Optical fibre manufacturing: fundamental principles of optical fibres.
From a systems perspective, optical fibre manufacturing employs knowledge of the following fields and key ideas:
- The speed of light varies depending on the medium to which it is permeated.
- Refraction is among the fundamental concepts of bending. The simple idea of refraction is utilised in optical fibres.
- Optics and photonics: Fundamental applications of optical and photonic engineering principles are utilised in designing optical fibre systems.
- Losses occur in optical fibre transmission.
- Digital signal analysis and models of digital signals are utilised (discretisation).
- Discretisation allows for the use of binary and higher-order base numeral systems;
- Binary is preferred for ease of use and simplification.
- Optical and RF circuits are also utilised and modeled through the use of the lumped matter discipline. These optical circuits are analogues and closed-lumped matter systems like electronic circuits. Optical circuits can benefit from analysis arising from the lumped matter discipline.
Optical fiber manufacturing: The manufacturing of optical fiber follows a well well defined sequence:
- Material selection: The selection of the appropriate material for optical fibres is the primary step for manufacturing the optical fibre. The selection process for the material employs materials with the appropriate optical properties for various applications. This requires the selection of the core material and cladding material in order to achieve what is termed as total internal reflection.
- Perform fabrication: The manufacture of the optical fibres requires them to be manufactured from a preform. Construction and fabrication of a cylindrical rod using MCVD (modified chemical vapour deposition)
- Drawing Process: Heating and moulding, drawing of the preform material into a thin fiber. The drawing process enables the transformation of the preform into a long, thin shaping that, with increasing processing, acquires the form and geometry of a wire.
- Application of coating: Upon successful drawing, the application is coated with a protective layer, enhancing the fibre cable's mechanical strength and environmental protection.
- Quality control & testing stage: upon completion of coating. Quality control & testing of optical technologies revolve around efficiency and parameters typically associated with signals and systems analogous to electronic systems; there is testing for attenuation, dispersion, mechanical quality, structural integrity, and structural integrity. Testing may utilise conventional means, imaging methods, and radiation. The mass and density of the wires may be tested. Signal reception, power and efficiency, testing for lossy and lossless transmission.
- Integration with optical systems and larger technologies/architectures: Upon completion of the quality control/testing stage, there is definite integration with optical systems. The optical fibres are connected and integrated with optical systems that utilise devices such as laser sources, laser technology, deflectors, mirrors, amplifiers, digital signal processors,
Conclusion: The manufacture and fabrication of optical fibres is an established process. The use of optical fibres in optical systems finds applications in various areas. Optical systems and technology are preferred over electrical and electronic applications for various reasons. Optical fiber manufacturing: Optical technologies provide enhanced security, are not affected by electromagnetic radiation, and offer scalability and upgrading/modularity, among various other advantages, that make them preferable choices for applications and use.
