PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GRADED-INDEX PROFILES IN POLYMERIC OPTICAL FIBRES

摘要

The invention relates to a method for producing gradient index refraction index profiles in polymer optical fibres (1). Said method is based on the fact that ionising radiation causes an increase in the refraction index of PMMA, for example. Polymer optical fibres, preforms or fibre core preforms are therefore guided past a source of radiation (5, 12, 13) at a predetermined speed and irradiated with ionising radiation of a predetermined wavelength and in a predetermined dose, before being tempered for a set period of time. By controlling the spatial distribution of the ionising radiation using mirrors (3), lenses (11) or systems of apertures (14), it is possible to produce a uniform radial gradient index refraction index profile over the total length of the fibre. As a result, the polymer fibre as an optical waveguide has essentially better transmission properties for optical signals.