Abstract: A multi-functional method and apparatus are disclosed for producing a low hydroxyl ion-containing core rod from a tube suitable for the production of low-water optical fibers. The method and apparatus combine the use of process steps of (1) hermetically sealing a tubular quartz handle of a tubular porous core preform to a tube used to feed the porous preform into a sintering furnace, (2) dehydration and sintering, and (3) elongation of the sintered preform under vacuum, all without exposing the preform's central aperture surface to ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing a preform and/or drawing an optical fiber. The method is characterized by securing the preform (2) to the processing device by means of at least two separate gripping means (4, 6), heating the preform (2) or a section thereof by means of at least one heating device at least locally, generating a tension in the preform (2) by means of the gripping means (4, 6), and processing the preform (2) by moving one of the gripping means (4, 6) and the heating means (12) and keeping the gripping means (4, 6) on the side of the end product of the preform in position relative to the body of the processing device, whereby the end product produced also remains in position relative to the body of the processing device.