WO2003104155A1 - Method for making a multicolor large diameter optical fiber waveguide - Google Patents

Method for making a multicolor large diameter optical fiber waveguide Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003104155A1
WO2003104155A1 PCT/US2003/018371 US0318371W WO03104155A1 WO 2003104155 A1 WO2003104155 A1 WO 2003104155A1 US 0318371 W US0318371 W US 0318371W WO 03104155 A1 WO03104155 A1 WO 03104155A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
large diameter
diameter optical
optical waveguide
preform
outer tube
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/018371
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Edward Dowd
Joseph Baraglia
Andrew Kuczma
Brian Pike
Thomas W. Engel
Martin A. Putnam
Original Assignee
Cidra Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cidra Corporation filed Critical Cidra Corporation
Priority to AU2003239245A priority Critical patent/AU2003239245A1/en
Publication of WO2003104155A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003104155A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/024—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating with polarisation maintaining properties
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
    • B29D11/00663—Production of light guides
    • B29D11/00721—Production of light guides involving preforms for the manufacture of light guides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
    • C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01205—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01211—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
    • C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01205—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01211—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube
    • C03B37/0122—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube for making preforms of photonic crystal, microstructured or holey optical fibres
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
    • C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01205—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01211—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube
    • C03B37/01222—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube for making preforms of multiple core optical fibres
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35303—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using a reference fibre, e.g. interferometric devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35306—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement
    • G01D5/35309—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement using multiple waves interferometer
    • G01D5/35316—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using an interferometer arrangement using multiple waves interferometer using a Bragg gratings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/32—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light
    • G01D5/34—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
    • G01D5/353—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre
    • G01D5/35383—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells influencing the transmission properties of an optical fibre using multiple sensor devices using multiplexing techniques
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L1/00—Measuring force or stress, in general
    • G01L1/24—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet
    • G01L1/242—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet the material being an optical fibre
    • G01L1/246—Measuring force or stress, in general by measuring variations of optical properties of material when it is stressed, e.g. by photoelastic stress analysis using infrared, visible light, ultraviolet the material being an optical fibre using integrated gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01L—MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L11/00—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00
    • G01L11/02—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00 by optical means
    • G01L11/025—Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by means not provided for in group G01L7/00 or G01L9/00 by optical means using a pressure-sensitive optical fibre
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02042—Multicore optical fibres
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02057—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating comprising gratings
    • G02B6/02076—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings
    • G02B6/0208—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by their structure, wavelength response
    • G02B6/021—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by their structure, wavelength response characterised by the core or cladding or coating, e.g. materials, radial refractive index profiles, cladding shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02057—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating comprising gratings
    • G02B6/02076—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings
    • G02B6/02171—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by means for compensating environmentally induced changes
    • G02B6/02176—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by means for compensating environmentally induced changes due to temperature fluctuations
    • G02B6/0218—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by means for compensating environmentally induced changes due to temperature fluctuations using mounting means, e.g. by using a combination of materials having different thermal expansion coefficients
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02057—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating comprising gratings
    • G02B6/02076—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings
    • G02B6/02195—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by means for tuning the grating
    • G02B6/022—Refractive index modulation gratings, e.g. Bragg gratings characterised by means for tuning the grating using mechanical stress, e.g. tuning by compression or elongation, special geometrical shapes such as "dog-bone" or taper
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02295—Microstructured optical fibre
    • G02B6/02314—Plurality of longitudinal structures extending along optical fibre axis, e.g. holes
    • G02B6/02385—Comprising liquid, e.g. fluid filled holes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/02—Optical fibres with cladding with or without a coating
    • G02B6/02295—Microstructured optical fibre
    • G02B6/02314—Plurality of longitudinal structures extending along optical fibre axis, e.g. holes
    • G02B6/0239—Comprising means for varying the guiding properties, e.g. tuning means
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
    • C03B2203/10—Internal structure or shape details
    • C03B2203/14—Non-solid, i.e. hollow products, e.g. hollow clad or with core-clad interface
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
    • C03B2203/10—Internal structure or shape details
    • C03B2203/14—Non-solid, i.e. hollow products, e.g. hollow clad or with core-clad interface
    • C03B2203/16—Hollow core
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B2203/00—Fibre product details, e.g. structure, shape
    • C03B2203/34—Plural core other than bundles, e.g. double core

