Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion apparatus comprises a die body and a flow control device. The die body comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a central axis, a first set of feedholes, a second set of feedholes, a set of central slots, and a set of outermost peripheral slots. The first set of feedholes extends from the inlet end to an interior interface portion of the die body. The second set of feedholes extends through the die body from the inlet end to the outlet end. The set of central slots extends from the outlet end to the interior interface portion of the die body. The set of outermost peripheral slots is disposed radially outwardly of the central slots. The interior interface portion of the die body is configured to allow flow of the batch material from the first set of feedholes to the central slots and to the outermost peripheral slots.

Abstract: Zeolite-based honeycomb bodies and methods of manufacturing same. Zeolite-based honeycomb bodies especially suited for engine exhaust treatment applications include a primary phase comprising a zeolite having a SiO2 to Al2O3 molar ratio in the range from 5 to 300. The zeolite-based composites are porous with an open porosity of at least 25% and a median pore diameter of at least 1 micron. The zeolite-based honeycomb bodies can be manufactured by an extrusion method.

Abstract: A detection system includes a length of optical fiber and an OTDR coupled to the optical fiber. The OTDR includes a radiation source providing pulsed radiation to the fiber, a detector detecting radiation that is backscattered through the fiber, and a processor capable of analyzing the variation of the radiation that is backscattered through the fiber. At least two polarization dependent sensing elements are positioned along the length of optical fiber.

Abstract: Porous ceramic honeycomb bodies and methods of making them, wherein the ceramic body has a total porosity (% P) defined by a median pore size (d50) greater than or equal to 10 microns; a pore size distribution d-factor less than 0.8, wherein d-factor=(d50?d10)/d50, and a submicron pore fraction characterized by less than 5% of the total porosity being comprised of pores having a pore diameter less than 1.0 micron.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic-based system and method for controlling the drying of material by a microwave applicator. The system includes power output controller that controls applicator output power; material sensor that detects amount of material in the applicator; and fuzzy logic controller that receives a signal from the material sensor indicating the current amount of material in the applicator and adjusts the microwave output power based on the current amount of material in accordance with fuzzy logic rules by sending a control signal to the power output controller. A membership function divides the expected range for the amount of material into multiple regions, each region having precomputed regional output settings. The regional output settings of the regions that include the current amount of material are used to compute the control signal.

Abstract: An optical multimode fiber including a graded index core and an extended gradient core which has a negative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding. The fiber improves the bandwidth, reliability and complexity of the telecommunication systems that are based on multimode fibers. The fiber reduces the differential mode delay among modes. The fiber thereby allows achieving large bandwidth even in the case when the highest order modes are excited. This has positive effects to the conditions that need to be fulfilled by the components such as optical sources, connectors, fiber couplers, other optical components, cables, etc. The fiber eliminates negative impact of the cladding that allows for reduction of fiber core size and the difference between the cladding and the core and thereby allows for achieving the larger bandwidth of optical fiber at lower fiber production cost.

Abstract: A high-resolution, large-field scanning inspection system for inspecting extruded ceramic honeycomb structures is disclosed. The system allows for inspecting cells at an endface of a cellular ceramic substrate by capturing, along an optical axis, line images of illuminated cells as a line illumination scans over at least a portion of the plurality of cells. The inspection method includes centering the line illumination on the optical axis to make the line illumination normally incident upon the endface. The inspection method also includes forming from the line images a composite image of the cells, and determining from the composite image at least one parameter of at least one cell.

Abstract: The coaxial cable connector has a coupler, a post, and a ring that prevent interfaces from gapping and provide a robust alternative ground path that also RF shields the connector from both ingress and egress. The ring is disposed in between and engages at least a portion of a groove in the body and at least a portion of the channel in the coupler, radial movement of the coupler causes the axial movement of the body relative to the terminal.

Abstract: An RF coaxial terminator includes an impedance match element mounted within a housing. The impedance match element includes a central conductive pin, a supportive element, a ring, and a resistor, wherein the resistor longitudinally extends in a direction that is not coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the central conductive pin.

