Molten core flux formation method and fibers formed therefrom

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for formation of a fiber and fibers that can be formed according to the methods. Formation methods incorporate a 'molten core flux method' whereby a solid primary core material is combined with a solid secondary flux material in a multi-phase preform core. In some embodiments, the multi-phase preform core has a liquidus temperature that is reduced relative to the melting temperature of at least the primary core material. A homogeneous liquid melt of the preform core can exhibit a sufficiently low vapor pressure such that a fiber preform incorporating the materials in the core can be thermally drawn. Upon cooling and solidification of the homogeneous core melt, separation of the core components can occur via recrystallization, with one phase being that of the desired primary core material. Methods can be particularly beneficial for forming fibers incorporating high vapor pressure semiconductor materials, e.g., ZnSe or GaAs, in the fiber core.