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a method for manufacturing an optical component; and more particularly to a method for manufacturing a large diameter cane waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores and side holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide.
  • the present invention relates to and satisfies a need in the industry for drawing such a large diameter cane waveguide with a structural configuration for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide.
  • Cane elements are ideally drawn from an assembled glass preform composed of tubes, filler rods, and optical preform elements.
  • Standard optical fiber preform vapor deposition processes such as MCVD, OVD or VAD can be used to fabricate preform elements.
  • Preform elements may be pre-drawn to predetermined diameters to yield proper core size when the assembly is finally drawn.
  • Filler rods are used to minimize distortion of circular optical cores during the draw process.
  • the present invention provides a method for making a multicore large diameter waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and a structural configuration for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide.
  • the method features the steps of : assembling a preform for drawing the multicore large diameter waveguide by providing an outer tube having a cross- section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter waveguide from the preform.
  • the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.
  • the at least one inner tube may include three inner tubes symmetrically arranged inside the outer tube .
  • the two or more preform elements may be arranged between the outer tube and the three inner tubes .
  • the method also includes arranging one or more filler rods in one or more voids between the outer tube and the three inner tubes, as well as arranging one or more filler rods in a void between three inner tubes .
  • Fig. 3 shows a nested tube with filler rods according to a method for making a large diameter optical waveguide according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 shows a preform assembly according to a method for making a large diameter optical waveguide according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a diagram of a large diameter optical waveguide having a Bragg grating written therein.
  • Figure 2 shows an example of a 'nested tube' preform assembly design generally indicated as 310 having nested tubes 312a, 312b for use in a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide.
  • the tube 312b defines the hole 315.
  • One or more of the tubes 312b is notched 313a, 313b to accept one or more preform elements 316.
  • the notches 313a, 313b are cut to produce a minimal gap around the preform element 316 in order to reduce core distortion during the draw process . Core distortion may be further reduced with a core element that is shaped to fit the notch 313a, 313b, for example, grinding the preform element 316.
  • the preform assembly 310 is heated and drawn to provide the large diameter optical waveguide 250 in Figure 5 (c) .
  • Figure 3 shows another example of a multi-core preform assembly design generally indicated as 320 that is also heated and drawn to provide the large diameter optical waveguide 250 in Figure 5(c) .
  • This preform assembly 320 consists of nested tubes 322a, 322b with preform elements 326 and filler rods 324 located between them.
  • the tube 322b defines the hole 325.
  • the two or more preforms 326 may be diametrically opposed, or arranged at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, as shown.
  • the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the preforms are arranged in the assembly. In this design, some or all of the filler rods 324 may be substituted with preform elements 326.
  • Figure 4 shows yet another preform assembly design generally indicated as 330 that consists of a notched tube 332 filled with preform elements 336 and filler rods 334.
  • the preform assembly 330 may also be heated and drawn to provide the large diameter optical waveguide 250 in Figure 5 (c) .
  • the notched tube 332 defines the hole 335.
  • the tube 322b defines the hole 325.
  • the two or more preforms 336 may be diametrically opposed, as shown, or arranged at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
  • the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the preforms are arranged in the assembly.
  • the scope of the invention is intended to include forming the filler rods 334 as a rectangular cross section shaped glass to minimize core distortion.
  • Figures 5, 5(a), (b) and (c) Figure 5 shows three multiple off-center core designs, two of which are discussed above.
  • Figure 5 (b) shows a large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 240 including a cladding 241 having multiple holes 242 and multiple cores 244 with Bragg grating (not shown) written therein.
  • the multiple holes 242 include four symmetrically arranged holes 242.
  • the multiple cores 244 include three cores 244 symmetrically arranged about the holes 242.
  • Figure 5 (c) shows a large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 250 including a cladding 251 having multiple holes 252 and multiple cores 254 with Bragg grating (not shown) written therein.
  • the multiple holes 252 include four symmetrically arranged holes 252.
  • the multiple cores 254 include three cores 254 symmetrically arranged about the holes 252.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 250 is the result of using the preform 320 (Fig. 3) in relation to the aforedescribed method.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide or cane designs in Figures 5 allow independent Bragg gratings to be written into each core and then be coupled to individual pigtail fibers providing for a large range of wavelength tuning with a single actuated cane element.
  • the holes in the cane reduce the effective element modulus enabling a wide range of grating wavelength tuning with reduced compressive force and buckling.
  • the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific number of holes 232, 242, 252 or cores 234, 244, 254, or the arrangement of the same in relation to one another, for the designs shown in Figs. 5(a), (b) and (c) .
  • Embodiments are envisioned having more or less holes 232, 242, 252 or cores 234, 244, 254, as well as different symmetrical and non-symmetrical arrangements of holes 232, 242, 252 and cores 234, 244, 254 in relation to one another, than that shown in Figs. 5(a), (b) and (c) .
  • FIG. 6 shows a large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 40 (also known as a "cane")/ which is an example of the structures 10 and 10' discussed above.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has an inner core 42 and an outer cladding 44 surrounding the inner core 42, opposing ends 41a, 41b, and a diameter D of at least about 0.3 millimeters, similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/455,868 (CC-0230), which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the inner core 42 has a Bragg grating 22a written therein for tuning by applying a compressive force indicated by arrows 48 on the opposite ends 41a, 41b of the optical waveguide 40, or for sensing an external parameter like pressure applied thereon.
  • Cane waveguides have proven to be useful elements for creating highly reliable tunable grating based elements, and appear to be suitable for a variety of other applications.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 comprises silica glass (Si0 2 ) based material having the appropriate dopants, as is known, to allow light indicated by arrow 45 to propagate in either direction along the inner core 42 and/or within the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
  • the inner core 42 has an outer dimension d c and the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has an outer dimension D.
  • Other materials for the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be used if desired.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be made of any glass, e.g., silica, phosphate glass, or other glasses; or solely plastic.
  • the outer dimension D of the outer cladding 44 is at least about 0.3 millimeters; and the outer dimension d c of the inner core 42 is such that it propagates only a few spatial modes (e.g., less than about 6) .
  • the inner core 42 has a substantially circular transverse cross-sectional shape with a diameter d c less than about 12.5 microns, depending on the wavelength of light.
  • the invention will also work with larger or non-circular cores that propagate a few (less than about 6) spatial modes, in one or more transverse directions.
  • the outer diameter D of the outer cladding 44 and the length L have values that will resist buckling when the large diameter optical waveguide 40 is placed in axial compression as indicated by the arrows 48.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be ground or etched to provide tapered (or beveled or angled) outer corners or edges 50 to provide a seat for the large diameter optical waveguide 40 to mate with another part (not shown herein) and/or to adjust the force angles on the large diameter optical waveguide 40, or for other reasons.
  • the angle of the beveled corners 50 is set to achieve the desired function.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be etched or ground to provide nubs 52 for an attachment of a pigtail assembly 54 (not shown herein) to the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
  • the size of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has inherent mechanical rigidity that improves packaging options and reduces bend losses.
  • the Bragg grating 22a is impressed (or embedded or imprinted) therein.
  • a Bragg grating 22a is a periodic or aperiodic variation in the effective refractive index and/or effective optical absorption coefficient of an optical waveguide, such as that described in U.S. Patent Nos . 4,725,110 and 4,807,950, entitled “Method for Impressing Gratings Within Fiber Optics” , to Glenn et al . ; and U.S. Patent No. 5,388,173, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Forming Aperiodic Gratings in Optical Fibers", to Glenn, which are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent necessary to understand the present invention.
  • the aperiodic variation of the gratings described herein may include a chirped grating. See also U.S. Patent Nos . 4,725,110 and 4,807,950, entitled “Method for Impressing Gratings Within Fiber Optics” , to Glenn
  • the grating 22a is written in the inner core 42; however, the scope of the invention is intended to include writing the grating in the outer cladding 44, as well as a combination of the inner core 42 and the outer cladding 44.
  • Any type of wavelength-tunable grating or reflective element embedded, etched, imprinted, or otherwise formed in the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be used.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be photosensitive if the grating 22a is to be written into the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
  • the term "grating" means any of such reflective elements.
  • the reflective element (or grating) 22a may be used in reflection and/or transmission of light.
  • the incoming light 57 incident on the grating 22a reflects a portion thereof as indicated by a line 58, and passes the remaining incident light 57 (within a predetermined wavelength range) , as indicated by a line 60 (as is known) .
  • the grating 22a has a grating length Lg, which is determined based on the application, and may be any desired length.
  • a typical grating 22a has a grating length Lg in the range of about 3 - 40 millimeters. Other sizes or ranges may be used if desired.
  • the length Lg of the grating 22a may be shorter than or substantially the same length as the length L of the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
  • the inner core 42 need not be located in the center of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 but may be located anywhere in the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be made using fiber drawing techniques that provide the resultant desired dimensions for the core and the outer diameter discussed hereinbefore. As such, the external surface of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 will likely be optically flat, thereby allowing Bragg gratings to be written through the cladding similar to that which is done for conventional optical fiber. Because the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has a large outer diameter compared to that of a standard optical fiber (e.g., 125 microns), the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may not need to be coated with a buffer and then stripped to write the gratings, thereby requiring less steps than that needed for conventional optical fiber gratings.
  • a standard optical fiber e.g., 125 microns
  • the large outer diameter D of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 allows the waveguide to be ground, etched or machined while retaining the mechanical strength of the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 is easily manufacturable and easy to handle, and may be made in long lengths (on the order of many inches, feet, or meters) then cut to size as needed for the desired application.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide 40 does not exhibit mechanical degradation from surface ablation common with optical fibers under high laser fluency (or power or intensity) during grating exposure (or writing) .
  • the thickness of the cladding between the cladding outer diameter and the core outer diameter causes a reduced power level at the air-to-glass interface for a focused writing beam.
  • the large diameter optical waveguide also reduces coupling between the core and cladding modes due to the increased end cross-sectional area between the core and cladding of the waveguide.
  • the gratings 22a written in the inner core 42 of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 exhibit less optical transmission loss and exhibits a cleaner optical profile than a conventional fiber grating because the large cladding region dissipates coupled cladding modes, thereby reducing the coupling of the inner core 42 to the outer cladding 44 modes.
  • the thickness of the outer cladding 44 between the cladding outer diameter and the core outer diameter may be set to optimize this effect.
  • the invention is described in relation to long period gratings, the inventors envision other embodiments using blazed gratings, periodic or aperiodic gratings, or chirped gratings.

