Prediction and modeling of the influence of thermal and optical treatment steps on the structural properties of optical polymer fibers

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian-Alexander Bunge; Professor Dr.-Ing. Thomas Gries
• Subject Area: Plastics Engineering
• Term: from 2018 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 396274618

From the state of the art and our own preliminary work it is clear that a large number of patented methods exist for the production of step index and gradient index profile fibers. However, the fact that these production processes are either discontinuous (pulling processes from predefined cylinders) is a considerable time (gel polymerization and in-line polymerization in the extrusion of POFs) due to polymerization still to be carried out Production speed is limited (dry spinning process). To solve this problem the project partners developed a continuous and scalable melt spinning process for the production of gradient index profile fibers. Although the basic suitability of the technology has been demonstrated by the previous preparatory work, considerable improvements have to be made on the one hand and on the other hand on the control of the refractive index profiles in order to be able to use this new process in a targeted and controlled manner to become. For this purpose, a better understanding of the structure formation process of the optical polymer during filament formation is necessary.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants