Abstract: In an embodiment, light from a single mode light source may be deflected into a low index contrast (LIC) waveguide in an opto-electronic integrated circuit (OEIC) (or “opto-electronic chip”) by a 45 degree mirror. The mirror may be formed by polishing an edge of the die at a 45 degree angle and coating the polished edge with a metal layer. Light coupled into the LIC waveguide may then be transferred from the LIC waveguide to a high index contrast (HIC) waveguide by evanescent coupling.

Abstract: An optical transceiver including an optical fiber ribbon, a housing permanently attached to the optical fiber ribbon, and an electrical connector extending from the housing. An electro/optical converter is disposed within the housing including an array of VCSELs and an array of photodiodes rigidly coupled to a ferrule supporting respective fibers of the fiber ribbon. A member is disposed on an outer surface of the housing adjacent the aperture that resists sharp bending of the optical fiber ribbon where the ribbon exits the housing through the aperture and blocks leakage of electromagnetic radiation from the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member, at least one dry insert, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has a cavity with a generally rectangular cross-section with the at least one optical fiber and the at least one dry insert disposed therein. The at least one optical fiber has a predetermined level of coupling to the cable jacket that is provided by the at least one dry insert within the cavity of cable jacket. The predetermined level of coupling is about 0.1625 Newtons or more per optical fiber for a thirty meter length of fiber optic cable. Additionally, fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel central-tube cable with high-conductivity conductors. The novel central-tube cable according to the present invention yields a fiber optic cable with a smaller diameter than found in stranded-tube-cable designs. The central-tube cable features (i) a buffer tube containing optical conductors, (ii) radial strength members, and (iii) high-conductivity conductors coated with a dielectric material, such as polypropylene. The dielectric coating helps to prevent the high-conductivity conductors from shorting.

Abstract: An optical fiber splitter has a higher density fiber optic array that allows for smaller packaging. The optical fibers that extend from the optical fiber splitter have one end connectorized and their spacing at the other end reduced, thereby eliminating components that were heretofore required. A method of making the fiber optic array includes interleaving the optical fibers to reduce the overall dimensions of the fiber optic array and the fiber optic splitter. A tool is used to reduce the spacing of the optical fibers in the fiber optic array.

Abstract: A cable assembly comprising a fiber optic cable having an optical ribbon stack therein, at least one network access location for accessing the ribbon stack, and at least one ERL insert assembly, which can include for example at least one resilient plug for holding one or more optical ribbons of the fiber optic cable at, or near, the network access location to inhibit optical ribbon stack movement and torque, for example, translation and/or rotation at the network access point. Also disclosed is a method for inhibiting optical fiber movement or torque, translation and/or rotation at a predetermined position within a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly with a floating tap is disclosed, wherein the assembly comprises a fiber optic cable having a cable fiber assembly, such as in the form of a ribbon stack. The assembly includes at least one network access point (NAP) for accessing at least one cable fiber in the cable fiber assembly and at least one strength area for example a strength member. At least one cable fiber is extracted from the cable fiber assembly and held by a transition assembly. A buffer conduit loosely contains the at least one cable fiber and guides it to an intermediate buffer conduit, which in turn guides the at least one cable fiber to a splice tube. The intermediate buffer conduit can translate relative to the splice tube. At least one tether fiber is spliced to the at least one cable fiber. Alternatively, the at least one cable fiber has sufficient length to serve as the at least one tether fiber so that splicing to another fiber is not required. Each strength member is covered by a movable member.

Abstract: In a connectored optical fiber sheet according to the present invention, a connector is fitted around both optical fibers and sheet base.

Abstract: A flexible optoelectric interconnect including an optoelectric film, a driving IC, an optical semiconductor device, a heat dissipation plate and a thermally conductive material. The optoelectric film has an electrical interconnect layer made of a single layer and an optical interconnect layer including an optical waveguide core and an optical waveguide clad. The optoelectric film has a through hole extending from a major surface thereof to a rear surface opposite to the major surface. The driving IC is provided on the major surface of the optoelectric film and electrically connected to the electrical interconnect layer, and provided above the through hole in the optoelectric film. The optical semiconductor device is provided on the major surface of the optoelectric film and driven by the driving IC.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved optical fiber that employs a novel coating system. When combined with a bend-insensitive glass fiber, the novel coating system according to the present invention yields an optical fiber having exceptionally low losses. The coating system features (i) a softer primary coating with excellent low-temperature characteristics to protect against microbending in any environment and in the toughest physical situations and, optionally, (ii) a colored secondary coating possessing enhanced color strength and vividness. The secondary coating provides improved ribbon characteristics for structures that are robust, yet easily entered (i.e., separated and stripped). The optional dual coating is specifically balanced for superior heat stripping in fiber ribbons, with virtually no residue left behind on the glass. This facilitates fast splicing and terminations.

