Abstract: The invention provides ultraviolet light absorber suitable for use as an additive in polymers, comprising particles of inorganic oxide having UV light-absorbing compound on their surface, wherein said UV light-absorbing compound is chemically bonded, either to a spacer provided on the surface of said particle, or directly to the surface of the particle. Process for preparing the additive absorber and a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., a film) comprising the absorber additive are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides ultraviolet light absorber suitable for use as an additive in polymers, comprising particles of inorganic oxide having UV light-absorbing compound on their surface, wherein said UV light-absorbing compound is chemically bonded, either to a spacer provided on the surface of said particle, or directly to the surface of the particle. Process for preparing the additive absorber and a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., a film) comprising the absorber additive are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides ultraviolet light absorber suitable for use as an additive in polymers, comprising particles of inorganic oxide having UV light-absorbing compound on their surface, wherein said UV light-absorbing compound is chemically bonded, either to a spacer provided on the surface of said particle, or directly to the surface of the particle. Process for preparing the additive absorber and a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., a film) comprising the absorber additive are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides ultraviolet light absorber suitable for use as an additive in polymers, comprising particles of inorganic oxide having UV light-absorbing compound on their surface, wherein said UV light-absorbing compound is chemically bonded, either to a spacer provided on the surface of said particle, or directly to the surface of the particle. Process for preparing the additive absorber and a thermoplastic polymer (e.g., a film) comprising the absorber additive are also provided.

Abstract: An optical switch, comprising a plurality of light inputs and a plurality of light outputs. The switch additionally includes a polarization beam splitter, configured to split light beams received through the input carriers into separate first and second polarization components and a plurality of semi-transparent mirrors and polarization rotators arranged to allow controllable deflection of the first and second polarization components from the beam splitter to a selected one of the light outputs, wherein the one or more different planes defined for at least 15% of the semi-transparent mirrors by the possible paths of the first polarization component passing through the semi-transparent mirror in the arrangement do not coincide with planes defined by the possible paths of the second polarization component passing through any of the semi-transparent mirrors in the arrangement.

Abstract: A mechanical fiber optic switch, comprising a base structure, a plurality of first optical fibers mounted on the base structure, arranged such that their ends are adapted to move along respective paths together defining a curved cylinder surface, a plurality of second optical fibers adapted to be optically coupled to selected ones of the first fibers, and a movable control unit adapted to move relative to the base structure and to selectively control movement of the ends of the first optical fibers along their respective paths and to selectively control movement of each of the second optical fibers without moving therewith at least one of the other second fibers.

Abstract: A mechanical fiber optic switch, which includes a base structure and a plurality of first optical fibers, mounted on the base structure. The first optical fibers are arranged such that their ends define a curved cylinder surface. The switch also includes a plurality of second optical fibers adapted to be optically coupled to selected ones of the first fibers. A movable control unit is adapted to move within the switch and to move both the first and the second optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical switch, comprising a plurality of light inputs and a plurality of light outputs. The switch additionally includes a polarization beam splitter, configured to split light beams received through the input carriers into separate first and second polarization components and a plurality of semi-transparent mirrors and polarization rotators arranged to allow controllable deflection of the first and second polarization components from the beam splitter to a selected one of the light outputs, wherein the one or more different planes defined for at least 15% of the semi-transparent mirrors by the possible paths of the first polarization component passing through the semi-transparent mirror in the arrangement do not coincide with planes defined by the possible paths of the second polarization component passing through any of the semi-transparent mirrors in the arrangement.