Abstract: An optical fiber having a core surrounded by a cladding layer which has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the core characterized by a longitudinal side coupling zone being formed by a longitudinal opening extending through the cladding layer of the fiber to expose a portion of the core. The optical fiber of the invention is particularly useful in conjunction with a light sensitive detector and is useful in a mixer where more than one fiber are joined together either in a bundle or in a strip configuration. The fiber with the side coupling zone can be formed by drawing the fiber from a workpiece having a core or rod member surrounded by a sleeve member or layer which is provided with the opening or can be drawn from a molten material utilizing a double crucible in which the opening of the inner crucible is provided with at least one bulge extending to the edge of the opening of the outer crucible.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a circular outer cross-section and having a core which has a noncircular cross-section is produced by using a double crucible. The outer crucible is provided with a ring-shaped channel of which at least one of the boundary walls has a noncircular cross-section. The glass of the outer crucible is passed through this channel before it is contacted with the glass of the inner crucible.

Abstract: The method for forming a metallic, dielectric or semiconductor modified amorphous glass material includes the steps of forming a fluid host matrix material on a substrate surface having relative movement thereto, such as a wheel; directing a fluid modifier material in a stream, as from a nozzle toward the substrate surface in a direction such that it converges with the host matrix material; maintaining the temperature of the substrate or wheel between 4.2.degree. K and ambient room temperature while rotating the wheel at a velocity of 1000 to 5000 rpm to obtain a surface velocity of between 1000 to 4000 centimeters per second thereby to obtain rapid quenching of the host and modifier materials as they contact one another at a rate of from 10.sup.4 to at least 10.sup.8 C per second or more to produce a ribbon of modified amorphous glass material in which the electrical and optical transport properties and the number and type of electronic configurations can be controlled.

Abstract: A first molten glass of one composition is caused to flow downwardly along converging flow paths of a forming member while simultaneously at least one other molten glass of a different composition is flown downwardly along outer surface portions of the first glass such that said glasses are in molten contact with one another during their downward travel and are then continuously formed into a composite or laminated glass sheet. The molten glasses are distributed to the forming member in such a manner as to provide substantially uniform thickness of the glass layers across the newly formed sheet, and various viscosity, glass flow rates and proportionate layer thicknesses may be obtained by varying the degree of tilt of the forming member.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming multiple ply sheet glass directly from separate sources of molten vitreous material while maintaining such separate sources free from exposure to detrimental gaseous media during the formation of such sheet glass; metering means in communication with each of said separate sources of vitreous material, a pair of opposed surface portions thereof defining a central longitudinal delivery passage for delivering molten glass from one source of vitreous material, and a pair of opposed channels for delivering molten glass from the other source, insert means adapted to mate with the metering means in said delivery passage for reducing the flow of molten glass therethrough to provide sheet glass having a width narrower than the width of said delivery passage.

Abstract: At least two differently colored components of glass are heated to a molten, viscous state and then combined in a channel shaped forehearth to form a confluent of molten glass in which the starting components remain in discrete domains, delineated by abrupt color transitions at the interfaces between such domains. The confluent flows by gravity to a discharge end of the forehearth, at which the molten glass is fed between a pair of forming rollers which press it into a continuous, elongate sheet of variegated glass. While flowing toward the discharge end of the forehearth, the molten glass is subjected to controlled, limited stirring to break up relatively large domains of homogeneous color into a multitude of smaller randomly dispersed domains characterized by streaks, swirls and waves of individually identifiable colors.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a dielectric optical waveguide having minimal attenuation characteristics comprises a double crucible in a closed atmosphere container with glass rod supply means and atmosphere supply means.

Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of cellular ceramic product. Ceramic feed material is transported successively through a preheat kiln section, through a foaming section whereat foaming agent mixed with the ceramic feed material is activated, and into a drawing kiln section. An elongate hollow product can be formed by drawing the foamed ceramic while soft around and past a hollow mandrel to form an elongate hollow cylindrical member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making composite glass tubing, and a molten glass feeding apparatus uniquely designed to carry out such method. The feeder apparatus comprises concentrically-arranged cylindrical containers, a blow tube located within the central container, and a plug member mounted on the base of the blow tube. The bottom portion of each cylindrical wall is downwardly and inwardly directed to provide restricted annular bottom openings. The bottom edges of the cylindrical walls and of the plug are positioned in such relation to each other that orifices are provided through which annular streams of molten glass may flow and contact adjacent streams in the fluid state, thereby forming composite glass tubing having at least three layers.

Abstract: An extrusion die for forming hollow bodies has a flow-adjusting ring which also defines the outer periphery of the flow gap for the outer portion of the body.