Abstract: Optical waveguide fiber having low water peak as well as optical waveguide fiber preforms and methods of making optical waveguide fiber preforms from which low water peak and/or low hydrogen aged attenuation optical waveguide fibers are formed, including optical waveguide fiber and preforms made via OVD. The fibers may be hydrogen resistant, i.e. exhibit low hydrogen aged attenuation. A low water peak, hydrogen resistant optical waveguide fiber is disclosed which exhibits an optical attenuation at a wavelength of about 1383 nm which is less than or equal to an optical attenuation exhibited at a wavelength of about 1310 nm.

Abstract: An optical waveguide fiber or body having a doped outer region which can be utilized in an optical coupler, a preform which can serve as the precursor for the fiber, an optical coupler, and methods of making same. Water, for example in the form of H2O and/or D2O, may be added to the cladding of the optical waveguide fiber or body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for producing a supported membrane. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for producing a supported membrane comprising the steps: (i) providing a substrate coated with a monolayer having reactive functional groups; (ii) contacting the reactive groups with a linker compound to form a derivatized monolayer having covalently bonded linker moieties; and (iii) contacting the derivatized monolayer with a membrane solution to produce a supported membrane.

Abstract: A method of protecting a silica-containing article used in the manufacture of an optical fiber includes the step of applying to the silica-containing article a protective layer that facilitates removal of particulates that deposit on the protective layer and that ablates during or can be removed before subsequent processing of the silica-containing article. An intermediate product used in the manufacture of an optical fiber and protected against break-inducing particulates includes a silica-containing article, and a protective layer that facilitates removal of particulates-that have deposited on the protective layer and that can be ablated during or removed before subsequent processing of the intermediate product.

Abstract: Optical waveguide fiber having low water peak as well as optical waveguide fiber preforms and methods of making optical waveguide fiber preforms from which low water peak and/or low hydrogen aged attenuation optical waveguide fibers are formed, including optical waveguide fiber and preforms made via OVD. The fibers may be hydrogen resistant, i.e. exhibit low hydrogen aged attenuation. A low water peak, hydrogen resistant optical waveguide fiber is disclosed which exhibits an optical attenuation at a wavelength of about 1383 nm which is less than or equal to an optical attenuation exhibited at a wavelength of about 1310 nm.

Abstract: A method of protecting a silica-containing article used in the manufacture of an optical fiber includes the step of applying to the silica-containing article a protective layer that facilitates removal of particulates that deposit on the protective layer and that ablates during or can be removed before subsequent processing of the silica-containing article. An intermediate product used in the manufacture of an optical fiber and protected against break-inducing particulates includes a silica-containing article, and a protective layer that facilitates removal of particulates that have deposited on the protective layer and that can be ablated during or removed before subsequent processing of the intermediate product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for producing a supported bilayer-lipid membrane. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and composition for producing a supported membrane. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for producing a supported membrane comprising the steps: (i) providing a substrate coated with a monolayer having reactive functional groups; (ii) contacting the reactive groups with a linker compound to form a derivatized monolayer having covalently bonded linker moieties; and (iii) contacting the derivatized monolayer with a membrane to produce a supported membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an optical fiber preform including a metal remover, which operates by adsorption, that removes gaseous transition metal impurities present in a process gas to be provided to a furnace for drying, doping or consolidation. The apparatus and method may reduce attenuation of the resultant optical fiber drawn from the preform.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silica-containing article used in the manufacture of an optical fiber includes the steps of applying to the silica-containing article a protective layer, and then transporting the coated article to a second factory for further processing. The layer facilitates ease of removal of particulates that deposit on the protective layer. The layer preferably ablates during, or can be readily removed subsequent to, further processing of the silica-containing article. Any intermediate product used in the manufacture of an optical fiber, for example, a core blank, core cane segment, consolidated preform, etc. may be readily shipped between various factories because the articles are protected against break-inducing particulates by the protective layer.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber preform that includes providing a consolidated glass preform, depositing a layer of silica soot onto the consolidated glass preform to form a composite preform having a consolidated glass portion and a silica soot portion, and exposing the composite preform to an atmosphere containing a concentration of a deuterium compound for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the deuterium compound to penetrate the consolidated glass portion without pervading the entire glass portion. Preferably, the deuterium compound penetrates the glass portion to a desired depth.

