Abstract: An apparatus for producing the glass soot used in the formation of optical fiber includes a burner with an internal atomizer. The atomizer includes an outer tube having a nozzle at an end thereof, and an inner tube located within the outer tube and having a closed end restricting fluid flow therethrough and defining a cylindrical sidewall having radially extending apertures spaced there along. The outer tube receives the glass-forming mixture in liquid form and the inner tube receives an atomizing gas which flows through the apertures in the sidewall of the inner tube and atomizes the glass-forming mixture as the glass-forming mixture travels through the outer tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making silica glass and silica glass preforms. A liquid, preferably halide-free, silicon-containing compound capable of being converted by thermal oxidative decomposition to SiO.sub.2 is provided and introduced directly into the flame of a combustion burner, which converts the compound to silica, thereby forming finely divided amorphous soot. The soot is vaporized proximate the site where the liquid is converted into silica glass by atomizing the liquid, preferably with a stream of atomizing gas. A heater proximate the burner face and around the burner flame increases soot capture rate and allows for a reduction of the velocity of the atomizing gas. The amorphous soot is deposited on a receptor surface where, either substantially simultaneously with or subsequently to its deposition, the soot is consolidated into a body of fused silica glass.

Abstract: This invention relates to production of high purity fused silica glass doped with titania through oxidation or flame hydrolysis of a gaseous mixture and containing rutile crystals comprising a vaporizable, silicon-containing compound. Titanium-2-ethylhexyloxide, titanium cyclopentyloxide, and a titanium amide, or a combination thereof, constitute the operable titanium-containing compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of high purity fused silica glass through oxidation and/or flame hydrolysis of a halide-free, organosilicon-R compound in vapor form having the following properties:(a) producing a gas stream of a halide-free silicon-containing compound in vapor form capable of being converted through thermal decomposition with oxidation or flame hydrolysis to SiO.sub.2 ;(b) passing said gas stream into the flame of a combustion burner to form amorphous particles of fused SiO.sub.2 ;(c) depositing said amorphous particles onto a support; and(d) either essentially simultaneously with said deposition or subsequently thereto consolidating said deposit of amorphous particles into a virtually nonporous body; the improvement comprising utilizing a halide-free, organosilicon-R compound in vapor form having the following properties:(1) a Si--R bond dissociation energy that is no higher than the dissociation energy of the Si--O bond;(2) a boiling point no higher than 350.degree. C.