| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for sintering an optical fiber preform comprising a porous glass fine particle laminate. SOLUTION: This apparatus for sintering an optical fiber preform comprises a heating furnace 1 equipped with a furnace core pipe 2, an isolation booth 4 which is installed on a side for taking in and out the optical fiber preform M in the furnace core pipe 2, an opening and closing cover 5 laid between the isolation booth 4 and the furnace core pipe 2, a pipe conduit 7 for filling an inert gas into the isolation case 4 and an opening and closing means 8 which is openably and closably fitted to a part of the isolation booth 4 and takes in and out the optical fiber preform M in the isolation booth 4. Consequently in the operation for taking in and out the optical fiber preform M, the penetration of oxygen in open air to the side of the heating furnace 1 can be prevented as much as possible, the operation can be carried out while keeping the heating temperature of the heating furnace 1 at a temperature equal to or higher than the oxidation temperature of the furnace core pipe 2, a heater 3, etc., and prolongation in the life of the heating furnace 1 and an great improvement in workability can be performed. |
