Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-jr42d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T06:25:46.814Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Strength and Fatigue of Modified Sol-Gel Clad Optical Fibers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

Bolesh J. Skutnik
Affiliation:
Fiber Optic Fabrications, Inc., East Longmeadow, MA 01028
M. R Trumbull
Affiliation:
Fiber Optic Fabrications, Inc., East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Get access

Abstract

Dynamic and static fatigue results are presented for the first time for a new type of optical fiber, whose modified sol-gel cladding is a fenestrated (micro porous) form of silica. Unjacketed fibers have mean Weibull strengths in bending of 6.5 to 7.6 GPa with Weibull slopes in the 40 to 60 range. The strength decrease with decreasing strain rate is similar for both jacketed and unjacketed fibers. Even the unjacketed fibers tested in ambient water or in boiling water retain a majority of their mean strength, 7.6 GPa (ambient air) versus 6.5 GPa (ambient water) versus 5.5 GPa (boiling water). Exposure to boiling water for 1 hour has no measurable affect on the strength of these fibers. Exposure to boiling water for 8 hours, however, does significantly broaden the low strength end for the unjacketed fiber. The dynamic fatigue and static fatigue parameters in ambient water are substantially the same, ND = 22±2 and Ns 21±4, for the jacketed and unjacketed fibers. Possible mechanisms are discussed to explain the strength and fatigue behavior of these fibers in light of their unique structure.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1998

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Work performed by CeramOptec, Inc. under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) on D-shaped fibers with US Army's CECOM at Ft. Monmouth, NJ.Google Scholar
2. Skutnik, B. J. and DiVita, S., “Pure Silica Optical Fibers Utilizing Sol-Gel Techniques”, AFCEA Ann. Conference Proc. 369-73 (1996).Google Scholar
3. Savage, R. O., Fischer, R. J. and DiVita, S., US Patent No. 5, 114,738 (1992).Google Scholar
4. MacChesney, J. R., Pinnow, D. A. and van Uitert, L. G., US Patent No. 3, 806,224 (1974).Google Scholar
5. Bagley, B. G., Gallagher, P. K., Quinn, W. E. and Amos, L. J., Mat. Res. Soc. Proc. 32, 287 (1984).Google Scholar
6. Skutnik, B. J., SPIE 1893, 2 (1993), and references therein.Google Scholar
7. Clarkin, J. P., Skutnik, B. J. and Munsey, B. D., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 102, 106 (1988).Google Scholar
8. Wei, T. S. and Skutnik, B. J., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 102, 100 (1988).Google Scholar
9. Skutnik, B. J. and Trumbull, M. R., J. Non-Cryst. Solids (1998) to be published.Google Scholar
10. Norsken 8 meter, 2 coating station, draw tower;Heathway 12 meter. 2/3 coating station, draw tower.Google Scholar
11. Matthewson, M. J., Kurkjian, C. R. and Gulati, S. T., J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 69, 815 (1986).Google Scholar
12. Murgatroyd, J. B., J. Soc. Glass Tech. 28, 388 (1944).Google Scholar
13. Roberts, D., Cuellar, E., Middleman, L. and Zucker, J., SPIE 721, 28 (1986).Google Scholar
14. Skutnik, B. J., Hodge, M. H. and Nath, D. K., in: FOC/LAN ‘85 Proc., 232 (1985).Google Scholar
15. Skutnik, B. J., Hodge, M. H. and Clarkin, J. P., SPIE 842, 162 (1987).Google Scholar
16. Skutnik, B. J. and Wei, T. S., SPIE 842, 41 (1987).Google Scholar
17. Kurkjian, C. R. and Paek, U. C., Appl. Phys. Lett. 42, 251 (1983).Google Scholar
18. Castro, J. and D. Lee private communication.Google Scholar
19. Kazuyuki, H. and Tomozawa, M., J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 70, 377 (1987).Google Scholar
20. Wissuchek, D. J. and Glaesemann, G. S., private communication.Google Scholar