METHODS FOR FORMING OPTICAL FIBER PREFORMS WITH SELECTIVE DIFFUSION LAYERS

摘要

Methods for forming optical fiber preforms are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical fiber preform includes forming a preform core portion from silica-based glass soot. The silica-based glass soot may include at least one dopant species for altering an index of refraction of the preform core portion. A selective diffusion layer of silica-based glass soot may be formed around the preform core portion to form a soot preform. The selective diffusion layer may have an as-formed density greater than the density of the preform core portion. A diffusing species may be diffused through the selective diffusion layer into the preform core portion. The soot preform may be sintered such that the selective diffusion layer has a barrier density which is greater than the as-formed density and the selective diffusion layer prevents diffusion of the at least one dopant species through the selective diffusion layer.

主权项

1. A method for forming an optical fiber preform, the method comprising:
forming a preform core portion from silica-based glass soot such that the preform core portion has a preform core density, wherein the silica-based glass soot comprises at least one dopant species for altering an index of refraction of the preform core portion; forming a selective diffusion layer of silica-based glass soot around the preform core portion to form a soot preform comprising the preform core portion and the selective diffusion layer, wherein the selective diffusion layer has an as-formed density greater than the preform core density; diffusing at least one diffusing species through the selective diffusion layer into the preform core portion; and sintering the soot preform such that the selective diffusion layer has a barrier density which is greater than the as-formed density such that the selective diffusion layer prevents diffusion of the at least one dopant species through the selective diffusion layer.