Production method for objects with radially-varying properties
First Claim
1. A process for producing a graded-index plastic optical fiber with a radially-varying index of refraction, wherein said process transforms an axial variation of said index of refraction into said radial variation of said index of refraction, wherein said transformation to said radial variation is achieved by applying polymeric material having said axial variation of said index of refraction to a rotating cone which converts said axial variation to said radial variation, wherein said process comprises combining at least two polymers having different indices of refraction so as to create a combination having an axial variation of index of refraction, said process comprising the steps of:
- (a) introducing said optical polymeric materials into a die block;
(b) channeling each optical polymeric material into a mixing chamber, which houses a mixing means, such that the ratio of said optical polymeric materials varies within said mixing chamber along a first axis;
(c) mixing said optical polymeric materials within said mixing chamber such that said blend has said axial variation of index of refraction along said first axis;
(d) channeling said axially varying blend into a feed chamber which houses said cone; and
(e) after applying said blend to said rotating cone, pulling a polymeric cylindrical form from the tip of said cone, wherein said polymeric cylindrical form has said radial variation of index of refraction.
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Abstract
The present invention is a continuous process of producing an object with radially-varying material properties. These objects can be cylindrical forms made from polymeric materials. This process requires a novel device. The device can be used to produce high bandwidth gradient-index plastic optical fiber (GRIN-POF). This fiber is highly advantageous for use in high speed local area networks (LANs) as well as other short-range optical communication applications. The device can also be used to produce GRIN lenses which can be used in the focusing and transmission of images.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A process for producing a graded-index plastic optical fiber with a radially-varying index of refraction, wherein said process transforms an axial variation of said index of refraction into said radial variation of said index of refraction, wherein said transformation to said radial variation is achieved by applying polymeric material having said axial variation of said index of refraction to a rotating cone which converts said axial variation to said radial variation, wherein said process comprises combining at least two polymers having different indices of refraction so as to create a combination having an axial variation of index of refraction, said process comprising the steps of:
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(a) introducing said optical polymeric materials into a die block;
(b) channeling each optical polymeric material into a mixing chamber, which houses a mixing means, such that the ratio of said optical polymeric materials varies within said mixing chamber along a first axis;
(c) mixing said optical polymeric materials within said mixing chamber such that said blend has said axial variation of index of refraction along said first axis;
(d) channeling said axially varying blend into a feed chamber which houses said cone; and
(e) after applying said blend to said rotating cone, pulling a polymeric cylindrical form from the tip of said cone, wherein said polymeric cylindrical form has said radial variation of index of refraction. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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2. A device for producing a polymeric cylindrical form with at least one radially-varying material property comprising:
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a transforming means for transforming an axial variation of said material property into said radial variation of said material property;
a combining means for combining at least two optical polymeric materials having a material property of different indices of refraction so as to create a combination having an axial variation of index of refraction;
a mixing chamber, wherein a blend of said polymeric materials is created;
an introducing means for introducing said optical polymeric materials into said device;
a first channeling means for channeling each optical polymeric material into said mixing chamber such that the ratio of said optical polymeric materials varies within said mixing chamber along a first axis;
a feed chamber;
a second channeling means for channeling said axially varying blend into said feed chamber which houses a rotating cone; and
a pulling means for, after applying said blend to said rotating cone, pulling said polymeric cylindrical form from the tip of said cone, wherein said polymeric cylindrical form has a radial variation of index of refraction, wherein said transforming means is a cone which converts said axial variation to said radial variation, wherein said transformation to said radial variation is achieved by applying polymeric material having said axial variation of said material property to said cone while said cone is rotating. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification