Abstract: An apparatus that exposes only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen hydrogen atmosphere. At least one heating element regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. The heating element may heat the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250° C.

Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition and a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with the composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. To that end, in one embodiment of the present invention the composition includes a non-silicon-containing acrylate component, and an initiator component combined with said non-silicon-containing acrylate to provide a viscosity no greater than 5 cps. The initiator component is responsive to radiation to initiate a free radical reaction and cause the non-silicon containing acrylate component to polymerize and cross-link. One embodiment of the non-silicon-containing acrylate component includes ethylene glycol diacrylate. The method includes depositing the composition to function as a planarization layer. Thereafter, a layer of polymerizable material into which a pattern is to be recorded is deposited.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and a method of using the same to form a pattern on a substrate using imprint lithography employing dark-field polymerization. To that end, the composition includes a bis vinyl ether component, and an initiator component that produces an acid in response to radiation. The bis vinyl ether component is reactive to the acid and polymerizes in response thereto.

Abstract: Methods for producing a region of at least partially reacted material in a photoreactive composition and apparatus. The methods include: providing a photoreactive composition; providing a source of sufficient light for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons by the photoreactive composition; providing an exposure system capable of inducing image-wise multiphoton absorption; generating a non-random three-dimensional pattern of light by means of the exposure system; and exposing the photoreactive composition to the three-dimensional pattern of light generated by the exposure system to at least partially react a portion of the material in correspondence with the non-random three-dimensional pattern of light incident thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition and a method for forming a pattern on a substrate with the composition by forming a cross-linked polymer from the composition upon exposing the same to radiation. The viscosity and wetting properties of the composition are selected to facilitate formation of a layer from a plurality of spaced-apart beads of the material disposed on the substrate. To that end, in one embodiment of the present invention the composition includes a mono-functional acrylate component, a poly-functional molecule component, and an initiator component responsive to the radiation to initiate a free radical reaction to cause the mono-functional acrylate component and the poly-functional molecule component to polymerize and crosslink.

Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.

Abstract: A photosensitive element includes a layer of a photosensitive material on a transparent, multilayer, polymeric support having numerous alternating layers of at least two different polymeric materials. The polymeric multilayer support reflects at least 50% of actinic radiation in the range of wavelengths to which the photosensitive material is sensitive. If the polymeric multilayer reflector includes numerous, thin, alternating layers located at the surface of the polymeric support closest to the photosensitive material, the element not only provides increased speed but also provides an antihalation effect. In another aspect, a multilayer reflector is located a distance removed from the photosensitive layer sufficient to reduce any woodgrain that would otherwise occur, while increasing speed.

Abstract: An apparatus that exposes only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen hydrogen atmosphere. At least one heating element regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. The heating element may heat the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250° C.

Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.

Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.

Abstract: A photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprising an anhydride, including a substituted benzophenone nucleus, a diamine reacted with the anhydride to form a photosensitive polymer intermediate, and at least 60 Mole % of solubilizing amine reacted with the photosensitive polymer intermediate to form the photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer. An emulsion for electrophoretic deposition of a coating of a photoimageable, aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer comprises a dispersed phase, including the photoimageable aqueous acid soluble polyimide polymer, dissolved in an organic solvent and a dispersion phase including a coalescence promoter and water. The emulsion may be applied, by electrophoretic deposition, to a conductive structure to provide a photoimageable coating on the conductive structure.

Abstract: 1H,lH-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, and homopolymers thereof.

Abstract: 1H,1H-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers thereof. The compolymers may comprise monomers selected from:a) at least 40% by weight of 1H,1H-perfluorocyclohexylmethyl 2-fluoroacrylate, andb) up to 60% by weight of monomer which is a member selected from the group consisting of methyl 2-fluoroacrylate, 1H,1H-perfluorooctyl 2-fluoroacrylate, 1H,1H-perfluoro(2-(butoxy)propyl) 2-fluoroacrylate and combinations thereof. The polymers are useful for making optical elements, particularly optical fibres.

Abstract: Polymer optical core fiber made from homopolymers of 1,1-dihydroperfluorocyclohexylmethyl methacrylate and co-polymers thereof with other .beta.-fluorinated (meth)acrylates and polymethyl methacrylate are disclosed that have low optical loss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel fluorinated acrylate and methacrylate ester monomers and homopolymers and copolymers thereof. In another aspect, it relates to a process for preparing monomers of the invention. Homopolymers and copolymers of the invention have units which correspond to the following general chemical formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, halo, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl or haloalkyl group, or a C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl group,W is --O-- or --NR.sup.1 --, wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group,X is a carbon-to-carbon single bond or a spacer group,Y is a mesogenic group, andZ is a fluorinated alkyl group.The novel monomers and polymers can be liquid crystals.