Abstract: An antimicrobial glass is provided which can release a predetermined amount of silver ion rapidly for a long period of time and can provide a predetermined antimicrobial treatment repeatedly to a matter to be antibacterialized during or after washing and which is excellent in discoloration prevention effect and discriminativity, and a method for producing the same is also provided. A tabular antimicrobial glass capable of exerting an antimicrobial effect by releasing silver ions, wherein the maximum diameter (t1) is adjusted within the range of 3 to 30 mm and which contains an inorganic coloring agent as a compounded component, wherein the addition amount of the inorganic coloring agent is adjusted to a value within the range of 0.001 to 0.5% by weight to the total amount.

Abstract: A glass material for mold pressing, comprising a core portion comprised of an optical glass with a degree of abrasion FA of 200 or higher and a covering portion comprised of a second glass covering at least a portion of the surface of said core portion. A method for manufacturing an optical glass element, wherein a glass material that has been preformed to a prescribed shape is heat softened and press molded with a pressing mold and the outer perimeter portion of the molded product obtained is removed by mechanical processing. The above-mentioned glass material for mold pressing is used as the glass material. To provide a means whereby an optical element does not bear scratches on optically functional surfaces through contact during handling after the press molding of press molded glass products despite being comprised of a glass material with a high degree of abrasion, and a means whereby even when scratched, the function of the optical element finally obtained is unaffected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing single microlenses or an arrays of microlenses composed of a glass-type material, in which method a first substrate is provided with a surface containing impressions over which a second substrate composed of a glass-type material is placed at least partially overlapping it and is joined therewith under vacuum conditions. The substrate composite is tempered in such a manner that the second substrate softens and flows into the impressions of the first substrate, thereby structuring the side of the second substrate facing away from the first substrate in order to form at least one microlens surface.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass substrate for a magnetic disk by polishing a circular glass plate, which comprises a step of polishing the principal plane of the circular glass plate by using a slurry containing at least one water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble organic polymer having amino groups, a water-soluble organic polymer having amine salt groups and a water-soluble organic polymer having quaternary ammonium salt groups, and colloidal silica.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorophosphate glass containing more than 3 cationic % and 30 cationic % or less of a phosphorus ingredient in terms of P5+, the glass having a ratio I(1)/I(0) of equal to or less than 0.08 in which I(0) is a strength of a resonance peak generated near a reference frequency of 31P in a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and I(1) is a strength of a first-order side band peak of the resonance peak. The glass of the invention is reduced in volatility and erosiveness.

Abstract: A lithium ion conductive glass ceramics which solves a problem of low thermal stability of the related-art lithium ion conductive glass ceramics and which is high in lithium ion conductivity, high in thermal stability of a raw glass and easy for molding is provided. The amount of a specified component in a glass ceramics (raw glass) is limited to a specified range, and specifically, a ZrO2 component is incorporated in the range of from 0.5% to 2.5% in terms of % by mass on the oxide basis.

Abstract: It is to obtain a silica glass suitable as a material for an optical material constituting an optical system to be used for EUVL, which has a low coefficient of thermal expansion from 0 to 100° C., and on which formation of concave defects is suppressed in a polishing step to achieve a high level of flatness. A silica glass containing from 0.1 to 10 mass % of Sn calculated as SnO2 and from 3 to 10 mass % of Ti calculated as TiO2, which has a homogeneity of the coefficient of thermal expansion from 0 to 100° C. to the temperature of from 50 to 200 ppb/° C., a coefficient of thermal expansion from 0 to 100° C. of 0±250 ppb/° C., and a Vickers hardness of at most 650.

Abstract: A large number of fine and deep holes are fanned in a glass substrate with high positional and dimensional accuracy. With a use of an etching of a photolithography technique, a large number of fine holes are formed in a silicon substrate. Hole forming pins are stood in the holes. The silicon substrate is held by a holding member of a hole forming apparatus. The glass substrate is housed in a container having an opened upper surface. The container is heated, and the glass substrate housed in the container is melted. The silicon substrate is lowered using the holding member, and the hole forming pins are inserted into the glass substrate. Thereafter, the container is cooled, and the glass substrate is solidified while having the hole forming pins inserted therein. The glass substrate is taken out from the container, the hole forming pins are dissolved in an aqua regia to thereby form the holes in the glass substrate.

