Abstract: A solventless silicone composition for forming a cured release coating comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of a mixture comprising 99 to 90 parts by weight of (A-1) a linear diorganopolysiloxane having a viscosity of 5 to 1,000 mPa·s at 25° C., having both terminal ends of the molecular chain blocked by dimethylalkenylsiloxy groups, with an alkenyl group content of 0.2 to 10 mol % of all organic groups and 1 to 10 parts by weight of (A-2) a linear diorganopolysiloxane having a viscosity of 1,000 to 10,000 mPa·s at 25° C. having both terminal ends of the molecular chain blocked by trimethylsiloxy groups and having at least two pendant alkenyl groups bonded to silicon atoms, with an alkenyl group content of 0.05 to 0.5 mol % of all organic groups, (B) 3 to 50 parts by weight of an organohydrogenpolysiloxane having a viscosity of 1 to 1,000 mPa·s at 25° C. having at least three silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, and (C) a catalytic amount of a platinum catalyst.

Abstract: There is proposed an optical amplifier apparatus particularly for use in networks distributing signals by optical fibers, comprising first and second parallel optical branches (1, 2), the first optical branch (1) including optical amplifier means (5, 6) for amplifying digital signals and the second optical branch including optical amplifier means (7) for amplifying analogue signals, the optical amplifier means (5, 6) of the first optical path (1) being adapted to amplify bidirectional digital signals and the optical amplifier means (7) of the second optical branch (2) being adapted to amplify unidirectional analogue signals.

Abstract: Polarized glass articles and method of manufacturing polarizing glass articles are disclosed. Optical isolators using the polarizing glass articles have reduced coupling and surface losses when compared with conventional optical isolators.

Abstract: A gain-tunable semiconductor optical amplifier (10) includes an amplifying section (38) for amplifying an optical signal (422). A first tunable reflector section (51) and a second tunable reflector section (52) are integrated on opposed sides of the amplifying section (38) to reflect the optical signal at a clamping wavelength and to change an internal gain level to cause a stimulated emission at the clamping wavelength above the internal gain level.

Abstract: A non-blocking N×N cross-connect is provided that has an array of liquid crystal (LC) switches in a grid of planar optical waveguides within a light optical circuit (LOC). LC-filled trenches are used in a planar optical waveguide and each trench provides the functionality of a waveguide polarization splitter, a transverse electric (TE) switch cross-point, a transverse magnetic (TM) switch cross-point, or a waveguide polarization combiner. The planar optical waveguide has a refractive index substantially equal to the lowest index of refraction of the LC material. By combining these elements, a cross-connect system is fabricated. Also disclosed is a dynamically adjustable prism constructed with a liquid crystal material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing a honeycomb ceramic body exhibiting a predetermined radial dimension comprising producing a green ceramic honeycomb body that exhibits a radial dimension at least 9% greater than the predetermined radial dimension and a cell density of at least 500 cpsi. The method further involves shrinking the green body during firing to form a sintered honeycomb ceramic body exhibiting the final predetermined radial dimension. This invention also relates to a method of producing a ceramic body comprising the following steps: (a) compounding and plasticizing a ceramic raw material mixture and forming the plasticizable raw material mixture into a green ceramic body by extrusion through an extrusion die; (b) drying the green body and thereafter firing the green body at a time and at a temperature sufficient to sinter the ceramic body resulting in a radial shrinkage of the green ceramic body in the radial dimension due to the firing of at least 9%.

Abstract: Containers (19) are provided for packaging flexible substrates (13) such as the glass substrates used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. The containers include arc-shaped grooves (25) which apply an elastic strain to the substrates. The elastic strain stiffens the substrates and thus reduces the likelihood of damage to the substrates as a result of vibration during transport or sagging when held horizontally. Through the use of such grooves, dense packaging of large, thin substrates is achieved.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the buildup of snow and ice on a surface. The composition includes a sugar-water mixture having approximately 15 to 80 percent by weight of a sugar solid, wherein the sugar solid contains approximately 2-60 percent by weight of a monosaccharide.

Abstract: Low dielectric constant films with improved elastic modulus. The method of making such coatings involves providing a porous network coating produced from a resin containing at least 2 Si—H groups and plasma curing the coating to convert the coating into porous silica. Plasma curing of the network coating yields a coating with improved modulus, but with a higher dielectric constant. The costing is plasma cured for between about 15 and about 120 seconds at a temperature less than or about 350° C. The plasma cured coating can optionally be annealed. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) of the plasma cured coating reduces the dielectric constant of the coating while maintaining an improved elastic modulus as compared to the plasma cured porous network coating. The annealing temperature is typically loss than or about 475° C., and the annealing time is typically no more than or about 180 seconds. The annealed, plasma cured coating has a dielectric constant in the range of from about 1.1 to about 2.

Abstract: A fiber management frame and a closure are provided that are adapted to be utilized in a universal manner for both FTTH and FTTC applications. The closure includes a housing and the fiber management frame disposed within the housing. The fiber management frame includes a back panel attached to the housing and four separate compartments for routing optical fibers and, in FTTC applications, electrical conductors. In FTTH applications, the first compartment receives express optical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable, while in FTTC applications, the first compartment receives at least one electrical conductor of the electrical feeder cable. The second compartment is proximate the first compartment. In FTTH applications, the second compartment stores at least one coupler tray that splits a first optical fiber of the fiber optic feeder cable into a plurality of second optical fibers. In FTTC applications, the second compartment receives express optical fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable.

