Abstract: An apparatus and method for seamless closed mold microreplication using a one-piece expandable mold are disclosed. The apparatus includes an expandable mold having a plurality of microstructured features on the inner surface thereof. The apparatus also includes a means for elastically expanding the mold in order to remove the finished molded article. The expandable mold may be used to make seamless articles having microstructured features, such as an illumination device comprising a fiber core having a plurality of microstructured light extraction structures on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a silica forming feedstock and a method of making optical waveguides and optical waveguide preforms. The feedstock for use in the manufacturing of germanium doped silica glass products includes a siloxane and a germanium dopant component such as germanium alkoxide. The invention further relates to the manufacturing of optical waveguides and optical waveguide preforms using a fluid feedstock which includes a siloxane and germanium dopant component, preferably germanium alkoxide.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous process of producing an object with radially-varying material properties. These objects can be cylindrical forms made from polymeric materials. This process requires a novel device. The device can be used to produce high bandwidth gradient-index plastic optical fiber (GRIN-POF). This fiber is highly advantageous for use in high speed local area networks (LANs) as well as other short-range optical communication applications. The device can also be used to produce GRIN lenses which can be used in the focusing and transmission of images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing plastic optical transmission medium. The subject method and apparatus can produce a variety of optical transmission medium, including for example, graded refractive index polymer optical fiber, graded refractive index rod lens, and step index polymer optical fiber. The subject optical transmission medium have improved characteristics and efficiency, due, at least in part, to better control of the profile of the refractive index distribution and stable high temperature operation of the medium. High efficiency of manufacturing can be achieved by the subject method and apparatus which can permit continuous extrusion at high speed.

Abstract: The present invention describes improved methods of making polymer optical fiber cable, graded index optical fibers and step index optical fibers. The present invention may also include improved polymer optical fibers that incorporate optional quinine and quinone based compositions that shift the wavelength of radiation from ultraviolet radiation to visible radiation.

Abstract: A process for cold- and hot-working of methacrylate optic conductors (M), of cylindric or of any other shape, that allows a beam of light, inserted into said conductors, to be totally inwardly reflected according to the angles contained in the limit angle of the total internal reflection, and determines the emission according to beam angles—in theory—180° amplitude but, in the practical industrial realizations, of 30° or 56°, from the section of the conductor opposed to the one carrying the reflection means (2).

Abstract: An medical instrument for diffusing light from an optical fiber is provided. The medical instrument includes an optical fiber having a proximal portion including a cladding layer surrounding the core and a distal portion having a diffuser tip comprising a protective coating made of acrylic or methylpentene surrounding the core, an optical coupling layer, and a sleeve. The protective coating strengthens the distal end of the optical fiber so that it can withstand a higher bending moment at failure than the uncladded core. At the same time, the protective layer has an index of refraction that is between the indices of refraction of the core and the optical coupling layer to direct light out of the core through to the optical coupling layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surface-emitting backlight is provided with the steps of forming a lead frame and resin-made molded case by insert molding, attaching light sources, which are red, blue and green LED dies, to contacts of the lead frame provided in a hollow space of the molded case, forming a light guide section by filling the hollow space with a transparent or semitransparent resin, and thereafter attaching a reflector sheet, and lens sheets (or diffuser sheets) in accordance with the applications of the backlight.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a platform comprising the steps of: providing an interconnecting line adhered to first and second regions of a mold; disposing a pin with a tip facing the mold; sealing the pin and interconnecting line with a molding material; curing the molding material; removing the pin from the molding material to form a through hole; and removing the molding material together with the interconnecting line from the mold.

Abstract: An optical waveguide component has a first optical member in which a predetermined first core pattern groove is formed and a second optical member in which a predetermined second core pattern groove is formed, the first and second optical members being combined together so that said first and second core pattern grooves are opposingly overlapped with each other, and the first and second core pattern grooves being filled with a core material.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optochemical sensor consisting of a polymer matrix and a luminescent colorant material contained therein, whose emission power may be modified by the substances to be detected after being excited with electro-magnetic radiation. The polymer matrix is formed by at least one polymer, wherein no plasticizers have been added, which polymer contains phenyl groups in the main chain and may also be sterilized. the invention also relates to a method for producing the disclosed optochemical sensor, wherein a solution of a polymer is prepared, wherein 0,01 to 100 mMol luminescent colorant material per polymer is added to said solution and the mixture is solidified to obtain a homogenous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a shell for a Luneberg lens in which an amount of a dielectric material composition containing particles of an expandable plastic material coated with an amount of a titanium-oxygen compound, is introduced into a mould and heated to an appropriate temperature for moulding. As a plastic material use is made of an expandable plastic material which is non-expanded or partly pre-expanded. The moulding temperature is selected such that expansion of the particles takes place. As an expandable plastic material preferably use is made of polystyrene. The dielectric moulding composition preferably comprises 5-65 wt. % of the titanium-oxygen compound with respect to the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical component that have increased transmittance in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The method includes the steps of cutting out a part from a block material; polishing optical sides of the part; subjecting the part to heat treatment at a temperature of between 100 and 900° C.; and subjecting the part to acid treatment.

