WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An optical fiber comprising: a. at least 3 concentrically arranged layers wherein each said layer further comprises at least one polymer and at least one dopant and b. wherein said optical fiber has a graded index of refraction.
2. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
3. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3, 3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3, 3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate;
2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
4. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein said dopant is an organic molecule of less than 20 carbons, and alkyl metal oxide or a rare earth alkyl oxide.
5. The optical fiber of claim 4, wherein said one or more dopants comprise approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
6. An optical fiber comprising: a. at least 3 concentrically arranged layers wherein each said layer comprises a homopolymer and at least one dopant and b. wherein said optical fiber has a graded index of refraction.
7. The optical fiber of claim 6, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
8. The optical fiber of claim 6, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5, 5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate;
2,2,3, 3, 4,4,5, 5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
9. The optical fiber of claim 6 wherein said one or more dopants are selected from the group consisting of: diphenyl phthalate, phenyl benzoate, benzylbutylphthalate, benzyl benzoate, diphenyl sulfide, 3-phenyl-l- propanol, benzyl methacrylate, halogenated cyclic or acyclic compounds with less than 20 carbons, such as bromobenzene, 1,4 dibromobenzene, bromonapthalene, 1, 2, 4-trichloro benzene, o-dichlorobenzene, m- dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dibromethane, phthalic acids, benzoic acids, naphthalenes, cyclic ethers such as dibenzyl ether, phenoxy toluene, diphenyl ether, bicyclic compounds such as biphenyl, diphenyl sulfide, diphenyl methane 1-methoxyphenyl-l-phenylethane, alkyl metal oxides and rare earth alkyl oxides.
10. The optical fiber of claim 9 wherein said one or more dopants comprise approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
11. The optical fiber of claim 6, further comprising a protective layer.
12. The optical fiber of claim 11, wherein said protective layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: Teflon PFA, Teflon AF , and Teflon FEP.
13. An optical fiber comprising: a. at least 3 concentrically arranged layers wherein each said layer comprises the same homopolymer and at least one dopant and b. wherein said optical fiber has a graded index of refraction.
14. The optical fiber of claim 13, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
15. The optical fiber of claim 13, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5, 5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
16. The optical fiber of claim 13, wherein said one or more dopants are selected from the group consisting of: diphenyl phthalate, phenyl benzoate, benzylbutylphthalate, benzyl benzoate, diphenyl sulfide, 3-phenyl-l- propanol, benzyl methacrylate, halogenated cyclic or acyclic compounds with less than 20 carbons, such as bromobenzene, 1,4 dibromobenzene, bromonapthalene, 1, 2, 4-trichloro benzene, o-dichlorobenzene, m- dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dibromethane, phthalic acids, benzoic acids, naphthalenes, cyclic ethers such as dibenzyl ether, phenoxy toluene, diphenyl ether, bicyclic compounds such as biphenyl, diphenyl sulfide, diphenyl methane 1-methoxyphenyl-l-phenylethane, alkyl metal oxides and rare earth alkyl oxides.
17. The optical fiber of claim 16, wherein said one or more dopants comprise approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
18. The optical fiber of claim 13, further comprising a protective layer.
19. The optical fiber of claim 18, wherein said protective layer comprises a copolymer of approximately 65-95% by weight vinylidene fluouride and approximately 5-35% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene.
20. An optical fiber comprising: a. at least 5 concentrically arranged layers wherein each said layer comprises the same homopolymer and bromobenzene and b. wherein said optical fiber has a graded index of refraction.
21. The optical fiber of claim 20, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
22. The optical fiber of claim 20, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3, 3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate;
2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
23. The optical fiber of claim 20, wherein said bromobenzene comprises approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
24. The optical fiber of claim 20 further comprising a protective layer.
25. The optical fiber of claim 24, wherein said protective layer comprises a copolymer of approximately 65-95% by weight vinylidene fluouride and approximately 5-35% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene.
26. An optical fiber comprising: a. 5 concentrically arranged layers wherein the first layer has a thickness of approximately 0.25mm, the second, third and fourth layers each have a thickness of approximately 0.075mm and the fifth layer has a thickness of approximately 0.15mm; b. wherein each said layer comprises the same homopolymer and bromobenzene and c. wherein said optical fiber has a graded index of refraction.
27. The optical fiber of claim 26, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
28. The optical fiber of claim 26, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5, 5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3, 3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
29. The optical fiber of claim 26 wherein said bromobenzene comprises approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
30. The optical fiber of claim 26 further comprising a protective layer.
31. The optical fiber of claim 30 wherein said protective layer comprises a copolymer of approximately 65-95% by weight vinylidene fluouride and approximately 5-35% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene.
