Specialty Optical Fibers Handbook

Chapter 21

Sapphire Optical Fibers

J. Renee Pedrazzani

Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

The potential of single-crystal fibers was recognized 50 years ago, when the

inherent strength and perfection of the crystalline matrix of the fibers were

determined. Despite this, sustained research into the production of such fibers

was delayed until the 1970s. Until then, control over the growth characteristics of

the fibers was poor, and there were no well-defined areas of utilization [1]. The

first application that drove the production of single-crystal sapphire fibers was

use as a reinforcing member for metal-matrix composites ...