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Fibre manufacturing methods

Fibre manufacturing methods preparation of silica fibres consists of two major processes: preform making and
drawing. The attenuation and the dispersion characteristics of optical fibres largely depend on the preform making
process while glass geometry characteristics and strength depend on the drawing process. These two processes
shortly described in the following.
Several methods used to make the preforms fibre manufacturing methods. The four commonly used methods
modified chemical-vapour deposition (MCVD). Plasma-activated chemical-vapour deposition (PCVD), outside-
vapour deposition (OVD) and vapour-axial deposition (VAD).
The second process (drawing) of the preparation of a fibre essentially the same, irrespective of the process used to
make the preform.
Figure 1-3 shows the drawing apparatus schematically.
Fibre manufacturing methods

The preform is fed into a furnace in a controlled manner where it is heated to a temperature of about 2 000° C. The
melted preform drawn into a fibre by using a precision-feed mechanism. The fibre diameter monitored optically
by dedicated measurement equipment.
The fibre diameter kept constant to within 0.1%. A polymer coating is applied to the fibre during the drawing step.
It serves a dual purpose, as it provides mechanical protection and preserves the transmission properties of the
fibre.
The diameter of the coated fibre typically 245 μm, although as large as 900 μm when multiple coatings applied.
A proof-stress which breaks weak spots applied while the fibre is winding on the drum. This proof-stress applied
either on-line during the drawing process, or off-line as a separate process step. The proof-test is a main reliability
tool.