Abstract: A tag anchor comprises an elastic loop having opposed outer and inner surfaces and an elastic anchor that extends radially from the elastic loop. The anchor includes a shank that extends from one of the outer and inner surfaces and a pair of opposed arms that extend laterally from the shank toward the elastic loop and which are sized to not contact one of the surfaces when deflected toward the shank. The anchor further includes a crown that extends radially from the shank.

Abstract: A tag anchor comprises an elastic loop having opposed outer and inner surfaces and an elastic anchor that extends radially from the elastic loop. The anchor includes a shank that extends from one of the outer and inner surfaces and a pair of opposed arms that extend laterally from the shank toward the elastic loop and which are sized to not contact one of the surfaces when deflected toward the shank. The anchor further includes a crown that extends radially from the shank.

Abstract: Oxides of tantalum and niobium are selectively etched using patterned silicon oxide deposited by a low-temperature chemical vapor deposition as a mask and a sulfate flux to selectively remove exposed portions of the tantalum or niobium oxide substrate.

Abstract: A proton-exchange method of forming optical waveguides within a lithium-based optical substrate is disclosed which utilizes sulfuric acid as the proton source. The substrate is masked to expose the areas desired to be transformed into waveguiding regions and immersed in a heated sulfuric acid bath for a period of time sufficient to provide the exchange between the protons in the acid and the lithium in the substrate. The presence of the protons in the substrate results in increasing the extraordinary refractive index .DELTA.n.sub.e in the unmasked area so that optical guiding may be accomplished. Upon removal of the substrate from the sulfuric acid bath, the substrate must be annealed so as to drive the protons to a depth sufficient to provide effective guiding.