Patent ID: 7197899
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: C03B,C03C

Abstract:
1. A process for fabrication of a core/clad glass fiber comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a chalcogenide solid core glass rod at a point removed from high temperature that can cause crystallization in the core glass rod, (b) disposing a chalcogenide solid clad glass rod at a point removed from the core glass rod, (c) softening to the flowing condition the solid clad glass rod, (d) transferring the softened clad glass to a different point, the softened clad glass having a central void therethrough, (e) heating the softened clad glass at the different point above its crystallization temperature, (f) cooling the softened clad glass to a draw temperature that is above its glass transition temperature but below its crystallization temperature, (g) transferring the solid core glass rod into the central void in the softened and cooled clad glass, (h) softening to the flowing condition the solid core glass rod with the heat from the softened and cooled clad glass, and (i) drawing a core/clad glass fiber by allowing the clad and core glasses to flow in the form of a fiber.