Abstract: A method of facilitating mid-span access of an optical fiber ribbon cable, and the resulting cable, that provides for redeveloping and/or modifying excess ribbon length with the accessed cable structure. The method includes the use of a form placed within the cable structure that controls the excess ribbon length. The method may further include the reconstitution of severed strength members.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber of the present invention comprises a glass fiber coated by at least two coating layers (a soft layer and a hard layer), wherein the glass surface of the glass fiber, where the at least two coating layers of the optical fiber are removed, has a peak intensity ratio of 0.6 or more in C3H7O+ (m/z 59) or C4H9O+ (m/z 73) with respect to Si+ (m/z 28) peak in cation analysis of TOF-SIMS. The optical fiber suppresses increase in its transmission loss even when it is exposed to a high-humidity environment or immersed in water.

Abstract: An illumination fiber optic ribbon includes optically-transmissive fibers which are adjacent to each other. At least two of the optically-transmissive fibers are twisted together to form a twisted segment. Where the two optically-transmissive fibers are not twisted forms a non-twisted segment. The twisted segments and non-twisted segments alternate along the length of the ribbon. Bends are disposed along the twisted segment and are formed by twisting adjacent optically-transmissive fibers. A light source is connected to one or both ends of the optically-transmissive fibers. The light source emits a light flux into the ribbon so that light emits from the bends in the twisted segment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes optical fibers and a deformable coupling element enclosed within a buffer tube. The coupling element is formed from a deformable yet substantially incompressible material and features a number of raised members projecting toward the optical fibers. The design of the coupling element layer permits coupling of the optical fibers to the buffer tube without the use of a compressive cushioning layer. This arrangement distributes the compressive force applied to discrete points along the outer perimeter of the optical fiber element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes optical fibers and a deformable coupling element enclosed within a buffer tube. The coupling element is formed from a deformable yet substantially incompressible material that is capable of releasably and intermittently coupling the optical fibers to the buffer tube in various orientations. The design of the coupling element layer permits coupling of the optical fibers to the buffer tube without the use of a compressive cushioning layer and yet permits localized movement the optical fibers relative to the buffer tube to account for disparate thermal expansion and to accommodate optical fiber placement.

Abstract: A method of facilitating mid-span access of an optical fiber ribbon cable, and the resulting cable, that provides for redeveloping and/or modifying excess ribbon length with the accessed cable structure. The method includes the use of a form placed within the cable structure that controls the excess ribbon length. The method may further include the reconstitution of severed strength members.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers, each includes a glass optical fiber coated with a fiber coating, that are arranged in parallel, and a ribbon coating that coats the optical fibers arranged in parallel. The optical fiber ribbon has a thickness equal to 300 ?m or less. The fiber coating is made of a non-flame-resistant ultraviolet curable resin. The ribbon coating has a thickness equal to 40 ?m or more and is made of a flame resistant resin.

Abstract: A method for assembling a ferrule for an optical wave guide connector, a ferrule for an optical wave guide connector, a wave guide ribbon and a tool for assembling the ferrule. The method includes aligning a first body of the ferrule with respect to an alignment body. The first body includes a longitudinal recess adapted to receive at least one wave guide ribbon. Each wave guide ribbon includes at least one optical wave guide. The method further includes aligning at least one wave guide ribbon with respect to the alignment body and inserting the at least one wave guide ribbon into the longitudinal recess of the first body. Lastly, the method further includes closing the longitudinal recess of the first body with a second body of the ferrule.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly with a floating tap is disclosed, wherein the assembly comprises a fiber optic cable having a cable fiber assembly, such as in the form of a ribbon stack. The assembly includes at least one network access point (NAP) for accessing at least one cable fiber in the cable fiber assembly and at least one strength area for example a strength member. At least one cable fiber is extracted from the cable fiber assembly and held by a transition assembly. A buffer conduit loosely contains the at least one cable fiber and guides it to an intermediate buffer conduit, which in turn guides the at least one cable fiber to a splice tube. The intermediate buffer conduit can translate relative to the splice tube. At least one tether fiber is spliced to the at least one cable fiber. Alternatively, the at least one cable fiber has sufficient length to serve as the at least one tether fiber so that splicing to another fiber is not required. Each strength member is covered by a movable member.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of liquid crystal (LCP) blends for use as buffer layers in optical fiber cables to enhance strength and flexibility so as to meet the demanding requirements imposed on such cables for use in aircraft and the like. The inventive optical fiber cable comprises one or more optical fibers having a core having a given index of refraction and a cladding layer surrounding the core and having an index of refraction lower than that of the core so that the two in combination are capable of propagating light along the length of the fiber cable. At least one exterior buffer layer surrounds the cladding, the exterior buffer layer comprising a liquid crystal polymer and thermoplastic blended coating formed as a layer around the cladding, preferably by cross-head extrusion. The thermoplastic has properties such that the blended coating has a strain at break larger than the liquid crystal polymer would otherwise have acting alone.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a flame retardant UV light-curable tight-buffer coating coated onto the fiber, wherein said tight-buffer coating is substantially halogen-free, and has a limiting oxygen index of at least about 22%, and wherein said tight-buffer coating is removable from said fiber with a strip-force of less than about 1800 grams when the fiber is upjacketed with said coating at a line speed of at least 300 m/min.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member, at least one dry insert, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has a cavity with a generally rectangular cross-section with the at least one optical fiber and the at least one dry insert disposed therein. The at least one optical fiber has a predetermined level of coupling to the cable jacket that is provided by the at least one dry insert within the cavity of cable jacket. The predetermined level of coupling is about 0.1625 Newtons or more per optical fiber for a thirty meter length of fiber optic cable. Additionally, fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.

