Patent ID: 6260386
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: B08B,C03B

Abstract:
A method for making optical fibers comprising the steps of:making a first optical fiber preform;immersing the first preform in index-matching oil;optically testing the first preform by directing light through the oil and the preform;removing the preform from the index-matching oil;cleaning residual oil from the first preform comprising the steps of inserting the preform in a first chamber, and contacting the preform with supercritical-state carbon dioxide in the first chamber, thereby to dissolve said residual index-matching oil;removing the supercritical carbon dioxide from the first chamber and directing it to a second chamber;converting the supercritical-state carbon dioxide in the second chamber to non-supercritical gaseous carbon dioxide, thereby to separate said residual index-matching oil from the carbon dioxide;and re-using the residual index-matching oil for optically testing a second preform that is different from the first preform;said re-using step comprising directing light through at least part of the residual index-matching oil and the second preform.