Abstract: An optical waveguide including a core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a cladding surrounding the buffer. The core, the buffer and the cladding include silica glass. A refractive index of the buffer is substantially equal to a refractive index of pure amorphous silica glass. The buffer may reduce bubble formation during manufacturing and may facilitate splicing of the waveguide. A numerical aperture of the waveguide may be fine-tuned by adjusting a radial dimension of the buffer in order to compensate variations in the refractive index of the core.

Abstract: An optical waveguide including a core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a cladding surrounding the buffer. The core, the buffer and the cladding include silica glass. A refractive index of the buffer is substantially equal to a refractive index of pure amorphous silica glass. The buffer may reduce bubble formation during manufacturing and may facilitate splicing of the waveguide. A numerical aperture of the waveguide may be fine-tuned by adjusting a radial dimension of the buffer in order to compensate variations in the refractive index of the core.

Abstract: A light-amplifying fiber arrangement including a pump fiber including glass and a bridge element. At least a portion of a side of the bridge element has been fused to at least a portion of a side of the pump fiber. An active fiber includes a light-amplifying core and a first cladding. The first cladding includes glass. At least a portion of a side of the active element has been fused to at least a portion of a side of the bridge element. A second cladding surrounds the pump and active fibers in order to confine pump light to the fibers. The second cladding includes glass. The arrangement allows coupling of high power levels into the pump fiber, wherein splicing of pigtails to the arrangement is easier than e.g. in case of conventional doubly clad fibers.

Abstract: A light-amplifying fiber arrangement including a pump fiber including glass and a bridge element. At least a portion of a side of the bridge element has been fused to at least a portion of a side of the pump fiber. An active fiber includes a light-amplifying core and a first cladding. The first cladding includes glass. At least a portion of a side of the active element has been fused to at least a portion of a side of the bridge element. A second cladding surrounds the pump and active fibers in order to confine pump light to the fibers. The second cladding includes glass. The arrangement allows coupling of high power levels into the pump fiber, wherein splicing of pigtails to the arrangement is easier than e.g. in case of conventional doubly clad fibers.

Abstract: An improved non-slipping device for skis is described having a braking blade turning under the bottom of the ski. The braking element is easily slid into slots in fastening elements on the side of the ski and removably kept in position by a locking device. Springs are provided to bias the blade to effect braking at the backward motion of the ski.

Abstract: A stable suspension of particles of a metal belonging to the platinum group consists of a microemulsion in which the particles are suspended. The suspension is prepared by dissolving a metal salt in a microemulsion, and reducing the salt to form a metal.