Abstract: A method of cutting an object to be processed comprises the steps of irradiating an object to be processed with a laser light which is an elliptically-polarized light having an ellipticity other than 1 such that a direction of polarization of the laser light intersects a line to cut the object and a thickness direction of the object, while locating a converging point of the laser light within the object, so as to form a modified region within the object along the line and generate a fracture from the modified region in the thickness direction of the object, and causing the fracture to reach front and rear faces of the object so as to cut the object along the line.

Abstract: A burner module comprising a burner gas inlet block, a lower flow plate, an upper flow plate, a burner gas flow disperser, and a burner gas discharge block. The burner gas inlet block, the burner gas flow disperser, and the burner gas discharge block each comprising a plurality of channels separated by partitions. The partitions of the burner gas flow disperser and the burner gas discharge block comprising a knife edge. The upper flow plate and the lower flow plate each comprising a plurality of pressure holes in fluid communication with the plurality of channels. Additionally, the method of forming a glass sheet or ribbon using the disclosed burner module and a glass sheet or ribbon formed using the method.

Abstract: A method of replicating at least one optical element is provided, the method including the steps of: providing a substrate with two large sides and at least one pre-defined replication site defined by a through hole or blind holes at corresponding locations on both large sides of the substrate; and adding, by replication, a replicated structure to the substrate, the replicated structure adhering to the substrate and having, at the replication site, replication material in the through hole or in the two blind holes, respectively and a first replicated surface and a second replicated surface, the first and second replication surfaces facing towards opposite sides.

Abstract: A method of generating cracks in a polycrystalline silicon rod, comprising: heating a polycrystalline silicon rod; and subsequently performing local portion cooling of the polycrystalline silicon rod to apply a refrigerant fluid onto a spot-like area of a surface of the polycrystalline silicon rod.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element manufacturing method by which optical elements, such as a beam shaping element having a molded side surface, are highly efficiently and accurately manufactured by pressure-molding a molten glass drop. After supplying a lower molding die with the molten glass drop of a prescribed volume at a temperature higher than that of the molding die, the molten glass drop is pressure-molded by the molding die, and a free surface solidified without being in contact with the molding die is formed between a molded upper surface and the molded side surface. The volume of the molten glass drop to be supplied is 0.8 times or more but not more than 0.97 times the volume of a space configured by an extended molded upper surface, an extended molded side surface and the molded lower surface when the molded upper surface and the molded side surface are extended.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for machining substrates are disclosed, as are articles formed from the separated substrates. A method of machining a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface can include forming a first recess in the substrate extending from the first surface toward the second surface, forming a second recess in the substrate extending from the second surface toward the first surface, and removing a portion of the substrate extending from the first recess to the second recess to form an opening in the substrate.

Abstract: An exemplary brittle non-metallic workpiece (70) is made by the laser beam (31), a cutting surface (701 ) of the brittle non-metallic workpiece has no micro cracks. A method for making the brittle non-metallic workpiece includes: focusing a laser beam on the brittle non-metallic substrate to form an elliptic beam spot; driving the laser beam to move along a predetermined curved cutting path, making a center of a major axis of the elliptic beam spot intersecting along the predetermined curved cutting path and the major axis being tangent to the predetermined curved cutting path at the intersecting point; a coolant stream following the elliptic beam spot to move, thus producing a crack in the brittle non-metallic substrate corresponding to the predetermined curved cutting path; separating the brittle non-metallic substrate along the crack. A laser cutting device (40) for making the same is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing polysilicon slim rods, the method and system including: placing a piece of polysilicon on a fixture; applying a predetermined laser beam or abrasive jet to the piece of polysilicon; and separating a polysilicon slim rod from the piece of polysilicon. The laser beam may be used for either cutting or for cracking depending on the operating parameters chosen. There may also be various combinations of cutting and cracking used in order to separate the slim rod from the piece of polysilicon. For example, the laser cut may be a scribing and/or partial cut and the separation may be completed by cracking the remaining silicon. In this case, the cracking may be accomplished by, for example, mechanical bending or laser cracking. Generally speaking, a laser beam used for cracking may be different from and have differing operating parameters from a laser beam used for cutting.

