Hybrid manufacturing process for optical fibers

An apparatus for producing a structure capable of being drawn into an optical fiber, the apparatus comprising:

• a lathe for rotating a reaction tube having an axial length, first and second ends, and an interior region;
• a first source of a vapor-phase reactant;
• a vapor-phase reactant conduit for entering the reaction tube through an end thereof, the vapor-phase reactant conduit facilitating the introduction into the reaction tube of vapor-phase reactants from the first source;
• a second source of an aerosol-form reactant;
• an aerosol-form reactant conduit for entering the reaction tube through an end thereof, the aerosol-form reactant conduit being axially movable within the interior of the reaction tube and facilitating the introduction of aerosol-form reactants from the second source into the interior of the reaction tube;
• and
• a heat source movable in cooperation with the aerosol-form reactants conduit along the axial length of the reaction tube, the heat source facilitating a reaction among the aerosol-form and vapor-phase reactants to form products, the products depositing in solid form so as to accrete annularly within the interior of the reaction tube.