Patent ID: 6029476
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: C03C

Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a coated optical fiber from a heated glass preform, the method comprising the steps of:advancing the fiber in a direction along a path through a reactive gas medium which flows at a constant speed in the advancing direction of the fiber, and over at least a portion of the path of the fiber;coating the fiber using the reactive gas medium by chemical vapor deposition at an initial portion of the path;accelerating the reactive gas medium in the advancing direction of the fiber at a final portion of the path;advancing the fiber through an inert gas flowing in an opposite direction to the advancing direction of the fiber after the coating has been deposited, the reactive gas medium and the inert gas meeting after said reactive gas medium is accelerated at the final portion of the path; andremoving the reactive gaseous medium and the inert gas after the gaseous medium stream meets the inert gas stream, so as to entrain any soot that has formed by the manufacturing method, removal of the reactive gas medium, the inert gas, and the soot, taking place remote from the fiber.