Split beam system for laser drawing of optical fibers

Development of low-loss glass-fiber optical waveguides has intensified research in the area of fiber drawing techniques. Many of these fibers are made from fused silica with suitable dopants in the core and clad region, requiring a drawing temperature of over 1900°C. As compared with a furnace or a gas torch, CO2 lasers offer an excellent alternative highly responsive heat source. However, since the output of a laser is a collimated beam, it is necessary to restructure it to provide uniform distribution around the preform circumference.