Abstract: A method for encapsulating optical fibers (26, FIG. 2) comprises the steps of bonding optical fiber to a first surface of a rigid flat member (17) and placing the flat member in a substantially air-tight chamber (10, FIG. 1). An encapsulating sheet (13) is located in the air-tight chamber, such that it faces the flat member. The air pressure on the flat member is then made to be significantly lower than the air pressure on the encapsulating sheet, thereby to cause the encapsulating sheet (13) to press against the flat member (17, FIG. 3). The encapsulating sheet is made of a flexible flame-resistant material that maintains its structural integrity and does not melt or ignite at temperatures of at least two hundred degrees Centigrade. For example, the encapsulating sheet may be of Kapton (a trademark), doped Mylar (a trademark) or aluminum foil. The encapsulating sheet (13) is bonded to the flat member by an adhesive (31, FIG.

Abstract: An optical waveguide circuit including a nonlinear optical device comprises a metal ground plane (21), a polymer core layer (25) in which optical waves are propagated, and polymer clad layers (22 and 26) on opposite sides of the core layer. The waveguide paths are defined by troughs (23) in one of the clad layers. The nonlinear device is made by electrooptically poling part of the core layer which contains a nonlinear moiety. The clad layers (26 and 22) have a significantly higher conductivity than that of the core layer (25) which improves the efficiency of the electrooptic poling.

Abstract: In a process for making the superconductive composition YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x, cupric carbonate or cupric oxalate is used as the copper source and barium carbonate as the barium source to achieve higher densification.

Abstract: A multilayer protective device is made by including a varistor composition (35) between a first plurality of interdigitated electrodes (30, 32) and a capacitor composition (36) between a second plurality of electrodes of the same device. The two compositions are chosen to have optimum sintering temperatures within about 10 percent of each other. Simultaneous sintering solidifies and laminates the two compositions into a single monolithic device.

Abstract: A novel low sintering temperature ceramic composition particularly suitable for multilayer ceramic capacitors is disclosed. The composition comprises a mixture represented by the formula(1-x)Bi.sub.2 (ZnNb.sub.2(1+d))yO.sub.3+6y+5dy (x)Bi.sub.3 (Ni.sub.2 Nb)O.sub.9where 0<x<1, 0.6.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.1 and -0.05.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.0.05.

Abstract: A predominantly perovskite phase Pb(Zn.sub.x Mg.sub.1-x Nb.sub.2).sub.1/3 O.sub.3 ceramic is prepared by first forming a columbite precursor having the formula Zn.sub.x Mg.sub.1-x Nb.sub.2 O.sub.6 and reacting this material with PbO at temperatures of from 800.degree. C. to at least 1000.degree. C. as x varies from 0.025 to 0.7.

Abstract: An electrical contact comprises a base metal and an electroplated nickel layer thereover wherein said nickel layer is preferentially oriented in a <111> crystallographic plane along the surface of the nickel.

Abstract: A ceramic capacitor with high Q factor and small temperature coefficients is made using a sintered dielectric comprising(1-y)Pb(Zn.sub.x Nb.sub.1-x)O.sub.3.5-1.5x.yPbTiO.sub.3wherein x is from 0.3 to 0.4 and y is from 0 to less than 0.1.