Abstract: An optical fiber branch cable is provided that comprises a branch portion disposed stably with respect to a multi-core optical fiber cable of a trunk line from which branching is performed, that is excellent in handleability as a cable, and that exhibits high workability. In the optical fiber branch cable of the invention, in a middle of a multi-core optical fiber cable 2 of a trunk line, a branch portion 11 is disposed. The branch portion 11 has: a base member 16 which is attached so as to cover a tensile-strength wire 9 in a portion where a cable jacket 10 of the multi-core optical fiber cable 2 is removed away; a multi-core optical connector 30 which is connected to the tip end of a tape unit 4 drawn out from the multi-core optical fiber cable 2; an extra-length housing portion 18 which houses an extra length of the tape unit 4 to which the multi-core optical connector 30 is connected; and a connector attaching portion 19 to which the multi-core optical connector 30 is attachable in a plural number.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat telecommunication cable in which optical fibers are positioned within micromodules. The micromodules are coupled to a surrounding, ribbon-like cable jacket, thereby preventing the micromodules from sagging within the cable during vertical installations. The invention also relates to a method of extracting optical fibers from such a cable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system that allows for the flexible location of an optical device that is coupled to a patch panel in a wiring closet or other optical signal source through a series of fiber optic cables and optical connections, or the flexible location of an array of such optical devices. The optical system includes, in part, one or more retractable optical fiber tether assemblies that each allow varying lengths of tether cable to be pulled and used. The retraction device of each of the optical tether assemblies may be disposed mid-tether cable, or may terminate the respective tether cable and incorporate the given optical device. In an exemplary wireless local area network (WLAN) application, each of the retractable optical fiber tether assemblies includes an integral transceiver and associated software. Thus, each of the retractable optical fiber tether assemblies functions as an antenna.

Abstract: A data communication cable comprising a plurality of optical glass fibres, in which optical glass fibres of the fluorine-doped graded-index multimode glass fibre type are used. The present invention further relates to the use of fluorine-doped graded-index multimode optical glass fibres in an optical glass fibre ribbon. An object of the present invention is to provide a data communication cable in which the maximum difference in signal propagation time between the channels in the data communication cable is reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A buffer tube arrangement includes an adhesive material to adhesively bond a water-swellable element to a plurality of optical fibers and/or a buffer tube.

Abstract: An integrated waveguide including a dielectric structure configured to receive a first electromagnetic field distribution via a first major surface and having a second major surface, wherein the first electromagnetic field distribution produces a second electromagnetic field distribution within the dielectric structure. The waveguide further includes at least one metallic element disposed in the dielectric structure between the first major surface and the second major surface, the at least one metallic element structured and positioned to effect the second electromagnetic field distribution to increase an amount of the second electromagnetic field distribution that is incident upon a selected region of the second major surface.

