Abstract: A collimator array, a fiber array and a method for fabricating the fiber array are described herein. In one embodiment, that fiber array includes a plurality of optical fibers and a glass plate with a plurality of holes in each of which there is secured one of the optical fibers, wherein the holes were formed by etching away a plurality of opal regions within an exposed and heated photosensitive glass which after the etching became the glass plate. In another embodiment, the fiber array includes a plurality of optical fibers and a glass plate with a plurality of holes in each of which there is secured one of the optical fibers, wherein the holes were formed by etching away a plurality of opal regions within an exposed and heated photosensitive glass which after the etching became the glass plate that included a plurality of oversized holes which were filled with a moldable material that was then drilled to form the holes.

Abstract: A discharge lamp, such as a neon lamp, comprising a laminated envelope having a gas-discharge channel and at least one external electrode in communication with the gas-discharge channel, the laminated envelope having a front surface and a back surface integrated together to form a unitary envelope body essentially free of any sealing materials. The external electrode comprises an electrode surface integral with the laminated envelope and a conductive medium disposed on the electrode surface. The conductive medium may be conductive tape, conductive ink, conductive coatings, frit with conductive filler or conductive epoxies. The discharge lamp may comprise a laminated envelope including a plurality of separate gas-discharge channels and external electrodes in communication with the gas-discharge channels, whereby the discharge is driven in parallel.

Abstract: Methods of bonding optical components are disclosed. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is useful for bonding optical fibers together and for bonding optical fiber arrays to lens arrays.

Abstract: A glass envelope for a light-emitting device, a device embodying the envelope, and the method of making the glass envelope by laminating two sheets of glass, one sheet having a continuous channel formed therein, and the other sheet having one or more optical elements formed therein.

Abstract: A fiber array includes a substrate made of a soft drillable material and a plurality of holes drilled through the substrate for holding a plurality of glass fibers.

Abstract: A discharge lamp, such as a neon lamp, comprising a laminated envelope having a gas-discharge channel and at least one external electrode in communication with the gas-discharge channel, the laminated envelope having a front surface and a back surface integrated together to form a unitary envelope body essentially free of any sealing materials. The external electrode comprises an electrode surface integral with the laminated envelope and a conductive medium disposed on the electrode surface. The conductive medium may be conductive tape, conductive ink, conductive coatings, frit with conductive filler or conductive epoxies. The discharge lamp may comprise a laminated envelope including a plurality of separate gas-discharge channels and external electrodes in communication with the gas-discharge channels, whereby the discharge is driven in parallel.

Abstract: A collimator array, a fiber array and a method for fabricating the fiber array are described herein. In one embodiment, that fiber array includes a plurality of optical fibers and a glass plate with a plurality of holes in each of which there is secured one of the optical fibers, wherein the holes were formed by etching away a plurality of opal regions within an exposed and heated photosensitive glass which after the etching became the glass plate. In another embodiment, the fiber array includes a plurality of optical fibers and a glass plate with a plurality of holes in each of which there is secured one of the optical fibers, wherein the holes were formed by etching away a plurality of opal regions within an exposed and heated photosensitive glass which after the etching became the glass plate that included a plurality of oversized holes which were filled with a moldable material that was then drilled to form the holes.

Abstract: A discharge lamp (20), such as a neon lamp, comprising a laminated envelope having a gas-discharge channel and at least one external electrode (44) in communication with the gas-discharge channel (20), the laminated envelope having a front surface (32) and a back surface (28) integrated together to form a unitary envelope body essentially free of any sealing materials. The external electrode (44) comprises an electrode surface integral with the laminated envelope and a conductive medium disposed on the electrode surface. The conductive medium may be conductive tape, conductive ink, conductive coatings, frit with conductive filler or conductive epoxies. The discharge lamp may comprise a laminated envelope including a plurality of separate gas-discharge channels and external electrodes in communication with the gas-discharge channels, whereby the discharge is driven in parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making an optical fiber and an optical fiber made in accordance with the inventive method. The method includes the step of drawing an optical fiber from a multiple crucible apparatus, wherein one of the crucibles of the apparatus has a non-symmetrical orifice (not shown). The inventive fiber has at least a core and cladding. At least one section of the inventive fiber includes an orientation element.

