US4557742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polarized optical fiber and method of forming same
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1984-07-02
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Granted: 1985-12-10
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Expires: 2004-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A polarized optical fiber, having inherent birefringence provided by electrically induced orientation of its microcrystalline structure provides fixed polarization. In the method, an optical fiber having inherent birefringent characteristics is formed by heating a glass optical fiber preform to its drawing temperature, drawing the preform to reduce its diameter and cooling the resulting fiber in the presence of an applied electric field to fixedly orient the microcrystalline structure of the fiber to provide birefringent light transmitting characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence E. Thigpen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:30
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B37/00; C03B37/01; C03B37/02; C03B37/025; C03B37/027; C03B37/02709; C03B37/02718; C03C; C03C25/00; C03C25/62; C03B2203/00; C03B2203/30; C03B2205/00; C03B2205/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for forming an optical fiber having an inherent birefringence comprising the steps of cooling a heated glass optical fiber through a given temperature range from a relatively high temperature of low viscosity, permitting orientation of its microcrystalline structure, to a relatively low temperature of high viscosity, substantially precluding alteration of its microcrystalline structure; and applying an electric field of given orientation across said optical fiber during said cooling step to initially orient the microcrystalline structure of the fiber when it is at said high temperature and maintain said orientation until said fiber is cooled to said low temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for forming an optical fiber having an inherent birefringence comprising the steps of cooling a heated glass optical fiber through a given temperature range from a relatively high temperature of low viscosity, permitting orientation of its microcrystalline structure, to a relatively low temperature of high viscosity, substantially precluding alteration of its microcrystalline structure; and applying an electric field of given orientation across said optical fiber during said cooling step to initially orient the microcrystalline structure of the fiber when it is at said high temperature and maintain said orientation until said fiber is cooled to said low temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heated fiber is advanced along a given path during said cooling and said electric field is applied along a length of said path at least commensurate with the length of path wherein said fiber cools from said high to said low temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said high temperature is at least a temperature at which said fiber is semi-plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said low temperature is below a temperature at which said fiber is semi-plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said applied field is an alternating field, exceeding 500 Hertz.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for forming an optical fiber having inherent birefringence, said method comprising the steps of: providing an optical fiber preform; heating the preform to a drawing temperature sufficiently high to permit drawing of the preform to reduce its cross-sectional diameter to produce an optical fiber; and drawing the so-heated preform to reduce its cross-sectional diameter and cooling the resultant product to form an optical fiber, said drawing and cooling step being performed in the presence of an applied electric field of sufficient intensity to alter the microcrystalline structure of the heated fiber material to induce birefringent optical characteristics in the resulting fiber.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for forming an optical fiber having inherent birefringence, said method comprising the steps of: providing an optical fiber preform; heating the preform to a drawing temperature sufficiently high to permit drawing of the preform to reduce its cross-sectional diameter to produce an optical fiber; and drawing the so-heated preform to reduce its cross-sectional diameter and cooling the resultant product to form an optical fiber, said drawing and cooling step being performed in the presence of an applied electric field of sufficient intensity to alter the microcrystalline structure of the heated fiber material to induce birefringent optical characteristics in the resulting fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said drawing and cooling step further comprises drawing the optical fiber between conductive electrode plates that have a voltage potential applied thereto to form the electric field therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the voltage potential applied to said electrode plates is just less than the breakdown voltage therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said drawing and cooling step further comprises cooling the fiber to a temperature below its plastic temperature in the presence of the applied electric field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the voltage applied to said plates is an alternating voltage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the alternating voltage alternates at a frequency greater than 500 Hertz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The optical wave guide made by the process of claim 1.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-09 | 1989-06-10 | 1989-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-09 | 1993-06-10 | 1993-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-09 | 1997-06-10 | 1997-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |