OPTICAL PREFORM MADE FROM POWDERED GLASS

摘要

A process for the production of glass elements, in particular preforms for optical waveguides, in which a porous element is moulded from a pulverulent glass starting material. The latter is mixed with a liquid or solid aggregate and introduced into a rectangular mould which is rotated about its longitudinal axis during or after the filling operation. A radially varying material composition of the porous element to be moulded can be achieved under the action of centrifugal force. Thereafter, the material in the mould is compacted by compression or without compression, and the aggregate is removed from the compacted porous element by heat treatment and/or chemical reaction before the latter is converted into a glass element by sintering.