Graded start rods for the production of optical waveguides

摘要

A process for preparing a glass rod having a graded refractive index for use as the start rod in the production of optical waveguides is disclosed. The process comprises depositing and sintering borosilicate particles on a glass rod to form a rod having a larger diameter than the original fused silica rod and drawing this rod to obtain a start rod having the same diameter as the original glass rod but exhibiting a partially radially graded refractive index. Optical waveguides prepared from such graded start rods have a more uniformly graded radial index of refraction profile.