Method of drawing glass optical waveguides
AssigneeCorning Glass Works
InventorAlan C. Bailey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of making glass optical waveguides by the flame hydrolysis technique. Particles of glass soot produced by flame hydrolysis are deposited on the outside surface of a mandrel to form a porous preform. The soot particles closer to the mandrel have a refractive index greater than that of the soot disposed toward the outer surface of the preform. The mandrel is removed and the resultant hollow soot preform is supported in a draw furnace through which a helium-rich gas flows. The preform is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause said soot to consolidate and simultaneously permit an optical waveguide filament to be drawn therefrom.
Claims15
A method of forming a high purity glass filament comprising the steps of
- providing a substantially cylindrical mandrel,
- applying a first coating of glass soot to the outside peripheral surface of said mandrel,
- removing said mandrel to form a soot preform having an aperture therein,
- heating said preform to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient period of time to permit the soot at at least one end thereof to consolidate, and simultaneously
- drawing the consolidated portion of said preform to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof and close said aperture, thereby forming an optical waveguide filament.
A method of forming a glass optical waveguide comprising the steps of
- providing a substantially cylindrical mandrel,
- applying a first coating of glass soot to the outside peripheral surface of said mandrel,
- applying a second coating of glass soot over the outside peripheral surface of said first coating, the glass soot of said second coating having a refractive index less than that of the glass soot of the first coating,
- removing said mandrel to form a soot preform having an aperture therein,
- affixing a handle to one end of said preform,
- supporting said preform by said handle in a draw furnace,
- heating said preform to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient period of time to permit the soot at one end thereof to consolidate, and simultaneously
- drawing the consolidated portion of said preform to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof and close said aperture, thereby forming an optical waveguide filament.
A method of forming a high purity glass filament comprising the steps of
- providing a substrate,
- applying a first coating of glass soot to a surface of said substrate,
- heating the resultant combination to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient period of time to permit the soot at at least one end thereof to consolidate, and simultaneously
- drawing the consolidated portion of said combination to reduce the cross-sectional area thereof, thereby forming an optical waveguide filament.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.