Abstract: A compact temperature compensating device for an optical fiber grating includes an inner expansion member disposed concentrically within and in a substantially parallel relationship with an outer expansion member. The outer expansion member has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the inner expansion member. The device further includes a base member and a pivoting lever. The base member is fixedly attached to a distal end of the outer and inner expansion members and to a distal end of the fiber grating disposed concentrically within the inner expansion member.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that the speed of fiber manufacture can be substantially increased by employing a two-step curing process in which the fiber is drawn, coated and exposed to ultraviolet light on-line at high line speeds to effect a partial cure of the coating. After further cooling, the partially cured coating is fully cured by an on-reel exposure to ultraviolet light. The on-reel exposure can take place on the draw tower take-up reel as it is filing with fiber or it can take place off-line after the take-up reel has been filled and removed from the line. The on-reel exposure advantageously takes place either during filling the take-up reel, or during emptying the reel, so that each layer of fiber on the reel is exposed equally to the ultraviolet light. This method of UV illumination improves the energy efficiency in the second exposure by at least a factor of 10 to as much as a factor of 1000. The fiber primary coating pullout strength and mechanical modulus are enhanced.

Abstract: A network interface device includes a weatherable enclosure having injection molded, die cast, or stamped top and bottom cap portions and a body portion which is extruded. The injection molded portions are fabricated from a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride, with a higher melt index than the grade of polymer used to fabricate the body portion. The body portion has top and bottom openings adapted to receive the top and bottom cap portions. The network interface electrical components are enclosed within the housing.

Abstract: An assembly for protecting the active electronic components of an electronic product from the environment and electromagnetic interference (EMI). A method is described where the assembly is formed by providing a metallized flexible enclosure around the electronic product, such as a printed circuit board, and subsequently sealing the metallized flexible enclosure, such that separable connectors can be readily accessed without violating the integrity of the seal. The metallized flexible enclosure includes multiple layers of polymeric materials that provide diffusion barrier properties and a metallic layer that provides both diffusion barrier properties and EMI shielding capabilities. The multiple layer sheet is patterned to optimize the diffusion barrier properties and EMI shielding capabilities. Further, the multiple layer sheet enables efficient, high volume production.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that low pullout strength of optical fiber is attributable to volatile, unreacted monomers and impurities which result from the incomplete polymerization of liquid coating materials. They have further discovered that removing these unreacted liquids as by heating in air, heating in vacuum or by application of a solvent mixture improves fiber coating adhesion. By heating cured polymer-coated fiber in air at temperatures of 100.degree. C. or more, the fiber pullout strength is enhanced by 25% or more. This postcure heating can advantageously be clone off-line by placing loosely wound fiber in a heated oven. Alternatively, the postcure heating can be done on-line by reel-to-reel passage of the fiber through a heated furnace. Preferred temperatures are in the range 100.degree. C.-300.degree. C. Even greater enhancement of pullout strength can be effected by heating in vacuum or by solvent extraction.

Abstract: Optical fiber and cable performance are assured by a category of UV-cured polyurethane acrylates. Low cost is the consequence of use of the polycarbonate oligomer. Good performance and long life are ascribed to other ingredients of the coatings. Dependence on the hindered phenols for antioxidant protection assures sufficient protection for these inherently stable materials without incurring fiber damage found to result from use of hindered amine antioxidants.

Abstract: A coating system for individual glass fibers of a lightwave communications system has improved strippability, particularly in situations where a group of such fibers are arrayed together in what is known as a ribbon. A preferred embodiment includes two layers (primary and secondary) of polymeric materials surrounding the glass fiber. The primary layer comprises an oligomer (50-80% by weight), a diluent (15-40% by weight), and additives (5-35% by weight). The oligomer comprises polyol "A," diisocyanate "B," and a hydroxy-terminated alkyl acrylate "C" having the structure C-B-A-B-C. At least one of the additives contains a non-crosslinked hydrocarbon component (1-20% by weight) having a structure R.sub.1 --(R).sub.n --R.sub.2 ; where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 comprises an alkyl group or an OH group, and R is a combination of C, H or C, H, O.

Abstract: A cable (20) which may be used for communications, for example, include transmission media (24-24), each having a plastic composition of matter disposed thereabout. The insulation (26) comprises a polyvinyl chloride composition which includes a lubricant and a lead-free stabilization system. The stabilization system includes a calcium-zinc constituent in combination with an antioxidant-metal deactivator complex which provides a sacrificial function to prevent the formation of calcium or zinc chloride which would affect adversely the electrical properties of the insulated conductor. A jacket (28) typically is disposed about a plurality of the transmission media and comprises a non-lead stabilized plastic composition of matter.

Abstract: A cable which may be used in buildings in concealed areas such as in plenums or in riser shafts includes a core (22) which includes at least one transmission medium each of which is enclosed with a non-halogenated plastic composition of matter. The core is enclosed with a jacket (28) which also is made of a non-halogenated plastic composition. The non-halogenated plastic material of the insulation includes a polyetherimide constituent and an additive system. The additive system includes an antioxidant/thermal stabilizer and a synergistic metal deactivator and may include a lubricant. For the jacket, the plastic material is a composition which may include a siloxane/polyimide copolymer constituent blended with a polyetherimide constituent and an additive system to improve processing and long term aging, or a siloxane/polyimide copolymer constituent with a flame retardant system.

Abstract: Circuit boards with advantageous properties are produced through the addition of a fluorescent dye. The presence of the dye allows an expeditious inspection of the metallic pattern on the circuit board by induced fluorescence. If the circuit board is two-sided, to maintain the effectiveness of the dye, a material such as a light scattering composition is added to the circuit board substrate.

Abstract: A compressible thermally conductive member comprises a polymer field with thermally conducting-magnetically aligned particles comprising a base portion and a multiplicity of protrusions extending from at least one surface of the base portion.

Abstract: A conductive polymer interconnect structure (10) is comprised of an insulative polymer (18), a silicone or an epoxy, having a plurality of particles (20) arranged therein to provide conductive paths which extend in the z direction. At least a portion of those particles (20) proximate a separate one of the major surfaces of the matrix has at least a portion thereof coated with a solder 24 whose composition is tailored to melt below the cure temperature of the matrix (18). In this way, when the matrix (18) is sandwiched between a pair of conductive members (12 and 14) and the matrix is cured, a metallurgical bond, rather than a mechanical bond, will be formed between the members.

Abstract: A compressible thermally conductive member comprises a polymer field with thermally conducting magnetically aligned particles comprising a base portion and a multiplicity of protrusions extending from at least one surface of the base portion.

Abstract: The method of making highly sensitive positive electron beam resists comprised of copolymers of methacrylic acid (MAA) and methacrylonitrile (MCN) is disclosed utilizing a prebaking step in which the copolymer resist in film form on the substrate is prebaked at a temperature below the decomposition temperature to improve the sensitivity of the resist. The positive electron resists produced in accordance with the present invention exhibit a high sensitivity, and high plasma etch resistance which makes them desirable for dry etching techniques in addition to other masking techniques which enable submicron resolution.

Abstract: Smooth, glossy lacquered surfaces are obtained by coating an ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer) plastic with a lacquer based on a solvent system with a ketone such as methyl ethyl ketone and a second solvent constituent such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate and which has a solids content substantially of ABS plastic. The lacquer is easy to spray and provides adequate hiding power. The ABS specimens sprayed with the lacquer retain the impact resistant properties usually associated with this plastic. Additionally, the plastic obtained by recycling these lacquer coated ABS bodies retains the impact resistance of ABS.