Abstract: A coupler is disclosed for properly positioning the endface of an optical waveguide filament with respect to an optoelectronic device in a repeatable fashion. Three elongated rods of deformable material are disposed in mutually contacting relationship within a bore which terminates at the device. After a filament is inserted into the aperture between the rods so that its endface is disposed adjacent to the device, an elastomeric washer is caused to deform inwardly against the rods, thereby causing them to engage the filament. Since the ends of the rods adjacent to the device are secured in the bore, the filament may be replaced by other filaments, the endfaces of which will be precisely positioned with respect to the optoelectronic device.

Abstract: A control system for a slide centrifuge includes a ratio checking circuit which produces a signal when the ratio between the light passing through the slide and the rate of change of this light passes through a predetermined critical value. When this ratio passes through the critical value, spinning is stopped. This effectively stops spinning when the rate of reduction of blood cell density on the slide slows, thereby producing better slides for clinical analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spool for shipping low expansion optical waveguide filament. The filament supporting portion of the spool is a composite structure consisting of a cylindrically-shaped barrel of material having a thermal coefficient of expansion no greater than 125.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. surrounded by a layer of resilient foam material. When a filament is wound on the spool with a predetermined tension, filament breakage and entanglement are eliminated even when the spool is subjected to temperature extremes.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling an optical signal progagating in any one of a plurality of optical waveguide filaments to all of the remaining filaments. The coupler comprises a plurality of optical waveguide filaments, the end portions of which are fused together to form a unitary structure in which the filament cores are separated by only the filament cladding material. The end of the unitary structure is planar and is perpendicular to the axes of filament cores at the ends thereof. The end of the unitary structure is coated with a light reflecting material.

Abstract: A rapid curing polybutadiene resin system dielectric coating composition suitable for coating electrical components such as thin film resistors is disclosed. This composition cures very rapidly and greatly improves adhesion to the coated article.

Abstract: A multiple mode optical waveguide includes a glass core and a glass cladding around the core. In order to promote coupling between guided modes of light propagation, the core has cylindrical perturbations spaced along its length. The perturbations include index of refraction variations in rings within the core.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a core of high purity fused silica, a cladding of high purity fused silica and a protective coating of metallic glass. The protective coating is applied as a liquid which contracts more than the glass after it solidifies to place the surface of the glass cladding under compression. Because the waveguide will break only under tension, the force of compression must be overcome before the waveguide can be fractured thereby strengthening the waveguide considerably. The metallic glass coating provides further advantages of abrasion protection and the prevention of fatigue.

Abstract: A quadriplanar capacitor and the method of forming it is disclosed. A capacitor element is disposed within an open ended enclosure and sealed therein, the enclosure forming one capacitor electrode. The open end of the enclosure forms a quadrilateral. A flat electrode member forming the second capacitor electrode is fixedly attached to a lead which itself is rigidly attached to the capacitor element. The flat member is disposed parallel to the enclosure opening and spaced from the enclosure by the lead. The flat member is substantially coextensive with the enclosure opening.

Abstract: A system for delivering a siliceous matrix material and selected dopants to an oxidizing reaction flame or the like. Each constituent is maintained in liquified form and transferred by means of an individually controlled metering pump to a nebulizing stage then passed to a burner or the like from which the materials are converted into appropriate soots. The soots are then applied to a starting member which is subsequently subjected to heat to fuse it into a drawing blank.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and storage device having high wear resistance is produced by providing a magnetic recording and storage device having a film of solid magnetic material which has been bonded to a surface of a rigid substrate. A thin film of a lubricating compound is then applied to the film of magnetic material.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and storage device having high wear resistance is produced by providing a magnetic recording and storage device having a film of solid magnetic material which has been bonded to a surface of a rigid substrate. A thin film of a lubricating compound is then applied to the film of magnetic material.

