(19)

(11)

EP 0 847 524 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 17.06.1998 Bulletin 1998/25 (21) Application number: 96929884.0 (22) Date of filing: 30.08.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01J 3/ 42( . ) G01J 3/ 10( . ) G01N 21/ 35( . ) G01J 3/ 02( . ) G01J 3/ 12( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/014128 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/008537 (06.03.1997 Gazette 1997/11)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE FR GB IE IT LI MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 31.08.1995 US 19950003047P (71) Applicant: INFRARED FIBER SYSTEMS, INC. Silver Spring, MD 20904 (US)	(72) Inventors: LEVIN, Kenneth, H. Silver Spring, MD 20901 (US) KEREM, Samuel Rockville, MD 20851 (US) MADORSKY, Vladimir Reisterstown, MD 21136 (US) (74) Representative: Doireau, Marc, et al  Cabinet Orès 6, avenue de Messine 75008 Paris 75008 Paris (FR)