<title>Recent developments of optical fiber technology at the Fiber Optic Department of Biaglass Co.</title>

Abstract

The work presents recent developments of optical fiber technology at the Research Production Department of Fiber Optics. The work on optical fibers was started, on the promontory of Bialystok Glass Works (BGW) (now Biaglass Co.), in 1978. A separate, Fiberoptic Department was created there, a few years later. This fact was reflecting, at that time, the dynamically developing research and manufacturing of soft-glass optical fibers, fiber components, sub- assemblies, devices, cables, bundles, illuminators, imageguides, sensors, and complete fiberoptic systems for research, biomedical, environmental industrial and military applications. Today, the research on and manufacturing of optical fibers, components and photonic systems at BGW and Biaglass Co., observes 20th anniversary. This round anniversary deserves to start this conference invited paper by a historical introduction, in which we summarize very concisely the contribution of BGW and Biaglass fiberoptic team to the national research, development and manufacturing scene of photonics.