Abstract: An apparatus for fusion draw glass manufacture, including at least one isopipe (110) having at least one weir (114); and a fluid discharge member in proximity to the at least one weir (114) of the at least one isopipe (110), the fluid discharge member is in fluid communication with a remote fluid source. The fluid source can be a source of a gas, liquid, solid or radiation. The fluid can be heated or cooled. At least one of the temperature properties, flow properties and thickness properties of the molten glass can be locally changed with the discharged fluid. A method of forming a glass-glass laminate sheet and uses of the laminate sheet are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber having a core with an alkali metal oxide dopant in an peak amount greater than about 0.002 wt. % and less than about 0.1 wt. %. The alkali metal oxide concentration varies with a radius of the optical fiber. By appropriately selecting the concentration of alkali metal oxide dopant in the core and the cladding, a low loss optical fiber may be obtained. Also disclosed are several methods of making the optical fiber including the steps of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped rod, and adding additional glass to form a draw perform. Preferably, the draw preform has a final outer dimension (d2), wherein an outer dimension (d1) of the rod is less than or equal to 0.06 times the final outer dimension (d2). In a preferred embodiment, the alkali metal oxide-doped rod is inserted into the centerline hole of a preform to form an assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber having a core with an alkali metal oxide dopant in an peak amount greater than about 0.002 wt. % and less than about 0.1 wt. %. The alkali metal oxide concentration varies with a radius of the optical fiber. By appropriately selecting the concentration of alkali metal oxide dopant in the core and the cladding, a low loss optical fiber may be obtained. Also disclosed are several methods of making the optical fiber including the steps of forming an alkali metal oxide-doped rod, and adding additional glass to form a draw perform. Preferably, the draw preform has a final outer dimension (d2), wherein an outer dimension (d1) of the rod is less than or equal to 0.06 times the final outer dimension (d2). In a preferred embodiment, the alkali metal oxide-doped rod is inserted into the centerline hole of a preform to form an assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing a glass sheet comprising lower thermal shields positioned below cooling doors for minimizing radiative heat loss from a forming body used to form a ribbon of molten glass from which a glass sheet is cut, and upper thermal shields positioned between the cooling doors and a root of the forming body for minimizing radiative heat loss from the forming body. The thermal shields are typically arranged as pairs and positioned on horizontally opposite sides of a flow of molten glass descending as a continuous ribbon from the forming body. Each thermal shield of the lower and upper thermal shield pairs may comprise a plurality of segments, including end segments and a central segment, wherein the end segments may be separately movable relative to the central segment, allowing an edge of the thermal shield adjacent the ribbon to be varied.