GPa and a thickness of up to about 0.5 mm.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high strength, chemically toughened protective glass article, the glass article having a high damage tolerance threshold of at least 1500 g as measured by the lack of radial cracks when the load is applied to the glass using a Vickers indenter; preferably greater than 2000 g s measured by the lack of initiation of radial cracks when the load is applied to the glass using a Vickers indenter.

Abstract: A tempered glass sheet article includes a glass sheet having a thickness t, at least one edge, and at least one surface. The at least one edge is connected to the at least one surface by an edge-to-surface corner. The edge-to-surface corner is rounded with a radius r and has a surface compression that is at least 78% of a surface compression measured at or near a center of the at least one surface.

Abstract: A glass and an enclosure, including windows, cover plates, and substrates for mobile electronic devices comprising the glass. The glass has a crack initiation threshold that is sufficient to withstand direct impact, has a retained strength following abrasion that is greater than soda lime and alkali aluminosilicate glasses, and is resistant to damage when scratched. The enclosure includes cover plates, windows, screens, and casings for mobile electronic devices and information terminal devices.

Abstract: A tempered glass sheet article includes a glass sheet having a thickness t, at least one edge, and at least one surface. The at least one edge is connected to the at least one surface by an edge-to-surface corner. The edge-to-surface corner is rounded with a radius r and has a surface compression that is at least 78% of a surface compression measured at or near a center of the at least one surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high strength, chemically toughened protective glass article, the glass article having a high damage tolerance threshold of at least 1500 g as measured by the lack of radial cracks when the load is applied to the glass using a Vickers indenter; preferably greater than 2000 g s measured by the lack of initiation of radial cracks when the load is applied to the glass using a Vickers indenter

Abstract: The present invention provides lensed fibers and methods of making lensed fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of making a functional-coated lensed fiber includes the steps of providing a lensed fiber, the lensed fiber having a terminal section including a terminal fiber segment and a lensed segment, the lensed segment having an optically operative area; covering at least part of the terminal section of the lensed fiber with a protective element, thereby forming a protected lensed fiber having an optically operative area that is not covered by the protective element; and forming a functional coating on the optically operative area of the lensed segment of the protected lensed fiber to form the functional-coated lensed fiber. The method can be used to provide antireflection coated lensed fibers that are resistant to breakage.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a graded-index lens, a single-mode fiber disposed at a first end of the graded-index lens, and a refractive lens having a hyperbolic or near-hyperbolic shape disposed at a second end of the graded-index lens to focus a beam from the single-mode fiber to a diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: A collimator for use at multiple wavelengths includes an optical fiber and a gradient index lens positioned at a constant distance with respect to an end of the optical fiber. The gradient index lens has a chromatic aberration at a selected pitch less than 0.01 over a selected range of the infrared spectral region.

Abstract: A multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber having a core region defining an optical axis and a GRIN-fiber lens positioned in relation to one end of the optical fiber. A biconic lens including an external surface defined by two different curves disposed substantially orthogonal to one another, a major curve C1 and a minor curve C2, with C1 and C2 intersecting at or near the optical axis is positioned in relation to an end of the GRIN-fiber lens remote from the fiber. A method of manufacturing a multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal, and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides lensed fibers and methods of making lensed fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of making a functional-coated lensed fiber includes the steps of providing a lensed fiber, the lensed fiber having a terminal section including a terminal fiber segment and a lensed segment, the lensed segment having an optically operative area; covering at least part of the terminal section of the lensed fiber with a protective element, thereby forming a protected lensed fiber having an optically operative area that is not covered by the protective element; and forming a functional coating on the optically operative area of the lensed segment of the protected lensed fiber to form the functional-coated lensed fiber. The method can be used to provide antireflection coated lensed fibers that are resistant to breakage.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a GRIN-fiber lens and a reflective surface disposed at one end of the GRIN-fiber lens, the reflective surface configured to cooperate with the GRIN-fiber lens to redirect the path of the optical signal directed against the reflective surface. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a multimode fiber and a refractive lens disposed at an end of the multimode fiber. The refractive lens focuses a beam from the multimode fiber into a diffraction-limited spot. In one embodiment, a graded-index is interposed between the multimode fiber and the refractive lens. In one embodiment, the combination of the graded-index and the refractive lens enables extreme anamorphic lens characteristics.

Abstract: A collimator for use at multiple wavelengths includes an optical fiber and a gradient index lens positioned at a constant distance with respect to an end of the optical fiber. The gradient index lens has a chromatic aberration at a selected pitch less than 0.01 over a selected range of the infrared spectral region.

Abstract: A fiber lens includes a graded-index lens, a single-mode fiber disposed at a first end of the graded-index lens, and a refractive lens having a hyperbolic or near-hyperbolic shape disposed at a second end of the graded-index lens to focus a beam from the single-mode fiber to a diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: Articles and methods for positioning lensed fiber elements and optical devices are disclosed. The articles and methods include a lens gripping element and a fiber gripping element disposed on a planar substrate. The articles and methods are useful for manufacturing optical fiber and lens arrays and waveguide devices.

Abstract: A lensed apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber biconic lens disposed on an end of the optical fiber such that the optical fiber and the biconic lens define an optical axis. The biconic lens includes an external surface defined by two different curves disposed substantially orthogonal to one another, a major curve C1 and a minor curve C2, wherein C1 and C2 intersect at or near the optical axis. A method of manufacturing a lensed apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal, and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a GRIN-fiber lens and a reflective surface disposed at one end of the GRIN-fiber lens, the reflective surface configured to cooperate with the GRIN-fiber lens to redirect the path of the optical signal directed against the reflective surface. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal and an optical assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes an optical fiber having a core region defining an optical axis and a GRIN-fiber lens positioned in relation to one end of the optical fiber. A biconic lens including an external surface defined by two different curves disposed substantially orthogonal to one another, a major curve C1 and a minor curve C2, with C1 and C2 intersecting at or near the optical axis is positioned in relation to an end of the GRIN-fiber lens remote from the fiber. A method of manufacturing a multi-lens apparatus for altering the mode field of an optical signal, and an optical assembly are also disclosed.