Title :
Thermal Stability of Specialty Optical Fibers
Author :
Stolov, Andrei A. ; Simoff, Debra A. ; Li, Jie
Author_Institution :
Specialty Photonics Div., OFS, Avon, CT
Abstract :
Application of silica optical fibers at elevated temperatures is limited by the thermal stability of their polymer coatings, as thermal degradation in most polymer materials occurs at much lower temperatures than silica, which can result in degradation in the fiber performance. In this paper, we attempt to clarify the concept of thermal stability of specialty polymer-coated silica optical fibers and demonstrate a quantitative measurement method using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in combination with methods for optical and strength measurement of optical fiber. Based on the results, long-term use temperatures for various specialty optical fibers are estimated.
Keywords :
optical fibres; optical variables measurement; thermal stability; optical fiber strength measurement; optical measurement; polymer coatings; polymer materials; quantitative measurement method; silica optical fibers; specialty optical fibers; thermal degradation; thermal stability; thermogravimetric analysis; Coatings; Optical fiber cables; Optical fibers; Optical polymers; Polymer films; Silicon compounds; Stability analysis; Temperature sensors; Thermal degradation; Thermal stability; Attenuation; coating; continuous use temperature; lifetime; optical fiber strength; optical fibers; polymer degradation; thermal stability; thermogravimetric analysis; upper use temperature;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JLT.2008.925698