Abstract:
A single mode optical waveguide is fabricated in a manner such that the core thereof is subjected to a stress-induced birefringence. This characteristic is accomplished by introducing into the cladding region of the fiber on opposite sides of the core longitudinally extending regions of glass having a thermal coefficient of expansion different from that of the remainder of the cladding. A number of novel techniques are disclosed for forming such a fiber.
Abstract:
An optical waveguide is disclosed which exhibits only slight attenuation over both the visible and near infrared range. The waveguide comprises an optical fiber whose core is made up of a fluorine-doped silica glass possibly comprising an oxide that increases the index of refraction of said silica.
Abstract:
An optical glass fiber is formed of an inner layer of germania doped glass within the bore of the outer cladding tube of silica. The tube with the higher index of refraction inner layer is rotated while being heated to collapse the bore to form an optical fiber preform. The preform is then drawn into fiber in a separate operation. A first silica layer can be deposited within the tube bore before the germania doped layer. The deposition of germania takes place under hydrogen free conditions. Appropriate heat treatment of the tube avoids excessive evaporation of germania and provides a graded transition of the refractive index in the boundary between core and cladding.
Abstract:
An apparatus for producing preforms for the production of optical fibers by plasma coating and drawing. A plasma stream produced with the aid of a radio frequency generator is caused to successively pass through three zones in the first of which a mixture of fluidized powders of two materials of appropriate composition is injected and completely vaporized. In the second zone an oxidizing gas having a mixing action is introduced into the deeply cooled stream. The materials and gas react with each other to form microseeds. The powders contain high purity silicon and at least one doping element of the group comprising Al, Ge, B. Ti and Zr. In the third zone an inert gas is introduced and deposition of substance is effected on substrates suitably arranged with respect to the path followed by the plasma stream.
Abstract:
A refractory starting member is rotated and, at the same time, moved along the axis of rotation. A glass raw material for the formation of the core of a porous preform and consequently an optical fiber preform is introduced into a high temperature portion near the tip of a high temperature burner from a nozzle for the core disposed in alignment with the center of rotation of one end face of the starting member. The glass raw material blown out from the nozzle for the core are caused by the flames of the high temperature burner to react to produce glass fine particles, which are deposited on abovesaid end face of the starting member at the central portion thereof in its axial direction to form a porous core. At least one nozzle for spraying a glass raw material for the formation of the cladding of the optical fiber preform is disposed opposite to the end face of the starting member but a little deviated from the axis of rotation thereof, or disposed opposite to the peripheral surface of the porous core. The glass raw material for the cladding is sprayed from the nozzle for the cladding to the high temperature portion of the high temperature burner, and caused to react to form glass fine particles, which are deposited on the end face of the starting member on the outside of the porous core or on the peripheral surface thereof at the same time as the formation of the latter, forming a porous cladding. The porous preform thus obtained is moved into a high temperature furnace provided on the path of movement of the preform for the vitrification thereof into an optical fiber preform.
Abstract:
A fiber optic preform is provided by depositing phosphorus pentoxide as a dopant on the bore of a silica tube to form a high refractive index layer and collapsing the tube to form a core of high index phosphorus pentoxide doped silica.
Abstract:
A glass fiber having a central core formed of material having a relatively high index of refraction and an outer casing formed of material having a relatively low index of refraction is formed with perfect contact between the core and casing by forming a coating of casing material on the core and permitting the coating to harden. The coating may be applied by immersing the core material in a bath of casing material, by drawing the core material vertically through a bath of the casing material, or by drawing the core material in a horizontal direction under a vertical column of casing material while twisting said core material.
Abstract:
Deuterium is used instead of hydrogen in a process for producing glass having low hydroxyl ion content. In a flame hydrolysis process deuterium gas, or a deuterium compound gas, is passed through a liquid containing a silicon compound such as silicon tetrachloride. The resulting vapor is burned to deposit a film of silicon dioxide on a rotating mandrel. Glass produced in this manner is particularly suitable for use as optical waveguides. The hydroxyl ion normally present in glass produced in the presence of hydrogen is replaced by the deuterium containing ion OD . Absorption peaks normally caused by the presence of the hydroxyl ions are shifted to longer wavelengths at which the absorptions are not troublesome when the waveguide is used to transmit light in the band of approximately 7,000A.