Abstract: A ferrule is provided that defines a shoulder having curved corners. In this regard, the ferrule includes a lengthwise extending shaft and an enlarged rear portion proximate the shaft. The rear portion is larger in lateral cross-section than the shaft to thereby define a shoulder. In addition, that portion of the shaft proximate the enlarged rear portion includes curved corners such that the shoulder has corresponding curved inner corners. A fiber optic connector housing is also provided that defines an inwardly projecting shoulder having curved corners. The fiber optic connector housing includes a forward segment defining a lengthwise extending passage and a rearward segment also defining a lengthwise extending passage. The lengthwise extending passage defined by the rearward segment is larger in lateral cross-section than the lengthwise extending passage defined by the forward segment such that a shoulder is defined at the intersection of the forward and rearward segments.

Abstract: An optical lens cell, especially useful in projection televisions, includes a tubular optic support structure having an interior with a longitudinal central axis and a first optic support surface extending around the longitudinal central axis. The first optic support surface receives a first optic having an outer circumferential edge and a first mounting surface portion adjacent the circumferential edge. The mounting surface portion of the first optic extends transverse to the longitudinal central axis. A plurality of raised surface members are provided on the optic support surface. At least one resilient member extends transverse to the longitudinal central axis and is configured to contact the mounting surface portion of the first optic when the first optic is positioned adjacent the optic support surface.

Abstract: An optical component comprising one or more optical elements (35′) aligned with the end(s) of one or more waveguides (25′) is fabricated by a process in which, first of all, a doped silica core layer (20) is deposited on a substrate (10) (or on a buffer layer on the substrate), and subsequently a partial overclad layer (30A) typically 1-5 &mgr;m thick is deposited on the core layer. The partial overclad layer and core layer are patterned and etched so as simultaneously to define the optical element(s) and the waveguide core(s). Afterwards, the overclad is completed by depositing a further overclad layer (30B). In the case of application of this fabrication method to a grating-based NBWDM device, the metallisation of the grating can precede or follow the deposition of the second overclad portion (30B). In either case, low-temperature deposition processes are required for deposition of this second overclad portion.

Abstract: There are disclosed novel quaternary ammonium functional silicones and silanes and methods to make quaternary ammonium functional silicones and silanes. Quaternary ammonium functionality may be provided through the use of cationizing agents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for sealing a package. The apparatus comprises a first rotating belt and a second rotating belt adjacent to the first rotating belt. The first and second rotating belt have a synchronized travel speed. The first rotating belt carries a sealing device for sealing a package, the package being located between said first and second belts.

Abstract: A silicone composition prepared by mixing (A) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane containing an average of at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups per molecule, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing an average of at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule in a concentration sufficient to cure the composition, (C) 0.5 to 50 parts by weight of a hydroxy-functional organic compound having a molecular weight up to about 1000 and containing at least one hydroxy group and at least one aliphatic carbon-carbon multiple bond per molecule, (D) 1 to 10 parts by weight of a titanium chelate, and (E) a catalytic amount of a hydrosilylation catalyst; and a cured product formed from the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for mechanically attaching an optical fiber to a substrate. The apparatus includes a clamping block formed of malleable material disposed adjacent a substrate. The fiber is disposed adjacent the clamping block and a securing member such as a fastener or spring is used to secure the fiber to the clamping block and substrate. The frictional forces between the fiber and the clamping block eliminate movement of the fiber relative to the substrate.

Abstract: An optical window signal generator which begins generation of an optical output signal in response to an optical activation pulse, and terminates generation of the optical output signal in response to an optical deactivation pulse. The rise time of the optical output signal is equal to the rise time of the optical activation pulse, and its fall time is equal to the rise time of the optical deactivation pulse.

Abstract: A wavelength division demultiplexer includes a channel dropping component for receiving optical signals transmitted through a plurality of optical channels, defined by successively different light wavelength bands at intervals ranging between a first channel having the lowest wavelength band to a last channel having the highest wavelength band. The channel dropping component separates at least one channel having a wavelength band intermediate the lowest wavelength band and the highest wavelength band. The demultiplexer further includes an edge filter for separating optical signals received from the channel dropping component that have wavelengths below the intermediate wavelength band from optical signals having wavelengths above the intermediate wavelength band. The separated optical signals are transmitted from the edge filter in two different optical paths.

Abstract: A fiber management frame having a movable work platform and an interconnection closure including the fiber management frame are provided for supporting and securely retaining various sized optical fiber connection trays and test equipment adjacent the fiber management frame, while also permitting a technician to readily support and retain any one of the trays without damaging the optical connections housed by the trays. The work platform includes a generally planar shelf and a bias member positioned on the shelf opposite a pair of upwardly and inwardly extending first outer flanges. The bias member biases the tray in the direction of the first outer flanges so as to securely retain the tray between the bias member and the first outer flanges. Preferably, the work platform is hingedly mounted to the fiber management frame such that the work platform can be rotated between an operational position and a stowed position.

