(A) study on fabrication of a graded-index polymer optical fiber preform using a centrifugal force

Abstract

This study is method and apparatus to solve the volume shrinkage on fabricating a graded index polymer optical fiber using centrifugal force. When two monomers whose different density and refractive index are polymerized under centrifugal force field, the gradient of concentration will be created due to the gradient of density. Therefore the gradient of refractive index can be achieved with gradient of concentration. But one monomer whose density is higher should be lower refractive index than another. When monomer is polymerized under centrifugal force field, product with hollow is created by volume shrinkage. To use actually, it is needed that polymerization should be performed by continuously feeding additional monomer to fill hollow tube. Monomer should be fed to obtain continuous gradient of refractive index at boundary before product is perfectly glassified. To solve volume shrinkage and obtain the continuous gradient of refractive index at boundary we designed semi-continuous feeding methods and apparatus.