Method for making large diameter multicore optical waveguide

摘要

The present invention provides a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and one or more side holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The method features the steps of: assembling a preform for drawing a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, by providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide from the heated preform. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.

主权项

1. A method for making a multicore optical waveguide having an outer diameter of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, and a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, comprising:
assembling a preform assembly for drawing the multicore optical waveguide, wherein the assembling comprises:
providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters;notching the outer tube with two or more notches, wherein at least one of the notches is disposed in an outer surface of the outer tube; andarranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube, wherein the two or more preform elements yield the two or more inner cores and wherein the arranging comprises providing a respective one of the preform elements in each notch; heating the preform assembly; and drawing the optical waveguide from the preform assembly, thereby defining the outer diameter that is at least about 0.3 millimeters upon completion of the drawing, and thereby leaving in an area of the optical waveguide that has been drawn a longitudinal aperture extending through the optical waveguide.