Abstract: A method of producing a fused silica product comprising introducing a silicon-containing, organometallic compound into a flame to form molten silica particles, and collecting the molten silica particles in a furnace having a crown and cup such that a fused silica product is obtained, wherein at least the furnace crown is formed from a porous, fired, zircon refractory having a sodium ion content of less than 30 ppm. The fused silica product produced by the method has a sodium ion contamination level below 100 parts per billion.

Abstract: A composite article comprising a silicon body and a glass body bonded directly thereto by electrostatic bonding. The glass composition consists essentially of oxides of silicon, aluminum, and lithium, and the glass has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximating that of silicon, etches at a rate of at least 100 mg/cm.sup.2 in 20 minutes in 48% HF, and may be electrostatically bonded to silicon at a voltage not over 1,000 volts/mm of glass thickness at a temperature not over 440.degree. C.

Abstract: A mold for an organic polymer, ophthalmic lens element has separate upper and lower mold members with each mold member being composed of a thermoplastic polymer. The lower mold member has a central, bowl-shaped cavity with contours that conform to those of a lens to be molded therein, and has an annular rim surrounding the upper edge of the cavity. The upper member has a central portion with an under surface that corresponds in contour to that of the upper surface of the lens to be molded, and has an annular rim that surrounds the central portion and rests on the annular rim of the lower member when the two members are assembled.

Abstract: Lead-free, SnO-ZnO-P.sub.2 O.sub.5 glasses contain 25-50 mole percent P.sub.2 O.sub.5 and SnO and ZnO in amounts such that the mole ratio of SnO:ZnO is in the range of 1:1 to 5:1. Optionally, the glasses may contain up to 20 mole percent of modifying oxides including up to 5 mole percent SiO.sub.2, up to 20 mole percent B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and up to 5 mole percent Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, as well as one or more crystallization promoters selected from 1-5 mole percent zircon and/or zirconia and 1-15 mole percent R.sub.2 O. The glasses are particularly useful as sealing glass frits in sealing material to join component parts in articles such as cathode ray tubes. The sealing glass material may contain mill additions to reduce the effective coefficient of thermal expansion in a seal.

Abstract: A composition for a photochromic glass consisting essentially of, in approximate calculated weight percent, about:______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 54-58% Ag 0.18-0.33% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 18-22% Cl 0.25-0.50% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 7-8% Br 0.04-0.12% Li.sub.2 O 3.75-4.5% CuO 0.007-0.012% Na.sub.2 O 0-1% PbO 0-0.08% K.sub.2 O 5.5-7.5% Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 0-0.20% TiO.sub.2 0-2% Pd 1-6 ppm ZrO.sub.2 2-4.5% ______________________________________plus 0-1.0% Er.sub.2 O.sub.3 and/or 0-10 ppm Au, the mole ratio of Li.sub.2 O:Na.sub.2 O being equal to or greater than 9:1 and the glass having a coloration in the fully darkened state corresponding to chromaticity coordinates, in accordance with the 1931 C.I.E. trichromatic colorimetric system, that fall within the trapezoid ABCDA in the drawing for a 1.1 mm glass thickness, and within the trapezoid EFGHE for a 2 mm glass thickness.

Abstract: A method of producing a glass-plastic, laminated, ophthalmic lens structure in a continuous operation. A thin, flexible, plastic adhesive layer is applied to a glass element to form a composite body that is inserted in a cylindrical gasket in such manner as to fit snugly and be sealed from the ambient. A monomeric formulation is flowed onto the adhesive layer and cured to form a laminated lens blank.

Abstract: A support for a glass blank, e.g. a telescope mirror blank, while a surface of the blank is being ground. The support comprises a blocking body and a plurality of spaced, flexible tubes extending in a parallel pattern over the blocking body surface. At least some of the tubes are filled with an organic material that is cured to form a rigid polymer support. A second set of tubes under air pressure from an air manifold may provide an initial support for the blank while the first set of tubes is being filled and cured.

Abstract: A glazing device, and a method for using such device to apply a surface glaze to a dental construct. The device includes glazing material associated with a shrinkable, hollow carrier. The method includes associating glazing material with a hollow carrier composed of a shrinkable and removable material, assembling the construct and carrier with the construct positioned within the carrier, shrinking the carrier onto the construct, removing the carrier, and maturing the material to a glaze. The device and method find particular application in applying coloration, either uniformly or in a pattern, to a dental construct.

Abstract: A method of applying a surface glaze to a dental construct. The method includes associating glazing material with a carrier composed of a highly flexible and removable material, assembling the construct and carrier with the construct positioned within the carrier, forcing the carrier onto the construct by differential fluid pressure, removing the carrier, and maturing the glazing material to a glaze. The method finds particular application in applying coloration, either uniformly or in a pattern, to a dental construct.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved integral optical device of the type produced by creating optical patterns in porous glass bodies, especially patterns involving gradient refractive index distributions. The optical strength of an element, such as a lens, in such an optical pattern is increased by treatment with a polymerizable, organo functional silicone fluid while the matrix glass is sealed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite photochromic glass article composed of a glass core and a thin surface layer substantially encasing that core, the core preferably containing a copper-cadmium halide photochromic crystal system and the substantially encasing glass layer preferably containing a copper-cadmium-silver halide photochromic crystal system. The article may be made by fusion laminating two separately formed glasses, or by introducing silver into a surface layer on a glass article by ion exchange.