Method of making graded index polymeric optical fibers

Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is a method of making a graded index polymer optical fiber comprising a multicomponent spinning process employing spinning masses comprising a core spinning mass and a sheath spinning mass, the spinning masses comprising a polymer, a polymerizable monomer, and an initiator. The monomer in the core spinning mass has a higher refractive index than the monomer in the sheath spinning mass, and the spinning masses are extruded and cured. The spinning conditions are chosen such that the monomers are substantially contained within the fiber during extrusion and curing and the total of the spinning masses is intrinsically thread forming. The spinning masses may be extruded in, e.g., water. The core and the sheath polymer may be, e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate); the core monomer may be methyl methacrylate, and the sheath monomer may be 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; or the core and the sheath polymer may be, e.g., poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile); the core monomer may be benzyl methacrylate, and the sheath monomer may be methyl methacrylate. The spinning masses are solutions of the polymer in the monomer having a polymer concentration of from 20 to 70% by weight.

Inventors

• 👤 Bastiaan Krins
• 👤 Richard Hendrikus Gerrit Brinkhuis

Bibliographic Details