Abstract: A composition of phosphate-based glass fiber capable of being fused directly to a silica-based glass fiber includes from about 60 mole % to about 75 mole % P2O5, from about 8 mole % to about 30 mole % X203, from about 0.01 mole % to about 25 mole % of R2O. X is selected from the group of Al, B, La, Sc, Y and combinations thereof. R is selected from the group of Li, Na, K and combinations thereof. Optionally, the phosphate-based glass fiber may include 0.5 to 10 mole % MO, where M is selected from Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zn, and combinations thereof. The composition preferably further includes from about 0.5 mole % to about 15 mole % of an additional component from the group of Si, Ge, Pb, Te and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An optical fiber laser structure and system are disclosed. The fiber laser structure includes a core, an inner cladding, and an outer cladding. The core has a first and second end and includes a combination of ytterbium and erbium as a first active gain component. The inner cladding, having a length defined between the first and second ends, surrounds the core. The inner cladding includes neodymium as a second active gain component that is different from the first active gain component. The system includes a pumping source coupled to the inner cladding to provide energy to the neodymium in the inner cladding. Upon being pumped, the neodymium achieves amplified spontaneous emission in the inner cladding along the length between the first and second ends. As a result, energy is efficiently transferred from the neodymium to the combination of the ytterbium and erbium in the core thereby providing laser activity at an eye-safe laser wavelength of 1535 nanometers.

Abstract: A new multi-component optical amplifier glass, composed of multiple glass formers has been developed which displays bandwidths significantly larger than currently possible using silica-based or phosphate based, erbium doped fibers. Initial results indicate that using this material, one could double the bandwidth of existing optical amplifiers. This greatly increased spectrum combined with higher emission cross sections and the ability to go to higher doping concentrations, compared with silica-based fibers, make this new optical amplifier very attractive for increasing the transmission capacity of wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) transmission systems using optical fibers.

Abstract: An improvement to a method of automatic flight using a flight management system is provided. The flight management system includes a lateral navigation (LNAV) control mode in which the flight management system provides roll commands via a flight director system to the pilot during manual flight or to an autopilot during autoflight to effectuate lateral flight guidance. The improvement includes evaluating the energy state of the airplane during the LNAV control mode, calculating a Thrust Based Roll Limit (TBRL), and providing an appropriately limited bank angle command signal via the flight director system for use by the pilot during manual flight or to the autopilot during autoflight while flying in a thrust-limited condition. The TBRL is calculated as a function of the energy state of the airplane. The use of the TBRL to limit the bank angle command signal avoids an uncommanded change in altitude and/or airspeed.

Abstract: A system to mix, carbonate, if desired, and dispense beverages in the micro-gravity environment of extra-terrestrial space incorporates chilled sources of beverage syrup, water and CO.sub.2, mixing chambers for receiving the fluid components of the beverages and receptacle interfaces which. selectively communicate with the mixing chambers and which couple with drinking receptacles formed by a pressure-resistant outer shell and a flexible internal liner. Within the mixing chambers, a reciprocable piston is driven by an entering pressurized beverage component to a retracted position and is subsequently driven by compressed air to an extended position with a concurrent expulsion of the mixed beverage from the mixing chamber and into the liner of a drinking receptacle coupled to one of the receptacle interfaces. A formation on the piston reacts with an agitator to enhance mixing of the beverage components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pourable, hot wash, refillable container comprising a base, a cylindrical body having an average side wall thickness of at least 0.635 mm, a shoulder portion, and a neck portion, the pourable, hot wash, refillable container being composed of polyethylene napthalate or a copolymer thereof, the refillable container being capable of undergoing multiple trips through a washing, filling, shipping and consumer use cycle, and the base of the container having sufficient impact resistance so that the container will not break when dropped one meter onto a concrete surface when filled with water at both 4.4.degree. C. and 22.2.degree. C. The invention is further directed to a method for manufacturing a pourable, hot wash, refillable container, which comprises the steps of forming a preform of the container composed of polyethylene napthalate or a copolymer thereof, and molding said preform to form a pourable, hot wash, refillable container.

Abstract: A method of ablating non-metallic dental material from a tooth comprises the steps of generating radiation pulses having a predetermined wavelength, energy level, pulse repetition rate, and duration, and applying the radiation pulses to the non-metallic dental material in a tooth, whereby the non-metallic dental material is ablated from the tooth. The radiation may be generated by a frequency tripled Nd:YAG, an Er:YAG laser or an Er:YsGG laser and may have a wavelength of about 355 nanometers, 2.94 micrometers, and 2.79 micrometers respectively, for example.

Abstract: A dental laser apparatus and method is disclosed for removing tooth decay. A substance which selectively attaches to tooth decay is applied to the tooth. This substance has a predetermined absorption band. A laser having an output wavelength which corresponds to the absorption band is supplied and is absorbed primarily by the decayed portions of the tooth. The use of Acid Red 52 dye or basic fuchsin as the substance and a frequency doubled Nd:YAG, Argon or other laser as the source is disclosed as one embodiment.

Abstract: The invention provides a sampling process and apparatus therefor for the control of the addition of expensive conditioning material, referred to as polymers, to suspensions, sludges and the like, particularly sewage sludge, to facilitate its dewatering. The process employs a viscometer able to measure rapidly the shear stress of the sludge and obtain a typical peak value characteristic of optimum conditioning of the sludge. The process and apparatus also operate in a new mode involving charging a sample vessel with unconditioned sludge, taking a measurement to obtain an "unconditioned" signal, and then filling with conditioned sludge and obtaining a "conditioned" signal, the unconditioned signal indicating the solids content of the sludge and being used to modify the signal controlling the polymer flow and therefore the dosage to compensate for this charge. The viscometer rotor and the vessel interior are rinsed to remove the conditioned sludge before a fresh batch of unconditioned sludge is introduced.

Abstract: A container inspection process and apparatus is provided for detecting the presence of contaminants present on or absorbed into the walls of plastic containers. The process flushes volatiles from within the container by injecting gas, draws a vapor sample from within the container and analyzes the sample by ionization techniques.

Abstract: A container inspection process and apparatus is provided for detecting the presence of contaminants present on or absorbed into the walls of plastic containers. The process flushes volatiles from within the container by injecting gas, draws a vapor sample from within the container and analyzes the sample with an ionization instrument.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly which employs opposed solenoid actuators in association with a pair of biased contact plates.

Abstract: A solenoid for an electric starting motor housed in a generally cylindrical plastic cup. A pair of diametrically arranged fixed contacts penetrate the end wall, forming binding posts for a load circuit. A magnetic sub-assembly is provided consisting of an armature and wound bobbin surrounded by a hollow magnetic annulus having axial clearance openings. A movable contact sub-assembly includes a conductive disc mounted on an axial plunger which is seated against the armature. The disc has, on its opposite side, a return spring. When control current is applied the armature is sucked into the annulus overcoming the force of the return spring and shifting the conductor disc into seated engagement with the fixed contacts thereby completing the load circuit. The disc and fixed contacts both have substantial axial and radial thickness providing high heat capacity as well as high conductivity for prompt dissipation of heat.