Method of forming an optical fiber preform by combustionless hydrolysis

A method for manufacturing a glass perform, comprising:

• supplying a first gaseous or vapor phase composition to a reaction chamber, wherein the first gaseous or vapor phase composition is disposed to provide a hydrolyzable glass precursor;
• supplying water as a second gaseous or vapor phase composition to the reaction chamber;
• reacting the water and the first gaseous or vapor phase composition in the reaction chamber to form an aerosol of glass particles;
• directing the aerosol along the reaction chamber, out of the reaction chamber, and toward a target;
• and
• depositing glass particles of the aerosol onto the target;
• wherein the first and second gaseous or vapor phase compositions are reacted in a substantial absence of an unreactive carrier gas, an aerosol-free gas stream, or an unreactive carrier gas and an aerosol-free gas stream,
• wherein a flow of the aerosol along the reaction chamber has a temperature gradient, and
• wherein, according to the temperature gradient, a temperature of the aerosol increases in a direction of the flow.