Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating a broadband spectrum which can be used in particular as a light source for short coherence interferometry. The arrangement comprises a laser, in particular a laser diode, for generating a short light pulse of wavelength ?p and a microstructured optical fiber (1) with a high nonlinearity, which has a zero dispersion of the group velocity in the vicinity of the wavelength ?p and an anomalous dispersion, as well as means for introducing the light pulse into the microstructured optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating a broadband spectrum that can be used in particular as a light source for short coherence interferometry and confocal microscopy as well as endoscopic short coherence interferometry and endoscopic confocal microscopy. The arrangement comprises a laser, in particular a laser diode, for generating a short light pulse of wavelength ?P and a microstructured optical fiber (1) of high nonlinearity, that has a null dispersion of the group velocity in the vicinity of the wavelength ?P and an anomalous dispersion, as well as means for coupling the light pulse into the microstructured optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-insoluble silicate glass powder, wherein the silicate glass powder exhibits glass particles with the following composition in percentage by weight on an oxide basis: SiO2 20-80 Na2O ?5-30 K2O 0-5 P2O5 ?0-15 B2O3 ?0-10 CaO ?4-30 MgO 0-8 Al2O3 0-7 Fe2O3 0-2 as well as conventional fining agents in conventional quantities. The invention is characterized in that the glass particles contain at least one of the following components ZnO AgO CuO CeO2 GeO2 TeO2 wherein these components are concentrated in the regions of the glass particles that are near the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for generating a broadband spectrum which can bemused in particular as a light source for short coherence interferometry. The arrangement comprises a laser, in particular a laser diode, for generating a short light pulse of wavelength 80 p and a microstructured optical fiber (1) with a high nonlinearity, which has a zero dispersion of the group velocity in the vicinity of the wavelength ?p and an anomalous dispersion, as well as means for introducing the light pulse into the microstructured optical fiber.

Abstract: A white cold light source uses an LED or a gas discharge lamp and a luminescent rare earth doped glass comprising multiple rare earth cations and a particularly high total rare earth content to generate white light emission. Preferably, the luminescent glass has a 2700K to 7000K black body temperature and color rendering index value exceeding 80. A first embodiment of the glass is composed primarily of P2O5, Al2O3, and alkaline earth and alkali metal oxides, and possesses other properties such as physical and thermal properties that are compatible with conventional melting, forming and other manufacturing steps. Other embodiments of the luminescent glass have a maximum water content of 0.1 wt-% and do not contain any boron. Also the luminescent glass is preferably free of water, boron oxides and nitrides. The luminescent glass can be used as a wavelength converter to produce bright white light emission when pumped by conventional commercially available blue and UV light emitting diode sources.

Abstract: A white cold light source uses an LED or a gas discharge lamp and a luminescent rare earth doped glass comprising multiple rare earth cations and a particularly high total rare earth content to generate white light emission. Preferably, the luminescent glass has a 2700K to 7000K black body temperature and color rendering index value exceeding 80. A first embodiment of the glass is composed primarily of P2O5, Al2O3, and alkaline earth and alkali earth oxides, and possesses other properties such as physical and thermal properties that are compatible with conventional melting, forming and other manufacturing steps. Other embodiments of the luminescent glass have a maximum water content of 0.1 wt-% and do not contain any boron. Also the luminescent glass is preferably free of water, boron oxides and nitrides. The luminescent glass can be used as a wavelength converter to produce bright white light emission when pumped by conventional commercially available blue and UV light emitting diode sources.

Abstract: Optical transducers for measuring a contaminant in a gas are disclosed, whereby said contaminant interacts with a liquid crystalline phase as a sensing element in a flow cell. According to the invention nematic crystalline phases on a orientation layer are used. Means are provided to measure or to detect changes of the refractive index of said liquid crystalline phase caused by interaction of said contaminant with said liquid crystalline phase. In preferred embodiments the means for measuring or for detecting the refractive index is a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a grating coupler, or a device for e.g. visual detection, whereby the flow cell is placed between two linearly polarizing filters, and whereby the two axis of polarization are crossed. Furthermore optical transducers are disclosed, which contain an isotropic dopant in a liquid crystalline phase.