Claims:We Claim

1. A method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform by utilizing a spindle rod and a plurality of burners positioned below the spindle rod, the method comprising:
rotating the spindle rod about a longitudinal axis associated with the spindle rod, wherein a rotational speed of the spindle rod is R.r; and

traversing at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod at an optimized traversing speed, wherein each of the plurality of burners deposits silica particles over a surface of the rotating spindle rod, wherein a distance between each of the plurality of burners is fixed during the deposition of the silica particles, wherein the traversing speed is optimized by non-uniformly decreasing the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners based on a number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in a time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners with continuation of the deposition of the silica particles,
wherein a value of the traversing speed is optimized to enable N.5 revolutions of the spindle rod during a time the spindle rod traverses between the plurality of burners, wherein the non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables each burner of the plurality of burners to deposit the silica particles in a space not deposited by another burner of the plurality of burners for mitigation of undulations over the surface of the spindle rod and wherein the traversing speed is less than equal to a product of the rotational speed of the spindle rod and a width of a stream of materials deposited by each of the plurality of burners.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the distance between each of the plurality of burners is in a range of 125 to 200 mm.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the traversing speed of the at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners decreases based on a pre-defined step function with an increase in the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the optical fiber preform has a uniform deposition of the silica particles over the surface of the spindle rod.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the traversing speed is directly proportional to the distance between the plurality of burners and the rotational speed of the spindle rod.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the traversing speed is inversely proportional to the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each value of the traversing speed corresponds to a specific value of the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein R is an integer in a range of 1-1000 and r is an integer in a range of 0-9.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein N is an integer having a value of greater than or equal to 1.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each value of the traversing speed is maintained constant for a pre-determined number of passes made by the at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners.
, Description:A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING AN OPTICAL FIBER PREFORM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of optical fiber preforms. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform free of undulations.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Over the last few years, there has been an exponential rise in the manufacturing of optical fibers due to an overgrowing demand of the optical fibers. The manufacturing of optical fibers has two major stages. The first stage involves the manufacturing of optical fiber preforms and the second stage involves drawing the optical fibers from the optical fiber preforms. In general, the quality of optical fibers depends on conditions of manufacturing. So, a lot of attention is paid towards the manufacturing of the optical fiber preforms. These optical fiber preforms include an inner glass core surrounded by a glass cladding having a lower index of refraction than the inner glass core. Typically, the preform is manufactured by utilizing a substrate rod and a plurality of burners positioned below the substrate rod. The plurality of burners traverse along a length of the rotating substrate rod or the substrate rod rotates and traverses back and forth on top of the a plurality of burners or both may traverse relatively to each other.

[0003] The presently available techniques for the production of the optical fiber preform have certain drawbacks. One of the most consistent problems which occurs during the production process is the formation of undulations along the length of the optical fiber preform. The undulations are formed during the deposition process. The undulations correspond to places of non-uniform deposition or places of alternating excess and meagre deposition. The traversing speed of the burners decreases uniformly with increase in number of revolutions made by the rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners. Typically, the traversing speed of the burners is high in early stages of the deposition process. The undulations occur at high traversing speeds which makes the soot preform prone to undulations in early stages of deposition. However, the undulations are not formed when the traversing speed is slow in the later stage of the deposition process. Accordingly, the upper soot layers with no undulations cover the inner soot layers due to which the soot apparently looks uniform. However, the inner layers are full of undulations. Hence, the faster movement of the burners relative to the preform in the early stages of the deposition results in the formation of undulations. Moreover, the undulations occur when burners which are following a first burner deposit on same position deposited by the first burner. In addition, a CT scan of the soot preform manufactured according to the prior art methods was performed. During the CT scan tests, it was found that the soot preform was full of undulations for majority of the early deposition. Accordingly, the idea of removing the undulations formed during the deposition process generated from the results of the CT scan test of the prior art soot preform.

[0004] In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for an optical fiber preform that overcomes the above stated disadvantages and increases the performance of the optical fibers.

OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] A primary object of the present disclosure is to mitigate formation of undulations over a surface of an optical fiber preform.

[0006] Another object of the present disclosure is to synthesize a high quality optical fiber preform free from undulations to provide an optical fiber of excellent quality.

[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to increase performance of the optical fibers by supplying the optical fiber preform with no undulations.

[0008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to improve strength of the optical fibers as the undulations result in deterioration of strength of glass.