Abstract

A method for making a multicore large diameter optical fiber waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the cores, and one or more (side) holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the fiber. The method comprises assembling a preform by providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters and arranging two or more preform elements within the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide from the heated preform. In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube. The large diameter optical fiber waveguide comprises silica-based glass with appropriate dopants; other materials such as phosphate glass or solely plastic may be used. Bragg gratings can be written into the cores.

Description

METHOD FOR MAKING A MULTICORE LARGE DIAMETER OPTICAL FIBER WAVEGUIDE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims benefit to provisional patent application serial no. 60/387,174, filed June 7, 2002 (CC- 0286) .
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a method for manufacturing an optical component; and more particularly to a method for manufacturing a large diameter cane waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores and side holes for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide.
2. Description of Related Art
There are known methods for drawing an optical fiber, as well as a large diameter cane waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores . The present invention relates to and satisfies a need in the industry for drawing such a large diameter cane waveguide with a structural configuration for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Cane elements are ideally drawn from an assembled glass preform composed of tubes, filler rods, and optical preform elements. Standard optical fiber preform vapor deposition processes such as MCVD, OVD or VAD can be used to fabricate preform elements. Preform elements may be pre-drawn to predetermined diameters to yield proper core size when the assembly is finally drawn. Filler rods are used to minimize distortion of circular optical cores during the draw process. In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a method for making a multicore large diameter waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and a structural configuration for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The method features the steps of : assembling a preform for drawing the multicore large diameter waveguide by providing an outer tube having a cross- section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter waveguide from the preform.
In one embodiment, the method also includes the step of arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.
In this embodiment, the at least one inner tube may include three inner tubes symmetrically arranged inside the outer tube . The two or more preform elements may be arranged between the outer tube and the three inner tubes . The method also includes arranging one or more filler rods in one or more voids between the outer tube and the three inner tubes, as well as arranging one or more filler rods in a void between three inner tubes .
In another embodiment, the method also comprises the steps of notching the at least one inner tube with two or more notches; and providing a respective preform element in each notch.
In still another embodiment, the method may also include the step of circumferentially arranging one or more filler rods between the at least one inner tube and the outer tube in relation to the two or more preforms. The two or more preforms may be diametrically opposed, or arranged at 0 , 90, 180 and 270 degrees.
In still another embodiment, the method also includes the steps of notching the outer tube with two or more notches; and providing a respective preform element in each notch. The notches may be diametrically opposed. This method also includes the steps of arranging one or more filler rods in each notch.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The drawing, not drawn to scale, include the following Figures :
Fig. 1 shows a preform assembly according to a method for making a large diameter optical waveguide according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a nested tube preform assembly according to a method for making a large diameter optical waveguide according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows a nested tube with filler rods according to a method for making a large diameter optical waveguide according to the present invention. Fig. 4 shows a preform assembly according to a method for making a large diameter optical waveguide according to the present invention.
Fig. 5 includes Figs. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c); Fig. 5(a) is a diagram of an embodiment of a large diameter optical waveguide having multiple holes with a clover leaf design and multiple cores with Bragg grating written therein; Fig. 5(b) is a diagram of an embodiment of a large diameter optical waveguide having multiple holes with a honeycomb-like design and multiple cores with Bragg grating written therein; and Fig.
5(c) is a diagram of an embodiment of a large diameter optical waveguide having a tubular hole and diametrically opposed multiple cores with Bragg grating written therein.
Fig. 6 is a diagram of a large diameter optical waveguide having a Bragg grating written therein.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Figures 1-4 : Methods of Manufacture Figure 1 shows an example of a tri-core preform assembly design for use in a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide 230 (Fig. 5(a) having a cross- section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores 234, a cladding 231 surrounding the two or more inner cores 234, and a structural configuration 232 for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti- buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide. The method includes the steps of : assembling a preform generally indicated as 300 for drawing the multicore large diameter optical waveguide 230 in Fig. 5(a) by providing an outer tube 302 having a cross- section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, and arranging two or more preform elements 306 in relation to the outer tube 302; heating the preform assembly 300; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide 231 from the preform 300.
In the preform assembly 300, three inner tubes are symmetrically arranged inside the outer tube. The two or more preform elements 306 are arranged between the outer and inner tubes 302. Filler rods 304 are arranged in voids between the inner and outer tubes 302 in relation to the two or more preforms 306. As shown, one filler rod is arranged in a void between three inner tubes 302. Techniques for heating the preform and drawing a large diameter optical waveguide from a heated preform are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular kind or type thereof .
Figure 2 shows an example of a 'nested tube' preform assembly design generally indicated as 310 having nested tubes 312a, 312b for use in a method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide. The tube 312b defines the hole 315. One or more of the tubes 312b is notched 313a, 313b to accept one or more preform elements 316. The notches 313a, 313b are cut to produce a minimal gap around the preform element 316 in order to reduce core distortion during the draw process . Core distortion may be further reduced with a core element that is shaped to fit the notch 313a, 313b, for example, grinding the preform element 316. The preform assembly 310 is heated and drawn to provide the large diameter optical waveguide 250 in Figure 5 (c) .
