Fluoride Glass Fiber Preform Tube Suction for Clean Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing fluoride glass optical fiber preforms face challenges such as poor interface quality, impurity pollution, non-uniform fiber core diameter, and complex preparation processes, particularly in the rod-in-tube, suction injection, rotary casting, and double crucible methods.
Innovation Solution
A tube suction method involving heating and melting glass raw materials in platinum crucibles, followed by controlled suction of outer and inner claddings and fiber core using a quartz tube, and subsequent annealing to form a preform with improved interface quality and uniform core diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rod-in-tube method is used to prepare fluoride glass optical fiber preform, then core-cladding structure can be formed, but interface quality deteriorates due to defects and pollution from optical processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful optical processing step from the preform preparation process. By using direct suction injection to form the core-cladding structure without mechanical polishing or grinding, the source of interface defects and pollution is removed, achieving excellent interface quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a suction injection process as an intermediary method between mold preparation and final preform formation. This intermediary process uses controlled suction to directly inject glass material into the mold, avoiding the need for separate optical processing steps that cause interface contamination
2Manufacturing precision
If suction injection method is used to prepare fluoride glass optical fiber preform, then interface quality improves, but fiber core diameter uniformity deteriorates due to conical shape formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamic control to the suction injection process by adjusting suction pressure and injection rate during different stages of preform formation. This dynamic adjustment ensures uniform material flow and prevents conical shape formation, achieving both excellent interface quality and uniform fiber core diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control in the suction injection process by monitoring the injection rate and suction pressure, and adjusting them in real-time based on the forming status. This feedback mechanism maintains consistent material flow throughout the process, ensuring uniform fiber core diameter while preserving interface quality
3Manufacturing precision
If complex preparation processes are used to prepare fluoride glass optical fiber preform, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but device complexity and production efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple separate processes (mold preparation, material injection, and preform formation) into a single integrated suction injection process. This consolidation achieves high preform quality while eliminating the complexity of multiple sequential steps and reducing production time
Solution Approach 2:
The suction injection device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the injection system and the forming tool. This universal device performs multiple functions (material delivery, pressure control, and shape formation) simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high manufacturing precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves a fluoride glass optical fiber preform with excellent core-cladding interface, reduced impurity pollution, and simple, consistent production, minimizing defects and pollution, and ensuring uniform fiber core diameter.
Implementation Method 1
heating and melting glass raw materials of outer cladding, inner cladding and fiber core
Implementation Method 2
glass raw materials of outer cladding, inner cladding and fiber core are heated and melted
Implementation Method 3
a quartz tube is inserted into the outer cladding melting raw material, and the melting raw material is sucked by a negative pressure
Implementation Method 4
annealing the outer cladding, the inner cladding and the fiber core to obtain a preform product
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for preparing a fluoride glass optical fiber preform by a tube suction method are provided. The method includes following steps: S1, heating and melting glass raw materials of outer cladding, inner cladding and a fiber core; S2, sucking to prepare the outer cladding; S3, sucking to prepare the inner cladding inside the outer cladding; S4, sucking to prepare the fiber core inside the inner cladding; and S5, annealing the outer cladding, the inner cladding and the fiber core to obtain a preform product.