• Laser & Optoelectronics Progress
  • Vol. 59, Issue 15, 1516018 (2022)
Zhixuan Yu1, Jiawen Ji2、3, and Gong Wang2、3、*
Author Affiliations
  • 1School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, Hubei , China
  • 2Key Laboratory of Space Manufacturing Technology, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
  • 3School of Computer Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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    DOI: 10.3788/LOP202259.1516018 Cite this Article Set citation alerts
    Zhixuan Yu, Jiawen Ji, Gong Wang. Preliminary Study on Mechanism and Feasibility of Manufacturing Ultra-Low Loss Optical Fiber in Space[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2022, 59(15): 1516018 Copy Citation Text show less

    Abstract

    Fluoride ZBLAN glass fiber has crucial application values in the military, communication, medical and other fields, and the fabrication of ultra-low loss fibers has become a strategic key technology in great power competition. However, the ZBLAN glass crystallization is easy to occur during the melting and cooling process, and the multiple crystallization areas in the fiber will cause the scattering of light transmission, resulting in an actual loss of glass fiber that is 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than the theoretical loss, severely limiting its application value. Therefore, preparing ultra-low loss ZBLAN glass fibers has become a major challenge in optical fibers. The microgravity environment in space can inhibit the convection of melt components caused by gravity, greatly reducing the rate of melt nucleation and crystallite growth and the degree of crystallization during the solidification of ZBLAN glass materials, thereby reducing the optical loss of the material. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has already conducted several optical fiber manufacturing technology experiments on the international space station. With the completion and operation of China's space station, it is preliminarily feasible to manufacture space fluoride fiber in microgravity. This paper summarizes the main research progress on domestic and overseas space optical fiber manufacturing, introduces the influence of the microgravity environment on the manufacturing of ultra-low lossfluoride fiber and discusses the feasibility of “made in orbit-used on ground”of special optical fibers. This research provides a technical reference for improving the Chinese space manufacturing level and expanding the application field of space science and technology.
    Zhixuan Yu, Jiawen Ji, Gong Wang. Preliminary Study on Mechanism and Feasibility of Manufacturing Ultra-Low Loss Optical Fiber in Space[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2022, 59(15): 1516018
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