Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring, managing and improving the quality and performance of supplied products and services across a large and potentially very diverse organization or enterprise. The invention provides a more accurate and comprehensive view of a supplier's overall quality and performance record than conventional systems and methods because it features real-time, interactive access to both quantitative and qualitative performance data throughout the entire life of the supplied product or service. The invention provides this real-time interactive access to the quality and performance data at multiple levels of detail according to user preference.

Abstract: A fiber optic amplifier is disclosed utilizing a doped fiber to provide amplification through stimulated emission. The doped fiber is simultaneously pumped by multiple pump lasers generating optical waves of differing wavelengths. The optical waves from the lasers are combined using a wavelength division multiplexer before introduction into the doped fiber. The use of multiple pump lasers decreases the power requirements of each laser, reduces the cost of the amplifier, and increases reliability without compromising the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: Optical fibers coated with a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and at least one other polymer are poled to make the coating piezoelectric, whereby the optical fiber will undergo strain when the coating is exposed to an electric field.

Abstract: Adhesive tape useful in supporting an array of parallel optical fibers in an optical transmission cable comprising an adhesive-covered biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film having defined ranges for the proportion of gauche and trans conformations of the ethylene glycol linkages of the polyethylene terephthalate molecule, as measured by infrared spectroscopy, whereby extreme dimensional stability is achieved.