Abstract: A multi-stage fiber processing system comprises first and second fiber holders configured to hold respective portions of at least one fiber and a plurality of heat sources arranged between the first and second fiber holders and configured to provide a heat zone that axially extends about the at least on fiber. The first and second fiber holders can be configured to translate away from each other for tapering. The plurality of heat sources can include two 3 electrode heat sources that deliver an extended, substantially isothermic heat field axially about the fiber. All but one heat source can be turned off to splice the fiber. The two 3 electrode heat sources can generate 9 arcs to from the heat zone, wherein arcs between the two 3 electrode heat sources can be rotated about the at least one fiber.

Abstract: A Ni—Fe—Cr alloy having high strength, ductility and corrosion resistance especially for use in deep-drilled, corrosive oil and gas well environments, as well as for marine environments. The alloy comprises in weight %: 35-55% Ni, 12-25% Cr, 0.5-5% Mo, up to 3% Cu, 2.1-4.5% Nb, 0.5-3% Ti, up to 0.7% Al, 0.005-0.04% C, balance Fe plus incidental impurities and deoxidizers. The alloy must also satisfy the ratio of (Nb?7.75 C)/(Al+Ti)=0.5-9 in order to obtain the desired high strength by the formation of ?? and ?? phases. The alloy has a minimum of 1% by weight ?? phase dispersed in its matrix for strength purposes and a total weight percent of ??+?? phases being between 10 and 30.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid metal clamp, and a clamp system and method including same. A clamp system includes a first clamp configured to hold a first portion of a set of fibers and a second clamp configured to hold a second portion of the set of fibers, the second clamp comprising a liquid metal that takes a liquid form at a first temperature for receipt of the second portion of the set of fibers and that takes a solid form at a second temperature to secure the second of the set of fibers. The set of fibers can be a single fiber or a plurality of fibers. The fiber or fibers can have a circular or non-circular cross section.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: Target/backing plate constructions and methods of forming target/backing plate constructions are disclosed herein. The targets and backing plates can be bonded to one another through an appropriate interlayer. The targets can comprise one or more of titanium, tantalum, titanium zirconium, hafnium, niobium, vanadium, tungsten, copper or a combination thereof. The interlayer can comprise one or more of silver, copper, nickel, tin, titanium and indium. Target/backing plate constructions of the present invention can have bond strengths of at least 20 ksi and an average grain size within the target of less than 80 microns.

Abstract: A sputtering target is described herein, which includes: a) a surface material, and b) a core material coupled to the surface material, wherein at least one of the surface material or the core material has less than 100 ppm defect volume. Methods for producing sputtering targets are described that include: a) providing at least one sputtering target material, b) melting the at least one sputtering target material to provide a molten material, c) degassing the molten material, d) pouring the molten material into a target mold. In some embodiments, pouring the molten material into a target mold comprises under-pouring or under-skimming the molten material from the crucible into the target mold. Sputtering targets and related apparatus formed by and utilizing these methods are also described herein. In addition, uses of these sputtering targets are described herein.

Abstract: A Ni—Fe—Cr alloy having high strength, ductility and corrosion resistance especially for use in deep-drilled, corrosive oil and gas well environments, as well as for marine environments. The alloy comprises in weight %: 35-55% Ni, 12-25% Cr, 0.5-5% Mo, up to 3% Cu, 2.1-4.5% Nb, 0.5-3% Ti, up to 0.7% Al, 0.005-0.04% C, balance Fe plus incidental impurities and deoxidizers. The alloy must also satisfy the ratio of (Nb?7.75 C)/(Al+Ti)=0.5-9 in order to obtain the desired high strength by the formation of ?? and ?? phases. The alloy has a minimum of 1% by weight ?? phase dispersed in its matrix for strength purposes and a total weight percent of ??+?? phases being between 10 and 30.

Abstract: A Ni—Fe—Cr alloy having high strength, ductility and corrosion resistance especially for use in deep-drilled, corrosive oil and gas well environments, as well as for marine environments. The alloy comprises in weight %: 35-55% Ni, 12-25% Cr, 0.5-5% Mo, up to 3% Cu, 2.1-4.5% Nb, 0.5-3% Ti, up to 0.7% Al, 0.005-0.04% C, balance Fe plus incidental impurities and deoxidizers. The alloy must also satisfy the ratio of (Nb-7.75 C)/(Al+Ti)=0.5-9 in order to obtain the desired high strength by the formation of ?? and ?? phases. The alloy has a minimum of 1% by weight ?? phase dispersed in its matrix for strength purposes and a total weight percent of ??+?? phases being between 10 and 30.

Abstract: A multi-electrode system comprises a fiber support configured to hold at least one optical fiber and a set of electrodes disposed about the at least one optical fiber and configured to generate arcs between adjacent electrodes to generate a substantially uniform heated field to a circumferential outer surface of the at least one optical fiber. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a transceiver, such as a serializer/deserializer device (SerDes), with enhanced built-in self test (BIST). A built-in self test circuit is provided that decouples a clock signal used for receiving data from a clock signal used in transmitting data. This permits data tracking circuitry of a receiver to be efficiently tested with a relatively simple loop back test.

Abstract: An optical fiber network may be provided in a building or set of buildings that can be used with any type of services, regardless of whether those services are provided as electrical signals or as optical signals. To accomplish this, a service aggregation gateway may be provided that receives electrical and/or optical service signals and converts the incoming electrical signals to optical signals. Also, a way for conventional electronic devices in the building to communicate with the optical fiber network is provided. In addition, units for allowing such communication between electronic devices and the optical network may be modularized such that they are interchangeable. In addition, keyed optical fiber ferrule/connector pairs are described.

Abstract: An optical fiber network may be provided in a building or set of buildings that can be used with any type of services, regardless of whether those services are provided as electrical signals or as optical signals. To accomplish this, a service aggregation gateway may be provided that receives electrical and/or optical service signals and converts the incoming electrical signals to optical signals. Also, a way for conventional electronic devices in the building to communicate with the optical fiber network is provided. In addition, units for allowing such communication between electronic devices and the optical network may be modularized such that they are interchangeable. In addition, keyed optical fiber ferrule/connector pairs are described.

Abstract: A method for supplying supplementary information related to printed books comprises the steps of: distributing a plurality of different printed books having respective content; supplying a common internet web access address together with each one of the plurality of different printed books; making a first web site accessible on the internet at the common address; firstly displaying at the first web site, in response to each internet access of the first web site, a first set of respective hyper links corresponding to each of the different printed books; and, secondly displaying at the first web site, in response to selection of any one of the hyper links on the first web page, a further and respective set of hyper links identifying further web sites having information relevant to and underlying the respective content of the printed book corresponding to the selected hyper link of the first web page.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of detecting impurities in a metal-containing article. A portion of metal material is removed from a metal article and is solubilized in an acid or base-comprising liquid to produce a liquid sample. The liquid sample is subjected to an incident laser beam and light scattered from the sample is detected. The invention includes a method of analyzing a physical vapor deposition target material. A portion of target material is removed from the target and is rinsed with an acid-comprising solution. The portion of target material is dissolved to produce a liquid sample. The sample is subjected to an incident laser beam and scatter of the laser beam is detected to determine the number of particles present in the sample within a particular size range.

Abstract: The invention includes solder materials having low concentrations of alpha particle emitters, and includes methods of purification of materials to reduce a concentration of alpha particle emitters within the materials. The invention includes methods of reducing alpha particle flux in various lead-containing and lead-free materials through purification of the materials. The invention also includes methods of estimating the fractionation of a low concentration of one or more alpha particle emitters during purification of a material.