SUMMARY

[0009] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform by utilizing a spindle rod and a plurality of burners positioned below the spindle rod. The method includes rotation of the spindle rod about a longitudinal axis associated with the spindle rod. In addition, the method includes traversing of at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod at an optimized traversing speed. Moreover, a rotational speed of the spindle rod is R.r. R is an integer in a range of 1-1000 and r is an integer in a range of 0-9. Each of the plurality of burners deposits silica particles over a surface of the rotating spindle rod. Also, a distance between each of the plurality of burners is fixed during the deposition of the silica particles. The traversing speed is optimized by non-uniformly decreasing the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners. The traversing speed is non-uniformly decreased based on a number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in a time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners with continuation of the deposition of the silica particles. Also, a value of the traversing speed is optimized to enable N.5 revolutions of the spindle rod during a time the spindle rod traverses between the plurality of burners. In addition, N is an integer which has a value of greater than or equal to 1. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables each burner of the plurality of burners to deposit the silica particles in a space not deposited by another burner of the plurality of burners. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables mitigation of undulations over the surface of the spindle rod. The traversing speed is less than equal to a product of the rotational speed of the spindle rod and a width of a stream of materials deposited by each of the plurality of burners.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between each of the plurality of burners is in a range of 125 to 200 mm .

[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing speed of the at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners decreases based on a pre-defined step function. The traversing speed decreases in steps with an increase in the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber preform has a uniform deposition of the silica particles over the surface of the spindle rod.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing speed is directly proportional to the distance between the plurality of burners and the rotational speed of the spindle rod.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing speed is inversely proportional to the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each value of the traversing speed corresponds to a specific value of the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each value of the traversing speed is maintained constant for a pre-determined number of passes made by the at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners.

STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an optical fiber preform by utilizing a spindle rod and a plurality of burners positioned below the spindle rod. The method includes rotation of the spindle rod about a longitudinal axis associated with the spindle rod. In addition, the method includes traversing of at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod at an optimized traversing speed. Moreover, a rotational speed of the spindle rod is R.r. Each of the plurality of burners deposits silica particles over a surface of the rotating spindle rod. Also, a distance between each of the plurality of burners is fixed during the deposition of the silica particles. The traversing speed is optimized by non-uniformly decreasing the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod and the plurality of burners. The traversing speed is non-uniformly decreased based on a number of revolutions made by the spindle rod in a time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners with continuation of the deposition of the silica particles. Also, a value of the traversing speed is optimized to enable N.5 revolutions of the spindle rod during a time the spindle rod traverses between the plurality of burners. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables each burner of the plurality of burners to deposit the silica particles in a space not deposited by another burner of the plurality of burners. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables mitigation of undulations over the surface of the spindle rod. The traversing speed is less than equal to a product of the rotational speed of the spindle rod and a width of a stream of materials deposited by each of the plurality of burners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0018] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates a general overview of a system to manufacture an optical fiber preform, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates a general assembly for manufacturing the optical fiber preform, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart for manufacturing the optical fiber preform, accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates an image of a soot preform with undulations;

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an image of a soot preform with no undulations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a CT scan image of early stages of a fully deposited soot preform with undulations.

[0025] It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the present technology.

[0027] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present technology. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

[0028] Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present technology. Similarly, although many of the features of the present technology are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present technology is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present technology.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a general overview of a system 100 for manufacturing an optical fiber preform, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The system 100 is configured for mitigation of undulations formed during a manufacturing process of the optical fiber preform. The system 100 focuses on manufacturing the optical fiber preform without any undulations over the surface of the optical fiber preform. The undulations correspond to places of non-uniform deposition or places of excess deposition over the surface of the optical fiber preform. In general, the undulations occur during the deposition process for forming the optical fiber preform. In addition, the distance between two adjacent places of non-uniform deposition is defined as the pitch. The system 100 provides a uniform distribution of soot over a length of the optical fiber preform during the manufacturing process (explained below in the detailed description of FIG. 2).

[0030] The optical fiber preform is a large cylindrical body of glass having a core structure and a cladding structure. In addition, the optical fiber preform is a material used for fabrication of optical fibers. Accordingly, the optical fibers are used for a variety of purposes. The variety of purposes includes telecommunications, broadband communications, medical applications, military applications and the like. The optical fiber preform is the optical fiber in a large form.

[0031] Furthermore, the optical fiber preform includes a core section and a cladding section. The core section is an inner part of the optical fiber preform or the optical fiber and the cladding section is an outer part of the optical fiber preform or the optical fiber. Moreover, the core section and the cladding section are formed during the manufacturing stage of the optical fiber preform. The core section has a refractive index which is greater than a refractive index of the cladding section. In general, the core section has a higher refractive index than the cladding section.

