Abstract: A glass wafer having high aspect ratio holes passing therethrough is provided with metal conductors in the holes as feedthroughs. First, the wafer is processed to line the holes with a thin electron-conducting layer of metal. Next, a layer of the same or different metal is applied over the first metal layer providing the requisite feedthrough electrical conductivity for each hole. Preferably, the glass contains lead oxide, the first metal layer is lead and the next layer is copper.

Abstract: In the fabrication of an interconnection package for a plurality of semiconductors or integrated circuit chips wherein a multi-layered glass or glass-ceramic superstructure with a multi-layered distribution of planar conductors is formed by a process forming vertical conductive interconnection or studs between planar conductor layers, by pre-forming a via configuration in each glass or glass-ceramic layer at the interconnection points followed by depositing the conductive studs therein. The via configuration is formed by defining a desired pattern of vias, and ablating the vias through the top of and through the glass or glass-ceramic layer, using an ultraviolet laser. The vias may be stepped-shoulder or counter-bored by using a two mask operation.

Abstract: Described is a process for the contact-less removal of material from the surface of an article of brittle material, in particular glass, by means of a laser beam. So that material can be removed, with sharp edges, without splintering, and also in order to permit non-sharp surfaces, the invention provides that the laser beam (1) is passed through at least one at least partially absorbent matrix (7) and split into a plurality of individual beams (1'). By that means, the energy available in the laser beam is split up, in the beam cross-section, and the individual beams can be adapted to a desired removal effect. The apparatus for carrying out the process is characterized in that the matrix (7) has straight and/or curved fields (8, 9) with preferably a high absorption capability in respect of laser beams.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for trimming a newly formed article from sheet glass while it is still in a semi-molten condition, by maintaining a peripheral portion of the sheet glass about the newly formed article out of contact with the mold so as to maintain its temperature, and then reducing the thickness of such peripheral portion without severing the same, and then cooling the thinned section to thermally crack-off and separate the newly formed article from the sheet glass.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber taper with a refractive lens, said method comprising the steps of placing a fiber in an axial tension of a given amount; locally heating a portion of the fiber under tension to cause softening and the formation of a constriction in the fiber in the area of heating; removing the tension and continuing the heating to raise the temperature to a point at which the viscosity of the heated material is such that the surface tension causes a further constriction and a transverse separation of the fiber at the constriction; continuing the heating to form the desired curvature of the lens on the separated ends; and then after the desired curvature is formed, stopping the heating to enable the ends to cool and solidify.

Abstract: A high optical quality corner is produced on a cleaved crystal which may include a stripe or surface optical waveguide by making a fracture initiation mark along only a portion of the surface intercept of the desired cleavage plane with a first of two major surfaces of the crystal and then tensioning the first major surface of the crystal to fracture the crystal along the desired cleavage plane beginning at the fracture initiation mark. This produces a high optical quality corner along a portion of the intersection of the newly cleaved surface with the major surface of the crystal. This high optical quality corner is located where no fracture initiation mark was made and enables the crystal to be used in as-cleaved form for end-fire coupling between its waveguide and an external waveguide such as an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and device is described for cutting a stationary sheet of glass such as tempered glass using a single, moving laser beam which impinges the glass at right angles to produce a clean cut with minimum thermal shock. Pre-heating and post-cooling means can also be employed along with a tiltable support structure.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, silicon nitride preforms are assembled in a stack with spacers between the preforms. A plurality of such stacks are inserted in a glass tube closed at one end. The glass is melted around each stack to encapsulate each stack in a single sealed capsule.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, silicon nitride preforms are assembled in a stack with spacers between the preforms. The stack is completely enveloped in refractory metal foil and then encapsulated within a single capsule for the pressing operation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of sintered silicon nitride articles by hot isostatic pressing, multiple silicon nitride parts are encapsulated within a single capsule for the pressing operation. Suitable spacers placed between the parts ease separation thereof after sintering.

Abstract: A simple, reliable, and inexpensive method for cleaving small diameter optical fibers comprises the steps of heating the fiber at a point along its length by contacting the fiber with an electrically heated wire and contacting the fiber, including the heated portion, with a volatile liquid whereby the fiber is cooled. The fiber may be cooled by spraying it with a liquid fluorocarbon.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for molding a block of a fused quartz glass by the plastic deformation of a starting block with smaller dimensions at a high temperature. The molding procedure is carried out in a graphite mold under compression at a temperature of 1700.degree. C. or higher in an atmosphere of helium at a pressure in the range, preferably, from 50 to 500 Torr. The cooling schedule as specified is also of importance in order that the molded quartz glass block is freed from any strain or cracks.

Abstract: A method for making perforations or forming depressions in a glass work piece is described. Pursuant to the method, a two piece housing for the work piece is provided. The housing when assembled has a cavity conforming in size and shape to the work piece. The lower housing piece has a continuous upper surface and the upper housing piece has a smooth lower surface and openings in the housing piece conforming in size and position to the perforations or depressions desired to be made in the work piece. The work piece is enclosed in the housing and then plugs are inserted in the openings in the upper housing piece. The plugs snugly fit the openings and extend above the upper surface of the upper housing piece. A weight is then disposed on the upper surface of the plugs. The weight may be a flat metal sheet and is of sufficient weight to cause the plugs to exert a pressure of at least about one half pound per square inch on the work piece.

Abstract: An automotive back window for flush glazing is manufactured by subsurface scoring a glass sheet to define an automotive back window blank in the sheet surrounded by sheet supporting glass portions. An endless band of ceramic paste is silk screened over the score as screen portions beyond the screen pattern are supported by the supporting glass portions. The sheet is thereafter baked to remove volatiles in the paste, the supporting glass portions removed from the blank and the blank having the baked pattern is bent and/or tempered.

Abstract: An automotive window is manufactured by silk screening a pattern of a ceramic paste on a piece of glass having peripheral dimensions greater than the peripheral dimensions of the window. During the silk screening, portions of the screen extending beyond the pattern are supported by glass portions extending beyond the window to prevent bending of the screen near the pattern. The piece is scored through the pattern to define the window or a window blank within the piece and thereafter the glass around the window is removed. The window is then tempered at which time the ceramic paste fuses to the window.

Abstract: A unique method and apparatus for manufacturing gas-filled tubes utilizes an optically-spread beam of light to seal and cut short segments of tubing from a long tube containing the gas. Neither the laser beam nor the tubing is moved during the cutting and sealing operation. The gas being supplied to the length of tubing during the cutting and sealing operation is maintained at constant pressure so that each cut segment has the same resultant internal gas pressure. In one embodiment, radioactive light sources for illuminating displays and the like are manufactured by indexing a long phosphor-coated glass tube containing radioactive gas maintained at constant pressure, past a laser which generates an optically-spread light beam. The laser is activated in each index position of the tube to seal and cut short segments of the tubing with each segment having the same quantity of radioactive gas to provide the same desired quantity of illumination.

Abstract: A method of breaking optical fibers, a fiber being scored over the entire circumference in a plane perpendicular to the fiber axis. By subsequently applying a predetermined axial tensile force to the fiber, fracture is initiated over the entire circumference of the fiber. As a result of this, fibers with a comparatively large diameter can be broken in such a way that a mirror zone is obtained across the entire fracture area. Circumferential scoring also ensures the required accuracy in respect of the perpendicular orientation of the fracture plane relative to the fiber axis.

Abstract: A method of forming graded index, nitrogen-doped optical waveguides. A cylindrically-shaped porous preform comprising at least two oxides is initially formed. One of the oxides, which more readily reacts with nitrogen, has a greater concentration near the center of the preform than at the outer portion thereof. The preform is treated with a nitrogen-containing compound to form a porous body having a greater concentration of nitrogen in the central portion thereof. The porous preform is consolidated and drawn into an optical waveguide filament.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus has a spark gap at which optical fibers are to be exposed to spark erosion treatment. The spark gap receives electrical energy from a spark-impulse transformer with the secondary winding of which it is connected by means of a length of coaxial charging cable. A firing circuit has its output connected with the primary winding of the transformer and its input connected with a control circuit which includes a multi-vibrator that can be adjusted as to its pulse-repetition frequency.

Abstract: A method of treating a silicon single crystal ingot which comprises the steps of purposely producing lattice strains in a silicon single crystal ingot, annealing the ingot at high temperature, and etching off the surface of the annealed ingot, thereby suppressing the occurrence of lattice defects.

Abstract: A microsampler sampling a catheter connected, for example, to a mouse artery has a stepwise operated cylinder presenting spaced mounting tubes holding capillaries which are coupled sequentially to the catheter for capillary transfer and measurement.

Abstract: A method of breaking glass fibers in which the fiber is locally heated by means of a heating wire and kinked through a predetermined angle. As a result, an impression of the heating wire is formed on the fiber. The fiber is subsequently cooled so as to retain the kinked condition. A slight tensile stress is applied so as to obtain a stress distribution which decreases across the fiber cross-section, and the fiber is broken at the location of the kink.

Abstract: A focused laser beam is directed at the wide side surface of a long, sealed, gas-filled, glass tube having a longitudinal axis and an elongated cross section. Repeated relative back and forth movement is introduced between the laser beam and the wide surface of the tube transverse to its longitudinal axis to heat and soften the tube along a cut line until the tube divides to form ends and collapses to seal the divided ends. Preferably, the tube is held in fixed position, while the laser beam is scanned across both of its wide side surfaces. The intensity and/or the velocity of the laser beam are modulated. After the tube divides along the cut line, the divided ends are annealed while still in the tube holder by defocusing the laser beam. In one embodiment, plural simultaneous cuts are made by directing a plurality of focused laser beams onto the tube at spaced intervals along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of fabricating bent laminated safety glass windshields having at least one hole through the entire thickness thereof adjacent to but spaced entirely from the marginal edge thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making laminated windshields is disclosed. Brackets of glass of oblong shape are cut from a continuous glass ribbon manufactured by a "Float" process in such a manner that the brackets have drawlines associated therewith running across the shorter dimension of the bracket. The brackets are cut, formed into pairs, bent as pairs, and laminated as pairs to produce completed windshields which have the drawlines of the glass aligned vertically, i.e., in the direction from the top to the bottom of the finished windshield. This orientation of the glass reduces the drawline distortion observable when the windshield is in place in the vehicle.

Abstract: An elongated glass tube light source containing a luminophor and a radioactive gas is subdivided into a plurality of light sources by a plurality of laser beams directed at the tube at spaced points along the length of the tube. The laser beams are scanned back and forth transversely of the length of the tube to heat the tube and fuse the glass at each of the spaced points. The tube is rigidly supported on either side of each of the points to hold the tube stationary during the cutting operation. A single source of a continuous laser beam is divided into a plurality of beams by beam splitters. Mirrors direct the beams to the spaced points along the length of the tube and mirrors are oscillated to provide the desired scanning motion of the beams across the width of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for breaking optical fibers. The present method comprises the steps of: clamping an optical fiber at two spaced-apart peripheral areas on opposite sides of the area of intended break; heating the area of the intended break to at least the annealing temperature of the fiber; scoring the fiber along the line of intended break; and either bending and pulling or pulling the fiber apart to produce a break with a flat end surface. The heating step may also be advantageously employed to melt or evaporate a jacket surrounding the optical fiber adjacent to the area of intended break.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an improvement in the method of tempering glass sheets having at least one opening therethrough so as to reduce the breakage which occurs to such glass sheets because of the stresses set up therein during the quenching portion of a glass tempering operation. The method involves cutting a relief opening in the glass sheet from the opening in the glass sheet to an edge of the glass sheet. Thereafter the tempering operation is carried out on the glass sheet after the relief opening has been cut therein.

Abstract: Method for reducing the likelihood of cathode ray tube glass bulb and bulb component fracture caused by temperature cycling during tube salvage. The depicted salvage method includes heating and then cooling the exterior surfaces of a glass front panel and glass funnel to be separated, thus producing a temperature gradient between the front panel extreme border and more remote inner portions of the front panel extreme border. This temperature gradient causes circumferential tension at the front panel extreme border. The circumferential tension is reduced to thus lessen, the likelihood of front panel fracture by applying, prior to or during, said cooling, a thermal insulator over the front panel extreme border and vicinity so as to locally reduce the rate of glass surface cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cutting discrete sheets from a band or ribbon of glass such as emerges from the final stages of a float line or other glass production system. In accordance with the invention, a selected portion of an advancing band of glass in which a cut is to be made, which band is at a temperature of about 1000.degree. F or upward, and particularly in the range of about 1100.degree. to 1250.degree. F or more, is subjected to a moderate, controlled quench influence, scribed, and rapidly broken along the scribe line.