Some technical methods of producing polymeric waveguides (optical fibers, selfocs) [2]

At the beginning of its development, the technology of PG production represented a direct process of turning preliminarily synthesized polymers into fiber by compositional molding of core and cover polymers of two-component PGs from the melt or by applying a cover from solution to the molded fiber. The demanded amount of preliminarily purified core monomer containing additives of polymerization initiator and chain transmitter (molecular mass regulator) is continuously delivered to the polymerization reactor. Further on in the process, after polymer synthesis, a covered fiber is continuously pulled out from the extrusion nozzle. This method of PG molding is the most suitable for industrial production. The reactor temperature, amounts of initiator and chain transmitting agent, and the rate of fiber pulling out are coordinated so that polymer concentration in the reaction mixture (polymerizate) is 60 – 80%.