[0032] The refractive index is maintained as per a desired level based on a concentration of chemicals used for the production of the optical fiber preform. These chemicals are deposited over a surface of the initial material by performing flame hydrolysis. The deposition is done to achieve a pre-structure of the optical fiber. The core section of the optical fiber preform is manufactured using pure silica doped with germanium and the cladding section is manufacture using pure silica. Going further, the system 100 manufactures the optical fiber preform by utilizing an outside vapor deposition technique. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 100 may perform a modified chemical vapor deposition technique for the production of the optical fiber preform.

[0033] The system 100 performs deposition of the chemicals over a circumference of the initial material for the production of the optical fiber preform. Going further, the system 100 includes a spindle rod 102, a rotating mechanism 104, a plurality of burners 106, a plurality of chemicals 108 and a guiding mechanism 110. The optical fiber preform is manufactured by using the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 positioned below the spindle rod 102. The above stated functional components of the system 100 collectively perform the production of the optical fiber preform. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the above stated components of the system 100 constitute a part of an apparatus for the production of the optical fiber preform.

[0034] The spindle rod 102 is a substrate rod configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis associated with the spindle rod 102. Moreover, the spindle rod 102 rotates at a fixed rotational speed. Also, the rotational speed of the spindle rod 102 is in a range of 50-200 revolutions per minute. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotational speed of the spindle rod 102 may vary. The rotational speed of the spindle rod 102 is R.r where R and r are positive integers. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, R is in a range of 1-1000 and r is in a range of 0-9. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotational speed is in a range of 1.0 revolution per minute to 1000.9 revolutions per minute. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotational speed is fixed at any instant of time of deposition. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotational speed changes during the deposition process. Moreover, the spindle rod 102 is defined by a deposition region. Further, the spindle rod 102 is a cylindrical rod of any length for the deposition of the chemicals around the circumference of the spindle rod 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 is the initial material used for the production of the optical fiber preform. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, any type of rotating material may be utilized for the production of the optical fiber preform.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mandrel may be utilized for the manufacturing of the optical fiber preform. Moreover, the mandrel is a shaft or a spindle in a lathe. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a bait rod may be utilized for the manufacturing of the optical fiber preform. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 may be made of alumina or graphite. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 traverses back and forth. The traversing is done for performing the deposition of silica particles over the surface of the spindle rod 102 to achieve the optical fiber preform free of the undulations. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 may not traverse and may remain stationary.

[0036] Going further, the spindle rod 102 is associated with the rotating mechanism 104. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 is mechanically connected to the rotating mechanism 104. Moreover, one end of the spindle rod 102 is connected to the rotating mechanism 104. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each end of the spindle rod 102 is connected to a corresponding end of the rotating mechanism 104. In addition, the rotating mechanism 104 is a device or a machine configured to rotate the spindle rod 102. The rotating mechanism 104 rotates the spindle rod 102 about the longitudinal axis associated with the spindle rod 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating mechanism 104 rotates the spindle rod 102 in a clockwise direction. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating mechanism 104 rotates the spindle rod 102 in an anti-clockwise direction.

[0037] The rotating mechanism 104 may include a lathe machine with each end of the spindle rod 102 mounted on the corresponding ends of the lathe machine. Moreover, the lathe machine is a machine configured to rotate a cylindrical material. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lathe machine is configured to rotate the spindle rod 102. Examples of the lathe machine include but may not be limited to metal spinning lathe, glass working lathe, rotary lathe or any other type of lathe suitable for rotating the spindle rod 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lathe rotates the spindle rod 102 at fixed revolutions per minute (RPM). In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the lathe rotates the spindle rod 102 at variable rotational speed.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating mechanism 104 may be a motor. The motor is an electric rotating motor configured to rotate the spindle rod 102 about the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a direction of rotation of the motor is clockwise. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the direction of rotation of the motor is anti-clockwise. Further, one end of the spindle rod 102 is fixed at one end of the motor. Furthermore, the rotating mechanism 104 includes a rotating axle. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 is rotated by the rotating axle mechanically connected to the spindle rod 102. Examples of the motor include DC motor, AC motor and the like.

