Fabrication of optical waveguides using slurry deposition
US4443239A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1982 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S65/901
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tubular formation of particulate optical material is formed by a layer slurry deposition process which involves spraying layer after layer of slurry containing particles of the optical material onto a rotating rod-shaped bait. The composition of the slurry and particularly the index of refraction of the optical material may be varied from one layer to another or from one group of layers to another to obtain a graded or stepped refraction index profile in the formation, in an optical preform formed therefrom, and ultimately in the fiber drawn from the optical preform. The particles of the slurry are suspended in a liquid vehicle which evaporates in the spray stream or shortly after deposition, and are coated with an organic binder which holds them together in the layer and in the formation, so that the formation is self-supporting. Then, the organic binder is removed and the formation is sintered, followed by a collapse of the sintered tubular formation into the optical preform in the form of a solid rod. Then, optical fiber of the desired optical properties can be drawn from the optical preform. The associated apparatus includes a spray gun aimed at the bait rod, and a receptacle…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.