Abstract: A method for fabricating optical devices for transmission and/or manipulation of light includes steps of providing a substrate which defines a reference plane for positioning cladding material and core material, fixing rigid spacers to an upper surface of the substrate, the spacers having upper surfaces which define a second plane spaced above the reference plane, depositing a layer of a formable, curable under-cladding material over the upper surface of the substrate, the upper surface of the rigid spacers providing a guide for precise control of the height of the under-cladding material above the surface of the substrate, curing the under-cladding material under compression to form an under-cladding layer, and depositing a light guide core and over-cladding on the under-cladding. The method is susceptible to mass production and provides more precise control of the position of the light guide core relative to a substrate surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous process of producing an object with radially-varying material properties. These objects can be cylindrical forms made from polymeric materials. This process requires a novel device. The device can be used to produce high bandwidth gradient-index plastic optical fiber (GRIN-POF). This fiber is highly advantageous for use in high speed local area networks (LANs) as well as other short-range optical communication applications. The device can also be used to produce GRIN lenses which can be used in the focusing and transmission of images.

Abstract: A method of cooling an optical fiber during drawing through contact with at least one cooling fluid in at least one cooling area,

Abstract: A large core polymeric optical fiber having improved light transmitting characteristics includes a cladding filled with a light transmitting core. The core is formed during a polymerization reaction within the cladding in which the pressure internal to the cladding is greater than the pressure external to the cladding to form a pressure differential supported by the cladding.

Abstract: A cable system is provided which can accommodate electrical and optical cabling. The conductors of the system employ a layer which is impedance-matched to space, decreasing their cross-section to electromagnetic interference. The conductors of the system also employ a layer which symmetrizes electromagnetic interference signals, reducing the effect of interference and crosstalk on the signals carried by the conductors. The system also includes a node interface device for connection to a global electrical and fiber network. The node interface device connects to a user interface device through the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technology for producing, based on a casting polymerization process, light guides for LCDs. The casting polymerization process includes the steps of: preparing a casting mold in the shape of double wedge for the casting polymerization process; mixing methyl methacrylate (MMA) with polymerization initiator to form a mix; prepolymerizing the mix to form a prepolymerized mix; processing the prepolymerized mix to form a slurry mix; casting the slurry mix into the casting mold; enabling polymerization of the slurry mix in the casting mold by heat treatment; and stripping the casting mold to obtain a light guide for a LCD.

Abstract: A diffuser master is provided which is manufactured mechanically instead of holographically. The master can be made from a suitable substrate including relatively hard materials such as plastic, glass or metal. A substrate having a first side is worked to form a diffuser surface relief structure thereon. The substrate can be buffed using a buffing agent of a selected grit in order to form surface scratches in the first side of the substrate. The substrate can also be blasted with shot particles in order to form indentations and depressions in the first side. The substrate can alternatively be acid or alkali etched in order to form surface irregularities in the first side. The scratches, depressions or irregularities can be formed in order to create a desired surface relief and hence desired diffuser output characteristics.

Abstract: A process for the extrusion of microcellular polymeric material onto data communications material such as wire and optical fiber is described. Electrical conductors and optical fibers coated with microcellular polymeric material exhibit unexpected strength sufficient to pass certain industry tests necessary for use in a variety of applications, even without an exterior coating of structurally-supporting polymeric material. Polymeric microcellular materials provided in contact with the electrical connectors for a variety of purposes are described where the strength of microcellular material provides required structural support.

Abstract: The essence of the present invention lies in an optical sheet made of transparent resin having a visible light transmittance of not less than 80%, a glass transition temperature of not lower than 150° C. and a thickness of from 0.2 to 1.5 mm, which exhibits a birefringence index of not higher than 15 nm, a surface roughness Ra of not more than 0.1 &mgr;m and an impact strength of not less than 600 gf·cm as calculated in terms of dropping ball breakdown energy determined by Du Pont process impact resistance test.