Infrared-transmitting, polarization-maintaining optical fiber and method for making

US11912606B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Gibson · Greenbelt, US
• Daniel L. Rhonehouse · Chesapeake Beach, US
• Shyam S. Bayya · Ashburn, US
• L. Brandon Shaw · Salem, US
• Rafael R. Gattass · Washington, US
• Jesse A. Frantz · Landover, US
• Jason D. Myers · Alexandria, US
• Woohong Kim · Lorton, US
• Jasbinder S. Sanghera · Greenbelt, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 7, 2020
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2024
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/102
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

This application relates generally to an optical fiber for the delivery of infrared light where the polarization state of the light entering the fiber is preserved upon exiting the fiber and the related methods for making thereof. The optical fiber has a wavelength between about 0.9 μm and 15 μm, comprises at least one infrared-transmitting glass, and has a polarization-maintaining (PM) transverse cross-sectional structure. The infrared-transmitting, polarization-maintaining (IR-PM) optical fiber has a birefringence greater than 10−5 and has applications in dual-use technologies including laser power delivery, sensing and imaging.