Methods for producing hollow-core optical fibers
The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of methods for making an optical fiber. The methods may include drawing an optical fiber from a hollow-core preform. The hollow-core preform may include an annular support structure with an inner surface defining an interior cavity. The interior cavity may include a tube in direct contact with the inner surface of the annular support structure. The tube may include a wall defining an internal opening, the internal opening having a sealed end. The drawing may include regulating a pressure of the internal cavity to a predetermined pressure.
1 . A method for producing a hollow-core optical fiber, the method comprising:
drawing a hollow-core optical fiber from a hollow-core preform, the hollow-core preform comprising an annular support structure with an inner surface defining an interior cavity, the interior cavity comprising a sealed tube in contact with the inner surface, the sealed tube comprising a wall defining an internal opening, the internal opening having a sealed end opposite a draw end, the drawing comprising regulating a pressure of the interior cavity to a predetermined pressure from 0.5 psig to 3.0 psig, the regulating the pressure of the interior cavity carried out by a manifold disposed proximate to the sealed end of the sealed tube and configured to supply a gas to the interior cavity without introducing gas into the sealed end of the sealed tube.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity comprises two or more sealed tubes.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the interior cavity further comprises an open tube in contact with the inner surface, the open tube comprising a wall defining an internal opening, the internal opening lacking a sealed end.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming the sealed end of the internal opening.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealed tube is in direct contact with the inner surface of the annular support structure.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drawing varies a diameter of a capillary of the hollow-core optical fiber, the capillary formed from the sealed tube during the drawing.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the drawing varies a thickness of the wall of a capillary of the hollow-core optical fiber, the capillary formed from the sealed tube during the drawing.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pressure is varied in time.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the regulating the pressure of the hollow cavity comprises passing one or more gasses into the hollow cavity.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the regulating the pressure varies a diameter of a capillary of the hollow-core optical fiber, the capillary formed from the sealed tube.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealed tube comprises a nested tube, the nested tube in contact with an interior surface of the wall of the sealed tube.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sealed end comprises a material of the tube fused to itself.