Abstract: A drawn glass-coated metallic member has a thermal contraction coefficient differential such that the thermal contraction coefficient of the glass is less than that of the metallic member. The thermal contraction coefficient differential is maintained within a predetermined range during drawing. Drawn glass is placed under residual compression, interfacial bonding between said glass and said wire is substantially uniform, and surface cracking and bond breaks between metal and glass are substantially prevented. Optical properties of the glass coated microwire provide a basis for enabling multi-bit encoding capability. Advantageously data encoding is achieved optically, magneto-optically or using a combined magnetic and optical encoding mechanism. The duplex material constitution of the glass coated microwire permits imparting of data thereon by selection and processing of the glass. Data implantation is readily achieved in-line, during an initial drawing operation, or as a separate post-draw process.

Abstract: A drawn glass-coated metallic member has a thermal contraction coefficient differential such that the thermal contraction coefficient of the glass is less than that of the metallic member. The thermal contraction coefficient differential is maintained within a predetermined range during drawing. Drawn glass is placed under residual compression, interfacial bonding between said glass and said wire is substantially uniform, and surface cracking and bond breaks between metal and glass are substantially prevented. Optical properties of the glass coated microwire provide a basis for enabling multi-bit encoding capability. Advantageously data encoding is achieved optically, magneto-optically or using a combined magnetic and optical encoding mechanism. The duplex material constitution of the glass coated microwire permits imparting of data thereon by selection and processing of the glass. Data implantation is readily achieved in-line, during an initial drawing operation, or as a separate post-draw process.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: A glass-coated amorphous metallic microwire is encoded with multi-bit digital information. Encoding is achieved magnetically, optically or through a combination of magnetic and optical encoding processes. Magnetic encoding is carried out by modifying the constituent magnetic domain structure through selective relief of interfacial stress between the glass coating and the amorphous metallic alloy core. It is also achieved by selective surface crystallization of the amorphous metallic core in order to produce a controlled magnetic bias field. Optical encoding is associated with the glass coating. It is readily achieved by fluorescent element deposition, patterned removal of fluorescent element coating, Bragg grating, and thermally activated pattern deposition. The magnetic and optical multi-bit encoding approaches for glass-coated amorphous metallic microwire can be used individually or collectively in either a redundant or a complementary manner.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a waveguide that includes a first portion extending along a waveguide axis including a first chalcogenide glass, and a second portion extending along the waveguide axis including a second chalcogenide glass, wherein the second chalcogenide glass is different from the first chalcogenide glass.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vitrified-bonded abrasive tool wherein the abrasive grit portion comprises a thermally sensitive abrasive grain, such as sintered sol gel microcrystalline alpha alumina abrasive grain or superabrasive grain, and wherein the vitrified bond may be matured by firing at a temperature of about 700 to 1,100 ° C. The invention preferably is carried out with sintered sol gel microcrystalline alpha alumina abrasive grain and a phosphorous oxide-containing, alkaliborosilicate vitrified bond composition. In one embodiment, during firing at about 700 to 1,100 ° C., the vitrified bond of the invention comprises at least two immiscible, amorphous phases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vitrified-bonded abrasive tool wherein the abrasive grit portion comprises a thermally sensitive abrasive grain, such as sintered sol gel microcrystalline alpha alumina abrasive grain or superabrasive grain, and wherein the vitrified bond may be matured by firing at a temperature of about 700 to 1,100 ° C. The invention preferably is carried out with sintered sol gel microcrystalline alpha alumina abrasive grain and a phosphorous oxide-containing, alkaliborosilicate vitrified bond composition. In one embodiment, during firing at about 700 to 1,100 ° C., the vitrified bond of the invention comprises at least two immiscible, amorphous phases.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: High index-contrast fiber waveguides, materials for forming high index-contrast fiber waveguides, and applications of high index-contrast fiber waveguides are disclosed.

Abstract: A low temperature fluorophosphate glass useful for joining single-mode fluoride and silica optical fibers includes 5 to 7 mol % InF3, 20 to 35 mol % PbF2 and 57.5 to 75 mol % P2O5. An alkali for maintaining a low glass transition temperature can be included. Up to 25% (glass molar basis) of the P2O5 can be replaced by PbO.

Abstract: A sighting apparatus is provided for aiming an optical device mounted on a moving platform and having both coarse and fine adjustment. The sighting apparatus includes a fixed base and an outer support ring that is capable of rotation by a drive motor about an azimuthal axis perpendicular to an axis defined by the outer support ring. A support hub is rotatably supported within the outer support ring and is capable of rotation by a drive motor about an elevational axis substantially coincident with the axis defined by the outer support ring. At least one mounting plate is supported by the support hub and the mounting plate is capable of movement about the azimuthal and elevational axes relative to the support hub, and the mounting plate is capable of movement about a roll axis perpendicular to the azimuthal and the elevational axes.

Abstract: An absolute pressure regulator valve assembly for controlling the absolute pressure (P.sub.C) of a fluid source. The absolute pressure regulator valve assembly includes a hollow housing having an inlet port and a discharge port. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The discharge port is associated with a valve seat. A bellows assembly is positioned within the housing. The bellows assembly has an open first end and a closed second end. The first end is gas-tight sealed to the housing and is in fluid communication with a means for providing a reference pressure (P.sub.R) within the bellows assembly. A valve closure element is attached to the closed end of the bellows assembly. The valve closure element is positioned relative to the valve seat wherein motion of the bellows assembly provides opening and closure of the discharge port.

Abstract: A portable pencil pocket 10 has one or more compartments for holding pencils 40,42. The pocket is made of plastic webbing that is folded at one end to form a pocket 20 and at the other end to form a loop 22. A shower clip 50 holds the pocket 10 to an article of clothing, such as a belt loop or button hole.

Abstract: A hand tool for polishing the tip of a fiber optic terminal. The tool includes a base having a central opening that receives a collet through which the fiber optic terminal extends. The fiber optic terminal is gripped by the collet as a collet spring force is exerted on the collet. An axial force is applied to the collet as the base rests on a polishing surface, the force being established by a piston spring that maintains the tip of the fiber optic terminal in contact with the polishing surface, whereby the tip of the fiber optic terminal may be polished.

Abstract: A computer database management system has a table buffer for buffering as yet uncommitted modifications of records in an original shared database table and a look aside index for redirecting original table accesses to the modifications in the table buffer. Record modifications in the table buffer are indexed by a modified value index having a same key structure as a user-defined index on the original table. An indexing logic performs index functions on both the user-defined index and modified value index to provide integrated indexing of the original table records and table buffer modifications with the user-defined key order.