A novel thermoset polymer optical fiber

Polymer optical fibers are being investigated with a view to overcoming some of the disadvantages of glass optical fibers in communications applications. Dense cross-linked polymers, such as the polyisocyanurate discussed here (see figure), have been found to be superior in some respects to the thermoplastic polymers used today. Details are given of the fabrication of a polyisocyanurate network using a rare-earth complex as a catalyst