Abstract: Tensile strength of a tape layer in the lengthwise direction is selected to be higher than adhesive force of the tape layer to optical fiber cores. Further, position limiting portions 111 by which the positions of a plurality of optical fibers 120 can be limited are formed in a flexible film 110 for tape core assembly which film is used for integrating the plurality of optical fibers 120 as a tape. Further, a ribbon-like optical fiber core assembly 301 according to the invention including a plurality of optical fiber cores 302 arranged planarly at designated intervals, an adhesive layer 305 disposed so as to surround the optical fiber cores 302, and films 304a and 304b integrated with the optical fiber cores 302 by the adhesive layer 305.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber accommodated in an optical fiber cable, and more particularly, to an optical fiber which optimizes optical fiber coating resin and color resin and restrains an increase in transmission loss of the optical fiber due to an operating environment and aged deterioration and provides an optical fiber and optical fiber ribbon without any increase of transmission loss irrespective of the operating environment and aged deterioration, and especially when exposed to water or high humidity. The optical fiber is an optical fiber coated with at least two layers of coating resin, wherein the outermost coated coating resin is a colored layer made of color resin and when the optical fiber is immersed in water which is heated to 60° C. for 168 hours, an extraction rate of the coating resin of the optical fiber is set to 1.5 mass percent or below.

Abstract: An optical fiber, made of silica-based glass, comprising a core and a cladding. The optical fiber having a mode field diameter of 6.5 ?m or larger at a wavelength of 1300 nm, transmitting light with a wavelength of 1250 nm in a single mode, and having a bending loss of 1 dB/turn or smaller at a wavelength of 1300 nm when the optical fiber is bent with a curvature radius of 1.5 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic cable that includes optical fibers and a water-swellable element, such as a powder-free fabric tape, that are enclosed within a buffer tube. Adhesive material, such as discrete domains of adhesive foam, may be optionally employed to provide adhesive coupling of the optical fibers and the water-swellable element.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable having a plurality of optical fibers, at least one tube surrounding the optical fibers and a plurality of strength members positioned around the tube. A jacket surrounds the tube and the strength members, where the ratio of polymer used to form the tube and the jacket is at ratio of substantially 10:1 versus the strength members in terms of cross sectional area at any point along the cable and where the Young's modulus of the at least one tube and the jacket is substantially in the range of 250-750 N/mm2.

Abstract: There are provided an optical fiber ribbon and optical fiber cable which suppress the deterioration of polarization mode dispersion and contribute to the increase of communication capacity in wavelength division multiplexing. An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers 12 tied in a bundle and a ribbon coating layer 13 formed around the plurality of optical fibers to integrate the plurality of optical fibers, wherein the glass-transition temperature of the coating ranges from 80° C. to 130° C. and “a” is 0.01 mm2 or less, where “a” is a sectional area of the ribbon coating layer 13 in a cross section in which outer half of the optical fiber at an edge of the ribbon and the coating of the optical fiber ribbon are taken along a line passing the center of the glass optical fiber positioned at one of edges of the ribbon out of the plurality of the optical fibers and being perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: An optical converter and method for making same is provided. In accordance with the method, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and methods for fabrication of an optical converter. In one aspect of the invention a method for forming an optical converter is provided. In accordance with this method at least two light guide ribbon structures are provided, with each light guide ribbon structure formed by the steps of roll molding a substrate having a pattern of channels with each channel extending from an input edge to an output edge of said substrate and forming light guides extending along each of the channels from the input edge to the output edge. The at least two light guide ribbon structures are assembled in a stacked arrangement.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a buffered optical fiber, which excels in environmental characteristics and mechanical characteristics and has high flame retardancy and excels in optical transmission characteristics, and to provide a buffered optical fiber, which is terminated with a connector and uses this buffered optical fiber. The buffered optical fiber of the invention is provided with a second coating layer on an outer peripheral surface of an optical fiber produced by providing a first coating layer on an outer peripheral surface of a glass fiber. A second resin composition constituting the second coating layer comprises 100 to 250 weight parts of metal hydroxide and 10 to 100 weight parts of a nitrogen-based flame retardant material per 100 weight parts of the base polymer. Further, the second resin composition does not contain halogenated materials.