32. An optical fiber comprising: a. 5 concentrically arranged layers wherein each layer comprises a
PMMA homopolymer and bromobenzene and c. wherein said optical fiber has a graded index of refraction.
33. The optical fiber of claim 32 wherein said bromobenezene comprises from approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
34. The optical fiber of Example 1.
35. The optical fiber of Example 2.
36. The optical fiber of Example 3.
37. A process for fabricating an optical fiber comprising the steps of: a. preparing at least three spinning materials having different refractive indices, each of said spinning materials being made of at least one polymer and at least one dopant; b. feeding said spinning materials to a concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and thereby extruding the spinning materials through said nozzle; and c. allowing the dopant or dopants to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber within said nozzle, after extrusion from said nozzle or within said nozzle and after extrusion from said nozzle.
38. The process of claim 37 further comprising the step of drawing the fiber to a final diameter in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
39. The process of claim 37 wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 150° C to 300° C.
40. The process of claim 37, wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 210° C to 240° C.
41. The process of claim 37 wherein the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse within the nozzle.
42. The process of claim 37, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
43. The process of claim 37, wherein said polymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro- 1-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4, 5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
44. The process of claim 37, wherein said dopant or dopants are organic molecules of less than 20 carbons, and alkyl metal oxide or a rare earth alkyl oxide.
45. The process of claim 44, wherein said one or more dopants comprise approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
46. A process for fabricating an optical fiber comprising the steps of: a. preparing at least three spinning materials having different refractive indices, each of said spinning materials being made of at least one homopolymer and at least one dopant; b. feeding said spinning materials to a concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and extruding the spinning materials through said nozzle; and c. allowing the dopant or dopants to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber within said nozzle, after extrusion from said nozzle or within said nozzle and after extrusion from said nozzle;
47. The process of claim 46 further comprising the step of drawing the fiber to a final diameter in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
48. The process of claim 46 wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 150° C to 300° C.
49. The process of claim 46, wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 210° C to 240° C.
50. The process of claim 46, wherein the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse within the nozzle.
51. The process of claim 46, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
52. The process of claim 46, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5, 5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate;
2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
53. The process of claim 46, wherein said one or more dopants are selected from the group consisting of: diphenyl phthalate, phenyl benzoate, benzylbutylphthalate, benzyl benzoate, diphenyl sulfide, 3-phenyl-l- propanol, benzyl methacrylate, halogenated cyclic or acyclic compounds with less than 20 carbons, such as bromobenzene, 1,4 di bromobenzene, bromonapthalene, 1, 2, 4-trichloro benzene, o-dichlorobenzene, m- dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dibromethane, phthalic acids, benzoic acids, naphthalenes, cyclic ethers such as dibenzyl ether, phenoxy toluene, diphenyl ether, bicyclic compounds such as biphenyl, diphenyl sulfide, diphenyl methane 1-methoxyphenyl-l-phenylethane, alkyl metal oxides and rare earth alkyl oxides.
54. The process of claim 53, wherein said one or more dopants comprise approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
55. The process of claim 46, wherein the optical fiber further comprising a protective layer.
56. The process of claim 55, wherein said protective layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: Teflon PFA, Teflon AF , and Teflon FEP.
57. The process of claim 46, wherein said each spinning material consists of the same homopolymer.
58. The process of claim 57, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
59. The process of claim 57, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
• α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate;
2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
60. The process of claim 57, wherein said one or more dopants are selected from the group consisting of: diphenyl phthalate, phenyl benzoate, benzylbutylphthalate, benzyl benzoate, diphenyl sulfide, 3-phenyl-l- propanol, benzyl methacrylate, halogenated cyclic or acyclic compounds with less than 20 carbons, such as bromobenzene, 1,4 dibromobenzene, bromonapthalene, 1, 2, 4-trichloro benzene, o-dichlorobenzene, m- dichlorobenzene, 1,2-dibromethane, phthalic acids, benzoic acids, naphthalenes, cyclic ethers such as dibenzyl ether, phenoxy toluene, diphenyl ether, bicyclic compounds such as biphenyl, diphenyl sulfide, diphenyl methane 1-methoxyphenyl-l-phenylethane, alkyl metal oxides and rare earth alkyl oxides.
61. The process of claim 60, wherein said one or more dopants comprise approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
62. The process of claim 57, wherein the optical fiber further comprising a protective layer.
63. The process of claim 62, wherein said protective layer comprises a copolymer of approximately 65-95% by weight vinylidene fluouride and approximately 5-35% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene.
