METHOD FOR FORMING SILICA BY COMBUSTION OF LIQUID REACTANTS USING OXYGEN

摘要

The present invention is directed to a method for making silica. A liquid siloxane-containing feedstock capable of being converted by thermal oxidative decomposition to SiO2 is provied and introduced directly into the flame of a combustion burner, which converts the compound to silica, thereby forming finely divided amorphous soot. The soot is vaporized at the conversion and/or deposition site where the liquid is converted into silica by atomizing the liquid with a stream of oxygen gas, or a mixture of oxygen gas and other gas, such as nitrogen. The amorphous soot is deposited on a receptor surface where, either substantially simultaneously with or subsequently to its deposition, the soot is consolidated into a body of fused silica glass, such as an optical fiber preform.