Abstract: A dialysis like therapeutic (DLT) device is provided. The DLT device includes at least one source channel connected at least one collection channels by one or more transfer channels. Fluid contacting surface of the channels can be an anti-fouling surface such as slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS). Fluids can be flown at high flow rates through the channels. The target components of the source fluid can be magnetic or bound to magnetic particles using an affinity molecule. A source fluid containing magnetically bound target components can be pumped through the source channel of the microfluidic device. A magnetic field gradient can be applied to the source fluid in the source channel causing the magnetically bound target components to migrate through the transfer channel into the collection channel. The collection channel can include a collection fluid to flush the target components out of the collection channel. The target components can be subsequently analyzed for detection and diagnosis.

Abstract: Methods for modifying preform core ovality during and subsequent to the formation of an optical fiber preform. After MCVD deposition forms the core rod, but prior to overcladding of the core rod, the code rod may be etched to change its ovality. In order to etch the core rod, the core rod may be mounted to lathe, rotated by at least two rotors, and subjected to a heat source. Additionally, one of the at least two rotors may be phase-shifted from another one of the at least two rotors after the core rod is mounted on the lathe.

Abstract: Methods for modifying preform core ovality during and subsequent to the formation of an optical fiber preform. After MCVD deposition forms the core rod, but prior to overcladding of the core rod, the code rod may be etched to change its ovality. In order to etch the core rod, the core rod may be mounted to lathe, rotated by at least two rotors, and subjected to a heat source. Additionally, one of the at least two rotors may be phase-shifted from another one of the at least two rotors after the core rod is mounted on the lathe.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for making optical fiber having reduced aging or hydrogen aging loss over the life of the fiber and optical fiber systems including such optical fibers. Improved silicon-oxygen stoichiometry during one or more preform manufacturing steps reduces the amount of Si defects generated in the optical fiber preform. Also, deuterium exposure of optical fiber drawn from the preform reduces the likelihood of having atomic defects such as Si defects in the optical fiber that, over time, attract and bond with hydrogen atoms to form molecules that contribute to increased water absorption loss. The inventive method produces optical fibers with improved transmission characteristics, e.g., optical fibers made by methods according to embodiments of the invention have transmission loss at 1385 nanometers that is less than 0.33 dB/km and the aging loss increase thereafter is less than 0.04 dB/km.

Abstract: An expeditious method for introducing geometric perturbations into lightguide during fabrication offers a perturbation stream of amplitude and periodicity—constant or varying—to satisfy a variety of needs.

Abstract: Methods for modifying preform core ovality during and subsequent to the formation of an optical fiber preform. After MCVD deposition forms the core rod, but prior to overcladding of the core rod, the code rod may be etched to change its ovality. In order to etch the core rod, the core rod may be mounted to lathe, rotated by at least two rotors, and subjected to a heat source. Additionally, one of the at least two rotors may be phase-shifted from another one of the at least two rotors after the core rod is mounted on the lathe.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber design has been found to exhibit a relatively low attenuation at the wavelength of 1385 nm (the “water peak”), allowing for Raman amplification to be efficient and effective at wavelengths in the S-band range of 1460 to 1530 nm. An ultra-dry process is used to mate an inner core rod (core plus surrounding trench) with a cladding tube (ring region plus cladding layers) and provide a water peak loss on the order of 0.325 dB/km. The low water peak is combined with appropriate dispersion values and zero dispersion wavelength to form a fiber that supports transmission and Raman amplification in the S-, C- and L-bands of interest for optical transmission systems.

Abstract: An inverse dispersion fiber having a large effective area and a transmission system that incorporates the fiber for providing dispersion and dispersion slope compensation in a transmission fiber. The large-effective-area inverse dispersion optical fiber (IDF) has a negative dispersion and a negative dispersion slope. The effective area, Aeff, of the IDF preferably is greater than approximately 31 micrometers squared (?m2) at a transmission wavelength of approximately 1550 nm. The large-effective-area IDF is suitable for use with super-large-effective-area (SLA) transmission fiber for compensating dispersion in the SLA transmission fiber while reducing nonlinear effects between wavelength channels and cabling loss, which is especially advantageous in transoceanic and long-haul terrestrial systems. These nonlinear effects are inversely related to the effective area of the fiber (i.e., nonlinearities˜1/Aeff).

Abstract: The specification describes an improved optical fiber design in which the criteria for high performance in a Raman amplified optical system, such as moderate effective area, moderate dispersion, low dispersion slope, and selected zero dispersion wavelength, are simultaneously optimized. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispersion characteristics are deliberately made selectively dependent on the core radius. This allows manufacturing variability in the dispersion properties, introduced in the core-making process, to be mitigated during subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: The specification describes an improved optical fiber design in which the criteria for high performance in a Raman amplified optical system, such as moderate effective area, moderate dispersion, low dispersion slope, and selected zero dispersion wavelength, are simultaneously optimized. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispersion characteristics are deliberately made selectively dependent on the core radius. This allows manufacturing variability in the dispersion properties, introduced in the core-making process, to be mitigated during subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: The specification describes an improved optical fiber design in which the criteria for high performance in a Raman amplified optical system, such as moderate effective area, moderate dispersion, low dispersion slope, and selected zero dispersion wavelength, are simultaneously optimized. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispersion characteristics are deliberately made selectively dependent on the core radius. This allows manufacturing variability in the dispersion properties, introduced in the core-making process, to be mitigated during subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber design has been found to exhibit a relatively low attenuation at the wavelength of 1385 nm (the “water peak”), allowing for Raman amplification to be efficient and effective at wavelengths in the S-band range of 1460 to 1530 nm. An ultra-dry process is used to mate an inner core rod (core plus surrounding trench) with a cladding tube (ring region plus cladding layers) and provide a water peak loss on the order of 0.325 dB/km. The low water peak is combined with appropriate dispersion values and zero dispersion wavelength to form a fiber that supports transmission and Raman amplification in the S-, C- and L-bands of interest for optical transmission systems.

