Liq. waveguide with fluorocarbon polymer sheath - has thin Teflon AF lining layer for reduced cost and transmission losses

摘要

A liq. waveguide consists of a cylindrical tubular sheath of fluorocarbon polymer and an enclosed active core of light-guiding liq., the novelty being that the inner side of the sheath (1) is provided with a thin layer (2) of an amorphous copolymer based on tetrafluoroethylene and a fluorinated cyclic ether, i.e. 'Teflon' AF (RTM). Pref. the layer (2) is less than 0.5 microns thick and has a glass transition temp. of 160-240 deg.C. ADVANTAGE - Use of the 'Teflon' AF as a thin supported layer results in considerably reduced mfg. costs, improved transmission (reduced transmission losses when the waveguide is bent e.g. during manipulation when used as a probe or in dental applications) and a wider choice of flexible sheath materials.