SCHOTT Sets New Standards For Illumination Fiber Optics With Launch Of PURAVIS
- Superior physical and chemical properties of environmentally-friendly PURAVIS glass optical fibers provide improved performance
The international technology company SCHOTT announced recently the launch of PURAVIS high-purity glass optical fibers. This new product offers superior properties over existing glass fibers, which make PURAVIS ideal for medical and industrial use. These new glass optical fibers are on display this week at SCHOTT's booth (#1601) at the Photonics West trade show in San Francisco, CA.
One of the most exciting advantages that PURAVIS offers is the outstanding transmission of white light – an increase of up to 10% achieved by using well-selected raw materials. Due to the lower color shift, illuminated objects retain their natural color, even if the fibers are used in long light guides, making PURAVIS ideally-suited for medical applications such as endoscopy and surgical microscopy. As a result of the improved numerical aperture by a 5° full angle, the light guide captures more light from the very start. The low attenuation in the visible range results in even higher light output at the end of the light guide, which allows for smaller diameter of light guides with same output and thus easier installation.
Another advantage of PURAVIS is its superior longevity, achieved by improved chemical stability and low solarization, which is particularly important for medical reprocessing like autoclaving or cleaning, but also for outdoor applications. Transmission loss of PURAVIS after 100 autoclaving cycles has been greatly reduced – by up to 70% compared to previous fibers.
"PURAVIS is a significant breakthrough in fiber optics, and demonstrates SCHOTT's commitment to developing innovative technologies that help the way people live and work," said Karen Holst, Product Manager of glass optical fibers, SCHOTT Lighting & Imaging. "In addition to the identified primary applications, PURAVIS holds the promise to both SCHOTT and our customers of the possibility to develop solutions to current and future challenges in other applications that have yet to be explored. For example, fluorescence-based applications in the area of medical diagnostics and microscopy are both possible due to improved transmission in the near UV range."
In addition to these benefits, PURAVIS is lead-free and the entirely newly-developed manufacturing process is environmentally friendly, avoiding the use of arsenic or antimony, two elements commonly used in glass refining. This ties into SCHOTT's commitment to the environment. "In other words, any product that is equipped with PURAVIS already complies with the EU directives RoHS and REACH and is ready for future environmental requirements – worldwide," said Holst.
SCHOTT will start replacing its former glass fibers with PURAVIS effective immediately.
About SCHOTT
SCHOTT is an international technology group with more than 125 years of experience in the areas of specialty glasses, materials and advanced technologies. SCHOTT ranks number one in the world with many of its products. Its core markets are the household appliance, solar power, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, transportation and architecture industries. The company is strongly committed to contributing to its customers' success and making SCHOTT an important part of people's lives with high-quality products and intelligent solutions. SCHOTT is committed to managing its business in a sustainable manner and supporting its employees, society and the environment. The SCHOTT Group maintains close proximity to its customers with manufacturing and sales units in all major markets. Its workforce of around 17,500 employees generated worldwide sales of $4B (approximately 2.9 billion euros) for the 2009/2010 fiscal year.
SOURCE: SCHOTT