Abstract: An alignment sleeve (66) for holding two conically shaped portions (30--30) of plugs (24--24) each of which terminates an optical fiber (25) includes two conically shaped cavities (68, 70) communicating through a common minimal diameter plane (72). After the sleeve has been molded, a tool (100) faced with an abrasive material is inserted into each cavity of the sleeve and turned rotatably while a force is applied in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool. This causes material to be removed from the walls defining the cavities so that when the two plugs are inserted into the cavities, the axes of the fibers will be aligned coaxially and the end faces of the fibers will have a predetermined separation. The apparatus of this invention also may be used to adjust a length measurement of plugs. This is accomplished by inserting a plug into a conically shaped cavity of a tool.

Abstract: A biconic optical fiber connector (20) comprising two plugs (24--24) each having truncated conically shaped end portions (30--30) for terminating optical fibers to be connected and a sleeve (66) in which the plug eng portions are received is provided with an attenuator (70) which results in low reflected power. The attenuator comprises a plate-like element which is disposed between the plug end portions. Advantageously, the plugs are seated in the sleeve and the thickness and mounting of the attenuator cooperate to cause the plug ends to engage the attenuator when the plugs are seated in the sleeve cavities. Also, the attenuator is supported within the sleeve so that it is capable of slight movement in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (91) of the sleeve to self-adjust, if necessary, as the plug end portions are inserted and become seated in the sleeve.

Abstract: A buffer optical fiber (20) includes an optical fiber (21) comprising a core and a cladding. The optical fiber is enclosed by a plastic buffer layer (50). Interposed between the optical fiber and the buffer layer are a plurality of fibrous strands (25--25) which are strength members for the buffered optical fiber. In a preferred embodiment, the strength members are layless and as such are generally linear and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the buffered optical fiber. The buffer layer has a predetermined compressive engagement with the strength members which allows the stripability of the buffer layer from the fiber to be controlled.

Abstract: An electret microphone (10) comprises an electret diaphragm (11) having a thin metallic layer (13) deposited on one of its major surfaces. A ring-shaped metal washer (20) bonded to the metallic layer (13) of the diaphragm (11) by means of a lightly metal-filled adhesive (21).

Abstract: An electrooptic or optical parametric device comprises a noncrystalline second order optically nonlinear element and means for providing an optical input to and an optical output from said element wherein said element comprises an organic molecule having second order optical susceptibility incorporated in a directionally oriented manner in an optically clear glassy polymer. When said device is employed in an electrooptic mode it includes means for applying an electric field and/or optical input to said element for altering an optical property thereof.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (21) comprising at least one optical fiber (24) which is enclosed in a tubular member (34) and which includes a sheath system (40). The sheath system includes two strength members 42--42 which extend linearly longitudinally along the cable parallel to a longitudinal axis (29) of the cable. The strength members are enclosed in a plastic jacket (46). The strength members have predetermined relative tensile and compressive stiffnesses. The stiffnesses are such that the strength members are capable of withstanding expected compressive as well as tensile loading and are coupled sufficiently to the jacket to provide a composite arrangement which is effective to inhibit contraction and which controls the position of the neutral axis during bending while providing suitable flexibility.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading components into a component insertion machine. The apparatus comprises structure releasably mounted on component magazine loading apparatus to retain components in component magazines received by and aligned in the component magazine loading apparatus. The structure is removable after installation of the component loading apparatus on the component insertion machine to enable components to be selected by the component insertion machine from the component magazines.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (21) comprising a plurality of units (22--22). Each unit is formed by a plurality of optical fibers (24--24) which are assembled together without intended stranding. The plurality of units are enclosed in a common tube (34) which provides a predetermined packing density and which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable. In one embodiment, a waterblocking material (36) is disposed within the tube to fill the interstices between the optical fibers and between the units. The waterblocking material is such that its critical yield stress does not exceed about 70 Pa at 20.degree. C. and such that it has a shear modulus of less than about 13 KPa at 20.degree. C. The common tube is enclosed with non-metallic or metallic strength members and a plastic inner jacket and by another layer of strength members and by a plastic outer jacket.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for overcladding a preform rod (22). The preform rod is aligned with and inserted into an overcladding tube (30). The outer diameter of the preform rod and the inner diameter of the tube are such that the clearance between the tube and the rod does not exceed a predetermined value. Successive increments of length of the tube and rod therein are subjected to a controlled zone of heat while the pressure inside the tube is maintained at a value which is substantially less than that outside the tube. This causes the tube to be collapsed onto the preform rod to provide an overclad preform and subsequently a drawn optical fiber in which the overcladding is substantially concentric with respect to the optical fiber core.

Abstract: A method has been developed for providing tub regions with various resistivities in a dielectrically isolated (DI) structure. The starting substrate material is etched to expose the locations designated for a resistivity modification, and epitaxial material of the modified resistivity value is used to fill the exposed tubs. The remainder of the fabrication process follows conventional DI fabrication techniques. The procedure may simply be used to create a DI structure containing both n-type and p-type tube regions. The idea may also be extended, however, to providing separate tubs with, for example, n+ resistivity, n- resistivity, p- resistivity and p+ resistivity, all within the same DI structure.

