Drawing optical waveguides by heating with laser radiation
AssigneeCorning Glass Works
InventorsDavid S. Grey, Robert A. Wey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In drawing an optical waveguide, the blank is heated by a beam of laser radiation which has substantially zero power from the axis of the blank to a prescribed radial position and substantially uniform power from that position to a greater radial position. A rotating spinner splits radiation from the laser into two rotating beams, the paths of which are made to be non-intersecting with the axis of the blank being drawn. A conical reflector forms the radiation into a circumferential beam through which the blank passes.
Claims10
Apparatus for heating a blank to the drawing temperature of the materials thereof comprising:
- a source of laser radiation;
- means for splitting said radiation into beams which do not intersect the axis of said blank;
- means for forming said laser radiation into beams having a prescribed radial power density distribution in relation to said blank;
- and
- means for drawing said blank along the axis thereof.
Apparatus for heating an optical waveguide blank to the drawing temperature of the materials thereof comprising:
- a source of laser radiation;
- rotating means for splitting said radiation into two beams which are rotating about and which do not intersect the axis of said waveguide blank;
- and
- means for drawing said blank along said axis.
Apparatus for heating a blank to the drawing temperature of the materials thereof comprising:
- a source of laser radiation;
- a rotating reflector, radiation from said source being directed along the axis of said rotating reflector;
- means in said rotating reflector for splitting said radiation into two beams which are rotating about and which do not intersect said axis;
- means for forming said laser radiation into beams having a prescribed radial power density distribution with respect to said blank;
- and
- means for drawing said blank along the axis thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.