Production of a plastic optical fiber with a continuous refractive index gradient comprises using a terpolymer comprising optionally halogenated ethylene, dioxol(one) and vinyl or allyl ester, ether or thioether units

摘要

Production of a plastic optical fiber with a continuous refractive index gradient from center to periphery by preparing two compositions whose refractive indices vary by at least 0.005, where each composition comprises a polymer and one also includes a reactive diluent and at least one includes a photoinitiator, mixing the compositions, spinning the mixture and photo-crosslinking the mixture, comprises using a terpolymer comprising optionally halogenated ethylene, dioxol(one) and vinyl or allyl ester, ether or thioether units. Production of a plastic optical fiber with a continuous refractive index gradient from center to periphery by preparing two compositions whose refractive indices vary by at least 0.005, where each composition comprises a polymer and one also includes a reactive diluent and at least one includes a photoinitiator, mixing the compositions, spinning the mixture and photo-crosslinking the mixture, comprises using a transparent amorphous terpolymer with a glass transition temperature above 25 deg C comprising repeat units of formula P1-P3: X1-X3 = H, F, Cl or Br; R1 - H, F, Cl, Br or a (per)fluorinated 1-10C group; Y1, Y2 = H, F, Cl, Br or 1-10C groups; Y3 = CO or divalent carbon; Z1-Z3 = H, F or 1-10C groups; n = 0 or 1; A = an ester group, O or S; R2 = an optionally partially halogenated 2-8C divalent hydrocarbon group; Bx = an unsaturated group; i, j, k = numbers such that the P3 content is 2-40 mole% and the P1/P2 molar ratio is 0.5-5.5. Independent claims are also included for: (1) an optical fiber produced as above; (2) an optical waveguide produced as above.