Abstract: Preparation of halogen-doped silica is described. The preparation includes doping silica with high halogen concentration and sintering halogen-doped silica to a closed-pore state. The sintering includes a high pressure sintering treatment and a low pressure sintering treatment. The high pressure sintering treatment is conducted in the presence of a high partial pressure of a gas-phase halogen doping precursor and densifies a silica soot body to a partially consolidated state. The low pressure sintering treatment is conducted in the presence of a low partial pressure of gas-phase halogen doping precursor and transforms a partially consolidated silica body to a closed-pore state. The product halogen-doped silica glass exhibits little foaming when heated to form fibers in a draw process or core canes in a redraw process.

Abstract: Preparation of halogen-doped silica is described. The preparation includes doping silica with high halogen concentration, sintering halogen-doped silica to a closed-pore state, and subjecting the closed-pore silica body to a thermal treatment process and/or a pressure treatment process. The temperature of thermal treatment is sufficiently high to facilitate reaction of unreacted doping precursor trapped in voids or interstices of the glass structure, but is below temperatures conducive to foaming. Core canes or fibers drawn from halogen-doped silica subjected to the thermal treatment and/or pressure treatment show improved optical quality and possess fewer defects. The thermal treatment and/or pressure treatment is particularly advantageous when used for silica doped with high concentrations of halogen.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing multi-mode optical fiber, and multi-mode optical fiber produced thereby, are disclosed. According to embodiments, a method for forming an optical fiber may include heating a multi-mode optical fiber preform and applying a draw tension to a root of the multi-mode optical fiber preform on a long axis of the multi-mode optical fiber preform thereby drawing a multi-mode optical fiber from the root of the multi-mode optical fiber preform. The draw tension may be modulated while the multi-mode optical fiber is drawn from the root of the multi-mode optical fiber preform. Modulating the draw tension introduces stress perturbations in the multi-mode optical fiber and corresponding refractive index perturbations in a core of the multi-mode optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of preparing an optical preform, comprises the steps of: positioning an optical preform comprising silica within a cavity of a furnace; passing an etchant gas into the furnace and at least one of through an open channel defined in the optical preform and around the optical preform; and passing a neutralizing gas into the cavity of the furnace, the neutralizing gas configured to neutralize the etchant gas.

Abstract: A method of forming a glass container including forming a glass container having a sidewall at least partially enclosing an interior volume, at least a portion of an interior surface of the sidewall having an interior surface layer; and contacting the glass container with a substantially fluoride-free aqueous treating medium to remove a thin layer of the interior surface layer having a thickness of from about 100 nm to about 1.0 ?m from the interior surface of the sidewall. The interior surface is resistant to delamination. Before contacting the glass container with the substantially fluoride-free aqueous treating medium, the exterior surface of the sidewall comprises strength-limiting surface flaws having a first shape, and after the contacting the exterior surface of the sidewall with the substantially fluoride-free aqueous treating medium, the strength-limiting surface flaws have a second shape.

Abstract: Optical preforms and methods for forming optical preforms are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for producing an optical preform includes compressing silica-based glass soot to form a porous optical preform comprising a soot compact. The porous optical preform is heated to a dwell temperature greater than or equal to 100° C. Thereafter, the porous optical preform is humidified at the dwell temperature in a water-containing atmosphere having a dew point greater than or equal to 30° C. to form a humidified porous optical preform. The soot compact portion of the humidified porous optical preform generally comprises greater than or equal to 0.5 wt. % water.

Abstract: A method of making an antimicrobial glass article that includes the steps: submersing the article in a strengthening bath to exchange a portion of ion-exchangeable metal ions in the glass article with a portion of ion-exchanging metal ions in the strengthening bath to form a compressive stress layer extending from the first surface to a diffusion depth in the article; removing a portion of the compressive stress layer from the first surface of the article to a first depth above the diffusion depth in the article to define a new first surface and a remaining compressive stress layer; and submersing the article in an antimicrobial bath to exchange a portion of the ion-exchangeable and the ion-exchanging metal ions in the compressive stress layer with a portion of the silver metal ions in the antimicrobial bath to impart an antimicrobial property in the article.

Abstract: A method of making an antimicrobial glass article that includes the steps: submersing the article in a strengthening bath to exchange a portion of ion-exchangeable metal ions in the glass article with a portion of ion-exchanging metal ions in the strengthening bath to form a compressive stress layer extending from the first surface to a diffusion depth in the article; removing a portion of the compressive stress layer from the first surface of the article to a first depth above the diffusion depth in the article to define a new first surface and a remaining compressive stress layer; and submersing the article in an antimicrobial bath to exchange a portion of the ion-exchangeable and the ion-exchanging metal ions in the compressive stress layer with a portion of the silver metal ions in the antimicrobial bath to impart an antimicrobial property in the article.

Abstract: Glasses with compressive stress profiles that allow higher surface compression and deeper depth of layer (DOL) than is allowable in glasses with stress profiles that follow the complementary error function at a given level of stored tension. In some instances, a buried layer or local maximum of increased compression, which can alter the direction of cracking systems, is present within the depth of layer. Theses compressive stress profiles are achieved by a three step process that includes a first ion exchange step to create compressive stress and depth of layer that follows the complimentary error function, a heat treatment at a temperature below the strain point of the glass to partially relax the stresses in the glass and diffuse larger alkali ions to a greater depth, and a re-ion-exchange at short times to re-establish high compressive stress at the surface.

