Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuously forming sputter-coated glass fibers. The apparatus includes a sputter vessel into which freshly drawn fiber is passed before surface contamination can occur. The sputter vessel includes modular sputtering units which are arranged to provide sputter deposition of one or more coatings onto the fiber or capillary tube as it passes through the sputter vessel. Roughing chambers may be provided on either end of the sputter vessel and include orifices sized to allow passage of the fiber through the orifice without contact. An improved sputter coating apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for precisely controlling the movement and position of objects. The apparatus includes at least one moveable arm and a system for optically measuring the movement of the arm. The optical measurement system includes an optical fiber loop capable of producing microbend-induced optical attenuation when the loop is physically deformed by the movement of the arm. The apparatus further includes a signal source, a signal detector, and signal processing system for determining the attenuation of the signal between the signal source and the signal detector.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow meter for measuring the volume of mass flowing through a conduit. The flow meter includes at least one flow tube through which the mass to be measured passes. The flow tube is vibrated at a selected frequency that produces a resultant oscillation which is dependent upon Coriolis forces generated by the flowing mass. The oscillations of the flow tube are measured optically utilizing an optical fiber measurement system comprising a loop of optical fiber capable of producing microbend-induced optical attenuation, which is coupled to the flow tube, an optical signal source, an optical detector means, and means for determining the modulation of the optical signal between the input end and the output end of the optical fiber. Preferably, the optical fiber is metal-coated.