METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FABRICATION OF METAL-COATED OPTICAL FIBER, AND THE RESULTING OPTICAL FIBER

摘要

Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

主权项

1. A method for producing metal-coated optical fiber, said method comprising:
(a) providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber surrounded by a liquid soluble polymeric coating; (b) passing said optical fiber through a series of solution baths such that the glass fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of said polymer coating and subsequent plating of metal on the glass fiber; and (c) collecting the optical fiber after metal plating so that a selected quantity of said metal-coated optical fiber is gathered.