FLUODRAW- Fibre drawning: investigating the physics behind a continuous process
The project at a glance
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Start date:01 Oct 2023
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Duration in months:48
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Funding:FNR
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Principal Investigator(s):Stephan LEYER
About
The lowest theoretical attenuation for silica glass optical fibers has been achieved with a value of around 0,15 dB/km at visible wavelengths. One material currently known with the potential to replace silica glass are heavy metal fluoride glasses (HMFG) and specifically ZBLAN (ZrF4–BaF2–LaF3–AlF3–NaF) glass. This type of glass fiber has a theoretical attenuation of 0,001 dB/km, and therefore allows data transfer for drastically longer fiber line segments without signal amplification. A known problem for metallic glasses, like ZBLAN, is that, as their cool-down rates from their molten state are very high and are difficult to achieve and maintain, the material starts to crystallize. This project aims to utilize simulations to better understand the fluid mechanics and thermodynamics of the passage from molten state to glass with the goal of being able to produce several kilometers of ZBLAN optical fiber at once. On this basis an experimental setup will be constructed as proof of concept.
Organisation and Partners
- University of Luxembourg, University of Warsaw and Flawless Photonics S.à r.l.
Project team
Prof Stephan LEYER
Full professor in Mechanical engineering – Heat and mass transfer and thermodynamics