Abstract:
A method of drawing different materials includes forming a first material into a preform body defining at least one channel extending therethrough having a first cross-sectional area. A first element formed of a second material is inserted into the channel and with the preform body creates a preform assembly. The first element has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the channel, and the second material has a higher melting temperature than the first material. The preform assembly is heated so that the first material softens and the preform assembly is drawn so that the preform body deforms at a first deformation rate to a smaller cross-sectional area and the first element substantially maintains a constant cross-sectional area throughout the drawing process. Upon completion of the drawing step, the cross-sectional area of the channel is equivalent to the cross-sectional area of the first element.
Abstract:
A method of forming a preform which has a glass core surrounded by an outer glass cladding with a coating of a light interactive material disposed between the core and cladding. The method includes providing a glass core having a viscosity which lies within a given preselected temperature range, followed by forming a substantially homogeneous coating of a light interactive material over the surface of the core, with the coating material having a viscosity which is equal to or less than the viscosity of the glass core. A glass cladding is formed over the coated layer, with the cladding glass having a viscosity which overlaps the viscosity of the core glass and a thermal coefficient of expansion compatible with that of the core. The light interactive material is an inorganic material which includes a metal, metal alloy, ferrite, magnetic material and a semiconductor.
Abstract:
A method of drawing a material into sheet form includes forming a preform comprising at least one material as a large aspect ratio block wherein a first transverse dimension of the preform is much greater than a second transverse dimension substantially perpendicular to the first transverse dimension. A furnace having substantially linearly opposed heating elements one spaced from the other is provided and the heating elements are energized to apply heat to the preform to create a negative thermal gradient from an exterior surface along the first transverse dimension of the preform inward toward a central plane of the preform. The preform is drawn in such a manner that the material substantially maintains its first transverse dimension and deforms across its second transverse dimension.
Abstract:
An apparatus used for the fabrication of fiberoptic waveguides utilizing a novel melting and resolidifying apparatus and method while under microgravity conditions is disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical fiber core has a lower melting point than the cladding and the core is melted and resolidified under microgravity conditions. The molten lower melting point core is thus contained by the higher melting point cladding while under microgravity conditions.
Abstract:
An apparatus for producing a glass-coated wire, the apparatus comprising at least one heating device adapted to, independently, heat a core material to a melting temperature thereof and heat a glass material to a drawing temperature thereof.
Abstract:
One embodiment of the invention includes a method for forming an optical fiber. The method comprises providing a preform having a core material and a glass cladding material surrounding the core material. The method also comprises drawing the preform at a temperature that is greater than a melting temperature of the core material to form a drawn fiber. The method further comprises cooling the drawn fiber to form the optical fiber having a crystalline fiber core and a cladding that surrounds the crystalline fiber core and extends axially along a length of the crystalline fiber core.