METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PREFORM FOR DRAWING OPTICAL FIBRES

摘要

A process is disclosed for making a preform from which optical fibers may be drawn, comprising forming a tubular glass body having a hollow center and concentric layers, at least one layer being a doped layer, and each layer having different indices of refraction. A partial vacuum is formed within the interior of the tubular glass body, at least part of the glass body is softened by heating, and the softened portions of the tubular glass body are collapsed to form a preform. The pressure of the partial vacuum is selected to effectively eliminate a dip in the index of refraction of any glass fiber drawn from the preform.