Learn how optical fibers are pulled from preforms and coated with plastic to be used in telecommunications
Learn how optical fibers are pulled from preforms and coated with plastic to be used in telecommunications
Production of optical fibres from pure silica glass, including a cross-section view of a fibre-optic cable
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Production of optical fibres from pure silica glass, including a cross-section view of a fibre-optic cable
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© Massachusetts Institute of Technology (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Examining a superhydrophobic glass surface that resists fog and glare and is self-cleaning.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Ship laying fibre-optic cables under the sea
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Chun Ju Wu/Dreamstime.comLearn if cold glass can flow.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © SergeyVButorin-iStock/Getty Images PlusLearn how glass bottles are recycled.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Production of optical fibres from pure silica glass.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzThe seabed off Crete is prepared for the laying of an undersea fibre-optic cable.
Transcript
NARRATOR: The key to producing optical fibers is to start with pure silica glass that is free from impurities, which might interfere with the passage of the light. This specially made "preform" actually consists of two different types of glass.
At this research laboratory they are pulling a single fiber from the preform for their work in telecommunications.
After heating it in the furnace, it is pulled by hand as it softens, then threaded through to a monitor, which measures its width. The fiber then moves through to the coating machine, where it is coated with plastic, and finally, it is wound onto a drum. A single preform can produce fibers hundreds of meters long.
The completed fiber consists of an inner glass core, which carries the light, an outer glass cladding, and a final protective coat.
At this research laboratory they are pulling a single fiber from the preform for their work in telecommunications.
After heating it in the furnace, it is pulled by hand as it softens, then threaded through to a monitor, which measures its width. The fiber then moves through to the coating machine, where it is coated with plastic, and finally, it is wound onto a drum. A single preform can produce fibers hundreds of meters long.
The completed fiber consists of an inner glass core, which carries the light, an outer glass cladding, and a final protective coat.