Laser waveguides, methods and systems for forming a laser waveguide are provided. The waveguide includes an inner cladding layer surrounding a central axis and a glass core surrounding and located outside of the inner cladding layer. The glass core includes a laser-active material. The waveguide includes an outer cladding layer surrounding and located outside of the glass core. The inner cladding, outer cladding and/or core may surround a hollow central channel or bore and may be annular in shape.

Laser waveguides, methods and systems for forming a laser waveguide are provided. The waveguide includes an inner cladding layer surrounding a central axis and a glass core surrounding and located outside of the inner cladding layer. The glass core includes a laser-active material. The waveguide includes an outer cladding layer surrounding and located outside of the glass core. The inner cladding, outer cladding and/or core may surround a hollow central channel or bore and may be annular in shape.

A torch for fabricating optical fiber preforms may include a body having a surface and two or more slit-shaped orifices oriented parallel or substantially parallel to each other along the surface. The torch body may further include two or more conduits connected to corresponding orifices. The torch may be used by orienting it relative to a preform substrate, and simultaneously emitting two or more gases from corresponding orifices toward the surface of the preform substrate, such that the gases are involved in a reaction to form a soot.

Laser waveguides, methods and systems for forming a laser waveguide are provided. The waveguide includes an inner cladding layer surrounding a central axis and a glass core surrounding and located outside of the inner cladding layer. The glass core includes a laser-active material. The waveguide includes an outer cladding layer surrounding and located outside of the glass core. The inner cladding, outer cladding and/or core may surround a hollow central channel or bore and may be annular in shape.

Laser waveguides, methods and systems for forming a laser waveguide are provided. The waveguide includes an inner cladding layer surrounding a central axis and a glass core surrounding and located outside of the inner cladding layer. The glass core includes a laser-active material. The waveguide includes an outer cladding layer surrounding and located outside of the glass core. The inner cladding, outer cladding and/or core may surround a hollow central channel or bore and may be annular in shape.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass melter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F., and a T of at least 80 F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.

A method for further processing of a glass tube semi-finished product includes: providing the glass tube semi-finished product, along with tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product; reading the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product; and further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product including a step of thermal forming carried out at least in sections. At least one process parameter during the further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product including the step of thermal forming carried out at least in sections is controlled as a function of the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product. In this way, the further processing can be matched more efficiently to the particular characteristics of a glass tube semi-finished product to be processed or a particular subsection thereof, and the relevant characteristics of the particular glass tube semi-finished product do not need to be measured again.

A torch for fabricating optical fiber preforms may include a body having a surface and two or more slit-shaped orifices oriented parallel or substantially parallel to each other along the surface. The torch body may further include two or more conduits connected to corresponding orifices. The torch may be used by orienting it relative to a preform substrate, and simultaneously emitting two or more gases from corresponding orifices toward the surface of the preform substrate, such that the gases are involved in a reaction to form a soot.

A method for further processing of a glass tube semi-finished product includes: providing the glass tube semi-finished product, along with tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product; reading the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product; and further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product including a step of thermal forming carried out at least in sections. At least one process parameter during the further processing of the glass tube semi-finished product including the step of thermal forming carried out at least in sections is controlled as a function of the tube-specific data for the glass tube semi-finished product. In this way, the further processing can be matched more efficiently to the particular characteristics of a glass tube semi-finished product to be processed or a particular subsection thereof, and the relevant characteristics of the particular glass tube semi-finished product do not need to be measured again.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass melter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F., and a T of at least 80 F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.