Continuous process for manufacturing optical fibers
AssigneeInternational Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
InventorsCharles K. Kao, James E. Goell, Mokhtar S. Maklad
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Abstract
A continuous optical fiber manufacturing process utilizes the method of chemical vapor deposition of the glass forming materials within an R.F. excited glow discharge. The rapid deposition rate within the discharge provides a sufficient stream of glass material for winding into a finished fiber on a synchronous take-up mechanism. Alternate embodiments include an oxygen air stream to remove dust particles from the fiber surface and an in-line fluorine stream to terminate surface bonding and reduce moisture attack on fiber surfaces.
Claims12
A continuous process for manufacturing optical fibers comprising the steps of:
- depositing glass by a chemical vapor reaction onto at least one crucible having an orifice;
- heating the crucible in order to melt the glass;
- drawing the glass through the orifice into a fiber;
- and
- coating the fiber with a plastic cladding.
The method of manufacturing a continuous optical fiber comprising the steps of:
- introducing glass components into a crucible having an orifice;
- depositing the glass components on an interior surface of the crucible in a plurality of separate and distinct layers by chemical vapor deposition within a glow discharge;
- heating the crucible to melt the glass components;
- and
- drawing the optical fiber through the orifice while continuously depositing the glass components onto the surface of the heated crucible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.