Abstract: A glass-ceramic rare earth doped fiber comprises a plurality of crystallites, wherein at least 90% of the rare earth dopant is situated within said crystallites. The stimulated emission and absorption line shapes of the rare earth doped glass-ceramic fiber is narrower than that stimulated emission and absorption line shapes of the precursor rare earth doped glass. This is indication of the reduction in the inhomogenous broadening of glass-ceramic fibers compared to glass fibers. An embodiment of an optical amplifier includes: an input port; a length of glass-ceramic rare earth doped fiber, the glass-ceramic fiber being operatively coupled to the input port and including a plurality of crystallites; at least one optical pump coupled to this glass-ceramic fiber; an output port providing an amplified optical signal; and at least one optical component situated between the input port and the output port.

Abstract: A method of determining the magnitude of an exceptionally large current which comprises measuring the angle of rotation of polarized light in a magnetic field created by the current with a glass fiber sensor composed of a fluoride glass having a low Verdet constant and a photoelastic coefficient not over about 0.25 (nm/cm)/(kg/cm2).

Abstract: Fused silica stepper lens for photolithographic application are disclosed which are resistant to laser-induced damage, specifically, compaction or densification which can lead to an increase in the optical path length of the lens. The figure compares the phase front distortions of a standard fused silica with the phase front distortions observed in two inventive stepper lens fused silica.

Abstract: Method is disclosed for making glass having both polarizing and non-polarizing regions integral thereto by either ion-exchange or by exposure to light and heat. The polarizing regions of the resulting glass is effective in polarizing light radiation, that is, the glass exhibits permanent dichroic behavior and has at least some polarizing effect in the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm. The base glass composition contains Cu, Ag and at least one halide such that the resulting precipitated crystal phase consists of a halide.

Abstract: A gain medium for use in optical amplifiers or laser oscillators is disclosed. The gain medium includes a transition-metal doped glass-ceramic material having a crystal phase and a glass phase. The crystal phase is formed in situ in the glass phase, with the transition metal ions preferentially partitioning into the crystals from the glass phase. The crystals so formed have a size of less than 50 nm, and the transition metal ions within them are capable of lasing at a wavelength within the range of about 900 to 3000 nm. Also disclosed are amplifier and laser oscillator configurations, where the glass-ceramic gain medium is applied in a variety of configurations. Also disclosed is a method of amplifying a signal of light wherein the glass-ceramic gain medium is pumped with light energy so as to excite the transition metal ions, and the signal of light is transmitted through the gain medium while the transition metal ions are excited, whereby the signal of light is amplified.

Abstract: A fused silica glass which exhibits low compaction when exposed to high intensity excimer radiation, also exhibits low optical path distortion after exposure to a high intensity radiation dose. Also disclosed is a method for improving the select ratio of fused silica glass for photolithography, by predicting the optical path distortion of the glass under use by determining the intrinsic densification of the glass at a given number of pulses and fluence per pulse. Mathematical modeling methods are also disclosed for use in producing a fused silica stepper lens having low compaction under high intensity excimer radiation; and for determining optical path distortion caused by high energy radiation in fused silica glass.

Abstract: Devices are made comprising a tin-phosphorous oxyfluoride glass, which has been exposed to light, preferably shorter in wavelength than the absorption edge of the glass, to change the refractive index change of the glass. The glasses can be used to form planar and fiber devices, including core/clad structures for guiding light.

Abstract: Materials, both glass and glass-ceramic, that exhibit UV-induced changes in light transmission and electrical conductivity behavior. The materials consist essentially, in mole %, of 20-40% SiO2, 10-20% AlO1.5, 35-55% SiO2+AlO1.5, at least 30% CdF2, 0-20% PbF2, and/or ZnF2, 0-15% rare earth metal fluoride, and 45-65% total metal fluorides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass matrix which includes 4-70 wt. % SiO2, 0.5-20 wt. % Al2O3, 0-20 wt. % R2O, 0-30 wt. % R′O, 8-85 wt. % Ta2O5, 0-40 wt. % Nb2O5, and 0.01-1.0 wt. % R″2O3, where R2O+R″O is between about 2-35 wt. %, Ta2O5+Nb2O5 is between about 8-85 wt. %, R is selected from a group consisting of Li, Na, K, and combinations thereof, R′ is selected from a group consisting of Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, Zn, Pb, and combinations thereof, and R″ is a rare earth element. The present invention also relates to use of the glass matrix in forming optic waveguides such as optic amplifiers. The present invention further relates to a transparent glass ceramic that contains pyrochlore, perovskite, or a combination thereof as its major crystal phase, and includes 4-40 wt. % SiO2, 1-15 wt. % Al2O3, 0-20 wt. % K2O, 0-12 wt. % Na2O, 0-5 wt. % Li2O, 8-85 wt. % Ta2O5, and 0-45 wt. % Nb2O5, wherein Ta2O5+Nb2O5 is at least about 20 wt.