Figure 3 shows another example of a multi-core preform assembly design generally indicated as 320 that is also heated and drawn to provide the large diameter optical waveguide 250 in Figure 5(c) . This preform assembly 320 consists of nested tubes 322a, 322b with preform elements 326 and filler rods 324 located between them. The tube 322b defines the hole 325. The two or more preforms 326 may be diametrically opposed, or arranged at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, as shown. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the preforms are arranged in the assembly. In this design, some or all of the filler rods 324 may be substituted with preform elements 326. Figure 4 shows yet another preform assembly design generally indicated as 330 that consists of a notched tube 332 filled with preform elements 336 and filler rods 334. The preform assembly 330 may also be heated and drawn to provide the large diameter optical waveguide 250 in Figure 5 (c) . The notched tube 332 defines the hole 335. The tube 322b defines the hole 325. The two or more preforms 336 may be diametrically opposed, as shown, or arranged at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to how the preforms are arranged in the assembly. The scope of the invention is intended to include forming the filler rods 334 as a rectangular cross section shaped glass to minimize core distortion.
Figures 5, 5(a), (b) and (c) : Figure 5 shows three multiple off-center core designs, two of which are discussed above.
Figure 5 (a) shows the large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 230 including a cladding 231 having multiple holes 232 with a honeycomb design and multiple cores 234 with Bragg grating (not shown) written therein. The multiple holes 232 include three symmetrically arranged holes 232. The multiple cores 234 include three cores 234 symmetrically arranged about the holes 232. The large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 230 is the result of using the preform 300 (Fig. 1) in relation to the aforedescribed method.
Figure 5 (b) shows a large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 240 including a cladding 241 having multiple holes 242 and multiple cores 244 with Bragg grating (not shown) written therein. The multiple holes 242 include four symmetrically arranged holes 242. The multiple cores 244 include three cores 244 symmetrically arranged about the holes 242.
Figure 5 (c) shows a large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 250 including a cladding 251 having multiple holes 252 and multiple cores 254 with Bragg grating (not shown) written therein. The multiple holes 252 include four symmetrically arranged holes 252. The multiple cores 254 include three cores 254 symmetrically arranged about the holes 252. The large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 250 is the result of using the preform 320 (Fig. 3) in relation to the aforedescribed method.
Similar to that discussed above, the large diameter optical waveguide or cane designs in Figures 5 allow independent Bragg gratings to be written into each core and then be coupled to individual pigtail fibers providing for a large range of wavelength tuning with a single actuated cane element. The holes in the cane reduce the effective element modulus enabling a wide range of grating wavelength tuning with reduced compressive force and buckling.
The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific number of holes 232, 242, 252 or cores 234, 244, 254, or the arrangement of the same in relation to one another, for the designs shown in Figs. 5(a), (b) and (c) . Embodiments are envisioned having more or less holes 232, 242, 252 or cores 234, 244, 254, as well as different symmetrical and non-symmetrical arrangements of holes 232, 242, 252 and cores 234, 244, 254 in relation to one another, than that shown in Figs. 5(a), (b) and (c) .
Figure 6 : The Large Diameter Optical Waveguide Fig. 6 shows a large diameter optical waveguide generally indicated as 40 (also known as a "cane")/ which is an example of the structures 10 and 10' discussed above. The large diameter optical waveguide 40 has an inner core 42 and an outer cladding 44 surrounding the inner core 42, opposing ends 41a, 41b, and a diameter D of at least about 0.3 millimeters, similar to that disclosed in the aforementioned co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/455,868 (CC-0230), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The inner core 42 has a Bragg grating 22a written therein for tuning by applying a compressive force indicated by arrows 48 on the opposite ends 41a, 41b of the optical waveguide 40, or for sensing an external parameter like pressure applied thereon.
Cane waveguides have proven to be useful elements for creating highly reliable tunable grating based elements, and appear to be suitable for a variety of other applications.
One of the issues associated with the tuning of cane waveguides is the force required to tune a given cane element (typically formed in a "dogbone" element) . Reducing the cane diameter can reduce the force required to tune a grating a given amount; however, the element will buckle at a lower compression strain, ultimately producing a lower tuning range.
The large diameter optical waveguide 40 comprises silica glass (Si02) based material having the appropriate dopants, as is known, to allow light indicated by arrow 45 to propagate in either direction along the inner core 42 and/or within the large diameter optical waveguide 40. The inner core 42 has an outer dimension dc and the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has an outer dimension D. Other materials for the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be used if desired. For example, the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be made of any glass, e.g., silica, phosphate glass, or other glasses; or solely plastic.
The outer dimension D of the outer cladding 44 is at least about 0.3 millimeters; and the outer dimension dc of the inner core 42 is such that it propagates only a few spatial modes (e.g., less than about 6) . For example for single spatial mode propagation, the inner core 42 has a substantially circular transverse cross-sectional shape with a diameter dc less than about 12.5 microns, depending on the wavelength of light. The invention will also work with larger or non-circular cores that propagate a few (less than about 6) spatial modes, in one or more transverse directions. The outer diameter D of the outer cladding 44 and the length L have values that will resist buckling when the large diameter optical waveguide 40 is placed in axial compression as indicated by the arrows 48.
The large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be ground or etched to provide tapered (or beveled or angled) outer corners or edges 50 to provide a seat for the large diameter optical waveguide 40 to mate with another part (not shown herein) and/or to adjust the force angles on the large diameter optical waveguide 40, or for other reasons. The angle of the beveled corners 50 is set to achieve the desired function. Further, the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be etched or ground to provide nubs 52 for an attachment of a pigtail assembly 54 (not shown herein) to the large diameter optical waveguide 40. Further, the size of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has inherent mechanical rigidity that improves packaging options and reduces bend losses.
In the large diameter optical waveguide 40, the Bragg grating 22a is impressed (or embedded or imprinted) therein. A Bragg grating 22a, as is known, is a periodic or aperiodic variation in the effective refractive index and/or effective optical absorption coefficient of an optical waveguide, such as that described in U.S. Patent Nos . 4,725,110 and 4,807,950, entitled "Method for Impressing Gratings Within Fiber Optics" , to Glenn et al . ; and U.S. Patent No. 5,388,173, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Forming Aperiodic Gratings in Optical Fibers", to Glenn, which are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent necessary to understand the present invention. The aperiodic variation of the gratings described herein may include a chirped grating. See also U.S. Patent
