Simple Fabrication of Optical Transportation Media Using a Vacuum Transportation Technique

We have developed a simple method for fabricating optical transportation media termed "vapor transportation method." An additional treatment to rod-shape poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can make a cladding layer by dispersion of an organofluorine compound with a lower refractive index. In this method, the PMMA rod in a sealed ampoule under reduced pressure (10-6 Pa) with an organofluorine compound was heat-treated in an oven. The refractive index and the thickness of the layer were controlled by dispersion of the organofluorine compound with adjustment of treatment time and temperature.