Abstract: A cable connector or terminator suitable for coaxial cables, devices including coaxial cable-like fittings, or the like embodying a protective or security shield is disclosed. The connector or terminator includes a protective sleeve-like shield open at one end and disposed about the male and female connector or terminator members in a manner so as to closely surround at least a portion of the members permitting tool engagement access to the tool engagement surfaces of the connector or terminator longitudinally from the one open end.

Abstract: A linear peristaltic pump is disclosed. The pump includes a pivotal pump arm and a flexible tube secured thereto to inhibit longitudinal tube movement. A means for applying a force to such arm, such as a spring, is provided to cause the pump arm to pivot. A stop device is disposed in the path of travel of the pump arm so that the pump arm pivotal travel may be terminated as the pump arm comes to rest against such stop device. The flexible tube is disposed adjacent a surface of the pump arm and is pivotal therewith so that the flexible tube is pinched off between the pump arm surface and the stop device as the pump comes to rest against it. A rotatable roller assembly is provided having at least one roller mounted on a rotatable roller support, the roller intermittently contacting the flexible tube as the roller support is rotated causing a quantity of liquid to be peristaltically moved within the tube.

Abstract: A method of making low loss glass optical waveguides, wherein at least one coating of glass soot is deposited by the flame hydrolysis process on a starting member. The starting member is removed from the soot preform leaving an aperture therein. While the preform is heated to its consolidation temperature, an atmosphere including a drying agent is caused to flow into the aperture and through the porous preform, thereby removing water from the preform while the soot is consolidated to form a dense glass article. The atmosphere contains optimal amounts of oxygen and drying agent to minimize leaching of dopant oxide from the preform. Since some of the dopant oxide is leached from the preform near the aperture, the central portion of the preform is initially provided with an excess amount of dopant oxide. The resultant draw blank is drawn into an optical waveguide filament.

Abstract: A process for forming a solid tantalum capacitor is disclosed wherein the cathode is manganese dioxide formed by pyrolysis. The pyrolysis is performed in a nitrogen dioxide containing atmosphere at a temperature of between about 170.degree. C. and 250.degree. C., the nitrogen dioxide containing atmosphere comprising at least about 10% by volume of nitrogen dioxide, the remainder of said atmosphere being water vapor and gas inert in the pyrolysis process.

Abstract: An optical waveguide having variations in diameter is produced by controlling the drawing rollers. Predetermined diameter variations along the length of an optical waveguide reduce dispersion in multimode waveguides. These diameter variations are produced by varying the rotational speed of the pulling rollers, by varying the diameter of the pulling rollers, by moving the pulling rollers axially or by moving a tensioning roller during the drawing process.

Abstract: In a multimode optical waveguide, coupling is promoted among guided modes while coupling to unguided modes is suppressed. The core includes perturbations having a power spectrum which decreases with increasing mode order and which has a plurality of minima. The length of each perturbation is such that a minimum in the power spectrum of the perturbation occurs at the critical frequency .omega..sub.c and the power spectrum is significantly reduced for high frequencies.

Abstract: A method of making glass optical waveguides by the flame hydrolysis technique. Particles of glass soot produced by flame hydrolysis are deposited on the outside surface of a mandrel to form a porous preform. The soot particles closer to the mandrel have a refractive index greater than that of the soot disposed toward the outer surface of the preform. The mandrel is removed and the resultant hollow soot preform is supported in a draw furnace through which a helium-rich gas flows. The preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause said soot to consolidate and simultaneously permit an optical waveguide filament to be drawn therefrom.

Abstract: A method of forming an article such as an optical waveguide filament by disposing a draw blank in a cylindrical muffle. The muffle is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a first end of the blank to reach the drawing temperature of the material thereof. A filament is drawn from the first end of the blank while a helium-containing gas flows through the muffle in such a direction that it is exhausted from that end of the muffle from which the filament is being drawn.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and storage device having high wear resistance is produced by providing a magnetic recording and storage device having a film of solid magnetic material which has been bonded to a surface of a rigid substrate. A thin film of a lubricating compound is then applied to the film of magnetic material.