Latest Development of POF: The Tripartite Approach

摘要

Polymer optical fibers (POF) and microstructured POF are the most promising solution for the "last 100 m" in data communication and different types of sensors, respectively. However the further development of new types POFs demands the tripartite approach, which consists of development of new manufacturing techniques of preforms, novel fiber drawing equipment and new applications of POF.Heating with the conventional electric resistance furnace in POF drawing accompanies inevitable large temperature gradient along the radial direction in the preform. In order to overcome this problem was developed a novel furnace with both: infrared (IR) and convectional heating. Infrared heating was performed with 1.2 μ wavelength IR heating units. Owing to it possible to use bigger diameter preforms and increase drawing speed.New types of multi step-index preforms were manufactured for development work. Unit consisting of lathe with rotating tube was used for preform manufacture. When UV activation was observed insufficient, heat initiated radical polymerization was applied with high efficiency and control over the reaction. Finally the preforms were finalized with polymerizing core of preform under elevated temperature and pressure, Resulting preforms no need to collapse. Intensive research and development of POF include both standard index-guiding fibers as well as microstructured POF for lasers, amplifiers, nonlinear signal processing and biophotonics applications. Such tripartite approach will lead to the further expansion of area of effective application of POF. Authors certify that the work described in our abstract is original and has not been previously presented or published, or planned to be published or presented prior to the IWCS symposium.