Hermetic Coating of Optical Fibers
Abstract
Hermetically coated graded index silica fibers were to exhibit proof test levels greater than 200 Kpsi over one kilometer length. Fiber was to exhibit a stress corrosion factor N greater than 100. The dielectric coating materials were to include, but not limited to diamond - like carbon and boron nitride. Techniques using hollow cathode discharge coater produced coated fiber with N value less than 26. Severe arcing problems were faced with this technique resulting in large cracks on the coater anodes. RF plasma coater was built and operated to deposit amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a - C:H) films both on bulk deposition fiber samples. Fibers were drawn under a number of conditions to determine the role, such factors as vacuum chamber alignment, tension, plasma conditions to determine the role, such factors as vacuum chamber alignment, tension plasma conditions play in the strength of the fiber. A stress corrosion susceptibility factor N = 26 was obtained. In only preliminary experiments with the deposition of silicon nitride coating on the fiber, N values up to 70 were achieved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA189886
Entities
People
- Philip S. Levin
- Ray Sierra
- S. Raychaudhuri