Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a clean working area within an enclosure while simultaneously permitting open access to the working area from outside and also preventing any toxic substances from escaping the enclosure to contaminate a worker area. A higher pressure region within the enclosure near the aperture of the enclosure prevents dirt from entering and toxic materials from escaping.

Abstract: An electroless process has been developed to deposit nickel and gold onto optical fibers using aqueous chemistry. The key to the process is a sensitization of a surface of an optical fiber using a dilute aqueous stannous fluoride solution in absence of oxygen. Stannous fluoride solution is prepared by dissolving crystalline SnF.sub.2 in deionized water. Subsequent treatment includes immersion of sensitized optical fiber in a palladium chloride/HCl aqueous solution and commercially available electroless nickel and electroless gold solutions. The process is compatible with either chemical or fusion lensing operations by using a strippable polymer coating to selectively metallize near the fiber end. The solder joints to the metallized fiber are hermetic as determined by helium leak testing, and solder pull-test strengths typically range from 3-5 pounds, depending on the type of solder.