Optical fibres coated with a UV-curable material at a speed of 12 m/s

Abstract

The letter reports the successful achievement of coating silica fibre at a rate of greater than 10 m/s. We draw 125 μm-diameter fibres from silica rods and preforms, and coated in-line with UV-curable material. All fibres were proof-tested at two different stress levels of 0.7 and 1.4 GN/m2 We also checked the transmission properties of the fibre. It is found that the optical properties of the fibre remain the same while the mechanical properties are comparable to those of the fibres coated at a low speed.