Abstract: Optical waveguide fiber that has large effective area and low loss characteristics, such as low attenuation and low bend loss. The optical waveguide fiber includes a dual trench design wherein an annular region closer to the core is preferably doped with at least one downdopant such as fluorine, which annular region is surrounded by another annular region that preferably includes closed, randomly dispersed voids.

Abstract: An optical modulator that utilizes Bloch surface plasmon (BSP) effects is disclosed. The BSP optical (BSPO) modulator (10) includes a permittivity-modulated (P-M) grating (20) that can be one-dimensional or two-dimensional. Electro-optic (EO) substrates (30) sandwich the P-M grating. The EO substrates have electrodes (64) arranged thereon, and a voltage source (60) connected to the electrodes is used to provide an applied voltage (V30) via a modulation voltage signals (SM) that switches the modulator. Index-matching layers (40) may be used to mitigate adverse reflection effects. The BSPO modulator allows for normally incident input light (100I) to be modulated directly without having to generate oblique angles of incidence for the input light in order to excite the surface plasmon.

Abstract: A preform for forming a hollow-core, slotted photonic band-gap (PBG) optical fiber for use in an environmental sensor, and methods of forming such a fiber using the preform are disclosed. The preform comprises a slotted cladding tube that surrounds a slotted, hollow-core PBG cane. The slots in the cladding tube and PBG cane are longitudinally formed and substantially aligned with each other. When the preform is drawn, the slots merge to form an elongated side opening or slot in the resulting hollow-core PBG fiber.

Abstract: A method for forming an optical fiber includes drawing the optical fiber from a glass supply and treating the fiber by maintaining the optical fiber in a treatment zone wherein the fiber is cooled at a specified cooling rate. The optical fiber treatment reduces the tendency of the optical fiber to increase in attenuation due to Rayleigh scattering, and/or over time following formation of the optical fiber due to heat aging. Methods for producing optical fibers along nonlinear paths incorporating fluid bearings are also provided thereby allowing for increased vertical space for the fiber treatment zone.

Abstract: A hybrid optical fiber connector tool is capable of cleaving an optical fiber inserted into the connector tool. The connector tool includes an inner housing, an outer housing that is rotatable with respect to the inner housing, and an optical fiber cutting component. The connector tool is useful for connecting and cutting optical fiber in the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically coupling light between optical transmission components is provided. The apparatus includes first and second optical transmission components wherein the first optical transmission component includes a planar optical waveguide, a grating coupler, and a transparent substrate and the second optical transmission component includes an optical fiber. Preferably, the planar optical waveguide includes silicon and the transparent substrate includes glass. Methods for coupling light between optical transmission components are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing a semiconductor on glass (SOG) structure include: bringing a first surface of a glass substrate into direct or indirect contact with a semiconductor wafer; heating at least one of the glass substrate and the semiconductor wafer such that a second surface of the glass substrate, opposite to the first surface thereof, is at a lower temperature than the first surface; applying a voltage potential across the glass substrate and the semiconductor wafer; and maintaining the contact, heating and voltage to induce an anodic bond between the semiconductor wafer and the glass substrate via electrolysis.

Abstract: Microstructured optical fiber for single-moded transmission of optical signals, the optical fiber including a core region and a cladding region, the cladding region including an annular hole-containing region that contains non-periodically disposed holes. The annular hole containing region is doped with at least one dopant selected from fluorine and chlorine. The optical fiber provides low bend loss as well as low heat-induced splice loss.

Abstract: A coaxial angle connector includes a pin having first and second ends, the first end being generally perpendicular to the second end. The pin is moveable from a first position to a second position in response to insertion of a coaxial cable into the connector and provides a positive visual indication of proper cable center conductor installation. The connector can also optionally include an coupling nut with a dual-grip surface.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes an internal corrugated area, an internal clamping member, and a back nut. Axial advancement of the back nut causes at least a portion of the internal clamping member to compress radially inwardly.

Abstract: A connector for coaxial cable includes a dual-grip nut having a first external gripping surface and a second external gripping surface. The smallest outer diameter of the first external gripping surface is less than the smallest outer diameter of the second external gripping surface.