Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
In a method of forming an optical fiber comprising the steps of providing an elongated core structure, applying a layer of cladding glass to said core structure, and forming an optical fiber from the resultant preform, the step of providing the core structure being such that it comprises providing an elongated mandrel having first and second parallel longitudinally extending planar sidewalls, depositing on said first and second sidewalls a plurality of planar layers of glass particles, adjacent ones of which layers have different refractive indices, and consolidating said glass particles to form a core structure having a plurality of parallel dense glass laminae.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a method of forming an optical fiber comprising the steps of providing an elongated core structure, applying a layer of cladding glass to said core structure, and forming an optical fiber from the resultant preform, the step of providing the core structure being such that it comprises providing an elongated mandrel having first and second parallel longitudinally extending planar sidewalls, depositing on said first and second sidewalls a plurality of planar layers of glass particles, adjacent ones of which layers have different refractive indices, and consolidating said glass particles to form a core structure having a plurality of parallel dense glass laminae.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of applying to said plurality of layers of glass particles a layer of preliminary cladding glass particles prior to said consolidating step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 further comprising the steps of removing said mandrel from the composite of said plurality of layers of glass particles and said layer of preliminary cladding particles prior to said consolidating step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of removing the portions of the longitudinal surfaces of said core structure that are orthogonal to said planar surfaces to an extent sufficient to form an elongated structure having a rectangular cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising the step of removing portions of the longitudinal surfaces of said core structure to an extent sufficient to form an elongated structure having a rounded cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step of depositing comprises maintaining said mandrel rotationally stationary, directing a stream of glass particles toward said mandrel, providing relative translational motion between said mandrel and said stream to form on said first flat surface thereof a coating of glass particles, rotating said mandrel 180°, providing relative translational motion between said mandrel and said stream to form on said second flat surface thereof a coating of glass particles, changing the composition of said stream of glass particles and applying additional coatings of glass particles to the previously applied coatings, the composition of said additional coatings being such that the refractive indices of adjacent coatings are dissimilar.