Nos. 5,042,897 and 5,061,032, both issued to Meltz et al . , and hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. As shown, the grating 22a is written in the inner core 42; however, the scope of the invention is intended to include writing the grating in the outer cladding 44, as well as a combination of the inner core 42 and the outer cladding 44. Any type of wavelength-tunable grating or reflective element embedded, etched, imprinted, or otherwise formed in the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be used. The large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be photosensitive if the grating 22a is to be written into the large diameter optical waveguide 40. As used herein, the term "grating" means any of such reflective elements. Further, the reflective element (or grating) 22a may be used in reflection and/or transmission of light. The incoming light 57 incident on the grating 22a reflects a portion thereof as indicated by a line 58, and passes the remaining incident light 57 (within a predetermined wavelength range) , as indicated by a line 60 (as is known) .
The grating 22a has a grating length Lg, which is determined based on the application, and may be any desired length. A typical grating 22a has a grating length Lg in the range of about 3 - 40 millimeters. Other sizes or ranges may be used if desired. The length Lg of the grating 22a may be shorter than or substantially the same length as the length L of the large diameter optical waveguide 40. Also, the inner core 42 need not be located in the center of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 but may be located anywhere in the large diameter optical waveguide 40.
Accordingly, an outer diameter D of greater than about 400 microns (0.4 millimeters) provides acceptable results (without buckling) for a waveguide length L of 5 millimeters, over a grating wavelength tuning range of about 10 nm. For a given outer diameter D as the length L increases, the wavelength tuning range (without buckling) decreases. Other diameters D for the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be used depending on the overall length L of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 and the desired amount of compression length change ΔL or wavelength shift Δλ .
The large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be made using fiber drawing techniques that provide the resultant desired dimensions for the core and the outer diameter discussed hereinbefore. As such, the external surface of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 will likely be optically flat, thereby allowing Bragg gratings to be written through the cladding similar to that which is done for conventional optical fiber. Because the large diameter optical waveguide 40 has a large outer diameter compared to that of a standard optical fiber (e.g., 125 microns), the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may not need to be coated with a buffer and then stripped to write the gratings, thereby requiring less steps than that needed for conventional optical fiber gratings. Also, the large outer diameter D of the large diameter optical waveguide 40, allows the waveguide to be ground, etched or machined while retaining the mechanical strength of the large diameter optical waveguide 40. The large diameter optical waveguide 40 is easily manufacturable and easy to handle, and may be made in long lengths (on the order of many inches, feet, or meters) then cut to size as needed for the desired application.
Also, the large diameter optical waveguide 40 does not exhibit mechanical degradation from surface ablation common with optical fibers under high laser fluency (or power or intensity) during grating exposure (or writing) . In particular, the thickness of the cladding between the cladding outer diameter and the core outer diameter causes a reduced power level at the air-to-glass interface for a focused writing beam. The large diameter optical waveguide also reduces coupling between the core and cladding modes due to the increased end cross-sectional area between the core and cladding of the waveguide. Thus, the gratings 22a written in the inner core 42 of the large diameter optical waveguide 40 exhibit less optical transmission loss and exhibits a cleaner optical profile than a conventional fiber grating because the large cladding region dissipates coupled cladding modes, thereby reducing the coupling of the inner core 42 to the outer cladding 44 modes. In general, the greater the difference in the cross-sectional area between the inner core 42 and the outer cladding 44 the smaller the mode field overlap and the lower the coupling to the cladding modes. The thickness of the outer cladding 44 between the cladding outer diameter and the core outer diameter may be set to optimize this effect. Other diameters of the inner core 42 and the large diameter optical waveguide 40 may be used if desired such that the cladding modes are reduced to the desired levels . The large diameter optical waveguide 40 may have end cross-sectional shapes other than circular, such as square, rectangular, elliptical, clam-shell, octagonal, multi-sided, or any other desired shapes, discussed more hereinafter. Also, the waveguide may resemble a short "block" type or a longer "cane" type geometry, depending on the length of the waveguide and outer dimension of the waveguide. The Scope of the Invention It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein.
For example, although the invention is described in relation to long period gratings, the inventors envision other embodiments using blazed gratings, periodic or aperiodic gratings, or chirped gratings.
Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is :
1. A method for making a multicore large diameter optical waveguide having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, two or more inner cores, a cladding surrounding the two or more inner cores, and a structural configuration for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility and maintaining the anti-buckling strength of the large diameter optical waveguide, comprising the steps of: assembling a preform for drawing the multicore large diameter optical waveguide by providing an outer tube having a cross-section of at least about 0.3 millimeters, and arranging two or more preform elements in relation to the outer tube; heating the preform; and drawing the large diameter optical waveguide from the preform.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises arranging at least one inner tube inside the outer tube.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one inner tube includes three inner tubes symmetrically arranged inside the outer tube.
4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the two or more preform elements are arranged between the outer tube and the at least one inner tube .
5. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the method includes the step of arranging one or more filler rods between the outer tube and the at least one inner tube in relation to the two or more preforms .
6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises the step of arranging one or more filler rods in one or more voids between the outer tube and the three inner tubes .
7. A method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises the step of arranging one or more filler rods in a void between three inner tubes .
8. A method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises the steps of notching the at least one inner tube with two or more notches; and providing a respective preform element in each notch.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the steps of notching the outer tube with two or more notches; and providing a respective preform element in each notch.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises the steps of arranging one or more filler rods in each notch.
PCT/US2003/018371 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 Method for making a multicolor large diameter optical fiber waveguide WO2003104155A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003239245A AU2003239245A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 Method for making a multicolor large diameter optical fiber waveguide

