Abstract: A device for the continuous measurement of the thickness of layers which are deposited on a substrate at low pressure, comprising a light source and two light conductors. Both light conductors are present in a pipe closed at one end by an optical window. Said end has an exchangeable sleeve which at one end comprises an optical window and which can be slid so as to fit the pipe in which the light conductors are present.

Abstract: A passive fiber optic component, in which two or more fibers are each bared at one end by removal of the outer coating of the fiber. The bare portions of the fibers are etched to produce cylindrical end portion which adjoins a conical portion. Subsequently, the fibers are arranged with their etched portions in a capillary tube which is sealed at one end. The tube is then evacuated and is fused with the etched portions of the fibers to form a solid rod with a rotationally symmetric distribution of the end portions of the fibers. The fibers are etched to such a diameter that after fusion of the fibers with the tube, the fused fiber ends have a circular cross-section substantially equal to the cross-section of a single fiber core. An end face is formed on the rod by cleaving or by grinding, and by polishing to obtain a fused fiber head. The fiber head forms a fiber optic component itself, or forms a basic element for a great number of fiber optic components such as splitters and couplers.

Abstract: The irradiation device comprises a short arc discharge lamp, in which a pair of electrodes are arranged, between which a discharge path extends. An optical conductor is sealed with its first end into the wall of the lamp vessel in such a manner that its light entrance window is arranged laterally of the discharge path and is directed to the discharge path.

Abstract: To a carrier (1, 1') there is cemented a bar of a material (3, 3'), for example glass or a ceramic material, which is subsequently divided, using cuts (7, 7') which extend transversely of its longitudinal direction, into a number of slices (9, 9') which are separately cemented to the carrier. Each slice (9, 9') is provided with a groove (13, 13') which extends parallel to the cuts (7, 7'). The grooves (13, 13') are curved and have a center of curvature which is situated at the side of the bar (3, 3') which faces the carrier (1, 1'). In the grooves (13, 13') there are secured optical fibres (19, 19') which follow the curvature of the groove, after which a side portion of the fibres which is situated furthest from the carrier (1, 1') is ground off. A flat ground face (21, 21') is thus formed one each fibre (19, 19'). Such ground fibres (19, 19') are arranged so that their ground faces contact one another in order to form directional couplers, after which the slices (9, 9') are detached from the carrier (1, 1').

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a passive fiber optic component, in which two or more fibers are each bared at one end by removal of the outer coating of the fiber the bare portions of the fibers are etched to produce a cylindrical end portion which adjoins a conical portion. Subsequently, the fibers (1) are arranged with their etched portions in a capillary tube which is sealed at one end. The tube is then evacuated and is fused with the etched portions of the fibers to form a solid rod with a rotationally symmetric distribution of the end portions of the fibers. The fibers are etched to such a diameter that after fusion of the fibers with the tube, the fused fibers ends have a circular cross-section substantially equal to the cross-section of a single fiber core. An end face is formed on the rod by cleaving or by grinding, and by polishing to obtain a fused fiber head.

Abstract: The force-sensitive position sensor or writing tablet is composed (for each of the two coordinate directions) of two layers of parallel extending light conductors having a spacing of 0.1 mm or less, the distance between the two layers being approximately 5 .mu.m. By locally exerting a force on the carrier material in which the light conductors are embedded, by means of the tip of a stylus, the light conductors are geometrically deformed. These deformations cause a variation of the optical coupling between the two locally deformed conductors, thus causing a detectable transfer of light variation from one conductor to the other. By connection of one layer to a light source and the other layer to a suitable detector, a force-sensitive position sensor can be constructed by means of electro-optical means.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a circular outer cross-section and having a core which has a noncircular cross-section is produced by using a double crucible. The outer crucible is provided with a ring-shaped channel of which at least one of the boundary walls has a noncircular cross-section. The glass of the outer crucible is passed through this channel before it is contacted with the glass of the inner crucible.