Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for producing a perform (1) for a holey optical fibre including thermomechanically forming the preform from a unitary body of optically suitable material (20) so that one or more discrete optical elements (30), such as air holes, are formed therein. Each element (30) has a refractive index which is different from the refractive index of the optically suitable material (20). The thermomechanical formation is preferably conducted by extrusion or by injection molding. In a preferred embodiment, the unitary body is a fluid. The method is suitable for production of a preform for a polymer holey optical fibre or an inorganic glass holey optical fibre.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for fiber and/or fiber perform production and in particular, optical fiber and optical fiber preform production in which a fiber substrate and a multilayered preform can be continuously produced. The layered preform is constructed from particles deposited from one or more aerosol streams containing multicomponent particles wherein individual particles have the ratio of components as desired in the perform layer. Preferably, the components of the aerosol particles have a sub-particle structure in which the subparticle structure dimensions are smaller than the particle diameter and more preferably smaller than the wavelength of light and more preferably on the molecular scale. Preferably, the particles are deposited on the perform substrate vi a one or more deposition units. Multiple deposition units can be operated simultaneously and/or in series. As the preform is synthesized, it can be simultaneously fed into a drawing furnace.
Abstract:
A method an apparatus for continuously producing optical waveguide fiber and preforms. A continuous supply of core cane is provided to a walled deposition chamber upon which glass soot is deposited to form a soot preform. The preform is passed through an aligned drying, consolidation and draw chambers from which an optical fiber may be drawn. In one embodiment, a plurality of burners are positioned at different radial distances from a longitudinal axis of the cane in the deposition chamber. One or more environmental seal(s) are provided to prevent process gasses or contaminants from flowing into or between the chambers.
Abstract:
A method of joining a first optical fibre (110) to a second optical fibre (130) comprises the steps of: (i) providing a preform element (10) comprising material defining a primary elongate cavity (40); (ii) inserting the first optical fibre (110) into the primary cavity (40) to form a preform (125); and (iii) drawing the second optical fibre (130) from the preform (125); wherein, the second optical fibre (130) includes a core region comprising material that has been drawn from the first optical fibre (110).
Abstract:
An optical cable is manufactured in a single continuous process starting directly from at least an optical perform, by means of a fiber/cable integrated manufacturing line (50) including a fiber(s) drawingassembly (100) for the production of one or more optical fibers from respective optical preforms, and a cabling assembly (200) for producing the optical cable from the optical fiber(s), the cabling assembly comprising a fiber buffering assembly (200a) for the application of a loose or tight coating to the optical fiber(s), and a strengthening and sheathing sub-assembly (200b) for applying one or more reinforcing and protective layers to the buffered optical fiber(s).
Abstract:
A method an apparatus for continuously producing optical waveguide fiber and preforms. A continuous supply of core cane is provided to a walled deposition chamber upon which glass soot is deposited to form a soot preform. The preform is passed through an aligned drying, consolidation and draw chambers from which an optical fiber may be drawn. In one embodiment, a plurality of burners are positioned at different radial distances from a longitudinal axis of the cane in the deposition chamber. One or more environmental seal(s) are provided to prevent process gasses or contaminants from flowing into or between the chambers.
Abstract:
Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems and methods for forming an optical fiber in a low gravity environment, and an optical fiber formed in a low gravity environment. The system can include a preform holder configured to secure a preform; a heating element secured to a heating element stage and residing adjacent the preform holder; a heating element stage motor configured to move the heating element stage; a tension sensor; a spool; a spool tension motor coupled to the spool and configured to rotate the spool; and a control system communicably coupled to the heating element stage motor and the spool tension motor and configured to control the movement of the heating element stage based on a rotational speed of the spool. The optical fiber can include a fluoride composition, such ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN), and can be characterized by an insertion loss in a range from 13dB/1000km to 120dB/1000km.