Abstract: When a synthetic quartz glass substrate is prepared from a synthetic quartz glass block, (I) the block has a hydrogen molecule concentration of 5×1017-1×1019 molecules/cm3, (II) the substrate has a hydrogen molecule concentration of 5×1015-5×1017 molecules/cm3, (III) the substrate has an in-plane variation of its internal transmittance at 193.4 nm which is up to 0.2%, and (IV) the substrate has an internal transmittance of at least 99.6% at 193.4 nm. The synthetic quartz glass substrate has a high transmittance and a uniform transmittance distribution, and is adapted for use with excimer lasers, particularly ArF excimer lasers.

Abstract: When mirror polishing is performed on a glass substrate by bringing a polishing pad into contact with the surface of the glass substrate while supplying a polishing liquid containing polishing grains to the substrate surface, the pH of the polishing liquid is maintained within a certain range or the agglomeration degree or dispersion degree of the polishing liquid is controlled. Consequently, an adequate mirror polishing rate can be maintained and there can be obtained a glass substrate having a good end shape.

Abstract: A system for assembly between a connecting element and at least one cavity positioned on a surface portion situated on an edge face of a substrate, particularly made of a fragile material of glass type. The connecting element is configured to be accommodated in the cavity that has curved and retaining walls, the cavity being made at the edge face of the substrate.

Abstract: An exemplary method for marking molds, the method comprising, configuring a milling machine to operate with a diamond coated bit having an angle of approximately 60 degrees, and engraving a unique identifier on a bottom surface of a borosilicate glass injection molded soldering mold with the milling machine.

Abstract: The present invention is a manufacturing process to create tempered glass bathroom fixtures. Some of those fixtures include glass toilets, urinals, and bidets. The major steps in sequence are: 1) batching step, 2) melting step, 3) glass pressing step, 4) finishing step, 5) tempering step, 6) grinding step, 7) final assembly, and 8) polishing step. Embodiments include the weight percentage of elements used to create a particular fixture. Another embodiment provides a safe tempered fixture that is durable and strong to withstand the weight of a human. In addition, within each embodiment are other embodiments specific to unique colors and shading of a fixture. The shading relates to the difference in shade between the upper portions of toilets, urinals, and bidets, and the lower bowl-like portion A unique design feature of the process provides for a darkened translucent color in the bowl-like region.

Abstract: Lithium silicate materials are described which can be easily processed by machining to dental products without undue wear of the tools and which subsequently can be converted into lithium silicate products showing high strength.

Abstract: A photomask assembly is described having a frame for supporting a transparent pellicle above a photomask substrate, defining a closed pellicle space overlaying the substrate. The frame is formed of a porous material configured to allow the pellicle space to be purged with an inert gas within a reasonable processing time period, thereby removing any harmful chemicals that might be present. The frame preferably is made by a method that includes preparing a gel by a sol-gel process, drying the gel, and partially densifying the dry gel. The resulting frame has a gas permeability to oxygen or nitrogen higher than about 10 ml.mm/cm2.min.MPa, an average pore size between 0.001 micrometer and 10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion between 0.01 ppm/° C. and 10 ppm/° C.

Abstract: A glass article having an edge of which at least a portion that is ground and subsequently etched to provide a roughened edge. The roughened edge scatters light, thus enabling the glass article to be properly aligned. In some embodiments, the roughened edge also provides a surface having a coefficient of friction that facilitates handling of the glass article. The edge may further include at least one chamfer that may either be polished, so as to be transparent or ground and subsequently etched.

Abstract: A laser rod and methods of manufacturing a plurality of laser rods such that each laser rod has two polished end surfaces and an optical axis that extends between the two polished end surfaces. The laser rod includes a gain material component that has a substantially prismatic shape. The gain material component includes: a first end surface that is substantially optically smooth; a second end surface that is substantially optically smooth; at least three flat side surfaces; and an optical axis, which is substantially parallel to the flat side surfaces. The optical axis intersects the first end surface at a first incidence angle and it intersects the second end surface at a second incidence angle.

Abstract: In a method of producing a glass substrate for a mask blank, a surface of the glass substrate is polished by the use of a polishing liquid having a pH value between 7.0 and 7.6 that contains abrasive grains, and the abrasive grains include colloidal silica abrasive grains produced by hydrolysis of an organosilicon compound. The polishing process includes a surface roughness control step for initially finishing the surface of the glass substrate to a predetermined surface roughness by moving a polishing member and the glass substrate relative to each other under a predetermined pressure. This is followed by a protrusion suppressing step, carried out immediately before the end of the polishing process, under a pressure lower than the predetermined pressure, to minimize polishing rate and suppress occurrence of a fine convex protrusion. A mask blank and then a transfer mask are formed from this polished glass substrate.

Abstract: Molten glass is press-molded by a metallic die in which a cylindrical body is provided in a vertically standing manner at a central part of a bottom surface of a bottomed hole and a molding surface corresponding to a chamfering shape of an outer peripheral edge surface of a glass substrate is consecutively formed in an inner peripheral wall, and a glass substrate precursor provided with the chamfering shape axially consecutive on an outer peripheral surface thereof and a through hole formed at a central part thereof is thereby formed. The glass substrate precursor is cut perpendicular to an axial direction to be separated into respective glass substrates. Next, the respective glass substrates are subjected to a lapping process and a polishing process, if necessary, to produce a glass substrate as a final product. According to the manufacturing method, a glass substrate for information recording medium whose inner and outer peripheral edge surfaces are chamfered can be manufactured with an improved efficiency.

Abstract: An automatic machine and a related method for grinding the arrises of glass panes, provided with devices which allow to work glass panes which are rectangular or optionally contoured, at the arrises thereof, with rigid tools, such as diamond grinding wheels, by acting simultaneously but independently on the two mutually opposite arrises along the perimeter of the pane. The machine has at least one pair of mutually opposite working heads, each working head being provided with a tool which can be moved by floating toward the arris of the glass pane which is independent of the approach of the opposite tool. By way of the combined action of movement of the glass pane and of at least one pair of working heads it is also possible to work glass panes which have a nonrectangular shape.

Abstract: The data storage and processing resources required for an electric meter are reduced by basing the selection and application of phase error correction on a root mean square load current flowing through the meter.

Abstract: A processing method for glass substrate of the present invention includes: applying heat and external force to a glass substrate and then cooling it down to thereby form a compression stressed part having a different etching rate from that of other parts with respect to an etching reagent to be used, on the surface of the glass substrate and in the vicinity thereof, and performing chemical etching using the etching reagent on the glass substrate having the compression stressed part formed thereon, so as to form a relief on the surface of the glass substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a table receiving an LCD panel thereon, a first grinding part grinding a surface of the LCD panel to a first surface roughness, a second grinding part grinding the surface of the LCD panel grinded to the first surface roughness to a second surface roughness, wherein the second surface roughness is thinner than the first surface roughness, and a polishing part polishing the surface of the LCD panel which is grinded to the second surface roughness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polishing composition for a glass substrate having a pH of from 1 to 5 and containing silica particles having an average particle size of from 5 to 100 nm, wherein, in a projected image of the silica particles obtainable by an image analysis of electron photomicrographs, an average of an area ratio R of a projected area of the silica particles (A1) to an area of a maximum inscribed circle of the silica particles (A), i.e. (A1/A), is in the range of from 1.2 to 3.0, and the silica particles have an average of 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a lens of synthetic quartz glass with increased H2 content, in particular for a lens for an optical system with an operating wavelength of less than 250 nm, in particular less than 200 nm, with the steps: providing a precursor product of synthetic quartz glass, in particular with a first H2 content of less than 2·1015 molecules/cm3, with a circumferential border surface and two base surfaces lying on opposite sides, wherein at least one partial surface of at least one of said base surfaces has a curvature, and treating the precursor product in an H2-containing atmosphere in order to produce a precursor product of synthetic quartz glass with a second H2 content that is increased in relation to the first H2 content, in particular with a second H2 content of more than 1016 molecules/cm3, and measuring at least one optical property of said precursor product with said second H2 content.

Abstract: A method of making a mirror structure includes assembling a supporting isogrid framework, assembling an isogrid back plane, interconnecting the supporting isogrid framework with the isogrid back plane by a truss core, and disposing an optical surface on the supporting isogrid framework.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel glass ceramic having a low or small average thermal expansion together with good polishability and processability, to the use of the glass ceramic according to the invention, and to optical components made of the glass ceramic. In particular, a glass ceramic is provided which comprises the following composition (in % by weight based on oxide): SiO2 50–70 Al2O3 17–32 P2O5 ?3–12 Li2O 2.5–5?? Na2O 0–2 K2O 0–2 MgO 0–2 CaO 0.1–4?? BaO ??0–<1 SrO 0–2 ZnO 0–4 TiO2 1.5–5?? ZrO2 ?0–2.5.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a glass substrate for an information recording medium, which is advantageous in that oozing of an alkali and deformation of a texture are suppressed. The glass substrate is chemically reinforced, and a texture is formed in the glass substrate, and then treated with a neutral or alkaline aqueous solution. In the texture forming step, the surface of the glass substrate is etched in a depth of 0.5 to 10 nm.

Abstract: A glass sheet includes a first edge, an opposing, second edge, and an intermediate location between the first edge and second edge. The glass sheet has a first portion extending between the first edge and the intermediate location and a second portion extending between the intermediate portion and the second edge, wherein the first portion has a generally uniform thickness and the second portion has a varying thickness. The thickness of the second portion can either increase or decrease from the intermediate location to the second edge. A laminated transparency incorporating the glass sheet as well as a method of forming a glass ribbon having a changing thickness profile along at least a portion of the width of the ribbon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lithium-aluminosilicate glass ceramic is transformed by a suitable heat treatment into a glass ceramic comprising at least 80 vol.-% of keatite mixed crystals. This may be utilized for the preparation of optical or mechanical high-precision parts having a high temperature resistance, a good stability and compatibility with components consisting of metals having a small coefficient of thermal expansion based on nickel and iron, such as Invar®.

Abstract: A substrate for use as a disk substrate in a hard disk drive or the like, an information recording medium such as a magnetic disk, and a starting material glass plate which is a starting material of the substrate for information recording media. The forming conditions of the starting material glass plate are controlled such that the starting material glass plate has a long-wavelength waviness of not more than 6 nm. This starting material glass plate is polished so as to have a long-wavelength waviness of not more than 6 nm using CeO2 abrasive grains having a mean grain diameter of not less than 0.0l ?m and a 90% diameter of the volume grain size distribution of not less than 0.02 ?m. The resulting substrate for an information recording medium has an excellent planarity, can be obtained in a short time and with a low polishing amount, and the resulting information recording medium is able to cope with increased data zone recording density.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform that can produce an optical fiber having desired characteristics over the longer length thereof. A crude preform provided with a core region and a cladding region is prepared (Step S1), and at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the crude preform, a refractive index profile in the cross-section of the crude preform is measured (Step S2). Then, the shape of the cladding region is demarcated based on the shape of the profile (Step S3). Subsequently, the crude preform is ground based on the results of the demarcation (Step S4). Thus, an optical fiber preform that enables the manufacture of an optical fiber having target characteristics is manufactured.

Abstract: A method suited for producing thin fused glass articles includes, in preferred aspects, preparing a dry gel having edges configured to reduce or eliminate warping of the gel during densification of the gel. Preferred aspects include partially densifying the gel, machining the gel into a suitable shape, and fully sintering the gel. The gel preferably is a hybrid incorporating silicon alkoxide and fumed silica particles, and it preferably is machined to have chamfered edges. The method is easier and more cost-effective than those previously known, and it allows for production of high-quality articles for use in, for example, photomask systems as pellicles.

Abstract: There are provided a substrate for information recording media and a manufacturing method thereof, according to which the projection height of minute undulations formed on the substrate surfaces can be made more uniform, and variation in the projection density can be suppressed. First, chemical strengthening treatment is carried out on a glass substrate that has been prepared by processing a sheet-shaped starting material glass plate into a predetermined shape. Then, precision polishing is carried out on the glass substrate that has been subjected to the chemical strengthening treatment, such that a polishing amount in a thickness direction of the glass substrate is within a predetermined range. Finally, surface washing is carried out on the glass substrate that has been subjected to said precision polishing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical glass comprising, expressed as weight percentages, greater than or equal to 18 percent and less than 30 percent of SiO2, greater than or equal to 12 percent and less than 23 percent of BaO, 22 to 37 percent TiO2, greater than or equal to 7 percent and less than 16 percent Nb2O5, 5 to 20 percent of Na2O, 0 to 6 percent of K2O, 0 to 5 percent of CaO, 0 to 5 percent of SrO, 0 to 4 percent of ZrO2, 0 to 3 percent of Ta2O5, 0 to 1 percent of Sb2O5, and greater than or equal to 0 percent and less than 0.5 percent of P2O5, and by essentially not comprising PbO, As2O3, and F. The optical glass exhibits a refractive index (nd) greater than or equal to 1.80 and an Abbé number (vd) less than or equal to 30. A method of manufacturing a glass material for press molding is disclosed.

Abstract: In a first polishing step, or in a first half of a super precision polishing, a surface of a glass substrate is polished with a first suspension. The first suspension contains particles and a dispersion agent in which the particles are dispersed. The main ingredient of the particles is silicon dioxide (SiO2), and the average size (D50) of the particles is equal to or less than 100 nm. The dispersion medium comprises an acid solution the pH of which is equal to or less than 4. In a second polishing step, or in a latter half of the super precision polishing, the surface of the glass substrate is continuously polished with a second suspension. The second suspension contains particles and a dispersion agent in which the particles are dispersed. The main ingredient of the particles is silicon dioxide (SiO2), and the average size (D50) of the particles is equal to or less than 100 nm. The dispersion medium comprises an alkaline solution the pH of which is equal to or more than 8.5.

Abstract: In the present invention, a surface 7 of a glass substrate 1 is irradiated with a laser beam 2 to thereby form a V-shaped groove 6. At that time, the laser beam 2 is condensed outside and above the glass substrate 1. The distance between a beam-condensing point 4 of the laser beam 2 and the surface 7 of the glass substrate 1 is changed to thereby make it possible to change the angle between opposite side surfaces of the V-shaped groove. The angle is in a range of from 30 degrees to 120 degrees. Further, the laser beam used in the present invention is pulsed light, preferably with a pulse width not larger than 10 picoseconds.

Abstract: An end face polishing method provides an end face polishing apparatus having a main body, a jig board mounted on the main body and supporting at least one workpiece, a polishing board mounted on the main body for undergoing rotational and revolving movements relative to the main body, and abrasive members each removably connectable to the polishing board for rotational and revolving movements therewith. Each of the abrasive members has an abrasive surface with a hardness that is either higher or lower than the hardness of the abrasive surface of the others of the abrasive members. An end face of a workpiece is successively brought into pressure contact with the abrasive surface of each of the abrasive members in descending order of hardness of the abrasive surfaces while rotating and revolving the polishing board to thereby successively polish the end face of the workpiece.

Abstract: A fast (high numerical aperture) cylindrical microlens, which includes an internally reflective surface, that functions to deviate the direction of the light that enters the lens from its original propagation direction is employed in optically conditioning laser diodes, laser diode arrays and laser diode bars.

Abstract: A silica glass substrate is obtained by polishing, cleaning, drying and etching a silica glass substrate slice. When the substrate on one surface is treated with a reactive reagent, defects having a size of at least 0.3 ?m in a direction parallel to the substrate major surface are absent on the substrate surface. The silica glass substrate, in which no submicron defects manifest on the substrate surface even when treated as by cleaning or etching, serves as a reticle for use in photolithographic IC fabrication, achieving an improved manufacturing yield in the semiconductor device fabrication and microelectronic system fields.

Abstract: A method for reducing the density of sites on the surface of fused silica optics that are prone to the initiation of laser-induced damage, resulting in optics which have far fewer catastrophic defects, and are better capable of resisting optical deterioration upon exposure to a high-power laser beam.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium, surface roughness of a glass substrate and the variation of the surface roughness are suppressed to the predetermined range. Namely, the surface roughness (Rmax, Ra, Rq) and the relation (Rmax/Ra) between Rmax and Ra are restricted to the predetermined range. In this event, Ra is representative of a center-line mean roughness, Rmax is defined as a maximum height representative of a difference between a highest point and a lowest point and Rq is representative of a root mean square roughness. Thereby, crystal grains of an underlying layer and a magnetic layer formed thereon are equalized. Specifically, the surface roughness is specified by Rmax?15 nm, Ra?1 nm and Rq?1.5 nm. Further, the ratio between the surface roughness Rmax and the surface roughness Ra is specified by Rmax/Ra?30.

Abstract: An index-matching coating is applied directly to a low-emissivity (“lowE”) thin-film coating. Nodules growing from a site in the lowE coating are removed to avoid propagation of defects through the layers of the index-matching coating. A tempering step in an oxygen-containing atmosphere produces compressive stress in the lowE coating and hardens the coating. The compressive stress facilitates removal of the nodules and the hardening allows mechanical cleaning of the lowE coating prior to the index-matching coating, further removing nodules. Magnesium-fluoride is used as the final layer of the index-matching coating in one embodiment to improve abrasion resistance. The resulting glass panel may be used as a display panel in a plasma display or an organic light-emitting diode display, for example.

Abstract: Methods and a device of manufacturing glass gobs with good productivity without defects in appearance from a glass melt. Glass gobs are manufactured from glass melt gobs by molding and cooling glass melt gobs in glass gob molding parts that are intermittently rotated. In one method, single intermittent rotation period of said glass gob molding part is in a range of 0.1 to 0.25 second, and the single intermittent rotation distance of said glass gob molding part is 0.8-7 cm. The device for molding glass gobs from a continuously flowing glass melt has a turntable intermittently rotated around a rotation axis and glass gob molding molds positioned on said turntable. The glass gob molding mold has multiple glass gob molding parts that receive glass melt on the upper surface thereof and mold the glass melt into glass gobs. The glass gob molding mold is positioned on a turntable so that said glass gob molding parts are disposed at equal intervals around a circumference centered on the rotation axis of the turntable.

Abstract: A substrate for an information recording medium has a microwaviness average height Ra? not greater than 0.05 microinch as measured by a contactless laser interference technique for measurement points within a measurement region of 50 ?m?-4 mm? on a surface of the substrate. The microwaviness average height Ra? is given by: Ra ? = 1 n ? ? i = 1 n ? ? | xi - x _ | , where xi represents a measurement point value of each measurement point, {overscore (x)} representing an average value of the measurement point values, n representing the number of said measurement points. Alternatively, the substrate has a waviness period between 300 ?m and 5 mm and a waviness average height Wa of 1.0 nm or less as measured by the contactless laser interference technique for measurement points in a measurement region surrounded by two concentric circles which is spaced from a center of a surface of the substrate by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: There are provided a method of manufacturing a glass substrate for information recording media that allows the inner and outer peripheral edge surfaces of the glass substrate for information recording media to be smoothed easily and inexpensively, a glass substrate for information recording media manufactured using this method, and an information recording medium using this glass substrate. A donut-shaped glass disk for information recording media having an outer peripheral edge surface and an inner peripheral edge surface is prepared. At least one of the outer peripheral edge surface and the inner peripheral edge surface of the glass disk is smoothed by melt-heating to a temperature at or above the softening point of the glass by irradiating with at least one laser beam.

Abstract: A display system for presenting multiple images from a single art object depending upon the observer's viewing angle comprising a housing, a protective cover, a distortion lens, an art object, a support means for securing a lighting system contained within the housing, and a cooling system and power source within the housing.

Abstract: A rewritable optical recording medium includes a segmented groove area in which the groove track is segmented along a rotating direction of the recording medium by groove non-forming portions to form a plurality of groove portions; and a continuous groove area in which a continuous groove is formed, the continuous groove having a groove width smaller than a groove width in the segmented groove area.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium exhibiting excellent read-write conversion characteristics, including a non-metallic substrate including, on its surface, texture grooves having a line density of 7,500 lines/mm or more; an orientation-determining film; a non-magnetic undercoat layer; and a magnetic layer in order is disclosed. A production process for the medium; and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a smaller-sized glass rod by elongation of a glass matrix comprises providing a glass matrix, applying steam to surfaces of said glass matrix, and heating the thus applied glass matrix to soften the glass matrix to an extent sufficient for subsequent elongation. The softened glass matrix is elongated to provide a glass rod having a substantially dirt-free, clean surface.