Optical fibers for use in harsh environments
An optical fiber includes a glass fiber having a glass core and a cladding, and a hermetic layer having a high thermal stability disposed on the cladding. The glass core contains not more than about 1 mole % phosphorous. The optical fiber is adapted to operate under harsh conditions, such as elevated temperatures and/or hydrogen-containing environments. Methods for producing optical fibers, as well as methods for transmitting radiation in harsh environments using the optical fibers, are also provided.
1 . An optical fiber, comprising:
a glass fiber comprising a glass core and a cladding; and
a hermetic layer disposed on the cladding,
wherein the glass core comprises no more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
2 . The optical fiber of claim 1 , wherein the glass core comprises about 0 mole % phosphorous.
3 . The optical fiber of claim 1 , wherein the cladding comprises no more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
4 . The optical fiber of claim 3 , wherein the cladding comprises about 0 mole % phosphorous.
5 . The optical fiber of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cladding comprises more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
6 . The optical fiber of claim 1 , wherein the hermetic layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metals, carbon, and combinations thereof.
7 . The optical fiber of claim 6 , wherein the hermetic layer comprises carbon.
8 . The optical fiber of claim 1 , wherein the glass core comprises silica doped with germanium.
9 . The optical fiber of claim 1 , further comprising an at least one outer layer disposed on the hermetic layer.
10 . The optical fiber of claim 9 , wherein the at least one outer layer comprises a polymer.
11 . The optical fiber of claim 10 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, fluorinated polymers, phenolic polymers, and polyimide polymers.
12 . The optical fiber of claim 9 , wherein the at least one outer layer comprises a metal.
13 . The optical fiber of claim 12 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, nickel, tin, and alloys thereof.
14 . A method of making an optical fiber, the method comprising the step of:
applying a hermetic onto a glass fiber,
wherein the glass fiber comprises a glass core and a cladding, and the glass core comprises no more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the glass fiber comprises about 0 mole % phosphorous.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the cladding comprises no more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the cladding comprises about 0 mole % phosphorous.
18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the cladding comprises more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
19 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the hermetic layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metals, carbon, and combinations thereof.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the hermetic layer comprises carbon.
21 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the glass core comprises silica doped with germanium.
22 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising disposing an at least one outer layer on the hermetic layer.
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the at least one outer layer comprises a polymer.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, fluorinated polymers, phenolic polymers, and polyimide polymers.
25 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the outer layer comprises a metal.
26 . The optical fiber of claim 25 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, nickel, tin, and alloys thereof.
27 . A method of transmitting radiation in a harsh environment, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an optical fiber comprising a glass core and a cladding, wherein the glass core comprises no more than about 1 mole % phosphorous, and a hermetic layer over the cladding;
deploying the optical fiber in a hydrogen-containing environment having a temperature in excess of 100° C.; and
transmitting radiation through the optical fiber.
28 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the environment has a temperature in excess of 200° C.
29 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the glass core comprises about 0 mole % phosphorous.
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the cladding comprises no more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the cladding comprises about 0 mole % phosphorous.
32 . The method of claim 27 , wherein a portion of the cladding comprises more than about 1 mole % phosphorous.
33 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the hermetic layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metals, carbon, and combinations thereof.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the hermetic layer comprises carbon.
35 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the glass core comprises silica doped with germanium.
36 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising an at least one outer layer disposed on the hermetic layer.
37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the at least one outer layer comprises a polymer.
38 . The method of claim 37 , wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers, fluorinated polymers, phenolic polymers, and polyimide polymers.
39 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the at least one outer layer comprises a metal.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, gold, nickel, tin, and alloys thereof.