Abstract: An optical amplifier is disclosed having substantially uniform spectral gain. The amplifier comprises a variable optical attenuator coupled between first and second segments of active optical fiber. The attenuation of the optical attenuator is adjusted in accordance with the optical power input to the amplifier to thereby obtain substantially flattened gain. Alternatively, the attenuator can be controlled based on the respective gains associated with the first and second segments of optical fiber. For example, the attenuator can be adjusted so that so that the sum of the two gains remains substantially constant, a condition that also yields flat spectral gain. Further, optical powers associated with first and second wavelengths of amplified stimulated emission (ASE) light output from the amplifier can be used to adjust the attenuation of the optical attenuator.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compatibility between optical transmitters of various data rates and WDM optical communication systems. In the present invention, optical remodulators are configured to receive an optical signal, separate the information from that optical signal into N information streams (where N is a whole number greater than or equal to 2), and place the information onto N optical channels within the channel plan of a WDM optical system. Alternatively, the present invention provides optical remodulators configured to receive N optical signals, combine the information from the N optical signals, and place the information onto a single output optical channel having a wavelength within the channel plan of a WDM optical system.

Abstract: A driver type, hollow-bodied golf club head in which multiple parameters are controlled to be within defined ranges of values to enhance the performance and playability of the club. The parameters which are controlled include the club head's maximum dimensions, the position of the center-of-gravity, the size of striking face, and the position of the shaft attachment point.

Abstract: In an optically amplified transmission system including a concatenation of optical amplifiers in the transmission path between an optical transmitter and a non-coherent receiver, the transmitter includes, in addition to a modulator for impressing data modulation, a polarisation state modulator for improving the signal-to-noise ratio at the detector.

Abstract: An optical interconnect network has four stages (S.sub.4 to S.sub.7) each formed from two-dimensional perfect shuffle interconnect stage (6) and a two-dimensional array of processing modules (8) each of which has a two-dimensional array of inputs and outputs. The use of two-dimensional modules provides an increase in optical channels which can be processed compared to the equivalent one-dimensional modules. The modules can perform switching functions.

Abstract: A disk file comprises a head disk enclosure 1 connected to a support frame by a plurality of isolation mounts. Each isolation mount comprises a constrained layer flexure 23 which is rigidly attached at both ends to a bracket 25 of the support frame. Located in an aperture in the constrained layer flexure is a resilient grommet 24. This grommet supports a bolt 27 which passes through the grommet and into the head-disk enclosure casting.

Abstract: An imaging system including a migration imaging member comprising a substrate and an electrically insulating softening layer adjacent the substrate, the softenable layer comprising a fracturable layer of electrically photosensitive migration marking material located substantially at or near the surface of the softenable layer spaced from the substrate, and a copolymer of styrene and ethyl acrylate in at least one layer adjacent the substrate, the copolymer comprising between about 40 and about 80 mole percent styrene, between about 20 and about 60 mole percent ethyl acrylate, the copolymer having a M.sub.n between about 4,000 and about 35,000, a M.sub.w between about 10,000 and about 80,000, a T.sub.g between about 30.degree. C. and about 75.degree. C., and a melt viscosity between about 1.times.10.sup.2 poise and about 1.times.10.sup.6 poise at 115.degree. C.

Abstract: Ink compositions consisting of small unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles formed from surfactants of anionic, cationic, zwitterionic and nonionic molecules having an oil soluble dye, inclusive of a lipid-soluble dye associated therewith are described. The dye to surfactant ratio is preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:10. The compositions are useful in traditional printing techniques such as flexography and rotogravure and in electronic printing systems such as with an ink-jet printer.