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Quartz Rods for Fiber Optics

Quartz Rods for Fiber Optics

-- Steady & Reliable Manufacturer --

Introduction

Quartz Rods for Fiber Optics are ultra-high-purity fused silica rods that serve as the fundamental structural component, or core, in the manufacturing of optical fiber preforms. The purity of these rods is paramount, as any metallic or hydroxyl (OH) trace element contamination can lead to significant signal attenuation (loss of light intensity) within the finished fiber optic cable. Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd. specializes in producing these rods from synthetic fused silica (typically JGS1 grade) using advanced vapor deposition and drawing techniques, guaranteeing ppb-level purity and a consistent refractive index throughout the rod's length. The rod's surface quality is equally critical, as microscopic defects can also scatter light, increasing transmission loss. Therefore, these rods are supplied with an exceptionally smooth, fire-polished, or precision-lapped surface finish.

In the Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) and Outside Vapor Deposition (OVD) processes, the quartz rod acts as the mandrel or core onto which the cladding layers are deposited. The rod is later consolidated and drawn down into the final, hair-thin fiber. We control the homogeneity and straightness of the quartz rod with extreme precision. The straightness tolerance is often measured in tens of micrometers over meters of length, essential for maintaining alignment during the chemical deposition and drawing stages. We offer a range of diameters, typically up to 50 mm, that are standardized for various preform manufacturing processes. Importantly, our rods exhibit extremely low OH content (often <1 ppm), which minimizes the water absorption peak around 1380 nm—a critical concern in telecommunications transmission. By providing a core material of unmatched purity and geometric precision, we enable the fabrication of low-loss, high-bandwidth optical fibers that form the backbone of global communication networks.

Our rigorous QC standards, including internal defect and bubble-level verification, ensure that our quartz rods meet the exacting demands of the fiber optic industry, where reliability and low attenuation are non-negotiable.

Specification Parameters

ParameterDetails
Material GradeSynthetic Fused Silica (JGS1) / Ultra-High Purity Quartz
Purity (Trace Elements)Sub-ppb levels (especially Fe, Cu, Na, K), verified by ICP-MS
Hydroxyl (OH) ContentUltra-low, typically <1 ppm (Essential for IR transmission)
Diameter Range5 mm to 50 mm (Customizable to preform processes)
Dimensional Tolerance (Diameter)Precision ±0.05 mm (Critical for MCVD process)
Straightness ToleranceHigh precision, typically \<50 μm over one meter
Refractive Index HomogeneityExtremely uniform, verified by optical scanning to prevent signal scatter
Surface FinishFire Polished or Precision Lapped, Scratch/Dig ≤20/10

The most critical technical characteristic for Quartz Rods for Fiber Optics is the Ultra-High Purity (often JGS1 grade or better). Contaminants like iron (Fe) can cause attenuation peaks that block specific transmission windows (IR loss). We use Synthetic Fused Silica to achieve and verify this ppb purity. Equally important is the Ultra-low Hydroxyl (OH) Content; water contamination in the glass manifests as a strong absorption peak at 1380 nm, which must be eliminated for high-performance telecommunications fibers operating in the 1310 nm and 1550 nm windows. We achieve this low OH content through specialized drying and fusion processes. The tight Dimensional Tolerance (±0.05 mm) and Straightness Tolerance are essential for the MCVD process, where the rod must rotate perfectly and fit precisely into the vapor deposition lathe, minimizing runout and ensuring uniform layer deposition. We use non-contact laser gauges for dimensional verification and interferometry to ensure the Refractive Index Homogeneity, which guarantees the low light scattering required for long-distance data transmission.

Applications

  • Optical Fiber Preform Manufacturing: Used as the core or mandrel in processes like MCVD, OVD, and VAD for producing the structural foundation of single-mode and multi-mode communication fibers.

  • Specialty Fiber Production: Employed in the manufacture of highly customized fibers for sensors, medical devices, and high-power laser delivery systems, where specific dopants are added.

  • Telecommunications Infrastructure: Used indirectly as the high-purity raw material for the production of the fibers that form the global internet and voice infrastructure.

  • Laboratory Fiber Drawing: Serving as high-purity feed material for research laboratories experimenting with new fiber geometries and dopant profiles.

  • Integrated Optics Substrates: Small-diameter, highly polished rods can be used as substrates for miniature optical devices and waveguides.

  • UV and DUV Light Guides: High-purity rods can be used as solid core light guides for short-distance UV energy delivery, capitalizing on fused silica's excellent UV transmission.

The strategic application of these rods is the ability to produce optical fiber with minimal loss across all key telecommunication windows (850 nm, 1310 nm, 1550 nm). The ultra-low OH content is a direct enabler for high-speed, long-distance data transmission without needing frequent signal amplification. Our rods are manufactured in cleanroom environments and sealed to prevent surface contamination, which could otherwise introduce scattering defects into the final drawn fiber. By offering customized rod lengths and diameters, we provide fiber \text{OEM}$s with the flexibility to optimize their preform sizes for specific draw tower capacity and fiber length requirements. The geometric precision of the rod directly impacts the core/cladding ratio in the final fiber, which is a critical determinant of the fiber's numerical aperture ($\text{NA}) and light-guiding properties. We are committed to supplying the quality needed to support the highest speed and longest reach fiber optic applications.

