Towards the next chapter of glass making: 3D printing of photonic materials and optical fibers

The versatility and unmatched technical capabilities of glass have allowed for countless cultural and scientific advancements.

To celebrate and underline the importance of this type of material, the United Nations declared the year 2022 as the International Year of Glass. The current pinnacle of glass technology is optical fiber, which led to the global communication revolution.

Fabrication of transparent, ultra-pure glass is however challenging due to its brittle nature, and high temperatures necessary for its production and shaping.A novel approach to glass fabrication is through powder-based 3D printing.

In this project, a combination of glass nano-powders and a high-power CO2 laser will be used to print macroscopic glass objects.

This unique approach of local powder sintering enables highly customized materials to be made in a simpler manner than in conventional methods.

The proposed project will utilize the above-mentioned technique to develop novel photonic materials, which then will be used in optical fibers. The resultant fibers will be used for in-fiber devices such as e.g., sensors or lasers.

The proposed collaboration between forefront research institutions - KTH, Stockholm and ZI, Southampton - will cover the full spectrum of skills and expertise towards advanced fabrication techniques, material and glass science, and finally fiber technology. We expect the cutting-edge results of this project to open a new chapter in glass science and the photonic industry.