[0039] The rotating mechanism 104 may be controlled by an operator through a control unit. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the operator monitors the revolutions made by the rotating mechanism 104 in real time. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the operator keeps the revolutions per minute made by the rotating mechanism 104 constant. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the operator keeps the revolutions per minute made by the rotating mechanism 104 variable. In addition, the rotating mechanism 104 is supplied with electrical power in real time. The electrical power is supplied for performing the rotation of the rotating mechanism 104 which eventually rotates the spindle rod 102.

[0040] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotating mechanism 104 traverses the spindle rod 102 back and forth. Further, the traversing is done along the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing is done along the longitudinal axis of the rotating mechanism 104. Furthermore, the spindle rod 102 is traversed at an optimized traversing speed (explained below in the patent application). Also, the spindle rod 102 traverses and rotates at the same time. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rotation and the traversing of the spindle rod 102 take place simultaneously. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 may not traverse.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing of the spindle rod 102 is done relatively to a traversing of a plurality of burners 106 (described below in the patent application in detail). Going further, the spindle rod 102 and the rotating mechanism 104 are associated with the plurality of burners 106. In addition, each of the plurality of burners 106 is positioned below the spindle rod 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of burners 106 is placed at a suitable vertical distance from the spindle rod 102.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of burners 106 is a heating mechanism. Further, the heating mechanism is an arrangement of heating devices. Moreover, each of the plurality of burners 106 deposits silica particles over the surface of the rotating spindle rod 102. The deposition of the silica particles is done to form multiple layers of soot over the surface of the spindle rod 102. In addition, each of the plurality of burners 106 heats up the surface of the spindle rod 102 for depositing the silica particles. Also, the silica particles correspond to silicon dioxide particles required for the production of the soot preform. The silica particles are obtained through a chemical reaction which takes place inside each of the plurality of burners 106 (explained below in detail in the patent application).

[0043] Furthermore, each of the plurality of burners 106 correspond to a burner which performs combustion of hydrogen and oxygen along with other chemicals required for the production of the optical fiber preform. Each burner of the plurality of burners 106 is placed beneath the spindle rod 102. Further, each of the plurality of burners 106 is an oxy hydrogen flame burner. Furthermore, the oxy hydrogen flame burner receives oxygen and hydrogen from corresponding inlets.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the oxy hydrogen flame burner receives the other chemicals through other inlets in order to react with hydrogen and oxygen to produce the silica particles. Each of the plurality of burners 106 performs a flame hydrolysis reaction inside to produce the silica particles. In addition, the silica particles are produced by utilizing the plurality of chemicals 108 (explained below in the detailed description of the FIG. 2). The plurality of chemicals 108 includes oxygen, hydrogen, silicon tetrachloride and germanium tetrachloride.

[0045] Each burner of the plurality of burners 106 is a cylindrical burner. Also, each burner of the plurality of burners 106 emits a flame. Further, each of the plurality of burners 106 emits a silicon dioxide stream. In addition, the flame is directed from a center of each of the plurality of burners 106 on the surface of the spindle rod 102. The flame emitted by each of the plurality of burners 106 contains the silica particles. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the silica particles are formed through the flame hydrolysis reaction (as elaborated below in the detailed description of the FIG. 2). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the silica particles correspond to soot.

[0046] Each of the plurality of burners 106 traverses back and forth below the rotating spindle rod 102. In addition, each of the plurality of burners 106 traverses along the length of the spindle rod 102 at the optimized traversing speed (explained below in the patent application). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of burners 106 may not traverse along the length of the spindle rod 102. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of burners 106 traverse relatively with the traversing and rotating spindle rod 102.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber preform can be manufactured in each of the three cases. The first case is the spindle rod 102 traversing and rotating about the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 remain at one position. The second case is the plurality of burners 106 traversing parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102 and the spindle rod 102 rotates at one position. The third case is the relative traversing motion between the rotating spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 about the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102. In addition, a distance between each of the plurality of burners 106 is fixed during the deposition of the silica particles. The distance is measured from a center of each of the plurality of burners 106. The distance between the plurality of burners 106 is known as inter burner distance (IBD). The inter burner distance remains constant throughout the deposition process. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between each of the plurality of burners 106 is in a range of 125 millimeters to 200 millimeters.

[0048] Going further, each of the plurality of burners 106 is associated with the guiding mechanism 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating mechanism is associated with the guiding mechanism 110. Each of the plurality of burners 106 is connected to the guiding mechanism 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of burners 106 is mechanically connected to the guiding mechanism 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding mechanism 110 is placed adjacent to an arrangement of the plurality of burners 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding mechanism 110 is placed below the rotating mechanism 104. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding mechanism 110 may be a part of the rotating mechanism 104.

