Times Fiber Communications, Inc.

Ronald B Chesler

Franklin W Dabby

A process for preparing a glass rod having a graded refractive index for use as the start rod in the production of optical waveguides is disclosed. The process comprises depositing and sintering borosilicate particles on a glass rod to form a rod having a larger diameter than the original fused silica rod and drawing this rod to obtain a start rod having the same diameter as the original glass rod but exhibiting a partially radially graded refractive index. Optical waveguides prepared from such graded start rods have a more uniformly graded radial index of refraction profile.

Graded optical waveguides

A process for preparing a preform for the production of optical fiber by depositing and sintering glass particles upon a glass rod is disclosed. The process comprises directing a stream of glass particles onto the surface of a glass rod which is slowly rotated and moved in a translational direction so as to obtain even deposition of the particulate matter. A separate heat source is supplied beyond the point of deposition of the particles and continuously sinters the deposited particulate as the rod undergoes repeated translation.

Process for the production of optical fiber

Graded start rods for the production of optical waveguides

Apparatus and process for automatic control of the production of optical fiber are disclosed. The process comprises continuously depositing and sintering borosilicate glass particles on a fused silica rod or a graded index rod in such a manner that the glass exhibits a uniform, radially increasing concentration of boron. The appropriate boron oxide/silica concentration ratio in the glass particles is controlled by the time of deposit and the weight and diameter of the rod, which are continuously monitored. The concentration of boron oxide and silica in the particulate is likewise continuously monitored to insure that the correct portion of boron oxide/silica is deposited. The apparatus for conducting the process, includes means for continuously monitoring the weight and diameter of the rod and the boron oxide content of the glass particles and means for automatically regulating the equipment used to produce the optical fiber in response to readings from the monitoring means.

Apparatus and process for automatic control of the production of optical

A process for continuously monitoring the content of boron oxide in a stream of borosilicate particles as it is applied to a glass rod during the production of optical fiber is disclosed. Monitoring is accomplished by continuously measuring the infra-red absorption bands of the particles at or near the point of deposition on the rod.

Method for continuously monitoring the composition of glass particulate

A method for transmitting light signals through optical waveguides is disclosed. The method comprises passing light emitted from a source of light, such as a laser, through a plurality of individual, longitudinally connected optical waveguides having progressively greater core diameters. Telecommunications systems for implementing the method are also disclosed.

Telecommunication systems using optical waveguides

A packaging apparatus for optical fiber is disclosed. The apparatus allows the fiber to be tested while in the packaged condition. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical reel and means for mechanically reducing the circumference of the reel comprising a flexible sheath fastened longitudinally to a portion of the reel, thereby defining a longitudinal cavity bounded by said sheath and the surface of a portion of the reel and at least one longitudinally removable spacer member disposed with said sheath, abutting the reel.

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Cheshire, CT, United States of America

Ronald B Chesler