The aim of this work was to show that the extrusion method can be used to produce optical fiber preforms from ZBLAN-type fluoride glasses. Two types of ZBLAN glass were prepared: one with a standard molar composition of 53ZrF$_4$-20BaF$_2$-4LaF$_3$-3AlF$_3$-20NaF, and another doped with erbium (Er$^{3+}$) and lead (Pb$^{2+}$) ions, with the composition 53ZrF$_4$-18BaF$_2$-2LaF$_3$-3AlF$_3$-20NaF-2ErF$_3$-2PbF$_2$. The optical and thermal properties of the glasses were measured, and their quality was checked using optical microscopy.
The extrusion method was used to fabricate the key components of the optical fiber preform - a tube (cladding) from the undoped ZBLAN glass and a rod (core) from the doped glass. Dedicated metal components were specifically designed and fabricated to support the extrusion process. The shape and size of the glass parts were checked by measuring their cross-section, and material quality was again examined with optical microscopy.
In the final stage, an optical fiber was drawn from the preform. Measurements of attenuation and emission spectrum were performed. The results confirmed that extrusion is a suitable method for making fiber preform components from ZBLAN glass.