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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 February 2011
A new method for optical fiber production is shown. Hydrolytic polycondensation of tetramethoxysilane using a low concentration of α-picoline, 1.56×10−3% in water, gives SiO2 gel which was dried at 22 °C to a transparent amorphous material.
The densification process shows an exponential time dependence with a final value of 2.253 g/cm3 after 30 days. The specific surface area of the porous gel varies from 500 to 600 m2/g but pores are eliminated by the sintering process. Before sintering the gel, it is treated under an oxidizing atmosphere above 700 °C. At 1200 °C the pores are eliminated and a solid glass rod obtained.
After the sintering process a fiber is obtained from the rod which shows a transmission loss as low as 5.5 dB/km at 840nm.