Abstract: When molten glass which is under an atmosphere of pressure P, is fed into a vacuum chamber capable of rendering a pressure to the molten glass to be in a range of 38 [mmHg]-(P-50) [mmHg] to perform degassing to the molten glass, a staying time of the molten glass in the vacuum chamber is in a range of 0.12-4.8 hours, whereby there is obtainable an effective degassing function to the molten glass.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus comprises a path made of dense refractory bricks, the path including an inner surface brick layer, the refractory bricks in the inner surface brick layer having a flatness of 0.5 mm on contacting surfaces with one anther, and the path including a backup brick layer and a ramming material filling layer besides the inner surface brick layer.

Abstract: When molten glass which is under an atmosphere of pressure P, is fed into a vacuum chamber capable of rendering a pressure to the molten glass to be in a range of 38 [mmHg]-(P-50) [mmHg] to perform degassing to the molten glass, a staying time of the molten glass in the vacuum chamber is in a range of 0.12-4.8 hours, whereby there is obtainable an effective degassing function to the molten glass.

Abstract: A broadband ASE light source is provided which comprises an amplifying optical fiber doped with rare earth; a pumping light source and an output port both which are connected to one end of the amplifying optical fiber via a multiplexer; and a reflecting or circulating member which is connected to the other end of the amplifying optical fiber, whereby the amplifying optical fiber emits ASE light containing a first and second wavelength bands through the port. Particularly, a second pumping light source may be connected to the other end of the amplifying optical fiber via another multiplexer to widen the wavelength band to longer wavelength side. Further, using the amplifying Er-doped optical fiber with the pumping light sources having wavelength of a 980 nm band, the ASE light source can be emit a flattened broadband of 1530 to 1610 nm, combining the two wavelength bands of 1530 to 1570 mn and 1570 to 3610 nm.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus includes a lifter to absorb deformation in a vertical direction due to thermal expansion of the vacuum degassing, a slider to absorb thermal expansion of the vacuum degassing vessel in a longitudinal direction thereof, or a thermal expansion absorbing layer to absorb thermal expansion of an uprising pipe and a downfalling pipe in a cross-sectional direction, or a thermal expansion absorbing layer provided along a portion of an outer surface of the vacuum degassing vessel in a height direction.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing method for molten glass, which comprises introducing molten glass into a vacuum degassing apparatus, subjecting it to degassing treatment under a predetermined reduced pressure condition and then withdrawing it for a subsequent step, wherein during the degassing treatment, a metal compound which is at least one compound of metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, silicon, zinc, magnesium, iron, chromium, cobalt, cerium and calcium, is supplied from outside of the vacuum degassing apparatus to the surface of a bubble layer formed in the molten glass to diminish or extinguish the bubble layer.

Abstract: Molten glass has a liquid level located at a higher level than lower ends of an uprising pipe and a downfalling. In addition, a contacting portion of the uprising pipe or the downfalling pipe and a brick receiver on an upstream or downstream pit for supporting the uprising or downfalling pipe, or a joint in the brick receiver is filled with sealing material.

Abstract: Molten glass has a liquid level located at a higher level than lower ends of an uprising pipe and a downfalling. In addition, a contacting portion of the uprising pipe or the downfalling pipe and a brick receiver on an upstream or downstream pit for supporting the uprising or downfalling pipe, or a joint in the brick receiver is filled with sealing material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum degassing system 10 having a leakage valve 48 installed between a condenser 46 and a vacuum pump 44, wherein even when the leakage valve 48 is opened, a vacuum degassing vessel 12 is not released to the atmosphere to thereby constantly maintain a temperature in the vacuum degassing vessel 12; and a large amount of volatile matters in the vacuum degassing vessel 12 are not discharged to a gas release pipe 34, whereby the vacuum degassing vessel 12 can be stably operated.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass includes a vacuum housing where a vacuum is created; a vacuum degassing vessel housed in the vacuum housing to degas the molten glass; an introduction device communicated to the vacuum degassing vessel so as to introduce untreated molten glass into the vacuum degassing vessel, or preferably an uprising pipe; and a discharge device to discharge treated molten glass from the vacuum degassing vessel, or preferably a downfalling pipe. In the apparatus, at least a portion of at least one of the vacuum degassing vessel, the uprising pipe and the downfalling pipe that directly contact the molten glass is constituted by refractory material having a porosity of not greater than 5%. The apparatus can increase quantity of flow of the molten glass and consequently a degassing throughput of the molten glass, having the same size and the same pressure loss.