[0049] The guiding mechanism 110 enables each of the plurality of burners 106 to traverse along the length of the at least one spindle rod 102. Moreover, each of the plurality of burners 106 traverses according to burner guide mechanics applied by the guiding mechanism 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of burners 106 moves over a fixed path according to the guiding mechanism 110. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of burners 106 is placed over a driving shaft. The driving shaft drives the plurality of burners 106. Each of the plurality of burners 106 is fixed on the driving shaft.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding mechanism 110 includes a driving motor. The driving motor is connected to the driving shaft. The driving motor drives the driving shaft with the plurality of burners 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving motor is connected to the driving shaft through a gear which enables the traversing motion of each of the plurality of burners 106.

[0051] The guiding mechanism 110 enables the traversing speed to be optimized to the specific value corresponding to the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 in the time taken to travel between the plurality of burners 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optimization of the traversing speed against the number of revolutions is done automatically by the guiding mechanism 110. The optimization of the traversing speed against the corresponding number of revolutions is done for mitigation of the undulations on the surface of the optical fiber preform. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing speed is optimized against each corresponding value of the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 (explained further below in the patent application).

[0052] The system 100 manufactures the optical fiber preform by using a method. The method includes traversing at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102. The undulations are mitigated by optimizing a traversing speed of at least one of the rotating spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106. The traversing speed corresponds to a speed at which at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 travel back and forth. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of burners 106 travel from one point of the spindle rod 102 to another point of the spindle rod 102 at the optimized traversing speed. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of burners 106 does not traverse from one point of the spindle rod 102 to another point of the spindle rod 102. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of burners 106 traverses relatively with the spindle rod 102.

[0053] Further, the traversing speed is optimized by non-uniformly decreasing the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed corresponds to decrease of the traversing speed in steps. The traversing speed is decreased non-uniformly with an increase in a number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102. The optimized traversing speed is based on a number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 in a time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners 106 with continuation of the deposition of the silica particles. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the traversing speed of the at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 decreases based on a pre-defined step function. The pre-defined step function illustrates non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106.

[0054] The deposition process begins at a first optimized traversing speed. In the following example, the deposition process takes place with inter-burner distance constant at 150 mm and the rotational speed constant at 120 revolutions per minute. The first optimized traversing speed is maintained for a first pre-determined number of passes. In an example, the first optimized traversing speed is 1561.6 mm/min which is maintained for less than 100 passes. Accordingly, the first optimized traversing speed is changed to a second optimized traversing speed after completion of the first pre-determined number of passes. In another example, the second optimized traversing speed is 1439.8 mm/min which is achieved before completion of 100 passes and maintained for next 100 passes. Further, the second optimized traversing speed is changed to a third optimized traversing speed after completion of a second pre-determined number of passes. In yet another example, the third optimized traversing speed is 1333 mm/min which is achieved after 200 passes and maintained for next 80 passes. Furthermore, the third optimized traversing speed is changed to a fourth optimized traversing speed after completion of a third pre-determined number of passes. In yet another example, the fourth optimized traversing speed is 1241.2 mm/min which is achieved after 280 passes and maintained for next 60 passes. Accordingly, the fourth optimized traversing speed is changed to a fifth optimized traversing speed after completion of a fourth pre-determined number of passes. In yet another example, the fifth optimized traversing speed is 973 mm/min which is achieved after 350 passes and maintained for the remainder of the deposition process. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the process continues.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 100 automatically changes the traversing speed based on the pre-determined number of passes. Further, the spindle rod 102 travels between the plurality of burners 106. In addition, the traversing speed is optimized based on a number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 when the spindle rod 102 travels between the plurality of burners 106. Further, a value of the traversing speed is optimized to enable N.5 revolutions of the spindle rod 102 during a time the spindle rod 102 traverses between the plurality of burners 106. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, N is an integer which has a value of greater than or equal to 1. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spindle rod 102 must make N.5 revolutions between the plurality of burners 106. Further, the non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables each burner of the plurality of burners 106 to deposit the silica particles in a space not deposited by another burner of the plurality of burners 106. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables mitigation of undulations over the surface of the spindle rod 102.

