Patent ID: 6793775
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: C03B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for forming optical fiber preforms, comprising steps of:providing a first plasma torch having a coil for coupling plasma energy, said coil having a first diameter; providing a plurality of targets, each having a longitudinal axis, arranged such that said longitudinal axes are separated from one another by a spacing distance normal to said longitudinal axes; rotating said plurality of targets simultaneously about mutually parallel axes of rotation; depositing a glass simultaneously on said plurality of targets, using said first plasma torch, to form a plurality of intermediate preforms each having a first preform diameter; providing a plurality of second plasma torches, each having a coil for coupling plasma energy, each of said coils having a second diameter, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter; and depositing a glass on said plurality of intermediate preforms using said plurality of second plasma torches to form a corresponding plurality of final preforms.