Abstract: A compact wavelength division demultiplexer device comprises two cascaded interferometers the wedge angle of whose mirrors are orthogonal to each other, i.e., the two interferometers are oriented such that the dispersion of light with wavelength from the second interferometer is orthogonal to the dispersion of light with wavelength from the first interferometer. The incoming beam of laser light carrying n sub-bands of m information channels is collimated and applied to the first interferometer whose free spectral range is determined by the total bandwidth required by the n×m channels and whose finesse is determined by the resolution needed to spatially separate each of the n sub-bands from one another. The light leaving the first interferometer enters the second interferometer whose wedge angle is at 90 degrees to the plane of the wedge angle of the first interferometer.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs).

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved elastomeric compositions of metal and ammonium neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymers which are preferentially plasticized with a naphthalene amide at a minimum critical concentration level of at least 8 parts by weight per 100 parts of the metal neutralized elastomeric polymer, wherein the composition has an improved balance of physical and rheological properties, especially at elevated use temperatures. These compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment.

Abstract: Polymers comprising quaternary phosphonium counter-ion salts of acids having anionic groups covalently bonded to carbon atoms comprising a backbone chain of a polymer, or to acrylic, alicyclic or aromatic radicals which are pendant to the backbone chain of the polymer are novel compositions of matter. Such polymers vary in properties from water-soluble polyelectrolytes useful as thickening agents to thermoplastic elastomers which can be extruded, injection molded, vacuum formed, etc. at elevated temperatures. The elastomeric ionomers are useful as specialty and general purpose rubbers. The ionomers of the instant invention are plasticized with a select group of plasticizers thereby improving the rheological properties of the ionomers.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for the utilization of an unusual memory characteristic which is present in neutralized sulfonated elastomeric materials, wherein the process includes the steps of distorting or compressing the neutralized sulfonated elastomeric article, then heating the article to a selected elevated temperature, holding the article at the elevated temperature for a limited time while maintaining the distorted shape, cooling the article to near room temperature, and releasing it from the device used to compress or distort it. The released cooled elastomer does not return to its original form, but rather substantially retains the distorted shape for an indefinite period of time. The elastomer in the distorted shape is heated to an appropriate elevated temperature thereby allowing the article to recover towards its original undistorted shape.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved blend compositions of a neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer and a non-polar backbone process oil which is either paraffinic or naphthenic and has less than 0.75 wt. % of polar type compounds and less than 20 wt. % of aromatic type. These oil extended sulfonated elastomeric products have improved compression set properties as compared to previously existing products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has surprisingly been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physical properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a nonvolatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusual profile of physical properties including melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1 g/cc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physcial properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a non-volatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusal profile of physical properties including extremely rapid production, melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, a novel memory characteristic, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1g/cc.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved elastomeric composition of metal neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymers which are plasticized with critically selected polydentate amines wherein the plasticized compositions have improved rheological properties. These elastomeric compositions can be processed on conventional plastic fabrication equipment into high performance elastomeric articles.

Abstract: Ionomers comprising higher alkyl ammonium or quaternary polyammonium salts of polyacids, particularly sulfonic acids, having anionic groups covalently bonded to carbon atoms comprising a backbone chain of a polymer, or to acyclic, alicyclic or aromatic radicals which are pendant to the backbone chain of the polymer, are novel compositions of matter. These ionomers vary in properties from water-soluble polyelectrolytes useful as thickening agents to thermoplastic elastomers which can be extruded, injection molded, vacuum formed, etc. at elevated temperatures. The elastomers are useful as specialty and general purpose rubbers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel elastomeric foamed material which has been found to exhibit a variety of unusual and desirable features both in its physical properties and in its process of manufacture. These foamed compositions of a lightly sulfonated elastomeric gum contain a non-volatile polar plasticizer and preferably extenders such as oil and fillers. These elastomer foams exhibit an unusual profile of physical properties including extremely rapid production, melt reprocessability of fabricated articles, a novel memory characteristic, and high temperature reshaping of foamed objects while maintaining a good foam structure. These novel foams can be manufactured with relatively uniform cell structures and with small cell sizes at foam densities from near bulk density to less than 0.1g/cc.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved elastomeric composition of metal and ammonium neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymers which are preferentially plasticized with a critically selected non volatile amine at a minimum critical concentration level of at least 8 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the metal neutralized elastomeric polymer, wherein the plasticized compositions have improved physical or rheological properties. These elastomeric compounds can be processed on conventional plastic fabrication equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved elastomeric composition of metal neutralized sulfonated polymers which are plasticized with a preferential plasticizer at a concentration level of at least 1 part by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the metal neutralized EPDM terpolymer, wherein the preferential plasticizer is a metal rosin salt. The resultant compositions have improved physical properties and can be processed on conventional plastic fabrication equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved elastomeric compositions of metal and ammonium neutralized sulfonated EPDM terpolymers which are preferentially plasticized with an aliphatic organic amide at a minimum critical concentration level of at least 8 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the metal neutralized EPDM terpolymer, wherein the composition has a balance of improved physical and rheological properties. These compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved elastomeric composition of metal and ammonium neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymers which are preferentially plasticized with an organic urea or organic thiourea at a minimum critical concentration level of at least 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the metal neutralized elastomeric polymer, wherein the plasticized compositions have an improved balance of physical and rheological properties. These elastomeric compositions can be readily processed due to their superior rheological properties on conventional plastic fabrication equipment.

Abstract: Ionomers comprising quaternary phosphonium counterion salts of acids having anionic groups covalently bonded to carbon atoms comprising a backbone chain of a polymer, or to acyclic, alicyclic or aromatic radicals which are pendant to the backbone chain of the polymer are novel compositions of matter. The ionomers vary in properties from water-soluble polyelectrolytes useful as thickening agents to thermoplastic elastomers which can be extruded, injection molded, vacuum formed, etc. at elevated temperatures. The elastomers are useful as specialty and general purpose rubbers.