Dual Hybrid Glass Non-Polymer Coatings for Optical Fibers

Non-polymer hybrid glass coatings have been demonstrated in Phase I to potentially offer both higher strength and long term reliability for silica glass-based optical fibers while at the same time requiring less volume and reduced cost. Moreover, the coatings are capable of operation to temperatures above 300 C without evidence of degradation. Phase II will utilize on-line fiber coating, optical and mechanical characterization of km + fiber lengths coupled with environmental/ humidity/temperature studies to optimize and select primary and secondary coating compositions. Telcordia industry standards for fiber reliability and performance will serve as the guidelines for the preliminary testing. Final selection will be contingent on successful coating performance when tested for the extended regime anticipated for aerospace applications. A selected fiber manufacturer will apply successful coating candidate on optical fibers and the fabricated fiber will be subsequently cabled according to the Prime Contractor design.