(19)

(11)

EP 1 166 084 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/01 (21) Application number: 00918282.5 (22) Date of filing: 22.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 21/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0007/670 (87) International publication number: WO 0057/158 (28.09.2000 Gazette 2000/39)

(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: 22.03.1999 US 273693 (71) Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED Corning, N.Y. 14831 (US)	(72) Inventors: BUCHER, Gregory, L. Savona, NY 14879 (US) LOGUNOV, Stephan, L. 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)