Abstract: A mesh optical network node has switch cards which carry active components, such as wavelength routers to switch the paths of optical signals through the node and a fiber organizer handles the numerous optical fiber interconnections among the switch cards. The fiber organizer has no active components and can include optical paths to verify not only that a switch card connection to the fiber organizer has been made but that the connection is properly made.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within an offset cavity of the cable jacket. The at least one dry insert is disposed in the offset cavity with the at least one optical waveguide near the central axis of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon having one or more fracture locations for influencing the separation of the same at predetermined locations is disclosed. The fiber optic ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers held together by a primary matrix. The primary matrix includes a first fracture region for splitting the optical fiber ribbon into a plurality of optical fiber subsets. The first fracture region is defined by a first group of preferential tear features that protrude beyond a major primary matrix plane, thereby forming a first local minimum thickness between adjacent optical fibers. The first local minimum thickness enables splitting of the fiber optic ribbon into subsets at the first local minimum thickness, thereby allowing the craft to separate the fiber optic ribbon into subsets without using tools. Additionally, fiber optic ribbons of the invention may include a secondary matrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation-curable liquid resin composition comprising: (A) 20-90 wt % of a urethane(meth)acrylate oligomer, and (B) 1-35 wt % of a monomer shown by the following formula (1), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R2 and R3 individually represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1-4 carbon atoms, R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and n represents an integer of 1-6, or a monomer including a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable can comprise small spheres or balls disposed in the cable's interstitial spaces, for example between the cable's optical fibers and a surrounding buffer tube. The spheres can comprise foam rubber, closed-cell or open-cell porous polymer, or some other soft material. Typical diameters for the spheres can be in a range of 1 to 2.5 millimeters. A soft composition of the spheres can cushion the optical fibers and physically impede water ingress into the cable. Additional fiber protection can arise from the ability of the loose spheres to rotate individually, in a ball-bearing effect. Thus, sphere-to-sphere motion can absorb physical stresses associated with bending, twisting, bumping, and stretching the cable during installation, thereby shielding the fibers from damage.

Abstract: Signals propagating on an aggressor communication channel can cause interference in a victim communication channel. A sensor coupled to the aggressor channel can obtain a sample of the aggressor signal. The sensor can be integrated with or embedded in a system, such as a flex circuit or a circuit board, that comprises the aggressor channel. The sensor can comprise a dedicated conductor or circuit trace that is near an aggressor conductor, a victim conductor, or an EM field associated with the interference. An interference compensation circuit can receive the sample from the sensor. The interference compensation circuit can have at least two operational modes of operation. In the first mode, the circuit can actively generate or output a compensation signal that cancels, corrects, or suppresses the interference. The second mode can be a standby, idle, power-saving, passive, or sleep mode.

Abstract: A cable assembly comprising a fiber optic cable having a ribbon stack therein, at least one network access location for accessing the ribbon stack, and a bonding fillant for locking an uncut portion of the ribbon stack to the cable at the network access location to prevent ribbon stack translation and rotation at the network access point relative to the tubular component. A method for eliminating optical fiber translation and rotation at a predetermined position within a fiber optic cable comprising providing a cable, forming an access location, filling exposed cable portions with a fillant, flowing the fillant, and curing the fillant to bond a length of the ribbon stack within the cable.

Abstract: A display panel for a LCD device includes a substrate, a plurality of thin film transistors formed on the substrate, a passivation layer formed on the thin film transistors, a plurality of reflective patterns formed on the passivation layer, transparent electrodes formed on the reflective patterns, and reflective films formed on the transparent electrode. The reflective patterns and the reflective films are formed in a reflective area of the passivation layer. The reflective patterns are formed by position transition of two polymer films having different polarities. The display panel having the reflective patterns increase light reflectance and reduce cost for manufacturing an LCD.

Abstract: An optical fiber, made of silica-based glass, comprising a core and a cladding, each of the optical fiber having a mode field diameter of 5.5 ?m or larger at a wavelength of 1100 nm, transmitting light with a wavelength of 1250 nm in a single mode, and having a bending loss of 1 dB/turn or smaller at a wavelength of 1100 nm when the optical fiber is bent with a curvature radius of 2 mm.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber structure that allows for reliable and easy branching of optical fibers, as well as a method of manufacturing such optical fiber structure. The optical fiber structure proposed by the present invention is characterized by a structure wherein multiple optical fiber units, each comprising multiple optical fibers that are aligned two-dimensionally in such a way that one side is covered by a first covering body, are aligned so that the covered surfaces face the same direction, and the covered or uncovered surfaces of the multiple optical fiber units are integrally covered by a second covering body. The second covering body should preferably be made of silicone rubber having a tearing strength of 29 kgf/cm or below.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is a polyurethane foam and the second layer is a water-swellable layer, wherein the dry insert is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical fiber tape core comprises an optical fiber core assembly and a coating layer formed of silicone rubber and arranged on at least one side of the optical fiber core assembly. In the optical fiber core assembly, plural optical fiber cores two-dimensionally are arranged in parallel with each other. The silicone rubber which forms the coating layer has a hardness of from 20 to 90 and a tensile strength of from 15 to 80 kgf/cm2.

Abstract: An optical transmission medium includes a GI optical fiber that is made of silica glass. The GI optical fiber includes a core having a graded-index refractive index profile and a cladding formed around the core. The GI optical fiber is bent by equal to or more than a quarter turn with a curvature radius equal to or larger than 4 mm and equal to or smaller than 10 mm.