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Title: High resolution and high flexibility fiber optical cables and microfabrication methods for making same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods of forming a fiber optic core, and a fiber optic component with a highly uniform cladding covering the fiber optic core. In one microfabrication process a first sacrificial tubing is provided which has a predetermined inner diameter. A quantity of a curable polymer is also provided. The first sacrificial tubing is at least partially filled with the curable polymer. The curable polymer is then cured. The first sacrificial tubing is then removed to produce a finished fiber optic core. Additional operations may be performed by which the fiber optic core is placed inside a thermoplastic tubing, which is itself placed inside a sacrificial heat shrink. Heat is applied to reflow the thermoplastic tubing around the fiber optic core, thus forming a highly uniform thickness cladding. When the sacrificial heat shrink tubing is removed a finished fiber optic component is present. Additional microfabrication methods are disclosed which involve dip coating a pre-formed fiber optic core in a polymer, and then curing the polymer to form a finished fiber optic component with a uniform thickness cladding.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
2222269
Patent Number(s):
11745454
Application Number:
17/307,833
Assignee:
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC52-07NA27344
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 05/04/2021
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Kampasi, Komal, Haque, Razi-Ul Muhammad, and Triplett, Michael Gregory. High resolution and high flexibility fiber optical cables and microfabrication methods for making same. United States: N. p., 2023. Web.
Kampasi, Komal, Haque, Razi-Ul Muhammad, & Triplett, Michael Gregory. High resolution and high flexibility fiber optical cables and microfabrication methods for making same. United States.
Kampasi, Komal, Haque, Razi-Ul Muhammad, and Triplett, Michael Gregory. Tue . "High resolution and high flexibility fiber optical cables and microfabrication methods for making same". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2222269.
@article{osti_2222269,
title = {High resolution and high flexibility fiber optical cables and microfabrication methods for making same},
author = {Kampasi, Komal and Haque, Razi-Ul Muhammad and Triplett, Michael Gregory},
abstractNote = {The present disclosure relates to methods of forming a fiber optic core, and a fiber optic component with a highly uniform cladding covering the fiber optic core. In one microfabrication process a first sacrificial tubing is provided which has a predetermined inner diameter. A quantity of a curable polymer is also provided. The first sacrificial tubing is at least partially filled with the curable polymer. The curable polymer is then cured. The first sacrificial tubing is then removed to produce a finished fiber optic core. Additional operations may be performed by which the fiber optic core is placed inside a thermoplastic tubing, which is itself placed inside a sacrificial heat shrink. Heat is applied to reflow the thermoplastic tubing around the fiber optic core, thus forming a highly uniform thickness cladding. When the sacrificial heat shrink tubing is removed a finished fiber optic component is present. Additional microfabrication methods are disclosed which involve dip coating a pre-formed fiber optic core in a polymer, and then curing the polymer to form a finished fiber optic component with a uniform thickness cladding.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2023},
month = {9}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Dip coating of thin polymer optical fibers
journal, October 2021


Silicone optical waveguide
patent, August 1993


Step-Index Optical Fiber Made of Biocompatible Hydrogels
journal, June 2015