SBIR-STTR Award

Long length fluoride fiber
Award last edited on: 10/10/02

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : AF
Total Award Amount
$451,985
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
AF86-052
Principal Investigator
Peter Schultz

Company Information

SpecTran Corporation (AKA: Spec-Tran Corp)

50 Hall Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
   (508) 347-2261
   N/A
   www.alcatel-lucent.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 01
County: Worcester

Phase I

Contract Number: 19628-86-C-0124
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
1986
Phase I Amount
$45,000
This proposal is addressing the problems of drawing defect-free lengths of fluoride fiber (> 500 m) with good strength and mechanical properties. Spectran has extensive experience in bulk HMFG and has recently established a fiber draw facility for fluoride fiber. We propose to use the preform technique approach with increased preform and increased preform length in order to draw decreased fiber lengths. By carefully controlling the preform casting technique, raw materials, mold materials and fiber draw parameters, we believe we can achieve the fiber lengths in excess of 1 km and more.

Phase II

Contract Number: 11696
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
1987
Phase II Amount
$406,985
Heavy metal fluoride glass fibers are approaching the stage of practical use, with potential of reaching ultra low losses in the mid IR While many research laboratories are working on lowering the optical losses, very little attention was paid to the fiber length. The goal of the program will be development of a technique to draw long length (500m) fiber with medium-low losses (<100 dB/km) and median strength of 50 kpsi or higher, from a single perform. The goal will be accomplished by increasing the perform length and increasing the perform diameter by overcladding the fluoride glass with oxide glass. The new idea, invented at Spect-Tran under Phase I of this contract, greatly improves the fiber strength, drawing properties and will improve, when fully optimized, the lifetime of the fiber. Approximately 3.25 man years level of effort will be required for successful completion of this two year program.