Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide pulling rolls for use in forming glass ribbons with reduced defects and cracking.SOLUTION: In one embodiment, the pulling roll 200 can include a shaft member 204 and a roll assembly 202. The roll assembly 202 can be positioned on the shaft member 204 for rotation with the shaft member 204. The roll assembly 202 can include an axially compressed stack of ring elements 220 formed from an inorganic material such as a mica plate. The mica plate can include layers of overlapping mica platelets oriented substantially in parallel with one another. A contact surface of the roll assembly 202 can have a Shore D hardness greater than or equal to about 10 and less than or equal to about 60.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing a preform for producing a photonic band gap fiber having a narrow pitch and high porosity.SOLUTION: The method includes steps of etching a preform 12 having a plurality of internal channels and then drawing the preform 12 into a photonic band gap fiber. An apparatus for etching the preform 12 includes a reservoir tank housing a liquid etching agent. A heater is thermally coupled to the reservoir tank. A circulator is connected to the reservoir tank and the circulator draws the etching agent into a supply pipe conduit connected to the preform 12. The etching agent is directed into the internal channels 14 of the preform 12. The apparatus also includes a recovery pipe conduit 60 connected to the preform for returning the etching agent to the reservoir tank.
Abstract:
A method for making a photonic band gap fiber includes the steps of etching a preform (12) having a plurality of internal passageways (14), and then drawing the preform (12) into a photonic band gap fiber. An apparatus (10) for etching a preform (12) includes a reservoir (28) containing a liquid etching agent (18). A heater (30) is thermally coupled to the reservoir (28). A circulator (32) is connected to the reservoir (28) and the circulator (32) draws etching agent (18) to a delivery line (40) connected to the preform (12). The etching agent (18) is directed into the internal passageways (14) of the preform (12). The apparatus also includes a return line (50) connected to the preform (12) whereby the etching agent (18) is returned to the reservoir (28).