Abstract: A doped glass composition is provided. A base glass is doped with rare earth ions Terbium Tb3+ and Europium Eu3+ to produce a glass that reduces the transmission of short-wave infrared radiation therethrough without reducing the transmission of visible light. A base glass composition is doped with Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions to an appreciable concentration, in some embodiments in excess of 5 mol % and in other embodiments to a concentration in excess of 1 mol %. A suitable glass for doping according to the present invention includes any glass that can accept rare earth ions at appreciable densities such as the densities described above, and can include oxide-based, fluoride-based, and chalcogenide-based glasses. The doped glass attenuates transmission of short-wave infrared radiation having wavelengths of about 1.8 ?m to about 2.5 ?m and does not reduce transmission of visible light having wavelengths from about 0.4 ?m to about 0.8 ?m.

Abstract: A wavelength converter comprising an arsenic sulfide (As—S) chalcogenide glass fiber coupled to an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal and a laser system using an OPO crystal coupled to an As—S fiber are provided. The OPO receives pump laser radiation from a pump laser and emits laser radiation at a wavelength that is longer than the pump laser radiation. The laser radiation that is emitted from the OPO is input into the As—S fiber, which in turn converts the input wavelength from the OPO to a desired wavelength, for example, a wavelength beyond about 4.4 ?m. In an exemplary embodiment, the OPO comprises a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal. The As—S fiber can include any suitable type of optical fiber, such as a conventional core clad fiber, a photonic crystal fiber, or a microstructured fiber.

Abstract: A photonic band gap fiber and method of making thereof is provided. The fiber is made of a germanate glass comprising at least 30 mol % of a germanium oxide and has a longitudinal central opening, a microstructured region having a plurality of longitudinal surrounding openings, and a jacket. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is at least about 90%. The fiber may be made by drawing a preform into a fiber, while applying gas pressure to the microstructured region. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is changed during the drawing.

Abstract: A transparent polycrystalline ceramic having scattering and absorption loss less than 0.2/cm over a region comprising more than 95% of the originally densified shape and further provides a process for fabricating the same by hot pressing. The ceramic can be any suitable ceramic such as yttria (Y2O3) or scandia (Sc2O3) and can have a doping level of from 0 to 20% and a grain size of greater than 30 ?m, although the grains can also be smaller than 30 ?m. In a process for making a transparent polycrystalline ceramic in accordance with the present invention, ceramic nanoparticles can be coated with a sintering aid to minimize direct contact of adjacent ceramic powder particles and then baked at high temperatures to remove impurities from the coated particles. The thus-coated particles can then be densified by hot pressing into the final ceramic product. The invention further provides a transparent polycrystalline ceramic solid-state laser material and a laser using the hot pressed polycrystalline ceramic.

Abstract: A Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer for operation in the mid- and long-wave infrared region (about 2-15 micron wavelengths) is disclosed. The FTIR spectrometer is composed of IR-transmitting fiber and uses a broadband IR source. A fiber stretcher is provided to provide a path difference between a first path and a second path having a sample associated therewith. Stretching of the fiber provides a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram that can subsequently be analyzed to obtain information about a sample. A method for use of the apparatus of the invention is also disclosed. The method involves stretching of an IR-transmitting fiber to create a path difference sufficient to generate an interferogram. Various aspects of these features enable the construction of compact, portable spectrometers.

Abstract: The invention teaches devices and methods for chemically tanning human skin. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A wavelength converter comprising an arsenic sulfide (As—S) chalcogenide glass fiber coupled to an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal and a laser system using an OPO crystal coupled to an As—S fiber are provided. The OPO receives pump laser radiation from a pump laser and emits laser radiation at a wavelength that is longer than the pump laser radiation. The laser radiation that is emitted from the OPO is input into the As—S fiber, which in turn converts the input wavelength from the OPO to a desired wavelength, for example, a wavelength beyond about 4.4 ?m. In an exemplary embodiment, the OPO comprises a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal. The As—S fiber can include any suitable type of optical fiber, such as a conventional core clad fiber, a photonic crystal fiber, or a microstructured fiber.

