(19)

(11)

EP 1 066 540 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.01.2001 Bulletin 2001/02 (21) Application number: 99913812.6 (22) Date of filing: 17.02.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/16 (86) International application number: PCT/US9903/403 (87) International publication number: WO 9942/869 (26.08.1999 Gazette 1999/34)

(84) Designated Contracting States: CH DE DK ES FI FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 23.02.1998 US 75754 P (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventor: LIU, Yanming Horseheads, NY 14845 (US) (74) Representative: Boon, Graham Anthony  Elkington and Fife,Prospect House,8 Pembroke Road Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR Sevenoaks,Kent TN13 1XR (GB)