Apparatus for selective photosensitization of optical fiber
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJames B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale E. Elder, James F. Brennan III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus that exposes only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process. The apparatus includes a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen hydrogen atmosphere. At least one heating element regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion. The heating element may heat the hydrogen atmosphere to a temperature of at least 250° C.
Claims30
An apparatus for exposing only a selected portion of a length of optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a hydrogen atmosphere;
- and
- b) at least one heating element that regionally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion.
An in-line apparatus for producing a grating in an optical fiber, comprising an optical fiber phosensitizing apparatus for selectively exposing only a selected portion of an optical fiber to a hydrogen atmosphere loading process, the apparatus comprising:
- a) a loading chamber that encloses at least the selected portion of the optical fiber and contains a high-temperature hydrogen atmosphere;
- and
- b) a heating region that locally heats the hydrogen atmosphere surrounding the selected portion to at least 250° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.