METHOD OF APPLYING PROTECTIVE COATING TO SILICA-CONTAINING ARTICLE

摘要

A method of protecting a silica-containing article (10) used in the manufacture of an optical fiber includes the step of applying to the silica- containing article a protective layer (30) that facilitates removal of particulates (20) that deposit on the protective layer (30) and that ablates during or can be removed before subsequent processing of the silica-containi ng article (10). An intermediate product used in the manufacture of an optical fiber and protected against break-inducing particulates (20) includes a sili ca- containing article (10), and a protective layer (30) that facilitates remova l of particulates (20) that have deposited on the protective layer (30) and th at can be ablated during or removed before subsequent processing of the intermediate product.