Abstract: The loopback apparatus disclosed herein is used with an optical fiber system having an optical fiber cable. The loopback apparatus includes an optical fiber having input and output ends and an output optical fiber having input and output ends. The loopback apparatus also includes an optical system that defines an optical path and that is configured to optically couple the output end of the input optical fiber with the input end of the output optical fiber over the optical path. The loopback apparatus also includes a thin-film filter disposed in the optical path and configured to provide a select amount of attenuation for light traveling over the optical path. The loopback apparatus can be plugged into and unplugged from the optical fiber cable. Loopback methods for measuring the performance of the optical fiber system using the loopback apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical signal isolation device comprising a common port, an isolated diagnostic port, an integrated circulator comprising an input circulator fiber, an output circulator fiber, and a fiber-to-fiber optical coupler configured to couple an isolated optical signal propagating along the input circulator fiber to the output circulator fiber for propagation along the output circulator fiber, a multi-fiber alignment body that secures at least portions of each of the multi-signal fiber, the isolated diagnostic signal fiber, the input circulator fiber, and the output circulator fiber, and a wavelength-selective optical assembly including an optical signal filter, fiber-to-filter focusing optics, and a communications signal reflector. The integrated circulator and the wavelength selective optical assembly are configured such that the communications component is retro-reflected back to the common port and the diagnostic component is passes out of the isolated diagnostic port.

Abstract: The loopback apparatus disclosed herein is used with an optical fiber system having an optical fiber cable. The loopback apparatus includes an optical fiber having input and output ends and an output optical fiber having input and output ends. The loopback apparatus also includes an optical system that defines an optical path and that is configured to optically couple the output end of the input optical fiber with the input end of the output optical fiber over the optical path. The loopback apparatus also includes a thin-film filter disposed in the optical path and configured to provide a select amount of attenuation for light traveling over the optical path. The loopback apparatus can be plugged into and unplugged from the optical fiber cable. Loopback methods for measuring the performance of the optical fiber system using the loopback apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for executing a task in a cluster. The method includes: obtaining a task; determining a cluster-resource collection corresponding to the task in a plurality of pre-grouped collections of cluster resource, according to attribute of the task; and executing the task by a cluster resource in the determined cluster-resource collection. By means of this method, different tasks may correspond to different cluster resource collections. A task may occupy only a cluster resource included in a cluster-resource collection corresponding to the task, instead of occupying all cluster resources in a cluster. Therefore, even when a task occupies all cluster resources included in a cluster-resource collection corresponding to the task, the cluster can still use a cluster resource included in another cluster-resource collection to execute other tasks corresponding to other cluster resource collections in a timely manner.

Abstract: An optical signal isolation device comprising a common port, an isolated diagnostic port, an integrated circulator comprising an input circulator fiber, an output circulator fiber, and a fiber-to-fiber optical coupler configured to couple an isolated optical signal propagating along the input circulator fiber to the output circulator fiber for propagation along the output circulator fiber, a multi-fiber alignment body that secures at least portions of each of the multi-signal fiber, the isolated diagnostic signal fiber, the input circulator fiber, and the output circulator fiber, and a wavelength-selective optical assembly including an optical signal filter, fiber-to-filter focusing optics, and a communications signal reflector. The integrated circulator and the wavelength selective optical assembly are configured such that the communications component is retro-reflected back to the common port and the diagnostic component is passes out of the isolated diagnostic port.

Abstract: The invention relates to modifications of a non-ammoniacal thiosulfate process of leaching precious metals (e.g. gold or silver) from precious metal-containing ores. The process involves leaching the ore with an aqueous lixiviant containing a soluble thiosulfate other than ammonium thiosulfate, a copper compound and an organic compound that serves as a copper ligand (i.e. a ligand-forming compound). Four modifications of this process are effective for increasing the amount of precious metal that can be extracted, reducing the consumption of materials, or for improving the rate of extraction. These four process, which may be used singly or in any combination, include (a) additions of soluble lead (e.g. as lead nitrate), (b) additions of thiourea, (c) increases in dissolved oxygen, and (d) increases of temperature at ambient pressure. This avoids the use environmentally harmful chemicals and allows for extraction from a variety of ores, e.g., containing substantial amounts of sulfides and/or quartz.

Abstract: The invention relates to modifications of a non-ammoniacal thiosulfate process of leaching precious metals (e.g. gold or silver) from precious metal-containing ores. The process involves leaching the ore with an aqueous lixiviant containing a soluble thiosulfate other than ammonium thiosulfate, a copper compound and an organic compound that serves as a copper ligand (i.e. a ligand-forming compound). Four modifications of this process are effective for increasing the amount of precious metal that can be extracted, reducing the consumption of materials, or for improving the rate of extraction. These four process, which may be used singly or in any combination, include (a) additions of soluble lead (e.g. as lead nitrate), (b) additions of thiourea, (c) increases in dissolved oxygen, and (d) increases of temperature at ambient pressure. This avoids the use environmentally harmful chemicals and allows for extraction from a variety of ores, e.g., containing substantial amounts of sulfides and/or quartz.

Abstract: A process for extracting gold from a gold-bearing ore. The process includes, first, providing a leaching liquor with thiosulfate anion and ethylenediamine. Next, the leaching liquor is contacted with the gold-bearing ore to form a pregnant leach solution including gold dissolved from the gold-bearing ore. Finally, at least part of the gold in the pregnant leach solution is recovered.

Abstract: A method for recovering precious metals such as gold and silver from aqueous solution as solid is described The method includes mixing an aqueous solution (e.g, thiosulfate or thiocyanate lixiviant) containing precious metals with ferrous ions in the presence of an effective amount of hydroxide ions. The precious metal ions are reduced and co-precipitate with iron hydroxides and/or hydrated iron oxides The co-precipitate is collected and purified. De-oxygenation of the reaction solution is optional. The recover/method is fast, complete and clean.

Abstract: A process for extracting gold from a gold-bearing ore. The process includes, first, providing a leaching liquor with thiosulfate anion and ethylenediamine. Next, the leaching liquor is contacted with the gold-bearing ore to form a pregnant leach solution including gold dissolved from the gold-bearing ore. Finally, at least part of the gold in the pregnant leach solution is recovered.

Abstract: A method for recovering precious metals such as gold and silver from aqueous solution as solid is described The method includes mixing an aqueous solution (e.g, thiosulfate or thiocyanate lixiviant) containing precious metals with ferrous ions in the presence of an effective amount of hydroxide ions. The precious metal ions are reduced and co-precipitate with iron hydroxides and/or hydrated iron oxides The co-precipitate is collected and purified. De-oxygenation of the reaction solution is optional. The recover/method is fast, complete and clean.