Abstract: Methods of forming plasma addressed liquid crystal display ribs are disclosed. An exemplary method includes introducing a glass paste which includes a curable medium into cavities formed in an intaglio collector to define rib structures, which are from the collector to a surface of the substrate, and removing the curable medium from the rib structures on the substrate surface to generate pores in the rib structures. The substrate having rib structures is then dipped into a solution containing an opaque pigment which is absorbed into the rib structure.

Abstract: Emulsions and latexes containing polymer particles with a diameter greater than 0.02 micron are prepared by (i) forming a microemulsion containing particles of oligomers with a diameter less than 0.02 micron by combining water, a surfactant, a hydride functional organosilicon oligomer or a mixture of such oligomers, and an alkenyl functional organosilicon oligomer or a mixture of such oligomers; (ii) adding a catalyst to the microemulsion; (iii) initiating polymerization of the oligomers; and (iv) continuing polymerization until an emulsion or latex is formed containing polymer particles with a diameter greater than 0.02 micron.

Abstract: A process for preparing a flowable slurry comprising mixing 25-70 wt. % water; an alkaline material selected from the group consisting of chlorosilicon manufacturing byproducts, direct process residue gels, cement kiln dust, and mixtures thereof; and a process aid selected from the group consisting of sucrose, raffinose, lignin, methylglucopyranoside, lactose, fructose, sodium polyphosphate, trehalose and mixtures thereof to form a flowable slurry. This slurry is especially useful in the manufacture of cement.

Abstract: The present invention describes an extrusion process for manufacturing a titanium-containing silicate glass honeycomb structure, having a variety of shapes and sizes depending on its ultimate application. The titanium-containing glass honeycomb has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the CTE can be varied by adjusting the titanium level to match the CTE of members that are bonded to the honeycomb. Furthermore, the inventive honeycomb structure is lightweight, yet able to support heavy loads on its end faces. Therefore, the inventive honeycomb can be advantageously used as a light-weight support for such objects as mirrors. Especially contemplated is using these inventive honeycomb supports for mirrors used in extraterresial environments where temperature extremes are present. These honeycombs can be used singularly or in aggregates to provide such support.

Abstract: Polyolefin thermoplastic elastomers are disclosed which are prepared by; (I) mixing (A) a thermoplastic resin comprising more than 50 percent by volume of a polyolefin resin, said thermoplastic resin having a softening point of 23° C. to 300° C.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering an optical input is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, an optical input is split into polarization components along separate paths. The polarization components are then fed into a first electro-optic device that includes a set of electrodes across which a voltage is applied to adjust a wavelength transmission characteristic of the device. A section of the first device positioned between the electrodes preferably has a birefringence that is adjusted depending on the voltage applied across the electrodes. The adjusted components of the optical input are thereafter combined to produce an optical output. Accordingly, the optical input can be attenuated based on the voltage applied to electrodes of the first electro-optic device.

Abstract: A microemulsion is formed by combining (a) water, (b) a nonionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, or a mixture of such surfactants, (c) a linear non-volatile polysiloxane, (d) an amine functional polysiloxane, and (e) a carboxylic acid. The mixture is mechanically agitated until a microemulsion is obtained containing polysiloxane particles having an average diameter of less than 50 nanometer (0.05 micron/500 angstrom Å). These microemulsions are useful in paper coating, textile coating, and home care applications. They can also be used to deliver silicone polymers of tailored rheological properties to the human body.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel methods for fabricating optical fiber glass preforms which may contain alumina, germania, erbium, or other rare earth metals as dopants. Doping with a higher concentration of alumina enhances the solubility of the erbium, or other rare earth, dopant within the glass and the resultant optical properties of the fiber. However, the addition of an alumina dopant can cause processing difficulties due to the formation of inclusions, such as gas bubble, seeds or crystallite formation, within the glass preform or glass cane. The present invention overcomes these processing difficulties and produces glass preforms or canes that are inclusion-free.

Abstract: Projection lenses (13) for use with pixelized panels (PP) are provided. The projection lenses have a negative first unit (U1) which has at least one aspheric surface and a positive second unit (U2) which has three subunits (US1, US2, US3) which have a positive/negative/positive configuration. The lens' aperture stop (AS) is located at the short conjugate end of the lens and is either in the third subunit (US3) or close to that subunit. The lenses are particularly well-suited for use in the manufacture of compact projection systems which employ side illumination of a reflective pixelized panel.

Abstract: An optical amplifier comprises a trivalent thulium-doped optical fiber; a first pump light emitting device optically coupled to the fiber for generating a primary pump source at a first wavelength, and a second pump light emitting device optically coupled to the fiber for generating a secondary pump source at a second wavelength. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the amplifier also includes a third (auxiliary) pump light emitting device optically coupled to the fiber for generating a third pump source at a third wavelength. Each of the amplification signals comprise at least one pre-selected wavelength. The first amplification signal has a wavelength pre-selected to provide a reduced noise figure for the amplifier. The second amplification signal has a wavelength pre-selected to increase the optical efficiency of the amplifier. The third amplification signal can have a wavelength pre-selected to populate the 3F4 energy level of the fiber, and to minimize depletion of the 3H6 ground state.