Vapor Axial Deposition (VAD)
The VAD process utilizes a very short glass target rod suspended by one end. A
computer-controlled mixture of gases is applied between the end of the rod and
the heat source as shown in Figure 2-7. The heat source is slowly backed off as
the preform lengthens due to tile soot buildup caused by gases reacting to the heat
and fusing to the end of the rod. After sufficient length is formed, the target rod
is removed from the end, leaving the soot preform. The preform is then taken to
the drawing tower to be heated and pulled into the required fiber length.