Abstract: Glasses with compressive stress profiles that allow higher surface compression and deeper depth of layer (DOL) than is allowable in glasses with stress profiles that follow the complementary error function at a given level of stored tension. In some instances, a buried layer or local maximum of increased compression, which can alter the direction of cracking systems, is present within the depth of layer. Theses compressive stress profiles are achieved by a three step process that includes a first ion exchange step to create compressive stress and depth of layer that follows the complimentary error function, a heat treatment at a temperature below the strain point of the glass to partially relax the stresses in the glass and diffuse larger alkali ions to a greater depth, and a re-ion-exchange at short times to re-establish high compressive stress at the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for strengthening glass articles having strength-limiting surface flaws, together with strengthened glass articles produced by such methods, and electronic devices incorporating the strengthened glass articles. The methods generally involve contacting the glass articles with a substantially fluoride-free aqueous acidic treating medium for a time at least sufficient to increase the rupture failure points of the glass articles.

Abstract: Glasses with compressive stress profiles that allow higher surface compression and deeper depth of layer (DOL) than is allowable in glasses with stress profiles that follow the complementary error function at a given level of stored tension. In some instances, a buried layer or local maximum of increased compression, which can alter the direction of cracking systems, is present within the depth of layer. Theses compressive stress profiles are achieved by a three step process that includes a first ion exchange step to create compressive stress and depth of layer that follows the complimentary error function, a heat treatment at a temperature below the strain point of the glass to partially relax the stresses in the glass and diffuse larger alkali ions to a greater depth, and a re-ion-exchange at short times to re-establish high compressive stress at the surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a glass container including forming a glass container having a sidewall at least partially enclosing an interior volume, at least a portion of an interior surface of the sidewall having an interior surface layer; and contacting the glass container with a substantially fluoride-free aqueous treating medium to remove a thin layer of the interior surface layer having a thickness of from about 100 nm to about 1.0 ?m from the interior surface of the sidewall. The interior surface is resistant to delamination. Before contacting the glass container with the substantially fluoride-free aqueous treating medium, the exterior surface of the sidewall comprises strength-limiting surface flaws having a first shape, and after the contacting the exterior surface of the sidewall with the substantially fluoride-free aqueous treating medium, the strength-limiting surface flaws have a second shape.

Abstract: Glasses with compressive stress profiles that allow higher surface compression and deeper depth of layer (DOL) than is allowable in glasses with stress profiles that follow the complementary error function at a given level of stored tension. In some instances, a buried layer or local maximum of increased compression, which can alter the direction of cracking systems, is present within the depth of layer. Theses compressive stress profiles are achieved by a three step process that includes a first ion exchange step to create compressive stress and depth of layer that follows the complimentary error function, a heat treatment at a temperature below the strain point of the glass to partially relax the stresses in the glass and diffuse larger alkali ions to a greater depth, and a re-ion-exchange at short times to re-establish high compressive stress at the surface.

Abstract: A method of making an antimicrobial glass article that includes the steps: submersing the article in a strengthening bath to exchange a portion of ion-exchangeable metal ions in the glass article with a portion of ion-exchanging metal ions in the strengthening bath to form a compressive stress layer extending from the first surface to a diffusion depth in the article; removing a portion of the compressive stress layer from the first surface of the article to a first depth above the diffusion depth in the article to define a new first surface and a remaining compressive stress layer; and submersing the article in an antimicrobial bath to exchange a portion of the ion-exchangeable and the ion-exchanging metal ions in the compressive stress layer with a portion of the silver metal ions in the antimicrobial bath to impart an antimicrobial property in the article.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical glass preform from a soot preform is provided. The method includes forming a soot preform, placing the soot preform in a furnace, and applying a vacuum through a centerline hole of the soot preform.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for strengthening glass articles having strength-limiting surface flaws, together with strengthened glass articles produced by such methods, and electronic devices incorporating the strengthened glass articles. The methods generally involve contacting the glass articles with a substantially fluoride-free aqueous acidic treating medium for a time at least sufficient to increase the rupture failure points of the glass articles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for strengthening glass articles having strength-limiting surface flaws, together with strengthened glass articles produced by such methods, and electronic devices incorporating the strengthened glass articles. The methods generally involve contacting the glass articles with a substantially fluoride-free aqueous acidic treating medium for a time at least sufficient to increase the rupture failure points of the glass articles.

Abstract: Optical preforms and methods for forming optical preforms are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for producing an optical preform includes compressing silica-based glass soot to form a porous optical preform comprising a soot compact. The porous optical preform is heated to a dwell temperature greater than or equal to 100° C. Thereafter, the porous optical preform is humidified at the dwell temperature in a water-containing atmosphere having a dew point greater than or equal to 30° C. to form a humidified porous optical preform. The soot compact portion of the humidified porous optical preform generally comprises greater than or equal to 0.5 wt. % water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for strengthening glass articles having strength-limiting surface flaws, together with strengthened glass articles produced by such methods, and electronic devices incorporating the strengthened glass articles. The methods generally involve contacting the glass articles with a substantially fluoride-free aqueous acidic treating medium for a time at least sufficient to increase the rupture failure points of the glass articles.