Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: An optical fiber forming apparatus comprises: a draw furnace comprising: (i) a muffle with an inner surface, (ii) an axial opening below the muffle, the inner surface of the muffle defining a passageway extending through the axial opening, and (iii) an upper inlet into the passageway; and a tube that extends into the passageway of the draw furnace above the axial opening, the tube having (i) an outer surface and the inner surface of the muffle surrounds the outer surface of the tube with a space separating the outer surface of the tube from the inner surface of the muffle, (ii) an inner surface that defines a second passageway extending through the tube, (iii) an inlet into the second passageway of the tube, (iii) an outlet out of the second passageway of the tube.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems of manufacturing an optical fiber are disclosed herein. The methods may include heating an optical preform in a draw furnace, drawing an optical fiber from the optical preform, cooling the optical fiber with a slow cooling device, and annealing the optical fiber by passing the optical fiber through an RF plasma heating apparatus.

Abstract: A method of producing bi-modal particles includes the steps of igniting a first precursor gas using a primary burner thereby producing a first plurality of particles of a first size, fluidly transporting the first plurality of particles down a particle tube, igniting a second precursor gas using a secondary burner thereby producing a second plurality of particles of a second size, flowing the second plurality of particles into the first plurality of particles, and capturing the first and second plurality of particles.

Abstract: A system, having: an RF power source; an RF matching network electrically coupled to the RF power source; an impedance matching circuit electrically coupled to the RF matching network, wherein the impedance matching circuit has a first adjustable capacitor connected in series with the RF matching network and a second adjustable capacitor connected in parallel with the first capacitor; and an inductive process load electrically coupled to the impedance matching circuit.

Abstract: A system for processing optical fiber includes a draw furnace, a fiber conveyance pathway extending between an upstream end positioned at the draw furnace and a downstream end positioned opposite the upstream end, where optical fiber is conveyed along the fiber conveyance pathway from the upstream end to the downstream end in a fiber conveyance direction, a muffle in communication with the draw furnace and positioned downstream of the draw furnace, a second cooling device annularly surrounding the fiber conveyance pathway downstream from the draw furnace, the second cooling device including one or more second cooling device heating elements and a first cooling device positioned between the draw furnace and the second cooling device, wherein the first cooling device directs a fluid to contact the optical fiber.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: A system, having: an RF power source; an RF matching network electrically coupled to the RF power source; an impedance matching circuit electrically coupled to the RF matching network, wherein the impedance matching circuit has a first adjustable capacitor connected in series with the RF matching network and a second adjustable capacitor connected in parallel with the first capacitor; and an inductive process load electrically coupled to the impedance matching circuit.

Abstract: An optical fiber forming apparatus comprises: a draw furnace comprising: (i) a muffle with an inner surface, (ii) an axial opening below the muffle, the inner surface of the muffle defining a passageway extending through the axial opening, and (iii) an upper inlet into the passageway; and a tube that extends into the passageway of the draw furnace above the axial opening, the tube having (i) an outer surface and the inner surface of the muffle surrounds the outer surface of the tube with a space separating the outer surface of the tube from the inner surface of the muffle, (ii) an inner surface that defines a second passageway extending through the tube, (iii) an inlet into the second passageway of the tube, (iii) an outlet out of the second passageway of the tube.

Abstract: A method of capturing soot includes the steps: combusting a first precursor in a burner to produce a soot stream, the soot stream comprising soot and exiting the burner at an outlet; and directing a capture medium to the soot stream, the capture medium contacting the soot in an impact region, the soot having a temperature greater than 50° C. in the impact region.

Abstract: A system for processing optical fiber includes a draw furnace, a fiber conveyance pathway extending between an upstream end positioned at the draw furnace and a downstream end positioned opposite the upstream end, where optical fiber is conveyed along the fiber conveyance pathway from the upstream end to the downstream end in a fiber conveyance direction, a muffle in communication with the draw furnace and positioned downstream of the draw furnace, a second cooling device annularly surrounding the fiber conveyance pathway downstream from the draw furnace, the second cooling device including one or more second cooling device heating elements and a first cooling device positioned between the draw furnace and the second cooling device, wherein the first cooling device directs a fluid to contact the optical fiber.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems of manufacturing an optical fiber are disclosed herein. The methods may include heating an optical preform in a draw furnace, drawing an optical fiber from the optical preform, cooling the optical fiber with a slow cooling device, and annealing the optical fiber by passing the optical fiber through an RF plasma heating apparatus.

Abstract: A method of producing bi-modal particles includes the steps of igniting a first precursor gas using a primary burner thereby producing a first plurality of particles of a first size, fluidly transporting the first plurality of particles down a particle tube, igniting a second precursor gas using a secondary burner thereby producing a second plurality of particles of a second size, flowing the second plurality of particles into the first plurality of particles, and capturing the first and second plurality of particles.

Abstract: A method of producing bi-modal particles includes the steps of igniting a first precursor gas using a primary burner thereby producing a first plurality of particles of a first size, fluidly transporting the first plurality of particles down a particle tube, igniting a second precursor gas using a secondary burner thereby producing a second plurality of particles of a second size, flowing the second plurality of particles into the first plurality of particles, and capturing the first and second plurality of particles.

Abstract: A method of capturing soot includes the steps: combusting a first precursor in a burner to produce a soot stream, the soot stream comprising soot and exiting the burner at an outlet; and directing a capture medium to the soot stream, the capture medium contacting the soot in an impact region, the soot having a temperature greater than 50° C. in the impact region.

Abstract: A method of producing bi-modal particles includes the steps of igniting a first precursor gas using a primary burner thereby producing a first plurality of particles of a first size, fluidly transporting the first plurality of particles down a particle tube, igniting a second precursor gas using a secondary burner thereby producing a second plurality of particles of a second size, flowing the second plurality of particles into the first plurality of particles, and capturing the first and second plurality of particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical preforms from silica glass soot are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical preform may include loading silica glass soot in a mold cavity of a mold body. The mold body may be rotated at a rotational speed sufficient to force the silica glass soot towards an inner wall of the mold body. Thereafter the silica glass soot is compressed in an inward radial direction as the mold body is rotated to form a soot compact layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical preforms from silica glass soot are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical preform may include loading silica glass soot in a mold cavity of a mold body. The mold body may be rotated at a rotational speed sufficient to force the silica glass soot towards an inner wall of the mold body. Thereafter the silica glass soot is compressed in an inward radial direction as the mold body is rotated to form a soot compact layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical preforms from silica glass soot are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical preform may include loading silica glass soot in a mold cavity of a mold body. The mold body may be rotated at a rotational speed sufficient to force the silica glass soot towards an inner wall of the mold body. Thereafter the silica glass soot is compressed in an inward radial direction as the mold body is rotated to form a soot compact layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical preforms from silica glass soot are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for forming an optical preform may include loading silica glass soot in a mold cavity of a mold body. The mold body may be rotated at a rotational speed sufficient to force the silica glass soot towards an inner wall of the mold body. Thereafter the silica glass soot is compressed in an inward radial direction as the mold body is rotated to form a soot compact layer.