Abstract: A processing device is configured to irradiate a laser beam onto a glass substrate for processing. The processing device has a work table, a laser beam output section, a multi-spot focus section, a rotation drive mechanism, an optical system, and a laser beam scan section. The multi-spot focus section receives a laser beam, and splits and focuses the laser beam inputted therein into a plurality of beam focus spots. The rotation drive mechanism rotates the plurality of beam focus spots about a single center axis that is arranged in a center of the plurality of beam focus spots. The optical system guides the laser beam to the multi-spot focus section. The laser beam scan section moves all the plurality of beam focus spots rotating about the single center axis in a desired direction within a predetermined range of a plane arranged along a surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a glass lathe that processes a glass member by heating the glass member with a burner, wherein a reflector that reflects electromagnetic waves is arranged around a portion of the glass member to be heated. The reflector preferably has a spherical surface with a portion removed therefrom, and may be formed of a mirror surface finishing agent for SUS, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. An inner surface of the reflector is preferably covered by gold, platinum, or rhodium, and an outer surface of the reflector is preferably processed to improve thermal emittance, by applying an infrared light emitting coating thereto.

Abstract: Reducing the adjustment complexity during the forming of glass products, such as the forming of glass tubes to obtain syringe bodies. The glass of a glass pre-product may be heated to be formed, a laser may be used that emits light having a wavelength for which the glass of the glass pre-product is at most partially transparent so that the light is at least partially absorbed in the glass.

Abstract: Task of the invention is a method and the required auxiliary devices for producing foamed glass, in particular for producing foamed glass plate. The method is characterized by several steps. In step 1, the raw mixture (1) is supplied from a mixture container (2) via an application apparatus (3) and applied to a glass fleece strip (4) in the form of segments (5). The glass fleece strip (4) lies on a linked chain. The application height is adjusted by a wiper (6). In step 2, the segments (5) on the glass fleece strip (4) pass through the expansion oven (7) with various heat zones (8). In step 3 at the end of the expansion oven (7) pre-cooling takes place. The externally hardened segments (5) are tilted onto a cross slide (10) and transported into an annealing lehr (11). Specific auxiliary devices are an application apparatus (3), a special expansion oven (7) and equipment for transporting foamed glass blocks during the production of foamed glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.

Abstract: To provide a measure for reducing the leaching values of alkali components defined in ISO4802 and the like as much as possible in a glass container for use in storage or the like of pharmaceuticals or the like. The measure includes a container converting process of processing a glass tube into a container shape having a bottom and an opening to form a vial and a fire blast process of scanning an inner surface of the vial with a flame of a point burner while emitting the flame to an internal space of the vial and applying the flame to the inner surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating the ends of glass rods in which glass rods are inserted into receptacles in a carrier and with the carrier are carried past a burner and at least one rail in an advancing direction, the flame of the burner melting at least one end of the glass rods and the glass rods being lifted by the rail in the receptacles and rolling on the rail so that the glass rods are made to rotate during the melting process.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for efficiently remove bubbles present on a surface of molten glass, which can solve a problem that bubbles remaining on a surface of molten glass are get inside at a time of forming the glass to cause inside bubbles, to thereby provide a glass substrate of good quality, and which can improve productivity of glass substrates; and to provide a process for producing glass employing the above method for removing bubbles. The present invention provides a method for removing bubbles from molten glass, which is a method for removing floating bubbles on a surface of molten glass, wherein a floating bubble on the surface of molten glass is irradiated with at least one laser beam.

Abstract: The apparatus for melting off a glass top part from a hollow glass blank has individual burner sections (3) each containing at least one burner nozzle. The individual burner sections (3) are held in a cutting plane and movably connected with each other. A control device (4a, 4b, 5) controls the respective positions of the burner sections (3) so that they fit any arbitrary outer contour of the hollow glass blank (1). The control device (4a, 4b, 5) holds and maintains the burner sections (3) at a constant distance from the exterior surface of the hollow glass blank (1). The burner device with the burner sections (3) is mounted on two half frames pivotally connected with each other for better access to the glass object (1). This apparatus separates the glass top part from oval or triangular glass objects, which should be cut at an inclined orientation, in a single step.

Abstract: A method for fusing an optical fiber preform comprises fusing the preform while blowing an oxidative gas against the preform to be fused from upper and lower directions of a fusing burner unit. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a plurality of nozzles for preventing deposition of silica cloud, which are each set at an angle, &thgr;, of blowing the oxidative gas relative to the preform being drawn such 20°≦&thgr;≦60°.

Abstract: An method and apparatus for shaping a floor of a glass vessel including a source of pressurized gas, a pressure-sealed housing in fluid communication with the source of pressurized gas and a mold at least partially within the pressure-sealed housing. The mold includes a shaping floor with a first side subjected to the source of pressurized gas.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of the prior art technique, and to provide a heat treatment method as well as a heat treatment apparatus capable of heat treating, with higher efficiency, a synthetic quartz glass for optical use having higher homogeneity and higher purity. Another object of the present invention is to provide and a synthetic quartz glass for optical use.

