3D Printed Optical Fibre-Preforms in Silica and Polymer Materials

Abstract

The fabrication of the new generation of optical fibres faces important challenges due to the complexity of their designs and compositions. Some examples of novel designs of optical fibres include those with complex geometries on single or multiple materials and high dopants content. The current fabrication processes for these fibres require many-step, which can compromise the integrity of the preforms, reducing both repeatability and yield. This thesis proposes a novel alternative fabrication method for optical preforms fabrication based on additive manufacturing processes (AM). Due to the high level of accuracy and repeatability, AM processes are a promising solution to the fabrication of the new generation of optical fibre. Fabrication of ceramics and polymers with optical properties have been explored using AM methods.
In this PhD thesis, AM processes were analysed as an alternative fabrication method for optical fibres. In particular. laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) and direct ink writing (DIW) methods were used to produce silica preforms, while fused deposition modelling (FDM) was used to produce cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) preforms. The development of the processes and the results of the optical characterization of the final produced fibres are reported.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Angeles Camacho Rosales: orcid.org/0000-0003-3603-7561

ORCID for Jayanta Sahu: orcid.org/0000-0003-3560-6152

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