Method for forming optical fiber and preforms
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsJames Gerald Fagan, Ji Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of forming an optical fiber includes the steps of forming a silica-based soot blank with at least one silica-based soot core cane at least partially embedded in the soot blank. The soot blank with the soot core cane positioned therein is consolidated to form a preform. The preform is then drawn to form an optical fiber. The soot core cane preferably has an average bulk density within 10% of the bulk density of the soot blank, and more preferably within 5% of the bulk density of the soot blank.
Claims20
A method of forming an optical fiber, comprising the following steps:
- forming a silica-based soot blank with at least one silica-based soot core cane at least partially embedded in the soot blank;
- consolidating the soot blank with the at least one soot core cane positioned therein to form a preform;
- and
- drawing the preform to form an optical fiber.
A method of forming an optical fiber, comprising the following steps:
- forming a silica-based soot blank with at least one core cane at least partially embedded in the soot blank, wherein the at least one core cane includes an outer portion which is not fully consolidated prior to its positioning in the soot blank, and wherein the average bulk density of the at least one core cane is within 10% of the bulk density of the soot blank;
- consolidating the soot blank with the at least one core cane positioned therein to form a preform;
- and
- drawing the preform to form an optical fiber.
A method of forming a preform for an optical fiber, comprising the following steps:
- press forming a silica-based soot body around at least one silica-based soot core cane, wherein the soot core cane is not consolidated to form a sintered glass prior to the press forming;
- and
- consolidating the soot body with the soot core cane positioned therein to form a preform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.