Abstract: A method is provided for cutting a glass duct, whereby the glass duct can be cut off completely straight. In this method, the coating layer is first cut through all round at the axial location of the fiber where the fiber is to be notched before the notching and subsequent breaking off of the glass duct. To enable the use of this method for glass ducts of varying diameters, the glass duct can be retained in a fixed position during cutting, while a cutting member, as well as a counterpressure surface for the cutting member, are moved all round the glass duct. Because glass ducts of a relatively small diameter are pressed further sidewards by the cutting member than glass ducts of greater diameter, this method effectively limits this sidewards displacement to prevent the glass ducts from breaking in an unintended manner.

Abstract: Device for connecting a first duct of a very small diameter, such as for instance a needle or a capillary column, to a second duct, wherein the device comprises a receiving part and a sealing element, wherein the receiving part is provided with a duct bore in which the first duct is slidably receivable, wherein the receiving part is also provided with a sealing-element bore which intersects the duct bore and in which the sealing element is slidably received, wherein the sealing element is provided with a recess, wherein the sealing element is adapted to assume a sealing position in which the duct bore is sealed, and is adapted to assume a connecting position in which the two duct bore parts on either side of the sealing-element bore are in fluid connection with each other via the recess, wherein the sealing element is biased in the sealing position by a spring under spring action.

Abstract: Device for connecting a first duct of a very small diameter, such as for instance a needle or a capillary column, to a second duct, wherein the device comprises a receiving part and a sealing element, wherein the receiving part is provided with a duct bore in which the first duct is slidably receivable, wherein the receiving part is also provided with a sealing-element bore which intersects the duct bore and in which the sealing element is slidably received, wherein the sealing element is provided with a recess, wherein the sealing element is adapted to assume a sealing position in which the duct bore is sealed, and is adapted to assume a connecting position in which the two duct bore parts on either side of the sealing-element bore are in fluid connection with each other via the recess, wherein the sealing element is biased in the sealing position by a spring under spring action.