Abstract: A method for fabricating a window retainer belt comprising a channel engaging edge of a window pane and a channel engaging a finish of an opening for the window pane in a body, comprising injection molding, in a single mold, a first U-shaped channel extending into a second upside down U-shaped channel, with a retention lip extending from a first inner wall of the first U-shaped channel towards an opening of the first U-shaped channel; demolding; and folding back the retention lip within the first U-shaped.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring a factor, called herein the single-port rejection ratio (SPRR), characterizing a balanced detection device. The SPRR is representative of the ratio of the weak differential output current measured under illumination of a single-port of the balanced detection device to the strong measurable differential output current obtained under dual-port illumination. An apparatus for measuring the SPRR is also provided.

Abstract: A deployable ramp assembly including a fixed ramp portion and a pivotable ramp portion connected thereto through a direct pivot connection to pivot between stowed and deployed positions defined at a first angle from one another, a cover member pivotally connected to the fixed portion to pivot between closed and opened positions defined at a second angle from one another which is substantially smaller than the first angle, a drive assembly pivoting the cover member between the closed and opened positions, and a multiplier assembly interconnecting the pivotable portion and the cover member to transfer the pivoting motion of the cover member to the pivotable portion in an amplified manner, the multiplier assembly bringing the pivotable portion in the stowed position when the cover member is in the closed position and the pivotable portion in the deployed position when the cover member is in the opened position.

Abstract: A method for designing an index profile suitable for encoding into a phase mask for manufacturing a complex optical grating is provided. The optical grating corresponds to a target index profile defining a target spectral response. A modified index profile is set equal to the target index profile and expressed as a function of an apodization and phase profiles. The modified index profile is iteratively further modified in order to provide the index profile suitable for encoding in the phase mask. This process creates side bands outside of a spectral region of interest, while maintaining the target spectral response within the spectral region of interest.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a complex multi-channel optical grating using a phase mask is presented. A plurality of sub-gratings is designed, each having an individual spectral response designed to produce one of the channels of the multi-channel grating. The target profile of the grating is determined based on the combination of the index profiles of the individual sub-gratings, the target index profile defining a target spectral response of the multi-channel grating. A modified index profile having a smooth apodization profile but providing the same spectral response as the target index profile, at least within a spectral region of interest, is determined and encoded into the phase mask. The phase mask is then used to photoinduce the grating in a photosensitive medium.

Abstract: A container having a body portion (10) and a dispensing opening, a neck (14) surrounding said dispensing opening, the neck having a rim (20), an inner neck surface (18) and an outer neck surface (16), and a drip minimizing member (32, 68) extending inwardly over a portion of the dispensing outlet, the member being located proximate the rim (20), the member terminating in a sharp edge (34, 70) to minimize dripping when pouring from the container.

Abstract: An athermally packaged optical fiber device, such as a Bragg grating, is provided. The device includes a hollow structure, and a free and a threaded member projecting in the hollow structure from both ends. The optical fiber is mounted in tension inside the hollow structure through longitudinal fiber-receiving bores in both members, and has an anchor point affixed to each member with the grating therebetween. The anchor point of the threaded member is provided outside of the hollow structure, making the device more compact. The free and threaded members are rotatable together to adjust the resonant wavelength of the grating, and a nut may be provided to allow a fine-tuning. The hollow structure, free member and threaded member have a coefficient of thermal expansion selected so that they together compensate for the temperature dependency of the Bragg wavelength.

Abstract: A dispersion compensator for the compensation of chromatic dispersion in a multi-channel light signal is provided. The compensator includes a pair of optical structures each having a waveguide and a Bragg grating provided therein. The Bragg grating has a plurality of grating components, each associated with one or a few of the channels to be compensated. An optical assembly propagates the light signal sequentially through both optical structures. The periods of the grating components are selected to allow compensation of chromatic dispersion experienced by this particular channel or these particular channels, thereby taking into account the dispersion slope of the light signal. Tuning means are also provided in order to adjust the dispersion of the grating components of each optical structures, and proper selection of the tuning parameters allows tuning independently both the dispersion and dispersion slope.

Abstract: All fiber construction Gires-Tournois interferometers for chromatic dispersion compensation of an optical signal are provided. The interferometers are made of overlapping chirped fiber Bragg gratings having a wide band reflectivity response. In one embodiment, a plurality of FBG interferometers can be cascaded for providing the chromatic dispersion compensation. In another embodiment, an FBG dispersion compensator provided with a pair of multi-cavity FBG interferometers is also provided. The dispersion compensator is provided with two temperature controlling means, each being operationally connected to one of the multi-cavity interferometer for thermo-optically shifting a spectral response thereof, thereby providing a tunable dispersion compensator capable of compensating for all orders of dispersion.

