Abstract: Glass-based soft-edged aperture filters having good thermal stability are produced by diffusing a coloring element such as Ag into a glass, thus providing a transmittance gradient in the colored portion thereof. A glass composition comprising a basic glass, such as a silicate, borosilicate or phosphate glass, and 1 to 10% by weight of As.sub.2 O.sub.3 and/or Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 is especially suitable for producing such soft-edged aperture filters.

Abstract: An electron multiplier channel structure having channel walls formed of alternate strips of different glasses. One glass has optimum electrical conductivity properties and the other glass has optimum secondary electron-emitting properties. The strips are contiguous so that electrical conducting strips can readily supply electrons to neighboring electron emitting strips when an electrical potential is applied across the multi-channel structure.

Abstract: Multifocal photochromic opthalmic lenses are produced by nucleating potentially photochromic major lens blanks through heat treatment, combining the nucleated blanks with compatible button or segment glasses, and fusing the combined glasses at temperatures suitable for achieving both fusion and the simultaneous development of full photochromic properties in the previously nucleated major lens blanks.

Abstract: An optical power divider is disclosed for single mode optical fibers. The fibers to be coupled are inserted in converging bores in a lower refractive index glass block which is collapsed about the fibers and drawn down. In the drawn down region the fibers are reduced in cross-section so that an appreciable proportion of the optical energy will be guided by the fibers while propagating in the surrounding lower refractive index glass block.

Abstract: A method of producing photochromic multifocal spectacle lenses by fusion of a reading segment with a photochromic major lens portion. The reading segment and the main photochromic portion of the lens are fused together at a temperature which does not adversely affect the photochromic properties of the glass. In one embodiment of the invention, the parts are fused at a temperature in the tempering range but below the turbidity range of the photochromic glass, and are held at the fusing temperature for a sufficiently limited time so that turbidity does not occur. In another embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the glass is raised rather rapidly through the tempering range and through the turbidity range to a point above the turbidity range, and fusion occurs above this range, and then the glass is cooled rather rapidly down through the turbidity range and through the tempering range.

Abstract: Glass compatible metal matrices are mounted in a glass forming boat and slugs of glass are applied to each. Heat is provided such that openings in the matrix are glassed, whereupon the entire sheet may be ground, polished, or otherwise processed as desired. Alternatively, open ended metallic portions may be utilized to control the amount of sag to which heated glass is subjected, thereby providing glass components of a desired radius of curvature. When metal framed optical components are secured in lasers by weldment, controlled crimping and deflection of the metallic laser jacket portion is utilized for precise alignment of the instrument.