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US38717402P 2002-06-07 2002-06-07
US60/387,174 2002-06-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003104155A1 true WO2003104155A1 (en) 2003-12-18

Family

ID=29736275

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2003/018371 WO2003104155A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 Method for making a multicolor large diameter optical fiber waveguide
PCT/US2003/018370 WO2003104758A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 A pressure transducer featuring large diameter optical waveguide having bragg grating and being configured for reducing the bulk modulus of compressiblity thereof
PCT/US2003/018173 WO2003104866A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 Tunable optical filter having large diameter optical waveguide with bragg grating and with reducing the bulk modulus

Family Applications After (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2003/018370 WO2003104758A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 A pressure transducer featuring large diameter optical waveguide having bragg grating and being configured for reducing the bulk modulus of compressiblity thereof
PCT/US2003/018173 WO2003104866A1 (en) 2002-06-07 2003-06-09 Tunable optical filter having large diameter optical waveguide with bragg grating and with reducing the bulk modulus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (4) US7062126B2 (en)
AU (3) AU2003237511A1 (en)
WO (3) WO2003104155A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006100488A1 (en) 2005-03-24 2006-09-28 Qinetiq Limited Multiple core microstructured optical fibre
CN103936277A (en) * 2014-03-20 2014-07-23 富通集团有限公司 Multi-core optical fiber manufacturing method
CN112379485A (en) * 2020-11-16 2021-02-19 西湖大学 Integrated optical filter structure with ultra-large free spectral range

Families Citing this family (40)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7062126B2 (en) * 2002-06-07 2006-06-13 Kersey Alan D Tunable optical filter having large diameter optical waveguide with bragg grating and being configured for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility thereof
JP4220261B2 (en) * 2003-02-12 2009-02-04 三菱電線工業株式会社 Photonic crystal fiber manufacturing method
US6931188B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2005-08-16 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Side-hole cane waveguide sensor
US7689087B2 (en) * 2003-03-21 2010-03-30 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of Industry, Through The Communications Research Centre Canada Method of changing the birefringence of an optical waveguide by laser modification of the cladding
GB0321607D0 (en) * 2003-09-15 2003-10-15 Vectura Ltd Manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions
US7708688B2 (en) * 2004-03-15 2010-05-04 Paradigm Optics, Incorporated Polymer endoscopic shaft
US20060130528A1 (en) * 2004-12-22 2006-06-22 Nelson Brian K Method of making a hole assisted fiber device and fiber preform
US20060151704A1 (en) * 2004-12-30 2006-07-13 Cordingley James J Laser-based material processing methods, system and subsystem for use therein for precision energy control
US20060191884A1 (en) * 2005-01-21 2006-08-31 Johnson Shepard D High-speed, precise, laser-based material processing method and system
US7587110B2 (en) * 2005-03-22 2009-09-08 Panasonic Corporation Multicore optical fiber with integral diffractive elements machined by ultrafast laser direct writing
US8032027B2 (en) 2005-07-25 2011-10-04 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Wide free-spectral-range, widely tunable and hitless-switchable optical channel add-drop filters
ES2298960T3 (en) * 2005-11-04 2008-05-16 Delphi Technologies, Inc. PROVISION OF DRIVING DEVICE.
JP2009516855A (en) * 2005-11-15 2009-04-23 ゾロ テクノロジーズ，インコーポレイティド All-fiber architecture for built-in flight sensors for aviation propulsion applications
US7317849B1 (en) * 2006-06-08 2008-01-08 Institut National D'optique Optical fiber sensor and method
WO2008008344A2 (en) * 2006-07-11 2008-01-17 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Microphotonic maskless lithography
US8111994B2 (en) * 2006-08-16 2012-02-07 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Balanced bypass circulators and folded universally-balanced interferometers
US8043087B2 (en) * 2006-10-11 2011-10-25 Raytheon Company Methods and apparatus for thermal development of large area solids
WO2008082664A2 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-10 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Fabrication-tolerant waveguides and resonators
US8655114B2 (en) * 2007-03-26 2014-02-18 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Hitless tuning and switching of optical resonator amplitude and phase responses
WO2009055440A2 (en) * 2007-10-22 2009-04-30 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Low-loss bloch wave guiding in open structures and highly compact efficient waveguide-crossing arrays
US20090181842A1 (en) * 2008-01-08 2009-07-16 Institut National D'optique Polarization-maintaining optical fiber and method for manufacturing the same
GB2457946B (en) * 2008-02-29 2011-11-16 Sumitomo Electric Industries Method of manufacturing photonic bandgap fibre
US7903907B1 (en) 2008-04-10 2011-03-08 Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc. Force and deflection sensor with shell membrane and optical gratings and method of manufacture
US8340478B2 (en) * 2008-12-03 2012-12-25 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Resonant optical modulators
US7892460B1 (en) * 2009-02-17 2011-02-22 Paradigm Optics Enclosed drawing method
US8483521B2 (en) * 2009-05-29 2013-07-09 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Cavity dynamics compensation in resonant optical modulators
US8488924B2 (en) * 2009-07-03 2013-07-16 Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute Optical waveguide and bi-directional optical transceiver
US8402834B1 (en) 2010-02-12 2013-03-26 Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems, Inc. Fiber optic pressure sensor based on differential signaling
CN102095436B (en) * 2011-01-30 2012-07-25 河南工业大学 Optical fiber sensors, and system for monitoring granary temperature and stock
JP2013020074A (en) * 2011-07-11 2013-01-31 Hitachi Cable Ltd Multi-core fiber
US10197752B2 (en) * 2013-02-22 2019-02-05 Weatherford Technology Holdings, Llc Monolithic multi-optical-waveguide penetrator or connector
US20150085352A1 (en) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-26 Alcatel-Lucent Usa Inc. Optical amplifier for space-division multiplexing
US9403237B2 (en) 2014-03-12 2016-08-02 Oewaves, Inc. Systems and methods for removing mode families
JP6402466B2 (en) * 2014-03-31 2018-10-10 住友電気工業株式会社 Multi-core optical fiber manufacturing method
GB2568524B (en) * 2017-11-20 2019-11-06 Smart Fibres Ltd A method for forming a pressure sensor
US11007027B2 (en) 2018-03-07 2021-05-18 Verb Surgical Inc. Surgical robotic user input apparatus having optical fiber-based intrinsic sensors
EP3702333A1 (en) * 2019-03-01 2020-09-02 Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG Method and device for producing a glass component
WO2020243896A1 (en) * 2019-06-04 2020-12-10 深圳大学 Optical fiber grating directional pressure sensor, and optical fiber grating preparation method and device
CN111796359A (en) * 2020-07-31 2020-10-20 燕山大学 Double-core optical fiber mode converter
US11685686B2 (en) * 2021-06-18 2023-06-27 Prime Optical Fiber Corporation Apparatus for optical fiber manufacturing process

