Abstract:
A first liquid (30) in a container (28) goes to a burner (14). Then a second liquid (34) in a second container (32) goes to the burner (14). The burner then makes soot which is deposited as silica (38) on a substrate (36).
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for making silica. A liquid siloxane-containing feedstock capable of being converted by thermal oxidative decomposition to SiO2 is provied and introduced directly into the flame of a combustion burner, which converts the compound to silica, thereby forming finely divided amorphous soot. The soot is vaporized at the conversion and/or deposition site where the liquid is converted into silica by atomizing the liquid with a stream of oxygen gas, or a mixture of oxygen gas and other gas, such as nitrogen. The amorphous soot is deposited on a receptor surface where, either substantially simultaneously with or subsequently to its deposition, the soot is consolidated into a body of fused silica glass, such as an optical fiber preform.
Abstract:
A dispersion compensating single mode optical waveguide fiber designed to change the wavelength window of operation of a link from 1301 nm to 1550 nm. The dispersion compensating waveguide fiber is characterized by a core glass region refractive index profile comprised of at least three segments (2, 4, 6, 8). The segment (2) on the waveguide center has a positive relative refractive index. At least one segment (4, 8), spaced apart from the waveguide centerline has a negative relative refractive index.
Abstract:
A dispersion compensating single mode optical waveguide fiber designed to change the wavelength window of operation of a link from 1310 nm to 1550 nm. The dispersion compensating waveguide fiber is characterized by a core glass region refractive index profile comprised of at least three segments. The segment on the waveguide center has a positive relative refractive index. At least one segment, spaced apart from, the waveguide centerline has a negative relative refractive.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a method for making fused silica glass by introducing a liquid, preferably halide-free, silicon-containing compound (32) directly into the flame (23) of a burner (24), thereby forming amorphous soot (25). This soot is deposited on a surface (26) and consolidated into a body of fused silica glass. The invention also relates to an apparatus which includes a burner (24) which generates a flame (23); an injector (31) for supplying a compound (32) to the flame (23) to convert the compound to soot and a surface (26) on which the soot is deposited.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for drawing an optical waveguide fiber which minimizes fiber bow caused by differential stresses in the cladding layer of the fiber are disclosed. The fiber is drawn from a preform which is heated in a draw furnace. Gases introduced at the top of the furnace form a boundary layer adjacent to the fiber which passes through the furnace, along with the fiber, into a tube. The tube isolates the fiber from the ambient atmosphere so that the boundary layer of gases established in the furnace remains substantially uniform until the viscosity of the cladding layer of the fiber is high enough to minimize differential stresses around the circumference of the fiber.
Abstract:
A method of fabricating a photonic crystal or photonic band gap optical fiber comprises providing a preform that includes a plurality of holes in an outer diameter, wherein the holes extend from a first end of a preform to a second end of the preform, and forming at least one radially inwardly-extending slot within the preform such that the slot intersects at least some of the holes, wherein the slot does not intersect at least one hole. The method also includes establishing a first pressure in the holes intersected by the slot by introducing the first pressure to the slot, and establishing a second pressure in the at least one hole not intersected by the slot by introducing the second pressure to an end of the at least one hole not intersected by the slot. The method further includes drawing the preform into a fiber while independently controlling the first and second pressures.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of making a photonic crystal optical fiber preform by stacking and bonding individual glass disks. In one embodiment, each glass disk has a pattern of voids formed therethrough, and the pattern for each disk is the same. In another embodiment, glass blanks are formed without voids and stacked with disks having voids wherein an optical fiber preform is formed having channels closed at both ends by glass having no channels. Also disclosed is an optical fiber having channels closed at both ends by glass without channels.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for fabricating preforms for microstructured optical fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for making an optical fiber preform includes the steps of providing at least one sacrificial rod having an outside surface; forming a material on the outside surface of each sacrificial rod to yield a structured body, the structured body including a structured material in substantial contact with the at least one sacrificial rod; removing each sacrificial rod from the structured body; and including the structured body in the optical fiber preform. The preform may be drawn into an optical fiber. The methods of the present invention are especially useful in the fabrication of microstructured optical fibers.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods for fabricating preforms for microstructured optical fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for making an optical fiber preform includes the steps of providing at least one sacrificial rod having an outside surface; forming a material on the outside surface of each sacrificial rod to yield a structured body, the structured body including a structured material in substantial contact with the at least one sacrificial rod; removing each sacrificial rod from the structured body; and including the structured body in the optical fiber preform. The preform may be drawn into an optical fiber. The methods of the present invention are especially useful in the fabrication of microstructured optical fibers.