Abstract: The invention provides techniques for drawing fibers that include conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials in intimate contact and prescribed geometries. The resulting fiber exhibits engineered electrical and optical functionalities along extended fiber lengths. The invention provides corresponding processes for producing such fibers, including assembling a fiber preform of a plurality of distinct materials, e.g., of conducting, semiconducting, and insulating materials, and drawing the preform into a fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed below are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for detecting particles, such as radiation or charged particles. One exemplary embodiment disclosed herein is particle detector comprising an optical fiber with a first end and second end opposite the first end. The optical fiber of this embodiment further comprises a doped region at the first end and a non-doped region adjacent to the doped region. The doped region of the optical fiber is configured to scintillate upon interaction with a target particle, thereby generating one or more photons that propagate through the optical fiber and to the second end. Embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used in a variety of applications, including associated particle imaging and cold neutron scattering.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber probe includes the steps of providing an optical fiber including a core and a outer protective layer disposed therearound; removing a portion of the outer protective layer to expose a portion of the core; etching the exposed portion of the core to achieve a predetermined shape and thus form a detector; surrounding the detector with a gel solution containing metal particles; and evaporating a solvent in the gel solution to form a metal layer on the surface of the detector.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide including a first clad layer; a core layer formed on the first clad layer and configured to propagate light; a second clad layer formed on the first clad layer so as to cover the core layer; and a light propagation direction changing part configured to change a propagation direction of the light propagating in the core layer; the manufacturing method of the optical waveguide includes the steps of forming a concave part penetrating the first clad layer and the core layer; and inserting the light propagation direction changing part into the concave part so that a light propagation direction changing surface of the light propagation direction changing part forms a predetermined inclination angle to a predetermined reference plane.

Abstract: An alloy-coated optical fiber and a fabricating method. In the alloy-coated optical fiber, a core is formed of a light transmitting material, a clad surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the core, and an indium-tin-silver coating layer is formed around the outer circumferential surface of the clad while maintaining the alloy temperature at substantially 5° C. above the melting point of this indium-silver alloy coat.

Abstract: A processing method of a silica glass fiber, which is applicable to a long fiber, to improve its UV resistance by UV irradiation and heat treatment. Initially, a heating furnace 1 is positioned such that the left end of the silica glass fiber is within the heating furnace 1. Then, the heating furnace 1 is moved toward the right, while UV is irradiated with a UV source to the left end surface of the silica glass fiber. Since the silica glass becomes transparent due to removal of structural defects that have been caused by the UV irradiation, the UV travels further forward and causes other structural defects there. When the heating furnace 1 is moved there, the structural defects are removed and the silica glass fiber becomes transparent. By repeating these steps, the fiber is processed throughout length. Thus, mass production becomes possible and an improvement of productivity and lower costs can be achieved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber (100) having low PMD, comprises the steps of: a) heating at least one end portion (3a) of a preform (3); b) drawing an optical fiber (100) from a free end of said heated end portion (3a) along a fiber drawing axis (I—I); c) coating said optical fiber (100) with a suitable coating material; d) applying to said coated optical fiber (100) a torque about said fiber drawing axis (I—I), e) winding said coated optical fiber (100) onto a collecting spool (9). According to the invention, step d) is carried out by means of a pulley (16) supported upstream of said collecting spool (9) and rotated about the fiber drawing axis (I—I), said optical fiber (100) being wound up onto said pulley (16) for an angle of at least about 360°. Advantageously, such method also allows to notably increase the amount of optical fiber produced per unit of time with respect to the prior art.

Abstract: An optical fiber preform comprising a core of radius R, and a sheath comprising cladding and outer sheath, wherein the outer sheath comprises an inner zone, and a peripheral zone made of silica doped with alumina and of thickness lying in the range 0.08 R to 2.2 R, and the proportion by weight of alumina in the peripheral zone is such that the equivalent concentration of alumina in the outer sheath as a whole lies in the range 100 ppm to 1000 ppm by weight of aluminum relative to silica. A method of manufacturing said preform, and an associated optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fibers provided with hermetic coatings, wherein the bare fiber made from a heated preform advances through a stream of reactive gaseous medium which flows at a constant speed in the direction of advance of the fiber, which is then accelerated, and which is finally removed remote from the fiber by a stream of inert gas flowing in the opposite direction from the direction of the stream of reactive gaseous medium. Application is to manufacturing optical fibers for telecommunications.

Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber coated with metal, constructed with a crucible for melting the optical fiber preform to draw an uncoated optical fiber, a diameter measuring device for measuring the diameter of the uncoated optical fiber to regulate it, a metal coater for coating the uncoated optical fiber with metal to prevent penetration of moisture, a temperature controller for controlling the inside temperature of the metal coater, a post-cooler for cooling the metaled optical fiber from a high temperature, a capstan for drawing the optical fiber from the optical fiber preform by applying a rotational force against a portion of the metaled optical fiber, and a spool for winding the metaled optical fiber. The metaled optical fiber includes a core for transmitting light, a cladding on the core having lower refractive index than the core, and a metal coating formed on the cladding for preventing penetration of moisture.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention glass waveguide devices are provided with enhanced temperature stability by incorporating within appropriate lengths of the waveguides a transparent compensating material having a refractive index variation with temperature that differs substantially from that of the waveguide. The compensating material can be a non-glass material, such as a liquid, driven into the glass by heat and pressure. In a preferred embodiment, D.sub.2 O is incorporated into waveguides for optical communications. The D.sub.2 O is transparent to the preferred communications wavelengths centered at about 1.55 .mu.m and has a dn/dT opposite in polarity to the dn/dT of glass. The resulting structure exhibits enhanced temperature stability with reduced magnitude of dn/dT. The technique is particularly useful in devices based on interference between multiple waveguides, as it is not necessary to reduce dn/dT to zero in the respective waveguides. It suffices to compensate the differences.

Abstract: A method for producing continuous and discontinuous fiber metal matrix composites (CFMMC). The method uses aerosolization of finely divided metal powders in a controlled atmosphere which prevents explosions to coat the fibers and then the metal coated fibers are consolidated to form the CFMMC. The composites are useful as heat sinks for electrical components and in applications where a structural reinforced metal matrix composite is needed.

Abstract: An improved method of coating an optical fiber is disclosed. A transducer is submerged in a container of liquid coating material and activated so that it causes the formation of a wave of coating material within the container. The optical fiber is then drawn through the container and through the wave, the wave counterbalancing the negative meniscus produced by drawing the fiber through the container. A curved housing also may be placed in the container and surrounding the transducer for controlling the size, amplitude, shape, or direction of the wave. A plurality of transducers also advantageously may be used.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making fiber optic-to-metal connection seals. The optical fiber and a preform made of a sealing material are inserted into a metal cup. The metal is then heated to a temperature which melts the sealing material to form a hermetic seal between the cup and the fiber optic. The hermetic sealing material is selected from glass, glass-ceramic or braze and the metal is selected form stainless steel, a metal alloy or a high-strength superalloy. In a preferred method, the optical fiber is coated with a plastic buffer or pliant metal jacket.