64. A process for fabricating an optical fiber comprising the steps of: a. preparing at least five spinning materials having different refractive indices, each of said spinning materials being made of the same homopolymer and the dopant bromobenzene; b. feeding said spinning materials to a multi-layer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and thereby extruding the spinning materials through said nozzle; and c. allowing the dopant to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber within said nozzle, after extrusion from said nozzle or within said nozzle and after extrusion from said nozzle;
65. The process of claim 64 further comprising the step of drawing the fiber to a final diameter in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
66. The process of claim 64, wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 150° C to 300° C.
67. The process of claim 64, wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 210° C to 240° C.
68. The process of claim 64, wherein the dopant bromobenzene is allowed to diffuse within the nozzle.
69. The process of claim 64, wherein the first layer has a thickness of approximately 0.25mm, the second, third and fourth layers each have a thickness of approximately 0.075mm and the fifth layer has a thickness of approximately 0.15mm.
70. The process of claim 64, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers of methacrylate, stryrene and their halogenated derivatives.
71. The process of claim 64, wherein said homopolymer is formed from the polymerization of monomers or prepolymers selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; benzyl methacrylate; phenyl methacrylate; vinyl benzoate; styrene; p-fluorostyrene; 2-chloroethyl methacrylate; isobornyl methacrylate; adamantyl methacrylate; tricylodecyl methacrylate; 1-methylcyclohexyl methacrylate; 2-chlorocyclohexyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate;
methyl α-chloroacrylate; 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate;
2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl methacrylate; 2,2,2,-trifluoro-l-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate; 1,3-dichloropropyl methacrylate; 2-chloro-l-chloromethylethyl methacrylate; 1-phenylethyl methacrylate; 2-phenylethyl methacrylate; diphenylmethyl methacrylate; 1,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate;
1-bromoethyl methacrylate; benzyl acrylate; α, α-dimethylbenzyl
methacrylate; bornyl methacrylate; cyclohexyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfyl methacrylate; allyl methacrylate; tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; vinyl chloroacetate; 2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5, 5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate;
2,2,2-trifluoroethyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl
α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl α-fluoroacrylate; 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl α-fluoroacrylate; o- or p-difluorostyrene;
vinyl acetate; tert-butyl methacrylate; isopropyl methacrylate; hexadecyl
methacrylate; isobutyl methacrylate; α-trifluoromethacrylates,
β-fluoroacrylates, β,β-difluoroacrylates, β-trifluoromethacrylates,
β,β-bis(trifluoromethyl) acrylates and α-chloroacrylates.
72. The process of claim 71, wherein said dopant comprises approximately 0- 30% by weight of each said.layer.
73. The process of claim 64, wherein said optical fiber further comprising a protective layer.
74. The process of claim 73, wherein said protective layer comprises a copolymer of approximately 65-95% by weight vinylidene fluouride and approximately 5-35% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene.
75. A process for fabricating an optical fiber comprising the steps of: a. preparing at least five spinning materials having different refractive indices, each of said spinning materials being made of the polymer PMMA and the dopant bromobenzene; b. feeding said spinning materials to a multi-layer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and thereby extruding the spinning materials through said nozzle; and c. allowing the dopant to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber within said nozzle, after extrusion from said nozzle or within said nozzle and after extrusion from said nozzle;
76. The process of claim 75 further comprising the step of drawing the fiber to a final diameter in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
77. The process of claim 75, wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 150° C to 300° C.
78. The process of claim 75, wherein the spinning materials are fed to a multilayer concentric nozzle so that the refractive index decreases toward the outer periphery, and the spinning materials are extruded through said nozzle and the dopant or dopants are allowed to diffuse between adjacent layers of the fiber in the temperature range 210° C to 240° C.
79. The process of claim 75, wherein the dopant is allowed to diffuse within the nozzle.
80. The process of claim 75, wherein the first layer has a thickness of approximately 0.25mm, the second, third and fourth layers each have a thickness of approximately 0.075mm and the fifth layer has a thickness of approximately 0.15mm.
81. The process of claim 75, wherein said dopant bromobenzene comprises approximately 0-30% by weight of each said layer.
82. The process of claim 75, further comprising a protective layer.
83. The process of claim 82, wherein said protective layer comprises a copolymer of approximately 65-95% by weight vinylidene fluouride and approximately 5-35% by weight of tetrafluoroethylene.
84. The process of Example 1.
85. The process of Example 2.
86. The process of Example 3.