Abstract: A method of determining the magnitude of an exceptionally large current which comprises measuring the angle of rotation of polarized light in a magnetic field created by the current with a glass fiber sensor composed of a fluoride glass having a low Verdet constant and a photoelastic coefficient not over about 0.25 (nm/cm)/(kg/cm2).

Abstract: A polarizing glass article, and a method of making the article, that exhibits a broad band of high contrast polarizing properties in the infrared region of the radiation spectrum, that is phase-separated by precipitating silver, copper, or copper-cadmium halide crystals in the glass within a size range of 200-5000 Å, and that contains elongated silver, copper, or copper-cadmium metal particles formed on or in the halide crystals, and having an elongated aspect ratio of at least 2:1, the article having a contrast ratio of at least 100,000 over a range of at least 300 nm.

Abstract: A wideband polarization splitter and combiner is fabricated using either fiber coupler technology or planar coupler technology. The device splits or combines wideband light signals without losing a substantial amount of spectral information. An antipodal phase generator is used to split a randomly polarized light signal into relatively wideband polarization components for use by polarization sensitive devices. The optical device is fabricated using polarization preserving fibers or waveguides, but it is intended for use in systems employing non-polarization-preserving fibers. The polarization splitter/combiner is also used as the basis for an isolator/circulator and a polarization controller. The polarization controller converts a randomly polarized light signal into a signal having a known and definite state of polarization.

Abstract: Polarizing glass having localized regions or patterns of non-polarizing glass is disclosed. The glass is formed by use of reducing gas-blocking material, by local thermal heating of the glass, or by an etching technique.

Abstract: Method of patterning or forming color gradients and/or designs on a glass surface are disclosed. Patterns are formed by depositing a film of metal on at least one surface of the glass; forming a layer of photoresist over the metal; exposing the article to light through a mask which contains a desired pattern; developing the piece to remove the exposed photoresist to reveal the underlying metal; removing the underlying metal to reveal the underlying glass; and removing the unexposed photoresist to reveal the underlying metal. To form color gradients or color patterns, the glass article is further treated in hydrogen at a temperature in the range of 300-600.degree. C. to effect the desired surface coloration.

Abstract: A glass fiber sensor for measuring an electrical current, the glass fiber core being a heavy flint glass having its composition modified by the addition to the glass composition of a source of a selected rare earth ion, whereby the Verdet constant value of the glass is reduced without unduly increasing the value of the photoelastic coefficient.

Abstract: A structure for use in forming an optical component and a method of making such a component is described. The structure comprises a non-waveguiding body of optical material having a concentration of a photorefractive-sensitive component in the body such that upon irradiation of a part of the body by a beam of actinic radiation, the refractive index of the irradiated part is increased. The method of making the optical component comprises providing a non-waveguiding body of optical material; providing a concentration of a photorefractive-sensitive component in the body; contacting the non-waveguiding body of optical material with an atmosphere comprising one of hydrogen, deuterium and mixtures thereof; and exposing a part of the non-waveguiding body of optical material to actinic radiation such that the refractive index of the exposed part is increased. Such a structure and method can be used to form symmetrical planar waveguides, optical fiber waveguides and other optical components such as gratings.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of high purity fused silica glass which is highly resistant to 248 nm excimer laser-induced optical damage. In particular, this invention relates to a fused silica optical member or blank.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of high purity fused silica glass which is highly resistant to optical damage by ultraviolet radiation in the laser wavelength of about 300 nm or shorter. In particular, this invention relates to a fused silica optical member or blank which exhibits substantially no optical damage up to 10.sup.7 pulses (350 mJ/cm.sup.2) at the KrF laser wavelength region of about 248 nm, and at the ArF laser wavelength region of about 193 nm.

Abstract: A birefringent waveplate that is composed of an integral, transparent, glass body, the glass body consisting of non-absorbing crystalline particles dispersed in a glassy matrix, the dispersed crystalline particles being selected from the group consisting of copper chloride, copper bromide and mixtures thereof, the dispersed crystalline particles having a high aspect ratio and being oriented and aligned along a common axis, whereby the waveplate is rendered birefringent so that polarized components of light transmitted through the waveplate have a phase shift introduced.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens of photochromic glass having an R.sub.2 O-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -B.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2 base glass composition and a method of producing the lens. The lens contains precipitated cuprous halide crystals that are elongated and oriented, whereby the lens is capable of polarizing light when the lens is in the darkened state. If at least a portion of the crystals in at least a surface layer on the lens are reduced to copper metal, the lens exhibits a permanent dichroic behavior. The lens provides effective polarization of radiation across the entire visible wavelength region of the spectrum, has a sharp spectral cutoff for radiation below the 400 nm wavelength, thereby eliminating UV transmission, and has a transmittance not over about 40% in the darkened state.