Abstract: A method of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped optical fiber by diffusing an alkali metal into a surface of a glass article is disclosed. The silica glass article may be in the form of a tube or a rod, or a collection of tubes or rods. The silica glass article containing the alkali metal, and impurities that may have been unintentionally diffused into the glass article, is etched to a depth sufficient to remove the impurities. The silica glass article may be further processed to form a complete optical fiber preform. The preform, when drawn into an optical fiber, exhibits a low attenuation.

Abstract: A substrate, which that is capable of attaching biomolecules, and a method for preparing the substrate are provided. The substrate has a reactive surface that can covalently attach a polymer coating containing functional groups, which can reduce nonspecific binding of biomolecules to the surface for a biological array. Optionally, at least a portion of the substrate may be coated with an intermediate tie layer, which enhances the covalent bonding between the polymer coating with the underlying substrate. The present invention also pertains to a method that uses electrostatic blocking agents to reduce non-specific binding of proteins to a substrate, especially anhydride-modified surfaces.

Abstract: A cutting fluid applicable for the machining of vitreous, crystalline or aggregate materials such as glass, glass-ceramics, ceramics, stone, concrete, silicon and the like. The cutting fluid comprises a solution containing organic molecules—in particular silanes, silanols, and siloxanes—capable of forming covalent bonds with such vitreous, crystalline or aggregate materials. The organic molecules in the cutting fluid is believed to improve the rate of manufacturing productivity, surface finish quality, and decrease the incidence of sub-surface damage caused by particulate adhesion to the cutting or abrading tool during a machining process of these kinds of substrates. The reduced clogging of cutting surfaces and increased lubricity of the cutting fluid may also prolong the useful life of the machining tools when used against these kinds of substrates.

Abstract: A method of mating optical fibers includes the steps of coupling a first end portion of a first optical fiber to a first connector, coupling a second end portion of a second optical fiber to a second connector, disposing fluid between the first end portion and the second end portion, and placing an end surface of the first end portion and an end surface of the second end portion into contact with each other at a contact point, to thereby cause the fluid to flow away from the contact point.

Abstract: The invention relates to an athermal optical waveguide grating device. The optical waveguide grating device includes a fiber Bragg grating secured and bonded to a supporting substrate member with a low thermal expansion securing glass, such as a copper alumino silicate glass. The inventive devices and method of making the devices include the utilization of intermediate solid insert members between the fiber and a negative thermal expansion substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for producing a supported membrane. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for producing a supported membrane comprising the steps: (i) providing a substrate coated with a monolayer having reactive functional groups; (ii) contacting the reactive groups with a linker compound to form a derivatized monolayer having covalently bonded linker moieties; and (iii) contacting the derivatized monolayer with a membrane solution to produce a supported membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and composition for producing a supported membrane. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for producing a supported membrane comprising the steps: (i) providing a substrate coated with a monolayer having reactive functional groups; (ii) contacting the reactive groups with a linker compound to form a derivatized monolayer having covalently bonded linker moieties; and (iii) contacting the derivatized monolayer with a membrane solution to produce a supported membrane.

Abstract: An improved telecommunications link is provided which includes a dispersion managed fiber with smoothly varying dispersion. The dispersion map may vary sinusoidally or as a sawtooth, for example. The smoothly varying dispersion works well for high data rate transmissions in a return to zero signal format. The dispersion managed fiber with smoothly varying dispersion may be formed by a wide variety of techniques. A method of forming dispersion managed fiber by localized heating or cooling is also provided.

Abstract: A furnace assembly for heating an optical waveguide preform includes a furnace. The furnace includes a muffle and a heating device. The muffle defines a furnace passage. The furnace passage has a length extending from a first end to a second end. The heating device is operative to heat the furnace passage. A process gas supply provides a process gas to the furnace passage. A handle is disposed in the furnace passage and is adapted to hold the waveguide preform. A flow shield is positioned between the first and second ends and extends across the furnace passage between the handle and the muffle. The flow shield is arranged and configured to restrict flow of the process gas from the first end to the second end of the furnace passage.

Abstract: A cylindrical glass body having a low water content centerline region and method of manufacturing such a cylindrical glass body for use in the manufacture of optical waveguide fiber is disclosed. The centerline region of the cylindrical glass body has a water content sufficiently low such that an optical waveguide fiber made from the cylindrical glass body of the present invention exhibits an optical attenuation of less than about 0.35 dB/km, and preferably less than about 0.31 dB/km at a measured wavelength of 1380 nm. A low water content plug used in the manufacture of such a cylindrical glass body, an optical waveguide fiber having a low water peak, and an optical fiber communication system incorporating such an optical waveguide fiber is also disclosed.