Sol-gel-derived optical fiber preform and method of manufacture
US6928220B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B2201/34
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method forms an optical fiber preform. The method includes forming a sol-gel-derived rod having a first diameter. Forming the sol-gel-derived rod includes preparing a sol-gel solution including at least 3 mole % of a catalyst. The sol-gel solution is allowed to undergo gelation to form a wet gel monolith. The wet gel monolith is dried and shrunk by exposing the wet gel monolith to a temporal temperature profile, thereby forming a xerogel monolith. The xerogel monolith is consolidated, thereby forming the sol-gel-derived rod. The method further includes drawing the sol-gel-derived rod to substantially reduce its diameter, thereby forming a drawn rod having a second diameter less than the first diameter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.