Lab Facility

Manufacturing Capabilities:

  • 600 square foot laboratory space with fiber optic draw tower, optical table, closed and open fume hoods for polymer processing.

  • Full range of fiber production capability starting with preform fabrication through fiber drawing.

  • Draw speeds from 1 mm/sec to 1 m/sec. Fiber diameters from 50 to 1500 microns with single draw. Sub-micron diameters possible with multiple draw process.

  • Step index, multi-clad fiber production. Fibers of non-circular cross section, such as elliptical, can also be fabricated.





 

Characterization Capabilities:

Fiber characterization capability includes refractive index profile measurements using a reflection method with 3-axis translation stage. Standard cutback technique is used for attenuation measurements.

 

Equipment:

  • A Marshall Furnace with processing temperatures up to 420 +/- 0.5 C.
  • Beta diameter gauge capable of measurements +/- 0.5 microns.
  • 9-position thermal array.
  • Labview controlled feed and draw motors.
  • 2 preform curing furnaces.




Preform curing furnace.



Additional Equipment:

  • A Phoenix Beta Wet Grinder/Polisher controllable up to 500 RPM.
  • A chemical fume hood, a chemical fire extinguisher, an eye wash station, easy access to a chemical shower.
  • A Newport RS-4000 Optical Table.