Abstract: The invention teaches devices and methods for chemically tanning human skin. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The invention teaches devices and methods for chemically tanning human skin. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A waveguide amplifier, disposed on a substrate, composed of sputtered film of chalcogenide glass doped with Erbium is disclosed. The amplifier includes a substrate, a thick film of chalcogenide glass disposed on the substrate, a pumping device, and an optical combining device, wherein the waveguide is operable to amplify the optically combined signal. This type of amplifier has been shown to be compact and cost-effective, in addition to being transparent in the mid-IR range as a result of the low phonon energy of chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a scene projection system and a method for projecting a scene that can simulate light temperature of above 2000 K. The system comprises of a light source part for generating light at a lower wavelength; a means part for individually controlling dynamic range, contrast, brightness, temporal characteristics and temporal dynamics of the light; a rare earth doped fiber part that re-emits the output light at a higher wavelength; and a means part for conveying light between its parts. The method comprises steps of generating light at a lower wavelength; individually controlling temporal characteristics, temporal dynamics, brightness and contrast of the light; passing the light through a rare earth-doped fiber; and re-emitting the light at a higher wavelength.

Abstract: A hollow core photonic bandgap chalcogenide glass fiber includes a hollow core for passing light therethrough, a Raman active gas disposed in said core, a microstructured region disposed around said core, and a solid region disposed around said microstructured region for providing structural integrity to said microstructured region. A coupler can introduce at least one light signal into the hollow core of the chalcogenide photonic bandgap fiber. The method includes the steps of introducing a light beam into a hollow core chalcogenide photonic bandgap glass fiber filled with a Raman active gas disposed in the core, conveying the beam through the core while it interacts with the gas to form a Stokes beam of a typically higher wavelength, and removing the Stokes beam from the core of the fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cooking utensil with protrusions from its handle. While cooking, the utensils protrusions allow it to be rested on a pot or pan in order to prevent sauces and oils from dripping on stovetops, spoon rests, or other unwanted surfaces. Also since the utensil is held on the pot, bacteria and viruses cannot contaminate the utensil or food as easily. This invention also lends itself towards being quickly and easily placed and removed from its resting spot on the container, as well as minimizing workspace clutter by aligning its own handle with the handle of the container. This invention also has the means to be secure in its resting spot, which prevents it from falling into or to the side of the cooking container. Furthermore the invention can be easily manufactured by making small changes to the mold cavities and/or metal stamps currently used for utensil production.

Abstract: A photonic band gap fiber and method of making thereof is provided. The fiber is made of a non-silica-based glass and has a longitudinal central opening, a microstructured region having a plurality of longitudinal surrounding openings, and a jacket. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is at least about 40%. The fiber may be made by drawing a preform into a fiber, while applying gas pressure to the microstructured region. The air fill fraction of the microstructured region is changed during the drawing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a glass fiber, a Raman device and a method. The fiber is a hollow core photonic bandgap chalcogenide glass fiber that includes a hollow core for passing light therethrough, a Raman active gas disposed in said core, a microstructured region disposed around said core, and a solid region disposed around said microstructured region for providing structural integrity to said microstructured region. The device includes a coupler for introducing at least one light signal into a hollow core of a chalcogenide photonic bandgap fiber; a hollow core chalcogenide photonic bandgap glass fiber; a microstructured fiber region disposed around said core; a solid fiber region disposed around said microstructured region for providing structural integrity to said microstructured region; and a Raman active gas disposed in the hollow core.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a scene projection system and a method for projecting a scene that can simulate light temperature of above 2000 K. The system comprises of a light source part for generating light at a lower wavelength; a means part for individually controlling dynamic range, contrast, brightness, temporal characteristics and temporal dynamics of the light; a rare earth doped fiber part that re-emits the output light at a higher wavelength; and a means part for conveying light between its parts. The method comprises steps of generating light at a lower wavelength wavelength; individually controlling temporal characteristics, temporal dynamics, brightness and contrast of the light; passing the light through a rare earth-doped fiber; and re-emitting the light at a higher wavelength.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an optical device and method for using a chalcogenide glass waveguide to amplify a pump light beam by means of stimulated Raman scattering and obtaining a depleted pump light beam and an amplified beam at a wavelength higher than the wavelength of the depleted pump light beam.

Abstract: The invention teaches devices and methods for chemically tanning human skin. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The invention teaches devices and methods for chemically tanning human skin. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present invention is a device and method for applying a tanning solution. Generally, the method generates a fog by applying a predetermined pressure to a tanning solution, and then passing the solution through a nozzle such that the tanning solution under pressure produces a fog. The device generally includes a fog chamber with a fluid frame therein, the fluid frame having a plurality of nozzles disposed about it. The nozzles help achieve a fog by providing a disk fan to help disburse the fog away from a person being tanned.