[0056] Furthermore, each of the plurality of burners 106 deposits a stream of material over the surface of the spindle rod 102. Each of the plurality of burners 106 emits a flame for depositing the silica particles on the surface of the spindle rod 102. The flame emitted by each of the plurality of burners 106 is defined by a width. In addition, the traversing speed is less than equal to a product of the rotational speed of the spindle rod 102 and the width of the stream of materials deposited by each of the plurality of burners 106. Further, the traversing speed is directly proportional to the distance between the plurality of burners 106 and the rotational speed of the spindle rod 102. Also, the traversing speed is inversely proportional to the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners 106. Furthermore, the optical fiber preform has a uniform deposition of the silica particles over the surface of the spindle rod 102. The uniform deposition of the silica particles is due to the non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106.

[0057] Going further, the plurality of burners 106 includes a first burner 106a and a second burner 106b (as shown in FIG. 1B). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber preform can be manufactured by using two burners (the first burner 106a and the second burner 106b). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the distance between the first burner 106a and the second burner 106b is fixed at all instants of time of the deposition (as explained above in the patent application). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system 100 utilizes the same method for manufacturing the optical fiber preform with the two burners.

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart 200 for manufacturing the optical fiber preform, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. It may be noted that to explain the process steps of the flowchart 200, references will be made to the system elements of the FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The flowchart 200 initiates at step 202.

[0059] Following step 202, at step 204, the spindle rod 102 is rotated about the longitudinal axis associated with the spindle rod 102. The spindle rod 102 rotates at the rotational speed of R.r where R and r are positive integers. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, R is in a range of 1-1000 and r is in a range of 0-9. At step 206, at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106 traverse parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle rod 102 at the optimized traversing speed. Also, the distance between each of the plurality of burners 106 is fixed during the deposition of the silica particles. The traversing speed is optimized by non-uniformly decreasing the traversing speed of at least one of the spindle rod 102 and the plurality of burners 106. The traversing speed is non-uniformly decreased based on the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 in a time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners 106. Also, the value of the traversing speed is optimized to enable N.5 revolutions of the spindle rod 102 during the time the spindle rod 102 traverses between the plurality of burners 106. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables each burner of the plurality of burners 106 to deposit the silica particles in the space not deposited by another burner of the plurality of burners 106. The non-uniform decrease in the traversing speed enables mitigation of the undulations over the surface of the spindle rod 102. The flowchart 200 terminates at step 208.

[0060] It may be noted that the flowchart 200 is explained to have above stated process steps; however, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the flowchart 200 may have more/less number of process steps which may enable all the above stated embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates an image of a soot preform 300 with undulations. The soot preform 300 shown in the image is a prior art soot preform manufactured according to the prior art methods of manufacturing an optical fiber preform. The soot preform 300 contains undulations at regular intervals over a length of the soot preform 300. The undulations are formed during the deposition process. The undulations correspond to places of non-uniform deposition or places of alternating excess and meagre deposition. The undulations on the soot preform 300 are formed when the traversing speed of the plurality of burners decreases uniformly with increase in number of revolutions made by the rod in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners.

[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates an image of a soot preform 400 with no undulations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The soot preform 400 is manufactured as per the method employed for manufacturing the optical fiber preform without undulations by the system 100 (as provided in the detailed description of the FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B). The soot preform 400 contains no undulations over the length of the soot preform 400. The soot preform 400 is obtained as shown in the FIG. 4 when the traversing speed of the plurality of burners 106 is decreased non-uniformly with the increase in the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners 106 with the continuation of the deposition of the silica particles. The optimized traversing speed is based on the number of revolutions made by the spindle rod 102 in the time taken to travel the distance between the plurality of burners 106 with continuation of the deposition of the silica particles.

[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates a CT scan image of early stages of a fully deposited soot preform 500 with undulations. The soot preform 500 shown in the image is a prior art soot preform manufactured according to the prior art methods of manufacturing an optical fiber preform. The soot preform 500 contains undulations at regular intervals over a length of the soot preform 500. A CT scan test was performed on the soot preform 500. The CT scan image shows that the soot preform 500 was full of undulations for majority of the early process of the fully deposited soot preform 500. Accordingly, the idea of removing the undulations formed during the deposition process generated from the results of the CT scan test of the prior art soot preform 500.

[0064] Going further, the present disclosure provides numerous advantages over the prior art. The present disclosure provides the optical fiber preform with no formation of the undulations over the surface of the optical fiber preform. In addition, the mitigation of the undulations enables production of the high quality optical fiber preform. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides uniform distribution of the soot over the surface of the spindle rod.

[0065] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present technology have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present technology and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present technology.

[0066] While several possible embodiments of the disclosure have been described above and illustrated in some cases, it should be interpreted and understood as to have been presented only by way of illustration and example, but not by limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.