Abstract

Modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD)¹ is one of several high quality lightguide fabrication processes. This paper will review² the process and mechanisms involved as well as the resultant fiber performance and manufacturability. The simplicity, versatility, and controllability of MCVD have allowed fundamental research on the structure, materials, and properties of lightguides and fabrication of a variety of single-mode and multimode fiber designs and compositions tailored for a given transmission application. Figure 1 shows a flow diagram of the MCVD processing steps. Since first reported in 1974,³ studies have focused both on developing fundamental understanding of mechanisms of the process and on process optimization. Process modifications and scale-up have improved cost-effectiveness, culminating in large scale MCVD manufacture of lightguides by Western Electric.

© 1982 Optical Society of America