Thermal mechanical diffusion system and method
US8911161B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 16, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2552
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided is a thermal mechanical diffusion system and method. In accordance with the present invention, one end of a fiber under tension is vibrated while a portion of the fiber is heated. A push-pull action of one end of the fiber forces increased (or rapid) diffusion of dopants in the portion of the fiber that is in a heat zone, which receives the heat. By controlling the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, a diffusion profile of one or more fibers can be dictated with precision. Heat sources having narrower thermal profiles can enable greater precision in dictating the diffusion profile. As an example, this can be particularly useful for creating a diffusion taper within a fiber to be spliced, where the taper is a result of thermal expansion of the fiber core. Diffusion can occur much more rapidly than is typical.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.