Abstract: The invention disclosed includes a coating composition for siliceous surfaces. The coating includes at least one component from the group consisting of poly(alkoxy)silane, poly(halo)silane, alkoxysilane, halosilane, and mixtures thereof and a catalyst compound which generates a proton to hydrolyze the component when exposed to radiation. Preferably, the catalyst is a photo-acid. The invention also includes a method of coating the optical fiber. The aforementioned coating is applied to an exterior surface of the fiber. A proton is generated to promote the hydrolysis of the component. The invention further includes a method of accelerating adhesion between the exterior surface of the article and the coating. The inventive coating is applied to the surface of the fiber and the coating is exposed to a radiation source.

Abstract: A protector panel for telecommunication wires has a plurality of rows of sockets. Each of the sockets has two pairs of receptacles for receiving pins of a plug-in excess voltage protector module. Rows of pins protrude from the back of the panel, each of the pins registering with one of the receptacles so as to provide two pairs of pins for each socket pattern. A pair of outside-plant wires extends from one of the pairs of pins of each socket pattern. Similarly, a pair of customer premises wires extends from the other of the pairs of each socket pattern. The pairs of wires are twisted substantially along their entire length. The amount of twist of at least some of the pairs of the outside-plant wires within each row differs from the amount of twist of at least some of the other pairs of outside-plant wires. Similarly, the amount of twist of the customer premises wires also differs from others in the same row.

Abstract: A non-blocking N×N cross-connect is provided that has an array of liquid crystal (LC) switches in a grid of planar optical waveguides within a light optical circuit (LOC). LC filled trenches are used in a planar optical waveguide and each trench provides the functionality of a waveguide polarization splitter, a transverse electric (TE) switch cross point, a transverse magnetic (TM) switch cross point, or a waveguide polarization combiner. By combining these elements, a cross-connect system is fabricated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a thin, flat glass envelope having an enclosed, internal channel and a molded edge for affixing attachments directly to the glass envelope. Suitable attachments include filters, i.e., diffusion, polarizing, glare reducing, brightness enhancing, liquid crystal display screens and masking components. The channeled envelope has a front and a back surface laminated and integrated together to form a unitary body essentially free of any sealing materials. A lightweight, light-emitting device or low-pressure discharge lamp can be formed from this channeled envelope, suitable for employment in the fields of LCD backlighting, automotive lighting, and general lighting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for depositing a nucleic acid on a solid support. The method comprises contacting a solid support with a solution of nucleic acid, the solution comprising about 30% to about 80% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by volume, sodium chloride and sodium citrate salt containing buffer (SSC) at a final concentration of from about 0.1× (15 mM sodium chloride+1.5 mM sodium citrate) to about 0.8× (120 mM sodium chloride+12 mM sodium citrate). The composition includes a nucleic acid at a concentration ranging from 0.01 mg/ml to 0.50 mg/ml. Preferably, the solution comprises about 40% to about 80% DMSO by volume and SSC at a final concentration from about 0.1× to about 0.5×. More preferably, the solution comprises about 40% to about 60% DMSO by volume and SSC at final concentration from about 0.25× to about 0.5×. Most preferably, the solution comprises about 50% DMSO by volume and SSC at a final concentration of about 0.25×.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel naphthopyran-type compounds, which are annelated in position C5-C6 with a seven-membered carbocycle, and which are of formula (I) given below: These compounds (I) possess interesting photochromic properties. The invention also relates to their preparation, their applications as photochromes as well as the compositions and (co)polymer matrices containing them.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die constructed from a strengthening base plate comprising a relatively small number of large feedholes and thin die body plate comprising a larger number of relatively small feed holes supplying extrudable material to a discharge slot array, wherein the two plates are connected by an intermediate compound feed section incorporating branching feed conduits arranged to provide an extrusion path of low flow impedance between the large base plate feed holes and the smaller body plate feed holes.

Abstract: A mark sensor and methods for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core having a core receiving area for receiving the fiber optic cable core. The mark sensor includes emitter/receiver sensor devices that can be disposed about the core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting the core mark. The mark sensor can include a sensor positioning system for moving the sensors relative to the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system is operative to move the sensors upon insertion of the cable core in the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system can include a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting sensor motion to the other mark sensor. Alternatively, the mark sensor can include stationary sensors that sweep the core with radiation, for example, a bar code reader. Methods for using the foregoing sensors can result in the direct or offset marking of reverse oscillation of lay areas in a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: The present invention is a three-dimensional optical cross-connect switch that includes a first optical switching array and a second optical switching array. When combined, the first and second arrays have collimator tiles and beam steering tiles disposed in a checker-board arrangement. The maximum deflection angle of the switch is less than or equal to the maximum deflection angle of either individual switching array. The tiling scheme of the present invention effectively increases the port count of a three-dimensional optical cross-connect switch without increasing the angular deflection required to access all of the pixels in the switch.

Abstract: A method of making siloxane-based polyamides which includes at least one repeating unit represented by the formula wherein X is a linear or branched C1-C30 alkylene chain; Y is a linear or branched C1-C20 alkylene chain; DP is an integer having a value of 10-500; n is an integer having a value 1-500. The method involves heating an intimate reaction mixture containing an olefinic acid and an organic diamine at a temperature greater than 100° C. and forming an organic diamide; and thereafter reacting the organic diamide with a hydride-terminated polydimethylsiloxane in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst to form the siloxane-based polyamide.