Abstract: A dispersion compensator for the compensation of chromatic dispersion in a multi-channel light signal is provided. The compensator includes a pair of optical structures each having a waveguide and a Bragg grating provided therein. The Bragg grating has a plurality of grating components, each associated with one or a few of the channels to be compensated. An optical assembly propagates the light signal sequentially through both optical structures. The periods of the grating components are selected to allow compensation of chromatic dispersion experienced by this particular channel or these particular channels, thereby taking into account the dispersion slope of the light signal. Tuning means are also provided in order to adjust the dispersion of the grating components of each optical structures, and proper selection of the tuning parameters allows tuning independently both the dispersion and dispersion slope.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing mesostructured metal or non-metal oxides. The process is essentially characterized in that it consists in: (a) mixing in a liquid reaction medium a surfactant and a metal or non-metal oxide at temperature enabling the surfactant to be dissolved in the reaction medium, the surfactant/metal or non-metal oxide molar ratio being less than 1; (b) heating the reaction medium at a temperature sufficiently high and for a sufficient period of time to permit structural reorganization of the metal or non-metal oxide and to obtain a mesostructured metal or non-metal oxide; and (c) effecting a liquid-solid separation of the reaction medium to recover the mesostructured metal or non-metal oxide. The use of a surfactant/metal or non-metal oxide molar ratio less than 1 enables to avoid froth or bubble formation which greatly hinders any subsequent leaching.

Abstract: An athermally packaged optical fiber device, such as a Bragg grating, is provided. The device includes a hollow structure, and a free and a threaded member projecting in the hollow structure from both ends. The optical fiber is mounted in tension inside the hollow structure through longitudinal fiber-receiving bores in both members, and has an anchor point affixed to each member with the grating therebetween. The anchor point of the threaded member is provided outside of the hollow structure, making the device more compact. The free and threaded members are rotatable together to adjust the resonant wavelength of the grating, and a nut may be provided to allow a fine-tuning. The hollow structure, free member and threaded member have a coefficient of thermal expansion selected so that they together compensate for the temperature dependency of the Bragg wavelength.

Abstract: The method for scanning a turbid medium involves displacing an optical signal source over a first face of the medium and a corresponding optical detector over an opposite face from one respective spatial location to another. Each spatial location is associated with a corresponding input region on the first face and a corresponding output region on the opposite second face. The optical detector in response to optical signals detected from each of the output regions generates a primary set of image data, secondary and/or tertiary image data by scanning the turbid medium using input regions and output regions of different sizes. The various sets of image data obtained may be manipulated in any manner, namely subjected to a data processing technique, so as to, for example, highlight the differences or similarities between the images.

Abstract: A method of optical imaging through a scattering medium is provided in which a fit is made to an inhomogeneous diffusion model. The method facilitates good differentiation between scattering and absorption. The variation of the diffusion curve associated with the presence of an inclusion is considered rather than the diffusion curve itself. An empirical model is provided which describes the variation of the diffusion curve. A linear curve fitting process is performed to provide two parameters, one parameter associated with the scattering property of the inclusion and the other parameter associated with the absorption property of the inclusion.

Abstract: Method and its device for evaluating semiconductor wafers that evaluates semiconductor wafers by estimating the dopant level which is equivalent to the critical value at which the excess minority carrier injection density reaches the high injection state, and that measures the minority carrier lifetime at a low-injection-state exposure condition adapted to said dopant level. Excitation light (emitted by excitation light generator 4) is emitted onto a semiconductor wafer 2 at varying exposure conditions as imposed by an exposure condition controller 9. Detector 6 detects the change in the level of reflected radiation from microwaves emitted by microwave generator 5 onto the wafer 2. The dopant level in the semiconductor wafer 2 is estimated by estimation circuit 10' based on the change in the exposure conditions and the change in the minority carrier lifetime as determined by the change in the microwave level.

Abstract: A resonator for the modal control of a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the resonator. It has a graded reflectivity mirror as the output coupler. The graded reflectivity mirror consists of a partial reflector which has a reflectivity that varies gradually according to the position on the mirror's surface. The resonator is either astigmatic or the graded reflectivity mirror has a non circularly symmetric reflectivity profile or both. It allows the production of a good optical quality beam with an efficient energy extraction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a lining of a pulsed column which allows for an extended exchange of the solid phase with the liquid phase. The lining is composed of stacked baskets and rings, the baskets having a perforate bottom and the rings having a central hole. The size of the perforations in the baskets are such that the solid phase is retained therein while the central hole in the rings allows the solid phase to pass therethrough and go on to the next lower basket. The inside of the column is subjected to high frequency, low energy pulsations which move the liquid and solid phase in a back-and-forth manner. Additionally, the inside of the column is subjected to extremely low frequency, high energy pulsations so as to remove one portion of the solid phase located in a basket and cause it to go down towards a next lower basket.

Abstract: A device for measuring the draft of cigarettes comprises a vertical tubular body in which cigarettes are fed one by one. A first sphincter-member mounted inside the body is operable to prevent a cigarette from falling and stop it in a given position. A second sphincter-member positioned above the first member is actuated when the first member is released so as to hold the cigarette in the above given position. A seal is provided at the bottom side of the tubular body to define a gas-tight chamber with the second sphincter-member, and an orifice connected to a source of air under vacuum is formed in the body between the first sphincter-member and the seal.

Abstract: A device for measuring the compactness of cylindrically shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes and the like, comprising a supply unit for bringing the articles to a positioning and delivering assembly,two units for measuring the compactness mounted on either side of said assembly, which assembly defines a rectilinear path extending substantially from one measuring unit to the other to allow each article to be moved from a central reception position towards an outermost measuring position,means for positioning the articles when in said reception position alternately in two different angular positions andmeans for displacing the articles along said path alternately towards one and the other measuring unit.