Fundamental Understanding Of Processes Involved In Optical Fibre Manufacturing Using Outside Vapor Deposition Method

Optical fibres are often made using a flame hydrolysis deposition process, in which silica and doped silica particles from a soot-laden flame are deposited on a target rod. The porous preforms thus formed are subsequently sintered into glass blanks and then drawn into optical fibre. This paper reviews various tools that have been developed for better understanding of different processes involved in the making of optical fibres using the outside vapour deposition technique. Fundamental understanding of the different unit operations involved in the optical fibre manufacturing is critical for process optimisation and improved product attributes.