| 摘要 |
Apparatus and method for producing metal-coated optical fiber is provided. One step of such a method comprises providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a polymeric, thermoplastic resin or wax 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 or thermal tooling effecting removal of the polymer, thermoplastic resin or wax 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 said metal-coated optical fiber is gathered. At least one of the solution baths comprises a coiled tube containing the process solution through which the glass fiber passes. Aspects of the present invention are also applicable to conventional metal wire where it is desirable to reduce physical length of the process line. |
