IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN THE OUTSIDE VAPOR PHASE DEPOSITION PROCESS.

The outside vapor phase oxidation and deposition process, commonly called the OVD process, has been shown to be a very flexible and economic process for the fabrication of optical fibers. Because of the numerous layers of glass deposited in a radial manner, excellent profile control is possible. Since no substrate tube is required, the entire cross section of the fiber is core quality having uniform geometry and very low hydroxyl content. Very large blanks can be fabricated at high rates because an external tube is not required. The flexibility and efficiency of the OVD process have made it possible to provide the optical communications industry with fibers having constantly improving properties and quality.