Abstract: A host material for Tm3+-doping is provided. The host material is a fluorophosphate glass having a non-zero concentration of Tm3+, cation elements that include at least an alkaline earth, phosphorus, and aluminum, and anion elements that include oxygen (O) and fluorine (F). The fluorine(F)/oxygen (O) ratio (F/(F+O)) for the fluorophosphate glass of the embodiments of the present invention can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.85. The fluorophosphate glass further can have an alkali metal concentration of 10 mole % or less to improve durability. The Tm-doped fluorophosphate glass can be incorporated into an amplifier or laser utilized in the 14xx nm wavelength region.

Abstract: Materials, both glass and glass-ceramic, that exhibit UV-induced changes in light transmission and electrical conductivity behavior. The materials consist essentially, in mole %, of 20-40% SiO2, 10-20% AlO1.5, 35-55% SiO2+AlO1.5, at least 30% CdF2, 0-20% PbF2, and/or ZnF2, 0-15% rare earth metal fluoride, and 45-65% total metal fluorides.

Abstract: A host material for Tm3+-doping is provided. The host material is a fluorophosphate glass having a non-zero concentration of Tm3+, cation elements that include at least an alkaline earth, phosphorus, and aluminum, and anion elements that include oxygen (O) and fluorine (F). The fluorine(F)/oxygen (O) ratio (F/(F+O)) for the fluorophosphate glass of the embodiments of the present invention can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.85. The fluorophosphate glass further can have an alkali metal concentration of 10 mole % or less to improve durability. The Tm-doped fluorophosphate glass can be incorporated into an amplifier or laser utilized in the 14xx nm wavelength region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rare earth element-doped, Bi2O3—Sb2O3—Al2O3—SiO2 glass including about 1-50 mol % Bi2O3. The present invention also relates to an optical amplifier having an active region formed of a rare earth element-doped, Bi2O3—Sb2O3—Al2O3—SiO2 glass including about 1-50 mol % Bi2O3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for measuring a current in a magnetic field which includes a glass article wherein the glass may be an oxyfluoride glass or a bismuth oxide glass having a photoelastic coefficient of from about −0.2 to 0.2 at 546 nm. Further, the present invention relates to a method of measuring currents.

Abstract: A sol-gel method of preparing a powder for use in forming a glass is provided, along with methods of preparing glasses and glass fibers from the powder. The inventive method allows for the incorporation of a wide range of elements and compositions into a homogeneous glass or glass fiber that is substantially free of hydroxide groups. In addition, dopants incorporated into glasses prepared by the inventive method are uniformly distributed throughout the glass structure.

Abstract: A method of determining the magnitude of an exceptionally large current which comprises measuring the angle of rotation of polarized light in a magnetic field created by the current with a glass fiber sensor composed of a fluoride glass having a low Verdet constant and a photoelastic coefficient not over about 0.25 (nm/cm)/(kg/cm2).

Abstract: Materials, both glass and glass-ceramic, that exhibit UV-induced changes in light transmission and electrical conductivity behavior. The materials consist essentially, in mole %, of 20-40% SiO2, 10-20% AlO1.5, 35-55% SiO2+AlO1.5, at least 30% CdF2, 0-20% PbF2, and/or ZnF2, 0-15% rare earth metal fluoride, and 45-65% total metal fluorides.

Abstract: A method of determining the magnitude of an exceptionally large current which comprises measuring the angle of rotation of polarized light in a magnetic field created by the current with a glass fiber sensor composed of a fluoride glass having a low Verdet constant and a photoelastic coefficient not over about 0.25 (nm/cm)/(kg/cm2).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of two groups of transparent glass-ceramics exhibiting high optical clarity and containing essentially only one crystal phase. The first group consists essentially, in cation percent, of______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 20-35 PbF.sub.2 19-23 AlO.sub.1.5 10-20 YF.sub.3 3-7, CdF.sub.2 19-34 ______________________________________and the second group consists essentially, in cation percent, of ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 20-35 PbF.sub.2 15-25 AlO.sub.1.5 10-20 YF.sub.3 3-7 CdF.sub.2 21-31 ZnF.sub.2 3-7. ______________________________________These glass-ceramics may be used to fabricate optical waveguide fibers. Also when doped with certain rare earth elements, notably Pr, Er, and Dy, the glass-ceramic materials may be used to fabricate optical amplifiers and lasers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of two groups of transparent glass-ceramics exhibiting high optical clarity and containing essentially only one crystal phase. The first group consists essentially, in cation percent, of______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 20-35 PbF.sub.2 19-23 AlO.sub.1.5 10-20 YF.sub.3 3-7, CdF.sub.2 19-34 ______________________________________and the second group consists essentially, in cation percent, of ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 20-35 PbF.sub.2 15-25 AlO.sub.1.5 10-20 YF.sub.3 3-7 CdF.sub.2 21-31 ZnF.sub.2 3-7.

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: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for drawing an elongated glass article such as a fiber optic device. The article is drawn upwardly from a source through the surface of a quantity of molten metal having a vertical temperature gradient. The source can be an elongated solid glass preform that is vertically positioned within the molten metal such that the temperature of that portion of the molten metal adjacent the upper end region is sufficiently high to heat that region to drawing temperature. The upper end region is pulled to form a tapered root, continued pulling resulting in the formation of an elongated article from the small diameter root end. The relative position of the root is maintained with respect to the surface of the molten metal during the drawing operation. Alternatively, the glass can be drawn from an orifice located within the molten metal.

Abstract: Mill additions are disclosed which lower the CTE of, and are compatible with, tin-phosphorus oxyfluoride glasses. The sealing materials provide fusion-type seals having a CTE not over about 110.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. and a sealing temperature not over about 350.degree. C.Also disclosed is a family of glass compositions in the tin-phosphorus oxyfluoride system that exhibit very low glass transition temperatures and coefficients of thermal expansion not over about 160.times.10-7/.degree.C. (25.degree.-150.degree. C.). In addition to the four basic elements, the glasses contain up to 11% Nb, and may additionally contain up to 10%, taken individually or in combination, of V, Fe and/or Mo to further decrease the Tg and CTE values.