(19)

(11)

EP 0 873 532 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 28.10.1998 Bulletin 1998/44 (21) Application number: 96916609.0 (22) Date of filing: 23.05.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G02B 6/ 26( . ) G02B 6/ 34( . ) G02F 1/ 35( . ) G02B 6/ 12( . ) G02B 6/ 122( . ) G02F 1/ 313( . ) G02F 1/ 365( . ) G02B 6/ 28( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/007648 (87) International publication number: WO 1996/042027 (27.12.1996 Gazette 1997/04)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB IT (30) Priority: 09.06.1995 US 19950489090 (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: MILLER, William, J. Corning, NY 14830 (US) NOLAN, Daniel, A. Corning, NY 14830 (US) (74) Representative: Boon, Graham Anthony  Elkington and Fife, Prospect House, 8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1XR (GB)