Abstract
Depending on composition, chalcogenide glasses have been proven as a reliable medium to transmit light in the range from the visible to the long-wave infrared (LWIR), specialty glasses based on gallium lanthanum sulfide (GLS) with a selenium (Se) addition. This family of glasses offers a broad transparency window depending on the composition. Their optical, mechanical, and thermal properties have been exploited in their bulk form. In this paper, we demonstrate the fabrication of optical fibres from extruded structured (core-clad) preforms and rods, with an emphasis on maintaining the intrinsic characteristics of the glass and exploiting the optical fibre geometry for light delivery.
Highlights
One method to obtain optical fibre from chalcogenide glasses includes using previously manufactured glass rods and structured solid preforms produced by extrusion, as this technique has been proven reliable for this type of glasses in the past [1]
A glass rod is set into a furnace, temperature is raised above the softening point and the glass is drawn into a suitable optical fibre diameter [4] depending on the application, the geometry and dimensions might vary
Fibre drawing from solid preforms favours glasses based on gallium lanthanum sulfide (GLS) compared to crucible drawing [6], as these family of glasses have melting temperatures on the order of 1000 °C, which is higher compared to other conventional chalcogenide glasses which have a melting point in the range of 300–500 °C [7]
Summary
One method to obtain optical fibre from chalcogenide glasses includes using previously manufactured glass rods and structured (core-clad) solid preforms produced by extrusion, as this technique has been proven reliable for this type of glasses in the past [1]. Fibre drawing from solid preforms favours glasses based on GLS compared to crucible drawing [6], as these family of glasses have melting temperatures on the order of 1000 °C, which is higher compared to other conventional chalcogenide glasses which have a melting point in the range of 300–500 °C [7]. In the past other chalcogenide glasses have been drawn into optical fibres, with different results [8] An advantage of this type of glasses over silica-based glasses, is their feasibility to be drawn into fibres at relatively low temperatures [9], making the process itself simpler and more flexible. The viscosity curve is steep [12], so variations in temperature need to be avoided to have a successful process outcome
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