Patent DE-102010021648-A1 (DE)
Title: Coating an optical glass fiber core or optical glass-containing semi-finished product to produce an optical waveguide, comprises in-situ producing a fresh glass surface on the optical glass fiber core or the optical semi-finished product
Inventor: AUTH MATTHIAS
IPC: C03C25/46
Filed: 2010-05-26
Abstract: The method for coating an optical glass fiber core (1) or an optical glass-containing semi-finished product for producing an optical waveguide, comprises in-situ producing a fresh glass surface on the optical glass fiber core or the optical semi-finished product in a first process step, and providing the fresh glass surface with a metal-containing coating (3) in a partial layer in a second process step that directly follows to the first process step. An intermediate layer consisting of pure organic components is applied as an intermediate step between the first and second process steps. The method for coating an optical glass fiber core (1) or an optical glass-containing semi-finished product for producing an optical waveguide, comprises in-situ producing a fresh glass surface on the optical glass fiber core or the optical semi-finished product in a first process step, and providing the fresh glass surface with a metal-containing coating (3) in a partial layer in a second process step that directly follows to the first process step. An intermediate layer consisting of pure organic components is applied as an intermediate step between the first and second process steps. A compound containing a metal precursor is used for the formation of the coating. The intermediate layer is applied as a photosensitizer (4). The partial layer of the coating consisting of metal-containing compounds is applied as a photocatalyst layer (5). A temperature treatment step and/or galvanization step connects itself to the second process step. A further coating step of glasses, metal oxides, organic compounds, polymers, metals, complex compounds and/or alloys connects itself to the second process step and an irradiation step connects itself to the second process step. The second process step and the process steps connected to it are carried out in any combination and frequency. The optical waveguide underlying the metal-containing coating is adapted as photocatalyst and/or micro-reactor in its size, cross-sectional shape, chemical composition and/or its profile of respective use purpose. The applied coatings differ from each other in their thickness, chemical composition, photo-physical properties and/or physical properties, porosity, gas permeability, the oxidation states of contained elements and/or ductility. A reduction agent is used during the process step and a binder is temporarily used during the process step. One of the properties of the optical waveguide is targetedly changed by one of the applied coatings, where the properties are biocidal behavior, electrostatic behavior, photocatalytic behavior, light scattering, self-healing ability, transparency, anti-stress behavior, electrochromic activity, anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-fungicidal behavior, biocompatible behavior, wear characteristics, chemical resistance, dirt-repellent effect, hydrophilic/hydrophobic behavior, electrical conductivity, friction, adhesion, repellency, anti-corrosive effect, surface energy, surface tension, gasochromic activity, scratch resistance, refractive index, reflectivity, scattering, absorption, emission and adhesion. A radiation process and/or a temperature treatment are carried out during pulling of the fiber, where the radiation process is realized, so that the radiation energy is introduced into the fiber through the preform. The cooling of the fiber takes place in connection to the pulling process with reduced cooling gradients. Independent claims are included for: (1) a metal compound-containing optical waveguide for use as microphotocatalyst; and (2) a method for producing an optical waveguide.