High-volume production of low-loss sapphire optical fibers by Saphikon EFG (edge-defined, film-fed growth) method
Abstract
Sapphire fibers grown using the Saphikon EFG technique have proven to be effective delivery systems for Erbium:YAG and Erbium:YSGG laser energy. A special emphasis has been given to the hard tissue dental application following the FDA approval of this procedure in May of 1997. A range of sensor applications also utilize these EFG sapphire fibers. Through the latter half of 1997, Saphikon has successfully transitioned the process from a research/pilot scale level to high volume production. Fiber losses as low as 0.2 dB/meter with an average of 1.5 dB/meter, which were first demonstrated on a research level in which tens of meters were produced, have now been sustained over thousands of meters in full scale production. Use of sapphire fibers in non-medical applications, erbium laser dentistry, and other medical procedures is discussed.
- Publication:
-
Surgical-Assist Systems
- Pub Date:
- June 1998
- DOI:
- 10.1117/12.309487
- Bibcode:
- 1998SPIE.3262..135F