Apparatus and methods for processing optical fibers with a plasma
AssigneeNordson Corporation
InventorsJames P. Fazio, James D. Getty, Leslie D. Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Plasma processing system and methods for stripping the buffer and, optionally, removing the cladding from an optical fiber. The plasma processing system includes a holder capable of holding one or more optical fibers such that a mid-span portion of each optical fiber is exposed to a plasma generated within a processing chamber of the system and the ends of each optical fiber are unaffected by the plasma treatment. Tapered transition zones are created between the plasma-treated portion of the optical fiber and the shielded ends. Treatment may be accomplished using a plasma containing atomic and molecular radicals and ions of fluorine and oxygen.
Claims51
An apparatus for use in treating an optical fiber with a plasma in a processing chamber, the optical fiber having a first end, a second end, and a mid-span portion between the first and second ends, comprising:
- a first outer housing;
- a second outer housing spaced apart from said first outer housing;
- a first spool positioned within said first outer housing, said first spool capable of receiving the first end of the optical fiber;
- and
- a second spool positioned within said second outer housing, said second spool capable of receiving the second end of the optical fiber, and the mid-span portion of the optical fiber extending between said first and second outer housings so that the mid-span portion is exposed to the plasma in the processing chamber.
A plasma processing system for treating an optical fiber with a plasma, the optical fiber having a first end, a second end and a mid-span portion between the first and second ends, comprising:
- a processing chamber having a plasma treatment space;
- a plasma source coupled for communication with said plasma treatment space for providing a plasma within said plasma treatment space;
- a first outer housing;
- a second outer housing spaced apart from said first outer housing;
- a first spool positioned within said first outer housing, said first spool capable of receiving the first end of the optical fiber;
- and
- a second spool positioned within said second outer housing, said second spool capable of receiving the second end of the optical fiber, and the mid-span portion of the optical fiber extending between said first and said second outer housings so that the mid-span portion is positioned within said plasma treatment space for exposure to the plasma.
A method of plasma treating a mid-span portion of an optical fiber having a buffer and a cladding surrounding a core, comprising:
- placing the mid-span portion of the optical fiber in a plasma treatment space within a processing chamber;
- generating a first plasma in the processing chamber from a first process gas;
- and
- exposing the mid-span portion of the optical fiber to the first plasma for a treatment time sufficient to remove at least one of the buffer and the cladding from the mid-span portion of the optical fiber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.