Abstract: A chemical vapor purification process for preparing metal fluorides. The process involves melting a metal selected from the metals forming fluorides suitable for use in fluoride glass and thermodynamically partitionable from cation contaminants, for example aluminum, gallium, or indium. Chlorine, bromine, or iodine is bubbled through a stoichiometric excess of the melt, under reaction conditions selected to result in generation of a gaseous halide of the metal. The gaseous halide is then isolated from the melt and reacted with a gaseous fluorinating agent to form a solid fluoride of the metal.

Abstract: A new, simplified method of fabricating optically transparent fluoride glasses containing ZrF.sub.4 and/or HfF.sub.4 has been developed which relies on a high vacuum pre-treatment for surface dehydration, melting in a rigorously inert argon atmosphere, and incorporation of a nonvolatile metallic oxidant in the melt such as InF.sub.3 and SnF.sub.4. Previous method for making these glasses have relied on either addition of ammonium bifluoride into the batch materials, or melting in an oxidizing atmosphere (so-called reactive atmosphere processing or RAP); both of these latter techniques have significant drawbacks.

Abstract: A new, simplified method of fabricating optically transparent fluoride glasses containing ZrF.sub.4 and/or HfF.sub.4 has been developed which relies on a high vacuum pretreatment for surface dehydration, melting in a rigorously inert argon atmosphere, and incorporation of a nonvolatile metallic oxidant in the melt such as InF.sub.3 or SnF.sub.4. Previous methods for making these glasses have relied on either addition of ammonium bifluoride into the batch materials, or melting in an oxidizing atmosphere (so-called reactive atmosphere processing or RAP); both of these latter techniques have significant drawbacks.

Abstract: A method for controlling the water present in hydrogen fluoride is described which effectively removes all the water contained in the hydrogen fluoride solution to form other compounds that either have extremely low vapor pressure or are acceptable in a process such as chemical vapor purification. The method involves as one of the steps the contacting of a reactive metal halide with a hydrogen fluoride containing water. The metal halide reacts with the water contained in the hydrogen fluoride solution yielding a metal oxide, hydrogen halide, and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The metal oxide is a solid, with low vapor pressure, thereby effectively removing oxygen-bearing species from the hydrogen fluoride.

Abstract: A chemical vapor purification process for the preparation of high purity metal fluorides using the thermodynamic separation of cations by formation of a gaseous-metal-containing compound, vapor transport, and fluorination is disclosed.

Abstract: A fluidic support device is described that counteracts the gravitational bending moment present in a substrate tube during a modified chemical vapor deposition preform fabrication process. Hence, use of this device results in the production of a straight optical fiber preform. The device includes a hemicylindrical annulus section in close proximity to the portion of the substrate tube to be supported, and uses flowing fluid to offset gravity and to center the substrate tube. Gaseous use of the device increases and stabilizes the thermophoretic force without contact by either solid or liquid materials, avoiding any reduction in strength of the finished fiber.

Abstract: A fluidic support device is described that counteracts the gravitational bending moment present in a substrate tube during a modified chemical vapor deposition preform fabrication process. Hence, use of this device results in the production of a straight optical fiber preform. The device includes a hemicylindrical annulus section in close proximity to the portion of the substrate tube to be supported, and uses flowing fluid to offset gravity and to center the substrate tube. Gaseous use of the device increases and stabilizes the thermophoretic force without contact by either solid or liquid materials, avoiding any reduction in strength of the finished fiber.

Abstract: A chemical vapor purification process for the preparation of high purity metal fluorides using the thermodynamic separation of cations by formation of a gaseous-metal-containing compound, vapor transport, and fluorination is disclosed.