Patent · US Expired

Method for making optical fiber preform using simultaneous inside and outside deposition

US6769275B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
13References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 2002
Grant dateAug 3, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 15, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC03B37/01869
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for making optical fiber preforms using simultaneous plasma deposition on the inside and outside surface of a starting tube. A starting tubular member is rotated, CFOT chemicals are selectively injected into the plasma torch, and CFIT chemicals are selectively injected to flow through the hollow of the tube. The plasma torch is traversed along the tubular member to simultaneously deposit soot on the inside and outside surface. The soot on one or both surfaces may be consolidated into a silica layer as it is deposited. The plasma torch is traversed again to deposit additional soot, and/or consolidate previously deposited soot, on one or both surfaces. The process is repeated until a predetermined amount of silica is formed on the tubular member. The tubular member is then collapsed. Optionally, additional plasma deposition is performed during or after the collapsing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.