Metalized double-clad optical fiber
US10073218B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2017 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1618
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Double-clad optical fibers with polymer outer coatings are used in fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers to guide and amplify light. As the optical power increases, the optical fibers must dissipate more heat. Unfortunately, it is difficult to dissipate heat through a polymer cladding, especially at high altitude, without introducing phase noise in the optical signal. To overcome this problem, the inventors have realized metallized polymer-clad optical fibers with superior heat dissipation characteristics than conventional polymer-clad optical fibers. An example metallized polymer-clad optical fiber includes a thin chrome layer that is vacuum-deposited onto the polymer cladding at low temperature, then electroplated with a thicker copper layer. In operation, the copper layer dissipates heat from within the fiber's core and claddings via a heatsink, enabling the fiber to guide and amplify high-power optical signals at high altitude.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.