Abstract: A product and process for fabricating an optical element from a capillary ferrule includes fusing the optical element onto an optical fiber. The optical element starts with a capillary ferrule that is sculpted on one end to form an optical property such as a flat window, ball lens, angled endface or other sculpted shape. The ferrule is fused onto an optical fiber that has been inserted into the ID of the capillary ferrule. As a result, the ferrule serves as a mechanical aligner for the optical element to fiber fusion process.

Abstract: Micro channel array devices drawn from a bulk preform having an array of components to reduce the cross section. The reduced cross section fiber like structure is cut to produce individual arrays of small scale. End caps are drawn and optionally micro machined. The end caps are used to provide input and output ports and other structures for use with the micro channel arrays. A micro channel array may be used with different end caps for analysis and may form a lab on a chip or a component thereof.

Abstract: A product and process for fabricating an optical element from a capillary ferrule includes fusing the optical element onto an optical fiber. The optical element starts with a capillary ferrule that is sculpted on one end to form an optical property such as a flat window, ball lens, angled endface or other sculpted shape. The ferrule is fused onto an optical fiber that has been inserted into the ID of the capillary ferrule. As a result, the ferrule serves as a mechanical aligner for the optical element to fiber fusion process.

Abstract: Micro channel array devices drawn from a bulk preform having an array of components to reduce the cross section. The reduced cross section fiber like structure is cut to produce individual arrays of small scale. End caps are drawn and optionally micro machined. The end caps are used to provide input and output ports and other structures for use with the micro channel arrays. A micro channel array may be used with different end caps for analysis and may form a lab on a chip or a component thereof.

Abstract: The invention includes a ferrule having a layer of material on an inner surface of a hole therein which is selected to be preferentially softenable relative to the bulk material of the ferrule. The ferrule according to the present invention can be fused to optical fibers, capillaries and the like while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule.

Abstract: An optical component and a method of making the same are provided. In one embodiment, the optical component is a low-OH optical fiber that includes a core and a cladding. The optical component is treated by immersion in a hydrogen gas atmosphere at a predetermined pressure, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period such that intrinsic and impurity defects of the optical component are destroyed. The method of making the optical component includes providing a preform having a content of OH-groups in the amount of about 0.1 to about 10.0 ppm and a content of chlorine in the amount of 0 to about 1000 ppm and drawing the preform to elongate it to form an optical component from the preform. The optical component is immersed in a hydrogen gas atmosphere at a predetermined pressure, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period that is sufficient to destroy intrinsic and impurity defects of the optical component.

Abstract: The invention includes a ferrule having a layer of material on an inner surface of a hole therein which is selected to be preferentially softenable relative to the bulk material of the ferrule. The ferrule according to the present invention can be fused to optical fibers, capillaries and the like while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule. A fiber Bragg grating device and a flow cell device are also provided.

Abstract: A device and method to dispense and manipulate multiple filaments includes at least three plates, each having at least one machined hole designed to accept one or more filaments. Based upon alignment of the machined holes in each of the at least three plates, the plates may be lowered over the top of one or more of the filaments. The position of the plates may be subsequently adjusted with respect to one another so as to secure the filaments in the device without having to individually secure the filaments into the device. Once secured, the filaments may be utilized in a predetermined application of an analytical instrument or dispensing device.

Abstract: An extended length side emitting cable is disclosed. The cable includes transmitting and side emitting fibers. As light proceeds along the side emitting fibers, it decreases in intensity and in color quality. The transmitting fibers are coupled into the side emitting fibers to refresh the light. In this manner the cable maintains increased uniformity of color and intensity along its length.

Abstract: The invention includes a ferrule having a layer of material on an inner surface of a hole therein which is selected to be preferentially softenable relative to the bulk material of the ferrule. The ferrule according to the present invention can be fused to optical fibers, capillaries and the like while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule.

Abstract: An adhesive tape feeding apparatus includes a base, an adjustment unit, and a push unit. A tape roll is disposed rotatably on a rear end portion of the base. When a motor is activated, a free end portion of the tape roll is fed from a front end portion of the base by means of a feeding roller set. The free end portion of the tape roll can be forced to press against a blade under tension, which is fixed on the base, so as to be cut by the blade, thereby moving a push unit to press a follower arm of the adjustment unit against a microswitch. Then, the microswitch activates the motor to rotate a cam wheel in such a manner that the cam wheel presses the follower arm against the microswitch. The cam wheel has an outer periphery which is shaped so as to release the follower arm automatically from the cam wheel and the push unit after the cam wheel rotates by a predetermined angle, thereby feeding a predetermined length of the tape roll, which can be changed by adjusting the adjustment unit.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber for UV light transmission, able to be sterilized with gamma radiation, has a core including undoped synthetic silica, a cladding including fluorine doped synthetic silica, a hydrogen content higher than 5.times.10.sup.19 molecules/cm.sup.3 and a metal coating that retards diffusion of hydrogen outwardly from the fiber, the metal being selected from aluminum, copper, zinc, tin, silver and gold. The metal coating has a high diffusion coefficient below 150.degree. and a low diffusion coefficient at a hydrogen loading temperature above 250.degree. C. The optical fiber may have a high-OH content of 50 to 1500 ppm and a low-OH content below 50 ppm after treatment. The optical fiber may also or alternatively have a low-OH content below 50 ppm, and preferably below 5 ppm, before treatment. A gamma radiation sterilized multimode fiber bundle may include a plurality of such optical fibers. A gamma radiation sterilized catheter may include at least one optical fiber or a fiber bundle.

Abstract: Artificial gelatins containing higher proportions of methionine than are found in natural gelatin are made by thermal polymerization of methionine with various proportions of other .alpha.-amino acids, including some proportion of aspartic acid, glutamic acid or lysine. Artificial gelatins containing as much as 40 mole percent methionine can be obtained. Proportions in the polymer can be adjusted by control of proportions in the reaction mixture. Photographic silver halide emulsions containing these artificial gelatins and photographic films employing the emulsions are also disclosed.