Abstract: An optical isolator includes a magneto-optical substrate exhibiting the Faraday effect and a pair of photonic crystal polarizers formed on opposite surfaces of the magneto-optical substrate and oriented relative to each other. The photonic crystal polarizers permit propagation of a selected polarization component of an input beam.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a furnace component comprising an inorganic material that is exposed to a gas stream comprising hydrocarbon compounds, wherein at least a portion of the exposed inorganic material comprises a catalyst that promotes a hydrocarbon reaction to produce an olefin. The inorganic material may be a glass, a glass-ceramic, or a ceramic and may be coated onto the inside wall of a hydrocarbon cracking reactor or may be used as particles, powder, beads, monoliths, or other structured forms. The glass-ceramic material may further comprise a catalyst that facilitates carbon gasification.

Abstract: A backplate for a display panel, a display panel embodying such backplate, and methods for producing the backplates. The backplate comprises a thin layer of a glass-ceramic that receives the active display material on its surface, the glass-ceramic being sufficiently refractory to withstand a processing temperature of at least 850° C., that has a coefficient of thermal expansion over about 40×10−7/° C., but not over about 100×10−7/° C., and that has a crystal phase selected from spinel, enstatite, wollastonite, diopside, mullite, alpha-quartz, sapphirine, forsterite, beta-quartz, other alkaline earth metal silicates and aluminosilicates and mixtures of these crystal phases.

Abstract: A method of lessening the tendency for carbon to deposit on a metal surface during thermal cracking of hydrocarbons which comprises isolating the metal surface with a glass-ceramic coating, and a coated furnace element for use in such method.

Abstract: A method of lessening the tendency of carbon to deposit on a hot metal surface, particularly a component in a furnace for thermally cracking hydrocarbons, that comprises coating a chromium-containing metal surface with a layer of porous, dry, pulverized glass and heating the coated metal to form an adherent, vitreous coating on the metal surface.

Abstract: Rib structures for containing plasma in electronic displays are formed by redrawing glass preform into fiber-like rib components. The rib components are then assembled to form rib/channel structures suitable for use in flat panel displays, such as plasma emissive displays, field emissive displays and plasma addressed liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: A method of lessening the tendency for carbon to deposit on a metal surface during thermal cracking of hydrocarbons which comprises isolating the metal surface with a glass-ceramic coating, and a coated furnace element for use in such method.

Abstract: Electrically conductive honeycomb structures are provided for use as catalytic converters, pre-heaters for catalytic converters, or particulate filters. The honeycomb structures are composed of subunits which are arranged to produce a serpentine conductive path through the honeycomb. The serpentine path gives the honeycomb an increased electrical resistance so that elevated temperatures can be achieved with less current. The subunits allow the serpentine current path to be produced without any slitting or cutting of the honeycomb.

Abstract: A method for foming glass articles of substantial thickness from unstable glass compositions which normally devitrify when formed by conventional casting or molding processes, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of quench-cooling the glass to form a crystal-free glass feedstock material, and then pressure-consolidating the feedstock at a temperature between the transition temperature and the crystallization temperature of the glass.

Abstract: There is disclosed a sintered, alpha-cordierite solid solution glass-ceramic body in which the properties of coefficient of thermal expansion and modulus of rupture are stabilized and controlled by using a combination of two dopants in the glass during sintering and crystallization. There is further disclosed the method of producing such bodies, and controlling such properties, through the use of the two dopants.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of ceramic materials which exhibit a dielectric constant in excess of 105, when measured at room temperature, and a small temperature coefficient of capacitance across the temperature range of -55.degree. to 125.degree. C., when compared to the capacitance measured at room temperature, which material has a composition encompassed within one of the following general formulae:(Bi.sub.2 O.sub.2).sup.2+ (A.sub.m-1 B.sub.m O.sub.3m+1).sup.2- ; (I)(Bi.sub.2 O.sub.2).sup.2+ (A.sub.m-1 B.sub.m Zr.sub..beta. O.sub.3m+.delta.+1).sup.2- ; and (II)(Bi.sub.2 O.sub.2).sup.2+ (A.sub.m-1 B.sub.m Mn.sub..gamma. O.sub.3m+.delta.+1).sup.2- (III)(Bi.sub.2 O.sub.2).sup.2+ (A.sub.m-1 B.sub.m Zr.sub..beta. Mn.sub..gamma. O.sub.3m+.delta.+1).sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a lens or a lens array and apparatus for carrying out the method. The method comprises directing, in line of sight in a vacuum, the vapor of a substance, which is solid and transparent at ambient temperature, from a source of that vapor through a hole in a mask to form a deposit on a substrate. The mask is so positioned between the vapor source and the substrate that obscuration by the solid portions of the mask around the hole causes the deposit to assume a curved surface and function as a lens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a metal-glass composite comprising a photosensitive glass body with opacifying crystallites developed in at least a portion of the body, and a metal deposit on and/or in that portion of the glass surface coincident with the crystallized portion of the glass body, the metal deposit exhibiting useful electrical conductivity. There is further disclosed a method of producing such composite by forming crystallites in at least a portion of a glass body, subjecting at least the surface coincident therewith to a cationic ion exchange to introduce metal ions and thereafter firing the ion-exchanged glass in a hydrogen atmosphere to cause the metal ions to be reduced and subsequently migrate surfaceward and form a metal deposit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved optical device of the type disclosed in application Ser. No. 520,456 and embodying an array of lenses integral with and raised above a crystalline matrix. The improvement comprises an ion-exchanged surface on the lenses wherein the lithium ion from the lens glass is exchanged with a larger monovalent ion, preferably sodium or potassium from a bath, and the contents of such alkali metal ions in the lens are defined by both radial and axial concentration gradients. The device may be heated above the glass strain point to relieve stress and enhance lens power, either simultaneously with or subsequent to the ion exchange.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite photochromic glass article composed of a glass core and a thin surface layer substantially encasing that core, the core preferably containing a copper-cadmium halide photochromic crystal system and the substantially encasing glass layer preferably containing a copper-cadmium-silver halide photochromic crystal system. The article may be made by fusion laminating two separately formed glasses, or by introducing silver into a surface layer on a glass article by ion exchange.