Method of processing a silica glass fiber

摘要

A processing method of a silica glass fiber, which is applicable to a long fiber, to improve its UV resistance by UV irradiation and heat treatment. Initially, a heating furnace 1 is positioned such that the left end of the silica glass fiber is within the heating furnace 1 . Then, the heating furnace 1 is moved toward the right, while UV is irradiated with a UV source to the left end surface of the silica glass fiber. Since the silica glass becomes transparent due to removal of structural defects that have been caused by the UV irradiation, the UV travels further forward and causes other structural defects there. When the heating furnace 1 is moved there, the structural defects are removed and the silica glass fiber becomes transparent. By repeating these steps, the fiber is processed throughout length. Thus, mass production becomes possible and an improvement of productivity and lower costs can be achieved.