Furnace and process for drawing radiation resistant optical fiber

• US 20060191293A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Original Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb Incorporated (Weatherford International PLC)
• Inventors: Kuczma, Andrew S.
• Application Number:
  US11/363,812
• Publication Number:
  US 20060191293A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 65/384
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 2205/56 Annealing or re-heating the drawn fibre prior to coating
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 37/02727 Annealing or re-heating
• CPC Class Codes: C03B 37/029 Furnaces therefor

Abstract

Apparatus and methods to fabricate a radiation hardened optical fiber from a preform are provided. Various parameters affecting the draw process are controlled to optimize the radiation resistance of the resulting fiber. An annealing zone may be provided to allow a drawn fiber exiting a primary hot zone to undergo an annealing process which may increase radiation resistance.

Claims

1. An apparatus for drawing an optical fiber from an optical fiber preform, comprising:

a first furnace for heating a first zone in which the preform is heated to draw an optical fiber therefrom; and

an annealing zone through which the drawn fiber passes after exiting the first zone to undergo an annealing process.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second furnace to heat the annealing zone at a different temperature than the first furnace heats the first zone.

3. A method for drawing an optical fiber from an optical fiber preform, comprising:

heating the preform in a first zone at a first temperature to draw an optical fiber therefrom; and

annealing the drawn fiber in an annealing zone after it exits the first zone, wherein the annealing zone is maintained at a second temperature.