Metallization of silica optical fibers

摘要

A review is presented of metallization processes of silica optical fiber. Fiber strengths and fatigue data are summarized and compared for liquid metal freezing, chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, electroless and electrolytic coatings. Both continuous in-line and termination-only processes are considered. details of an electroless Ni-P plating process are presented which can be used to prepare fiber ends for soldering into hermetic packages.