Abstract: An effective process for removing organic coatings and binders from glass fiber surfaces in a manner that is both environmentally friendly and does not comprise the integrity or physical properties of the fiber.

Abstract: An optically active glass and an optical fiber comprising such glass, having reduced photodarkening properties are provided. The optically active glass is mainly composed of silica representing from about 50 to 98 mol % of the glass. It also includes at least one active ion, such as a rear-earth ion, which induces a photodarkening effect in optical properties of the glass. Moreover, the glass includes an effective amount of phosphorus oxide providing the photodarkening reducing effect, preferably in an amount of from about 1 to 30 mol %. A method for reducing a photodarkening effect in optical properties of an optically active glass including the step of introducing phosphorus oxide to the glass is also provided.

Abstract: An effective process for removing organic coatings and binders from glass fiber surfaces in a manner that is both environmentally friendly and does not comprise the integrity or physical properties of the fiber.

Abstract: A method and system of forming vertical optical interconnects in optical integrated circuits is disclosed. The method includes forming a first optical transmission layer over a substrate. A first cladding layer is then formed on the first optical transmission layer and portions of the first cladding layer removed to form an angled sidewall in the first cladding layer. An optical interconnect layer is formed on the angled sidewall of the first cladding layer and on an exposed portion of the first optical transmission layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide device includes providing an optical fiber guide for fixing an optical fiber and optical element placing portions for providing element mounting benches outside a waveguide fixing region of a silicon substrate. A metallic thin film is formed outside the waveguide fixing region of the silicon substrate. After an optical waveguide substrate is bonded to a whole of an upper surface of the silicon substrate through a bonding resin which will become an upper cladding layer, the optical waveguide substrate is diced along an edge of the waveguide fixing region, and the optical waveguide substrate outside the waveguide fixing region is removed to expose the optical fiber guide and the optical element placing portions.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a non-oxidizing environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the non-oxidizing environment is inert gas and the heat is provided by resistive filament heaters.

Abstract: A method to form a semiconductor taper without etching the taper surfaces. In one embodiment, a semiconductor waveguide is formed on a workpiece having an unetched top surface; e.g., using a silicon insulator (SOI) wafer. A protective layer is formed on the waveguide. The protective layer is patterned and etched to form a mask that exposes a portion of the waveguide in the shape of the taper's footprint. In one embodiment, selective silicon epitaxy is used to grow the taper on the exposed portion of the waveguide so that the taper is formed without etched surfaces. Micro-loading effects can cause the upper surface of the taper to slope toward the termination end of the taper.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a predetermined length of coating from a fiber optic cable. The system includes a chemical bath, and a system for forming a loop in a fiber optic cable. The loop forming system includes a vertical column, and a slide arm having a guide collar portion slidably provided on the vertical column, and a distal portion extending away from and integral with the guide collar portion. The loop forming system further includes a mount shaft extending from and connected to the distal portion of the slide arm, the mount shaft having clamps and a tensioning spring for retaining portions of the fiber optic cable. A push rod movably extends through the mount shaft, and connects to a fiber optic cable loop former. The fiber optic cable loop former engages a surface of the mount shaft and is pushed away therefrom by the push rod during formation of the loop in the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a non-oxidizing environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the non-oxidizing environment is inert gas and the heat is provided by resistive filament heaters.

Abstract: A method of optical fiber preparation includes concurrently processing a plurality of optical fibers which have a substantially vertical orientation, and the concurrent processing is substantially automated.

Abstract: A recoating method for an optical fiber recoats a uniform thickness of resin on a covering-resin-removed-area of an optical fiber. The covering-resin-removed-area is rotated relatively to a resin supplying device while supplying the resin to the covering-resin-removed-area.

Abstract: Provided is a process for etching glass objects by chemical treatment. The process includes (a) at least one stage of chemical treatment of the object, and (b) at least one stage of rinsing the objects etched by the treatment of step (a) with an aqueous solution of one or more alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation salts.

Abstract: A rod of etchable core glass material is inserted within a lead glass sleeve and heated in a furnace to drawing temperature and drawn from the furnace into a fiber. The lower end of the glass sleeve is collapsed around the core glass, thereby sealing the sleeve to the core rod. A vacuum is drawn on the space between the rod and the sleeve while in the furnace for outgassing the rod and sleeve and for eliminating gas tending to be trapped between the core fiber and its sleeve. In a subsequent step, a multitude of such glass fibers are assembled in a bundle, inserted within an evacuable glass sleeve, and heated to the softening point while drawing a vacuum on the bundle of fibers and the interior of the sleeve for further outgassing of the fibers. While the assembly is in the furnace, the exterior of the sleeve is pressurized to fuse the assembly of glass fibers together and to the sleeve to form a final boule which is subsequently transversely sliced to form plates which are etched to remove the core glass.

Abstract: A method for processing composite materials (matrix+reinforcing fibers) to enable recycling thereof. The method is useful for chemically upgrading materials and comprises exposing the materials to ozone.