Abstract: Ceramic fibers formed by the pyrolysis of organosilicon preceramic polymers are provided with increased resistivity by treating the fibers in air at temperatures of less than 1,000.degree. C. to oxidize the free carbon content of the fibers.

Abstract: A process for coating a polypropylene or polyethylene surface with a maleic acid-grafted polypropylene or polyethylene copolymer, and stretching the surface to increase permeability without damaging the coated surface. In this process, a dope containing the graft copolymer is applied to the polypropylene or polyethylene surface, e.g. by dip coating, at a temperature high enough to keep the copolymer solvated in the dope solvent; the surface is then dried. The permeability of the surface is improved by stretching the surface at least about 50% beyond its original area or length such that when the stretching force is released a residual strain of less than about 11% exists. The stretching operation may be done simultaneously with or subsequent to the coating operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment this invention provides novel side chain copolymers which exhibit nonlinear optical response, and which have utility as a transparent optical component in all-optical and electrooptical light switch and light modulator devices.

Abstract: A method for applying polymeric coatings to fibers is disclosed and claimed. The method involves solution casting a film atop a liquid bath and radially advancing the pre-cast film to a central point where the fiber to be coated is drawn through the film so that a uniform coating is applied about the entire circumference of the fiber. The polymeric film is maintained in a swollen state to ease processing and promote adhesion.

Abstract: This invention provides process embodiments for fabricating polymeric channel or rib optical waveguides.An invention optical waveguide has a channel or rib structure which has a polymer thin film smooth-wall lining on its surfaces to minimize optical loss by scattering of propagating wave energy.The smooth-wall channel waveguide polymeric medium is in combination with polymeric cladding thin films to form a laminated matrix. The polymers in the waveguiding medium and the lining and cladding thin films of the laminated matrix preferably have side chains which exhibit second order nonlinear optical susceptibility, and which can be molecularly oriented by an electric field.

Abstract: A waveguiding media of polymeric materials is disclosed and claimed. In a preferred embodiment both core and cladding include X.sup.(2) materials poled to a non-centrosymmetric structure. Materials are selected so that the index difference between core and cladding remains relatively constant before and after poling so as to allow for efficient fabrication.

Abstract: A device for separating a moving fiber from processing fluid is disclosed and claimed. A chamber defining hydrophilic and hydrophobic flow paths respectively is exemplified. The device is placed so that substantially all water associated with processing exits via the hydrophilic path while the fiber exits via the hydrophobic path.

Abstract: This invention provides nonlinear optical media which have a stable noncentrosymmetric array of side chain polymer molecules, such as an electric field poled and stabilized medium of a 50/50 copolymer of N-methyl-4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethenyl]phenylamino-2-ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 4-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyenyl]phenylthio-2-ethyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate.

Abstract: This invention relates to new fluorine-containing polyimides, polyamide-acids/esters, polyamides, addition polyimides and imide oligomers which exhibit low melting points, better solubilities, low dielectric constants, superior thermal and thermal oxidative stability, and improved processing characteristics.The products of this invention are characterized by the fact that they are derived from 4,4'-bis[2-(amino(halo)phenoxyphenyl)hexafluoroisopropyl]diphenyl ether.

Abstract: Provided is an optical information card having a particular structure. The card is comprised of four different layers, i.e., a card substrate, a recording layer which is formed on one side of the card substrate and which comprises a naphthalocyanine compound, a polyvinyl alcohol coating directly over the information layer, and a transparent protective layer over the polyvinyl alcohol layer. This structure offers a very sensitive and useful optical information card which can be easily manufactured while maintaining the integrity of the information layer, and which permits one to realize the advantage of using a naphthalocyanine information layer in a card format.