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3844752A (en) * 1973-08-20 1974-10-29 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Method for fabricating an optical fiber cable
JPS5738331A (en) * 1980-07-09 1982-03-03 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Manufacture of base material for multicore fiber
JPS5792536A (en) * 1980-11-29 1982-06-09 Dainichi Nippon Cables Ltd Preparation of parent material of optical glass fiber
US4832720A (en) * 1985-03-04 1989-05-23 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Method for producing multi-core optical fiber
JPH03141132A (en) * 1989-10-26 1991-06-17 Fujikura Ltd Production of matrix for optical fiber with eccentric core
US6154594A (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-11-28 Corning Incorporated Multicore glass optical fiber and methods of manufacturing such fibers

Family Cites Families (45)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4127398A (en) * 1963-09-18 1978-11-28 Ni-Tec, Inc. Multiple-channel tubular devices
US3990874A (en) * 1965-09-24 1976-11-09 Ni-Tec, Inc. Process of manufacturing a fiber bundle
US3646472A (en) * 1967-10-02 1972-02-29 American Optical Corp Laser structures
US3583786A (en) * 1969-09-23 1971-06-08 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Optical waveguide formed of cylinders with optically smooth interfaces therebetween
GB1352733A (en) * 1971-07-08 1974-05-08 Mullard Ltd Electron multipliers
US4010019A (en) * 1971-11-19 1977-03-01 American Optical Corporation Method of making microchannel plates
US3814499A (en) * 1973-05-11 1974-06-04 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Optical cable including a plurality of single material fibers
DE2516387A1 (en) 1975-04-15 1976-10-21 Siemens Ag METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OPTICAL SINGLE MATERIAL FIBERS
JPS5758104A (en) * 1980-09-26 1982-04-07 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd:The Manufacture of multicore fiber preform
US4640035A (en) * 1981-09-03 1987-02-03 The Secretary Of State For Defence In Her Britannic Majesty's Government Of The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland Identifying means
US5221309A (en) * 1984-05-15 1993-06-22 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Method for producing glass preform for optical fiber
WO1986001303A1 (en) * 1984-08-13 1986-02-27 United Technologies Corporation Method for impressing grating within fiber optics
US5203899A (en) * 1985-03-18 1993-04-20 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Method for producing glass preform for optical fiber
US5593736A (en) * 1988-05-26 1997-01-14 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Process for manufacturing a fiber reinforced optic microcable with a UV cured resin
US5248547A (en) * 1988-10-25 1993-09-28 Mobil Oil Corporation Multi-layer coextruded polyolefin stretch wrap films
EP0372450B1 (en) * 1988-12-09 1994-01-12 Alcatel N.V. Process for working up a preform for a polarization-maintaining optical fibre
US5061032A (en) * 1989-12-26 1991-10-29 United Technologies Corporation Optical waveguide embedded light redirecting and focusing bragg grating arrangement
US5042897A (en) * 1989-12-26 1991-08-27 United Technologies Corporation Optical waveguide embedded light redirecting Bragg grating arrangement
US5017206A (en) * 1990-01-04 1991-05-21 Corning Incorporated Method of providing a 1xN fiber optic coupler
FR2683053B1 (en) * 1991-10-29 1994-10-07 Thomson Csf OPTICAL FIBER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD.
DE69225242T2 (en) * 1992-09-30 1998-12-24 Asahi Chemical Ind HOLLOW OPTICAL MULTI-CORE FIBER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
US5388173A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-02-07 United Technologies Corporation Method and apparatus for forming aperiodic gratings in optical fibers
US5691999A (en) 1994-09-30 1997-11-25 United Technologies Corporation Compression-tuned fiber laser
AU710352B2 (en) 1996-08-12 1999-09-16 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Grating element, light wavelength selection utilizing the same, and optical signal transmitting system
US5841131A (en) 1997-07-07 1998-11-24 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Fiber optic pressure transducers and pressure sensing system incorporating same
US5828059A (en) * 1996-09-09 1998-10-27 Udd; Eric Transverse strain measurements using fiber optic grating based sensors
NO313024B1 (en) 1997-12-19 2002-07-29 Optoplan As Method for using an optical fiber as hydrostatic pressure foil
US6208776B1 (en) 1998-04-08 2001-03-27 Physical Optics Corporation Birefringent fiber grating sensor and detection system
AU5002099A (en) * 1998-07-30 2000-02-21 Corning Incorporated Method of fabricating photonic structures
US6229827B1 (en) * 1998-12-04 2001-05-08 Cidra Corporation Compression-tuned bragg grating and laser
CA2353504C (en) 1998-12-04 2007-09-11 Cidra Corporation Compression-tuned bragg grating and laser
US6365072B1 (en) * 1999-03-19 2002-04-02 Mk Industries, Inc. Polymer optical fibers and process for manufacturing thereof
JP3141132B2 (en) 2000-01-12 2001-03-05 ヤンマー農機株式会社 Rice transplanter
US6304686B1 (en) * 2000-02-09 2001-10-16 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Methods and apparatus for measuring differential pressure with fiber optic sensor systems
KR100334763B1 (en) * 2000-04-18 2002-05-03 윤종용 Fabrication method and device of holey optical fiber
US6444133B1 (en) * 2000-04-28 2002-09-03 Corning Incorporated Method of making photonic band gap fibers
GB2365992B (en) * 2000-08-14 2002-09-11 Univ Southampton Compound glass optical fibres
GB0021975D0 (en) 2000-09-07 2000-10-25 Optomed As Filter optic probes
NO316775B1 (en) * 2001-06-11 2004-05-03 Optoplan As Method of Coating a Fiber with Fiber Optic Bragg Grids (FBG)
KR100403736B1 (en) * 2001-11-30 2003-10-30 삼성전자주식회사 Wide band dispersion-controlled fiber
US6711333B2 (en) * 2002-04-19 2004-03-23 Corning Incorporated Wideband, multi-core dispersion compensation fiber
US7062126B2 (en) * 2002-06-07 2006-06-13 Kersey Alan D Tunable optical filter having large diameter optical waveguide with bragg grating and being configured for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility thereof
US6917741B2 (en) * 2002-11-18 2005-07-12 Corning Incorporated Methods for manufacturing microstructured optical fibers with arbitrary core size
US6931188B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2005-08-16 Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. Side-hole cane waveguide sensor
US6826339B1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2004-11-30 Corning Incorporated Electromagnetically induced transparent (EIT) photonic band-gap fibers

