Methods for manufacturing low water peak optical waveguide incorporating a porous core mandrel

摘要

A method of manufacturing a cylindrical glass optical waveguide preform having a low water content centerline region, for use in the manufacture of optical waveguide fiber, is disclosed. The centerline region of the glass optical waveguide preform has a water content sufficiently low such that an optical waveguide fiber producible from the glass optical waveguide preform of the present invention exhibits an optical attenuation of less than about 0.35 dB/km, and preferably less than about 0.31 dB/km, at a measured wavelength of 1380 nm. Method of manufacture of a porous core mandrel used in the manufacture of such a glass optical waveguide preform is also disclosed.