Advantages

  • Ultra-Low Optical Attenuation: JGS1 Synthetic Fused Silica with sub-ppb purity guarantees minimal light loss in the finished optical fiber.

  • Hydroxyl Peak Elimination: Guaranteed <1 ppm OH content removes the critical water absorption band at 1380 nm, essential for telecommunications.

  • Exceptional Dimensional & Geometric Precision: Tight diameter and straightness tolerances ensure accurate alignment and uniform cladding deposition in preform manufacturing.

  • High Refractive Index Uniformity: Homogeneous material structure prevents unwanted light scattering and maintains consistent light guidance properties.

  • Superior Surface Finish: Scratch/Dig ≤20/10 minimizes surface defects that could cause light scattering and compromise the fiber drawing process.

  • Certified Purity Documentation: Every batch is supplied with detailed ICP-MS analysis, guaranteeing the purity required for mission-critical electronic and optical components.

The competitive advantage of our quartz rods is the synthesis of material purity with manufacturing precision. The low OH content is a difficult and expensive property to control, yet it is essential for the low-loss performance demanded by the market. We provide a rod that is essentially an optical perfection: ultra-pure, dimensionally perfect, and structurally homogeneous. This high quality significantly improves the yield and reduces the production cost for fiber optic manufacturers. Our expertise in synthetic fused silica fabrication positions us as a premium supplier to the world's leading fiber optic and specialty glass OEMs.

Payment and Shipping

We accept secure international payments including T/T and L/C. Due to the high value and sensitive nature of these materials, long-term supply agreements with fixed pricing and managed inventory programs are available to fiber OEMs.

Shipping Protocol for Rods: Contamination and surface damage must be prevented.

  • Cleanroom Packaging: Rods are cleaned, inspected in an ISO Class 5 environment, individually wrapped in non-abrasive film, and vacuum-sealed to prevent airborne contamination.

  • Protective Tubing/Crating: Rods are secured in rigid plastic tubes or custom wooden crates that support the entire length and prevent bending or surface contact during transit.

  • Freight: Primarily using express air freight for global delivery to minimize travel time and handling. Each shipment includes the necessary purity and dimensional CoA.

Lead times for standard diameter rods are 15−20 working days. Custom OD or specialty-doped preform rods may require 4−6 weeks for the specialized synthesis and drawing process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Q: Why is the OH content critical for fiber optics, and how is it measured?

  • A: OH (Hydroxyl) is essentially water trapped in the glass matrix. It causes a sharp light absorption peak at 1380 nm, severely attenuating the signal. We use infrared Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to measure OH content in ppm or ppb with high accuracy, guaranteeing the low-loss performance required.

  • Q: What is the difference between a quartz rod and a preform?

  • A: The quartz rod we supply is the high-purity, homogeneous glass core material. A preform is the final, composite structure (often a thick tube with the rod inside) that has the engineered refractive index profile (core and cladding) required to draw the final optical fiber. Our rods are used to make the preform.

  • Q: Can you supply quartz rods with a specific, engineered refractive index?

  • A: Our standard rods are homogeneous fused silica. We can supply rods that have been precisely doped with elements like Germanium or Fluorine to achieve a controlled refractive index shift, essential for creating the core/cladding difference in the preform.

  • Q: What is JGS1 grade fused silica?

  • A: JGS1 is the designation for high-purity Synthetic Fused Silica, which is made by chemical synthesis (SiCl4​ flame hydrolysis) rather than melting natural quartz. It offers the highest level of purity, lowest OH content, and superior DUV transmission, making it the preferred material for high-end optics and fiber cores.

From Made-in-China to
Global Smart Manufacturing

Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in the production of quartz and special glass products. Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd. is the production plant of Jinzhou Mingde Quartz Glass Co., Ltd. in Jiangsu, Since its establishment, the company has developed rapidly, introduced advanced technology and production equipment at home and abroad, and continuously improved and improved product quality. Relying on its own advantages, we have developed a variety of products suitable for the market and meet the needs of different customers, and solved many urgent production problems for our customers.

The company's products include quartz glass tubes, double-hole quartz glass tubes, quartz glass rods, quartz sheets, sapphire windows, calcium fluoride glass windows, infrared ultraviolet coatings, high-pressure resistant aluminosilicate glass window panels, quartz glass instruments, high borosilicate glass instruments, quartz crucibles, quartz gold-plated tubes, quartz heaters, quartz infrared heating tubes, far-infrared directional radiation heaters ultraviolet germicidal lamps and other special types of quartz glass products.

Yancheng Mingyang Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
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