Abstract: A furnace (10) and method for heating conveyed glass sheets within a housing (12) includes forced convection heaters (24) spaced along the direction of conveyance both below and above a roll conveyor (20). Each forced convection heater (24) includes a gas burner assembly (32) generally adjacent one of the housing side walls and has an outlet (34) through which products of combustion are supplied to the housing heating chamber (18) at a location intermediate its side walls. A hot gas distributor (38) of each forced convection heater (24) includes an inlet (40) that is spaced from the outlet (34) of the gas burner assembly (32), and the hot gas distributor (38) has a suction fan (42) for drawing in heated products of combustion together with spent recirculating gas in the heating chamber (18) for mixing to provide heated gas that is distributed to the conveyed glass sheets.

Abstract: For producing large volume optical components of high optical quality from synthetic quartz glass blanks, the latter are heated in a component mold in a furnace with a protective gas atmosphere to a temperature 50° to 170° K above the softening point, this temperature being held for 20 to 90 minutes and, during this holding time, the quartz glass blank being pressed into the component mold. By these means, a gentle treatment of the quartz glass, a good yield, a decrease in the energy input and a complete filling up of the component mold are achieved.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating a glass or glass-like material, preferably a glass sheet, without the use of conventional tunnel-type furnaces, to effect rapid heating of glass and glass-like materials from any initial temperature to any required temperature so that the glass sheet can be processed by shaping, bending, tempering, annealing, coating and floating of the glass sheet without cracking of the glass sheet is described. In the inventive method a microwave radiation with appropriate uniformity, frequency and power density is chosen so as to accomplish glass heating from any initial temperature to any required (e.g., softened) temperature in a selected short time while ensuring that the temperature distribution on the external surfaces and in the interior of the glass sheet that arises from microwave exposure is uniform enough to prevent the exposed glass sheet's internal thermal stress from exceeding its modulus of rupture, thereby avoiding glass breakage.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating a glass or glass-like material, preferably a glass sheet, without the use of conventional tunnel-type furnaces, to effect rapid heating of glass and glass-like materials from any initial temperature to any required temperature so that the glass sheet can be processed by shaping, bending, tempering, annealing, coating and floating of the glass sheet without cracking of the glass sheet is described. In the inventive method a microwave radiation with appropriate uniformity, frequency and power density is chosen so as to accomplish glass heating from any initial temperature to any required (e.g., softened) temperature in a selected short time while ensuring that the temperature distribution on the external surfaces and in the interior of the glass sheet that arises from microwave exposure is uniform enough to prevent the exposed glass sheet's internal thermal stress from exceeding its modulus of rupture, thereby avoiding glass breakage.

Abstract: Method of heating glass contacting surfaces, comprising heating the glass contacting surfaces to a predetermined operating temperature by combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel gas mixture which includes 90% by volume of MAPP gas and 10 percent by volume of propane. Another method blends the MAPP with air and/or natural gas. A novel hydrocarbon fuel gas mixture which includes 90% by volume of MAPP gas and 10% by volume of propane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the remelting of glass bars:

Abstract: The apparatus for preparing quartz micropipettes includes a pair of carriers mounted on a linear ball bearing guide which grasp opposite ends of a quartz glass capillary tube. A pair of miniature torches fueled by a mixture of oxygen and propane simultaneously heat a portion of the center of the capillary tube and an inverted U-shaped bar disposed between the torches in propinquity to the capillary tube. A cable having one end attached to one of the carriers and the other end attached to the core of a solenoid, the intermediate portion of the cable being wound around a pulley and attached to the second carrier, is used to pull the capillary tube in opposite directions as the tube softens. The cable is also wound around the axle of an optical encoder assembly which sends an electrical signal to a computer based upon either the distance or velocity at which the tubing is pulled apart.

Abstract: A molding die assembly includes an upper molding die and a lower molding die facing the upper molding die with provision for their alignment. The upper molding die includes an upper core, while the lower molding die includes a hollow cylinder and a lower core. The upper core has one of the molding surfaces that corresponds to a molding, while the lower core has the other molding surface corresponding to the molding. The lower core slides in the cylinder and defines a cavity in cooperation with the upper core. A clamping device applies a clamping force to the upper molding die and the lower molding die, and a compression device applies a compressive force between the upper core and the lower core. The clamping force is generated between the upper molding die and the lower molding die but not between the upper core and the lower core so that no clamping force is applied to the preform.

Abstract: A glass plate is heated in a heating furnace and is bend-shaped to be a complexly curved glass plate while the glass plate is passed on curved rollers wherein support pads of a pushing mechanism push the complexly curved glass plate from an upstream side to a downstream side of a transferring device in a state that a rear edge of the complexly curved glass plate is supported by the support pads whereby the complexly curved glass plate is delivered to a cooling device side while a turning movement of the complexly curved glass plate is controlled during the transfer.

Abstract: A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle. The system has a heating chamber, and a longitudinal conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber. A plurality of longitidinally-extending air manifolds are located within the chamber and are in fluid connection with a compressed air source. The manifolds are arranged in at least one widthwise-extending column. Each of the manifolds are oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor and are constructed and arranged to create a downward flow of heated air toward the conveyor to convectively heat the entire length of selected widthwise portions of a sheet of glass on the conveyor. A controller supplies or restricts the flow of compressed air to selected manifolds within a column at predetermined times during the heating cycle.

Abstract: A mesh belt is stretched in an annealing lehr and a plurality of fine mesh elements, which constitute a fine mesh having gas-permeability and elasticity, formed by weaving a heat-resistant wire, are fixed onto the mesh belt so as to be arranged along the moving direction of the mesh belt with predetermined spaces in the direction of the width of the mesh belt whereby a flaw which may be produced in a glass product to be annealed when it is placed on the mesh belt in the annealing lehr, is prevented.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming insulated glass from a first and second sheet of glass, normally with a spacer seal disposed therebetween, comprising a frame assembly having a rigid frame assembly, a plurality of torsion bars pivotably mounted thereto, an aluminum lower platen resting on a plurality of pistons capable of raising and lowering the lower platen, an upper platen fixedly attached to the frame substantially parallel to the lower platen, heating elements for heating the lower platen and the space between the lower and upper platens, and a control panel for operating the apparatus. The lower platen has a series of spaced apertures through which pass a plurality of ball bearing assemblies, each assembly being attached to the frame assembly. The control panel has an emergency stop switch, timer circuitry and temperature indicator/limit circuitry. An adjustable stop assembly permits fine adjustment of the maximum distance between the lower and upper platens when the lower platen is raised.

Abstract: A solid workpiece, e.g. a glass tube, is shaped by a focussed beam of visible light or light in an adjacent portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in a material removal, cutting or drilling operation and is heat-treated or remelted or shaped in a plastic state by heating that second beam which is less focussed or even divergent. The beams derive from a common source, a CO.sub.2 laser, and pass through a splitting deflecting system so that the beams can be directed simultaneously either parallel to one another or with an inclination to one another at the same or different regions of the workpiece which is held in a holder capable of both rotating the workpiece and translating same.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an optical element capable of performing a molding temperature control required for a plurality of independent molding blocks in a short period of time, and continuously and simultaneously producing a plurality of different optical elements having a high degree of accuracy at a low cost is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides large, high-purity quartz glass plate with a high degree of smoothness and flatness, its manufacturing method and equipment. The invention is characterized by the procedure in which a quartz glass tube with an opening over a specific width, in the direction of the tube shaft, that is preferably band-shaped, is heated and softened in a band-shaped area over the entire width, in the direction of the tube shaft, progressing sequentially along the direction of tube circumference from a specific position on the glass tube. While softening and heating, the quartz glass tube is pulled in a line approximately tangential to the specific position to flatten the glass tube.

Abstract: Converged laser beam are irradiated, at right angles, to the surface of a workpiece which is made of glass and supported in a horizontal posture, so that the surface of the workpiece is locally heated and melted. The surface of the workpiece is formed into a convexly curved surface under the effect of surface tension occurrable to the glass material at the time the surface of the workpiece is melted. By hardening the workpiece, a micro lens having the convexly curved surface is formed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a linearly tapered bore in quartz/glass tubing includes a laser and elements for focusing the laser onto the glass tubing. The glass/quartz tubing is rotated in the laser beam and is moved vertically in the laser beam to provide a linear taper in the interior bore. The power of the laser beam is controlled and the laser beam is appropriately focused by a lens to provide a desired width of the beam at the glass/quartz tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus of producing an optical glass element of the present invention comprises the steps of displacing a gob of optical glass on a first heat working jig to a second heat working jig by making the gob of optical glass to adhere to the second heat working jig on the basis of the difference in wettability with high temperature glass between the first heat working jig and the second heat working jig, thermally deforming the gob of optical glass on the second heat working jig to form an optical glass preform, and forming the optical glass preform under heating and pressure by using pressing moulds to form an optical glass element.

