Coated optical fiber and method of making same

US11655185B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Michael J. Messerly · Danville, US
• Nicholas P. Calta · San Jose, US
• Selim Elhadj · Livermore, US
• Andrew Lange · Livermore, US
• Cody W. Mart · Livermore, US
• Robert Mellors · Livermore, US
• Nick Schenkel · Livermore, US
• Charles X. Yu · Pleasanton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 3, 2020
• Grant date: May 23, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 20, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03B2205/40
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method is disclosed of making a coated optical fiber. The method may involve drawing a preform through a furnace to create a fiber having a desired diameter and cross sectional shape. The fiber is then drawn through a slurry, wherein the slurry includes elements including at least one of metallic elements, alloy elements or dielectric elements, and the slurry wets an outer surface of the fiber. As the fiber is drawn through the slurry, it is then drawn through a forming die to impart a wet coating having a desired thickness on an outer surface of the fiber. The wet fiber is then drawn through an oven or ovens configured to heat the wet coating sufficiently to produce a consolidated surface coating on the fiber as the fiber exits the oven or ovens.