Abstract: An improved temperature-compensated optical grating device includes a temperature-compensating structure including a plurality of members that are selected and arranged to provide an effective coefficient of thermal expansion that is negative with respect to two mounting points for an optical fiber grating, wherein the improvement is achieved by making at least one of the members of the temperature-compensating structure from a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion that decreases with increasing temperature and at least one other member having a high coefficient of thermal expansion that increases with increasing temperature.

Abstract: Methods of bonding optical components are disclosed. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is useful for bonding optical fibers together and for bonding optical fiber arrays to lens arrays.

Abstract: Methods of bonding optical components are disclosed. Bonding is achieved without use of adhesives or high temperature fusion. The invention is useful for bonding optical fibers together and for bonding optical fiber arrays to lens arrays.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes an amplifier fiber and methods of making the amplifier fiber. One embodiment of the inventive fiber includes a glass core and a glass cladding layer surrounding the glass core. The cladding glass layer has a refractive index which is less than a refractive index of the glass core. The fiber also includes a glass overclad layer surrounding the cladding layer. The overclad layer has a refractive index which is greater than the refractive index of the cladding layer. In another embodiment of the inventive fiber, the overclad layer is doped with an absorber. The absorber strips a mode of light propagating in the cladding from the cladding layer.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a method of making an optical fiber drawn from a multiple crucible. The method includes moving a first crucible of the multiple crucible relative to a second crucible of the multiple crucible. The invention also includes minimizing core and cladding diffusion. A tip of the first crucible is disposed axially above a tip of the second crucible by a preselected distance. The invention further includes the ability to alter a diameter of the core of the fiber. A differential pressure is applied to the first crucible. A positive differential pressure is applied to increase the core diameter. A negative differential pressure is applied to decrease the core diameter. Furthermore, the invention includes drawing the fiber under non-isothermal conditions; there is a thermal gradient of at least 10° C./m between the two tips.

Abstract: An improved temperature-compensated optical grating device includes a temperature-compensating structure including a plurality of members that are selected and arranged to provide an effective coefficient of thermal expansion that is negative with respect to two mounting points for an optical fiber grating, wherein the improvement is achieved by making at least one of the members of the temperature-compensating structure from a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion that decreases with increasing temperature and at least one other member having a high coefficient of thermal expansion that increases with increasing temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making an optical fiber and an optical fiber made in accordance with the inventive method. The method includes the step of drawing an optical fiber from a multiple crucible apparatus, wherein one of the crucibles of the apparatus has a non-symmetrical orifice. The inventive fiber has at least a core and cladding. At least one section of the inventive fiber includes an orientation element.

Abstract: A package for temperature compensating a Bragg grating region of an optical waveguide fiber. The package includes a first tubular member having a low coefficient of thermal expansion attached to the optical fiber. A second tubular member, having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the first tubular member, is attached to the first tubular member. A third tubular member, having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the first tubular member has one end attached to the optical waveguide fiber and the other end is attached to the second tubular member. The three tubular members are coaxial with one another and the Bragg grating region is encapsulated by the package.

Abstract: A light emitting device comprising a glass envelope having front and back members, at least one of the members having a continuous channel (22) formed in one surface, the channel including connected sections (24 and 26) having different dimensions, the members being hermetically joined to enclose the channel.

Abstract: This invention provides a TIR (total internal reflecting) lens to capture and redirect light from multiple light sources, such as neon or fluorescent lamps, to generate a light of uniform brightness across the lens face.

Abstract: An electrode assembly suitable for employment with low-pressure discharge lamps, and especially discharge lamps made from borosilicate glass. The electrode assembly comprises a hollow, stepped electrode holder having a tubular upper portion and a cylindrical lower portion comprising a tapered edge, and an electrode shell fastened to the tubular upper portion of the electrode holder. The electrode assembly may also further comprises a glass ring fused to the tapered edge of cylindrical lower portion of the electrode holder. The electrode assembly is suitable for use with low-pressure discharge lamps comprising glass tubes and low-pressure discharge lamps comprising envelopes having a gas-discharge channel. In a low-pressure discharge lamp, the electrode assembly of the present invention may be used as the discharge source, the evacuation and backfill site, and the seal site.