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3844752A (en) * 1973-08-20 1974-10-29 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Method for fabricating an optical fiber cable
JPS5738331A (en) * 1980-07-09 1982-03-03 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Manufacture of base material for multicore fiber
JPS5792536A (en) * 1980-11-29 1982-06-09 Dainichi Nippon Cables Ltd Preparation of parent material of optical glass fiber
US4832720A (en) * 1985-03-04 1989-05-23 Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Method for producing multi-core optical fiber
JPH03141132A (en) * 1989-10-26 1991-06-17 Fujikura Ltd Production of matrix for optical fiber with eccentric core
US6154594A (en) * 1998-07-15 2000-11-28 Corning Incorporated Multicore glass optical fiber and methods of manufacturing such fibers

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 006, no. 106 (C - 108) 16 June 1982 (1982-06-16) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 006, no. 177 (C - 124) 11 September 1982 (1982-09-11) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 015, no. 357 (C - 0866) 10 September 1991 (1991-09-10) *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006100488A1 (en) 2005-03-24 2006-09-28 Qinetiq Limited Multiple core microstructured optical fibre
JP2008534995A (en) * 2005-03-24 2008-08-28 キネティック リミテッド Multi-core microstructured optical fiber
US7734137B2 (en) 2005-03-24 2010-06-08 Qinetiq Limited Multiple core microstructured optical fibre
CN103936277A (en) * 2014-03-20 2014-07-23 富通集团有限公司 Multi-core optical fiber manufacturing method
CN112379485A (en) * 2020-11-16 2021-02-19 西湖大学 Integrated optical filter structure with ultra-large free spectral range
CN112379485B (en) * 2020-11-16 2022-10-04 西湖大学 Integrated optical filter structure with ultra-large free spectral range

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20040037485A1 (en) 2004-02-26
US7080529B2 (en) 2006-07-25
WO2003104866A1 (en) 2003-12-18
US7155074B2 (en) 2006-12-26
WO2003104758A1 (en) 2003-12-18
US20070028651A1 (en) 2007-02-08
AU2003239244A1 (en) 2003-12-22
AU2003237511A1 (en) 2003-12-22
US20040050111A1 (en) 2004-03-18
US7062126B2 (en) 2006-06-13
AU2003239245A1 (en) 2003-12-22
US20040042726A1 (en) 2004-03-04
US8769995B2 (en) 2014-07-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7080529B2 (en) Method for making large diameter optical waveguide having Bragg grating and being configured for reducing the bulk modulus of compressibility thereof
US6982996B1 (en) Large diameter optical waveguide, grating, and laser
US6996316B2 (en) Large diameter D-shaped optical waveguide and coupler
JP5390741B2 (en) Optical fiber and optical transmission medium
US7174078B2 (en) Dual core photonic crystal fibers (PCF) with special dispersion properties
EP0905834B1 (en) Silica-based optical fiber comprising low refractive index intermediate cladding
US6418258B1 (en) Microstructured optical fiber with improved transmission efficiency and durability
KR100637542B1 (en) A method of making a photonic crystal fibre
EP1116968B1 (en) Multimode optical fiber with high-order mode removing function
CN112305663A (en) Hollow core optical fiber and optical device including the same
EP2090910A1 (en) Photonic band gap fiber
WO2005059599A2 (en) Optical fiber coupler with low loss and high coupling coefficient and method of fabrication thereof
US20090194891A1 (en) Long period gratings on hollow-core fibers
JP5982992B2 (en) Multi-core optical fiber
JP5170852B2 (en) Optical fiber and optical transmission medium
JP2002236234A (en) Structure and method of connecting optical fiber
US7269316B2 (en) Method for restoring photosensitivity in hydrogen or deuterium loaded large diameter optical waveguide
US20030215185A1 (en) Large diameter optical waveguide having long period grating therein
WO2002075395A1 (en) Optical waveguide with blazed grating
US6810178B2 (en) Large diameter optical waveguide having blazed grating therein
WO2002075404A1 (en) D-shaped waveguide and optical coupler using the waveguide
JP2003040637A (en) Production method for optical fiber, and optical fiber
JPH10288715A (en) Two-wavelength stop type optical fiber grating
JP2001272553A (en) Method for adjusting transmission light characteristic, device for adjusting transmission light characteristic and long periodic grating

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NI NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP