(19)

(11)

EP 1 042 666 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 11.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/41 (21) Application number: 98959588.9 (22) Date of filing: 01.12.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 27/12 (86) International application number: PCT/US9825/118 (87) International publication number: WO 9934/199 (08.07.1999 Gazette 1999/27)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 31.12.1997 US 70272 P (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: FABER, Margaret, K. Corning, NY 14830 (US) XIE, Yuming Painted Post, NY 14870 (US) (74) Representative: Marchant, James Ian et al Elkington and Fife,Prospect House,8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR (GB)