Abstract: A glass sheet has marginal zones thereof removed by (a) subjecting the marginal zones to a heating flame, and (b) raising the glass sheet (during or after the flame heating) while restraining upward travel of the marginal zones. The lifting is performed by suction cups which depend from a movable carriage, and the restraining is performed by removing members having inclined lower faces disposed over the marginal zones. The removing members are connected to rods which carry the suction cups, the rods and removing members being relatively movable upwardly and downwardly. The rods are horizontally adjustable relative to the carriage for repositioning the suction cups and removing members relative to a glass sheet.

Abstract: A method of vitrifying a porous cylindrical article made out of glass soot, especially for manufacturing a preliminary blank for optical fibers. The article is heat-treated in a furnace in a vacuum or in an atmosphere that contains helium. The porous article is placed in a horizontal graphite tube in the furnace, is sintered therein for 20 to 40 minutes in a vacuum or in a helium atmosphere with reduced pressure at 1250.degree. to 1400.degree. C., and is subsequently vitrified by heat-treating the sintered article at first in the sintering atmosphere, while slowly rotating it in the hot graphite tube for 20 to 40 minutes at approximately 1450.degree. to 1600.degree. C. and then while rotating it in the graphite tube more rapidly than in the first stage for 10 to 30 minutes at approximately 1650.degree. to 1750.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for heating thick-walled glass tubes, particularly quartz tubes, in the manufacture of optical fibres while using microwave energy. According to the invention, the tube (5) is pre-heated to a temperature of about 1000.degree. C.-1500.degree. C., preferably in a known manner with the aid of a gas flame, whereafter the tube is further heated by means of microwave energy, generated by a microwave generator, by inserting the tube (5) axially into a microwave cavity (2) incorporating in both end walls (6,7) or end surfaces openings (3,4) for the tube (5), the electrical field strength being given a field image which includes only one tangential component, according to TE-01n-mode, preferably according to the mode TE-011, whereby the electrical field is so formed as to be tangential to the surfaces of the tube (5), and so formed that the electrical field strength is zero adjacent the surfaces of the cavity (2). The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading glass articles from an article cutting machine where the glass remainders of the said glass articles are removed during the manufacturing process. Said apparatus comprising: a supporting structure with a vertical shaft; means of rotating transference that are attached in axial coincidence with the said vertical shaft in order to hold and transport the articles; cams attached to the vertical shaft, wherein said transference means are placed in order to determine, through the cams the path that must be imparted to the said transference means; and drive means attached to the said transference means in order to make them rotate in a predetermined time relationship, at the stations positions of reception, feeding and delivery of articles.

Abstract: A machine for trimming hollow glass articles includes a support in which a semi-finished article is held stationary and immovable, and a pair of split oscillatory burners for flame cutting at least one excess end of the semi-finished article, the burners being oscillatable relative to the stationary article in order to effect the required flame cutting operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a lens during heat treatment that has a heat-sinking material in contact with one side of a heat-conductive cover and the other side of the heat-conductive cover in contact with a portion of a lens being treated to produce photochromic behavior is disclosed. The portion of the lens in contact with the heat-conductive cover exhibits less photochromic activity than the portion of the lens which is not in contact with the heat-conductive cover.

Abstract: The disclosure is of apparatus including two pairs of metal gripping blocks held together by a spring and mounted adjacent to wedge blocks carrying wedges for opening each pair. An operating plate is provided which drives the apparatus to cause the wedge blocks to open the gripping blocks to permit a length of capillary tubing filled with mercury to be inserted between the pairs of gripping blocks. The apparatus is then driven to cause the tubing to pass through a flame positioned to melt the tubing at a desired location and to form two separate seal portions at this location which are gripped by the two gripping blocks; and, on the next cycle, when the gripping blocks are opened, the portion of the tubing which is the desired capsule is released from its pair of gripping blocks and fed to a suitable receiver.

Abstract: A gradient photochromic ophthalmic lens blank is produced by heat treating an ophthalmic lens blank composed of potentially photochromic glass at a temperature sufficient to develop photochromic properties therein, while maintaining in proximity to a portion of the lens blank a metal heat sink with a specified heat absorbing capacity. The metal heat sink acts to provide a temperature gradient across the ophthalmic lens blank during heating, which gradient is effective to provide a gradient in photochromic properties thereacross.