Abstract: A process for making a microneedle array master comprises: (a) providing a photoreactive composition, the photoreactive composition comprising: (1) at least one reactive species that is capable of undergoing an acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction, and (2) at least one multiphoton photoinitiator system; and (b) imagewise exposing at least a portion of the composition to light sufficient to cause simultaneous absorption of at least two photons, thereby inducing at least one acid- or radical-initiated chemical reaction where the composition is exposed to the light, the imagewise exposing being carried out in a pattern that is effective to define at least the surface of a plurality of microneedles. The microneedles may be solid and the outer surface of the microneedles may be characterized by at least one concave area. The master may be used to fabricate a tool for replication.

Abstract: A flexible light guide including a material having a tensile modulus of about 1 MPa to about 70 MPa, a Tg of about ?5° C. to about 45° C., an absorbance in the visible spectrum of less than about 0.0279 cm?1, a refractive index of about 1.35 to about 1.65, and a thickness of about 50 microns to about 700 microns.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises a core, an inner cladding laterally surrounding the core, and an outer cladding laterally surrounding the inner cladding, wherein the core, inner cladding, and outer cladding have a depressed well configuration. The waveguide operates in three or more wavelength bands, wherein a first wavelength band is centered at about 1300 nm, and wherein a second wavelength band is centered at about 1625 nm. The waveguide has bend losses that are less than or equal to 1.0 dB/turn when measured on a 5 mm radius bend at 1625 nm and bend losses that are less than or equal to 1.5 dB/turn when measured on a 5 mm radius bend at 1650 nm.

Abstract: An optical waveguide comprises a core, an inner cladding laterally surrounding the core, and an outer cladding laterally surrounding the inner cladding, wherein the core, inner cladding, and outer cladding have a depressed well configuration. The waveguide operates in three or more wavelength bands, wherein a first wavelength band is centered at about 1300 nm, and wherein a second wavelength band is centered at about 1625 nm. The waveguide has bend losses that are less than or equal to 0.7 dB/turn when measured on a 10 mm radius bend at 1625 nm.

Abstract: A radiation tuned optical fiber comprises an optical fiber that includes a substantially circular core and a cladding containing an asymmetric stress zone. The substantially circular core has an initial birefringence. A length of the optical fiber has at least one radiation-tuned portion wherein the substantially circular core has a tuned birefringence to provide the radiation tuned optical fiber in which the tuned birefringence differs from the initial birefringence.

Abstract: A wavelength tunable optical device comprises a polarization maintaining (PM) optical fiber having a length, a first end, a second end, and an initial birefringence. The PM optical fiber receives polarized light from a first polarizer adjacent to the first end of the PM optical fiber. A second polarizer receives a light output from the second end of the PM optical fiber. A wavelength tunable optical device provides a plurality of spectral peaks leaving the second polarizer with a periodicity determined by the length of the PM optical fiber. Each of the plurality of spectral peaks has a wavelength dependent upon the length and the initial birefringence of the PM optical fiber. The PM optical fiber is a radiation tunable optical fiber adaptable to a tuned birefringence such that the periodicity and each of the wavelengths change to a selectively tuned wavelength and a tuned periodicity.

Abstract: A fusion splice including a first optical fiber having a first MFD and a first MFD expansion rate. The splice further includes a second fiber having a second MFD and a second MFD expansion rate, wherein the second MFD is lower than the first MFD. The second fiber comprises a core, a cladding radially surrounding the core, and a zone of high-concentration of fluorine between the core and the cladding. The rate of MFD expansion of the first fiber is less than the rate of MFD expansion of the second fiber during the fusion splicing operation.

Abstract: A fusion splice including a first optical fiber having a first MFD and a first MFD expansion rate. The splice further includes a second fiber having a second MFD and a second MFD expansion rate, wherein the second MFD is lower than the first MFD. The second fiber comprises a core, a cladding radially surrounding the core, and a zone of high-concentration of fluorine between the core and the cladding. The rate of MFD expansion of the first fiber is less than the rate of MFD expansion of the second fiber during the fusion splicing operation.