Abstract: An inverse dispersion fiber having a large effective area and a transmission system that incorporates the fiber for providing dispersion and dispersion slope compensation in a transmission fiber. The large-effective-area inverse dispersion optical fiber (IDF) has a negative dispersion and a negative dispersion slope. The effective area, Aeff, of the IDF preferably is greater than approximately 31 micrometers squared (&mgr;m2) at a transmission wavelength of approximately 1550 nm. The large-effective-area IDF is suitable for use with super-large-effective-area (SLA) transmission fiber for compensating dispersion in the SLA transmission fiber while reducing nonlinear effects between wavelength channels and cabling loss, which is especially advantageous in transoceanic and long-haul terrestrial systems. These nonlinear effects are inversely related to the effective area of the fiber (i.e., nonlinearities ˜1/Aeff).

Abstract: Methods for modifying preform core ovality during and subsequent to the formation of an optical fiber preform. Prior to MCVD deposition on a starting tube, the outer diameter of the starting tube is altered by etching or a like process to modify its ovality. Additionally, after MCVD deposition forms the core rod, but prior to overcladding of the core rod, the code rod may be etched to change its ovality. Both methods may be used independently or in combination to modify the ovality and reduce PMD of optical fiber drawn from the core rod. An additional method includes etching the cladding material of a core rod having an oval or elliptical core such that the cladding material mirrors the shape of the oval core. During drawing, the perform created there from is placed under a surface tension, or pulled in a manner to generate a circular or near perfect circular optical fiber having desired ovality and low PMD.

Abstract: An expeditious method for introducing geometric perturbations into lightguide during fabrication offers a perturbation stream of amplitude and periodicity—constant or varying—to satisfy a variety of needs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for making optical fiber having reduced aging or hydrogen aging loss over the life of the fiber and optical fiber systems including such optical fibers. The method includes the steps of dehydrating an optical fiber glass core rod in a first environment including oxygen and at least one of chlorine-containing gases, fluorine-containing gases and carbon monoxide; and adjusting the oxygen stoichiometry of the first environment so that it is neither oxygen-rich nor oxygen-deficient. Improved silicon-oxygen stoichiometry during one or more preform manufacturing steps reduces the amount of Si defects generated in the optical fiber preform. Also, deuterium exposure of optical fiber drawn from the preform reduces the likelihood of having atomic defects such as Si defects in the optical fiber that, over time, attract and bond with hydrogen atoms to form molecules that contribute to increased water absorption loss.

Abstract: The specification describes an improved optical fiber design in which the criteria for high performance in a Raman amplified optical system, such as moderate effective area, moderate dispersion, low dispersion slope, and selected zero dispersion wavelength, are simultaneously optimized. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispersion characteristics are deliberately made selectively dependent on the core radius. This allows manufacturing variability in the dispersion properties, introduced in the core-making process, to be mitigated during subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: The specification describes an improved optical fiber design in which the criteria for high performance in a Raman amplified optical system, such as moderate effective area, moderate dispersion, low dispersion slope, and selected zero dispersion wavelength, are simultaneously optimized. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispersion characteristics are deliberately made selectively dependent on the core radius. This allows manufacturing variability in the dispersion properties, introduced in the core-making process, to be mitigated during subsequent processing steps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses introduce mechanical twist to an optical fiber having relatively large polarization mode dispersion (PMD), such as unspun fiber or fiber spun with constant spatial frequency, which mechanical twist reduces the fiber's PMD. A spool of optical fiber having relatively large PMD is mounted and fiber is pulled from the end of the spool to impart a specified mechanical twist. Additionally, the spool may be controllably rotated by a control system while optical fiber is pulled therefrom, allowing the system to generate a precise amount of mechanical twist to the fiber. Also, it is possible to measure the amount of mechanical twist in an optical fiber and the amount of mechanical twist in an optical fiber as a function of fiber length.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for making optical fiber having reduced aging or hydrogen aging loss over the life of the fiber and optical fiber systems including such optical fibers. Improved silicon-oxygen stoichiometry during one or more preform manufacturing steps reduces the amount of Si defects generated in the optical fiber preform. Also, deuterium exposure of optical fiber drawn from the preform reduces the likelihood of having atomic defects such as Si defects in the optical fiber that, over time, attract and bond with hydrogen atoms to form molecules that contribute to increased water absorption loss. The inventive method produces optical fibers with improved transmission characteristics, e.g., optical fibers made by methods according to embodiments of the invention have transmission loss at 1385 nanometers that is less than 0.33 dB/km and the aging loss increase thereafter is less than 0.04 dB/km.