(19)

(11)

EP 1 153 323 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.11.2001 Bulletin 2001/46 (21) Application number: 00908747.9 (22) Date of filing: 22.02.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G02B 6/10 (86) International application number: PCT/US0004/366 (87) International publication number: WO 0050/936 (31.08.2000 Gazette 2000/35)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 22.02.1999 US 121169 P (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: ABBOTT, John, S., III Elmira, NY 14903 (US) HARSHBARGER, Douglas, E. 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)