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Mathematical Modeling as an Accurate Predictive Tool in Capillary and Microstructured Fiber Manufacture: The Effects of Preform Rotation

Preform rotation is a key control mechanism in the fabrication of glass capillary tubes and optical fibres as it can “average out” polarization mode dispersion and birefringence effects. A novel mathematical model of fibre-drawing with preform rotation based on asymptotic extensional flow theory is posed, solved numerically, and compared to experiments. Agreement is excellent, suggesting that control of fibre drawing by mathematical prediction is a realistic possibility. This may lead to an outcome much desired by fibre manufacturers, namely the ability to produce many different microstructured fibres from a single preform. Results have been used in practical fibre manufacture.