Abstract: A resilient and deformable touch screen that is adapted to be overlaid on the surface of a CRT screen is formed from a semi-rigid plastic frame attached to a flexible plastic pouch filled with a soft resilient material which adheres to the surface of the pouch.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a fluted strength member core (22) which comprises a plurality of ribs (26--26) extending radially from a center portion and a plurality of grooves (28--28), each groove being disposed between two adjacent ribs. The fluted core is such that the ratio of the diameter of a circle (41) which passes through an outermost surface of each rib to the diameter of a circle (44) through the inverts of the grooves does not exceed a predetermined value and cooperates with a reference width of each rib to allow a plurality of optical fibers to be disposed in each groove. Further, the geometry of the fluted core is such that the optical fibers are capable of longitudinal and lateral movement in the grooves. A core wrap (50) which may be made of a flame retardant material encloses the fluted core and a jacket (60) which is made of a plastic material encloses the core wrap.

Abstract: A biconic connector (40) includes two plugs (44-44) each of which terminates a single fiber optical cable (55) and each of which includes a truncated conically shaped end portion (50). The connector also includes an alignment sleeve having back-to-back conically shaped cavities each of which is adapted to receive an end portion of a plug. In order to minimize loss through the connection, it becomes important for the centroid of the cross-sectional area of a light beam in the end face of the plug to be coincident with the axis of revolution of the conically shaped surface of plug. This is accomplished by holding the plug in a fixture such that its end portion is exposed and the fixture adapted to be turned about an axis of rotation. Images of a light beam launched into the optical fiber are acquired in a plane through the end face of the plug.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable particularly suited for use in building distribution systems includes a core which comprises a plurality of coated optical fibers (22--22) with each being enclosed in a plastic buffer (26). The optical fibers are individually or collectively enclosed in a fibrous strength member. Over the strength member in each of several embodiments is provided an outer jacket comprising a plastic material having excellent resistance to flame spread and smoke evolution. The plastic material comprising the jacket is disposed about the strength member and decoupled sufficiently therefrom to avoid the introduction of microbending stresses in the optical fiber. This may be accomplished by vacuum sizing the plastic material which has been tubed over an advancing optical fiber core as the plastic material is being drawn down onto the strength member.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a core (22) comprising optical fibers (24-24) in ribbon or single fiber form and a sheath system (50) which provides flexibility for ease of handling and installation, strength to resist tensile and torsional stresses and rodent and/or lightning protection. The core is enclosed by a tube (28) which is made of a plastic material, a shield system (52) and outer plastic jacket (54). The shield system provides rodent and/or lightning protection. Strength is provided by a plurality of longitudinally extending strength members (58-58) which are disposed in a single layer concentric with the core and which in a preferred embodiment are disposed adjacent to an outer surface of the shield and with substantial portions of their perpheries embedded in the plastic of the outer jacket.

Abstract: An aerial service wire (20) includes a jacket (40) having a generally rectangularly shaped cross section and comprising a polyvinyl chloride plastic material. Enclosed by the jacket are two strength members (36--36) each of which includes a plurality of filaments and each of which is impregnated with a material which is compatable with that of the jacket. The strength members are disposed along an axis (42) of the cross section which passes through a geometric center through which a longitudinal axis (50) of the jacket passes. Conductors (30--30) which are individually insulated are disposed adjacent to the longitudinal axis with each strength member being disposed between the conductors and the outer surface of the jacket.

Abstract: A method of achieving radial (x,y) alignment between an active device subassembly and an optical fiber subassembly of an optical package is disclosed. The method relies on the use of mating sections with essentially identical outer diameters. The subassemblies are brought into contact and are first joined at the two points where the edges of the piece parts coincide (flush points). It has been determined that by continuing the attachment process at symmetric locations about one of the flush points, minimal disturbance of throughput efficiency will be maintained. The optical throughput is continually monitored to determined at which particular flush point the attachment process should proceed. In particular, as soon as the throughput efficiency drops below a predetermined value, the attachment process is rotated to continue at the opposite flush point.

Abstract: An alignment sleeve (66) for holding two conically shaped portions (30-30) of plugs (24-24) each of which terminates an optical fiber (25) includes two conically shaped cavities (68, 70) communicating through a common minimal diameter plane (72). After the sleeve has been molded, a tool (100) faced with an abrasive material is inserted into each cavity of the sleeve and turned rotatably while a force is applied in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool. This causes material to be removed from the walls defining the cavities so that when the two plugs are inserted into the cavities, the axes of the fibers will be aligned coaxially and the end faces of the fibers will have a predetermined separation. The methods of this invention also may be used to adjust a length measurement of plugs. This is accomplished by inserting a plug into a conically shaped cavity of a tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for laminating multilayer structures with nonplanar surfaces such as structures which include cavity (20) formed therein. A conformal material (32), a release material (31), and an optional template (36) are provided over the structure prior to the lamination bonding operation. The conformal and release materials then fill the cavity during the bonding operation to prevent flow of adhesive (25 and 26) from between the layers into the cavity, and the template redistributes cavity edge stresses to minimize wire bonding pad deflections. The materials can then be removed for further processing of the multilayer structure.