GaLaS optical fibres: thermo-optical properties and fiber drawing

Russell J Hand, Richard I Kangley, Jonathan D Shephard, David Furniss, Angela B Seddon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ga-La-S glasses have been selected as important candidate materials for fabrication of infrared optical fibres. A study has been conducted to assess possible influence of the thermo-optical properties of Ga-La-S glasses on the ability to produce strong optical fibres, The work was based around Ga-La-S compositions containing small additions of oxide producing 0.65 wt% [O] in the glass. These low oxide Ga-La-S glasses have previously proved difficult to draw into strong optical fibres. The visible absorption edge of the Ga-La-S glasses was measured and found to shift to longer wavelengths as the temperature increased, moving from 550nm at room temperature to 700nn at 600 degreesC. At fibre drawing temperatures, around 660 degreesC, the high frequency absorption edge had shifted from visible to infrared wavelengths significantly affecting the ability to draw strong fibres using conventional, radiative heating. Rods, with a 5mm diameter, of the Ga-La-S glasses were fabricated via an extrusion method producing a high quality surface finish suitable for fibre drawing. A conventional fibre furnace employing radiative resistance heating and a novel convective fibre furnace were both used to drawn fibres from the Ga-La-S performs. Fibres drawn using the convective furnace showed an improved surface quality and strength compared to fibres drawn using the radiative furnace. initial strength measurements of uncoated fibres, drawn using the convective furnace, tested under ambient conditions show strength in the order of 0.7GPa which are comparable to the strengths for coated fibres of other chalcogenide glasses tested under liquid nitrogen.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptical Fiber and Fiber Component Mechanical Reliability and Testing
EditorsM John Matthewson
PublisherSPIE
Pages36-43
Number of pages8
Volume4215
ISBN (Print)9780819438805, 0819438804
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001
EventConference on Optical Fiber and Fiber Component Mechanical Reliability and Testing - Boston, United States
Duration: 6 Nov 20007 Nov 2000

Publication series

Name Proceedings of SPIE
Volume4215
ISSN (Print)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceConference on Optical Fiber and Fiber Component Mechanical Reliability and Testing
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston
Period6/11/007/11/00

Keywords

  • LANTHANUM-SULFIDE GLASSES
  • FIBEROPTIC PREFORMS
  • EXTRUSION

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