Method for manufacturing a glass preform for optical fibers
US11186515B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2019 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B2201/12
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods for manufacturing fluorine-doped glass preforms for optical fibers are disclosed. An exemplary method includes exposing a soot preform to an atmosphere containing a fluorine-containing gas in a first elongated chamber of a first furnace. The first elongated chamber typically has a single isothermal hot zone, which may be maintained at a doping temperature of about 800° C. to 1200° C., to obtain a fluorine-doped soot preform. The exemplary method further includes dehydrating the fluorine-doped soot preform by exposing it to an atmosphere containing a chlorine-containing gas in a second elongated chamber of a second furnace. The second elongated chamber typically has an upper hot zone, which may be maintained at a dehydration temperature of about 1000° C. to 1350° C., and a lower hot zone, which may be maintained at a consolidation temperature of about 1500° C. to 1650° C. Dehydration of the fluorine-doped soot preform typically occurs in the upper hot zone of the second furnace. The exemplary method further includes consolidating the fluorine-doped soot preform within the lower hot zone of the second furnace to form a fluorine-doped glass preform.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.