OPTICAL FIBER FABRICATION INVOLVING HOMOGENEOUS REACTION WITHIN A MOVING HOT ZONE

摘要

OPTICAL FIBER FABRICATION AND RESULTING PRODUCT A preform for fabrication of a glass fiber optical transmission line is prepared by chemical reaction of vapor ingredients within a glass tube. Reaction, which may be between chlorides or hydrides of, for example, silicon and germanium with oxygen, occurs preferentially within a constantly traversing hot zone. Flow rates and temperature are sufficient to result in glass formation in the form of particulate matter on the inner surface of the tube. This particulate matter deposits on the tube and is fused with each passage of the hot zone. Continuous rotation of the tube during processing permits attainment of higher tempertures within the heated zone without distortion of the tube. - i