corecladding

Corecladding refers to a material system in which a core material is encapsulated by a cladding layer to form a composite with tailored interfacial properties. The core provides primary bulk characteristics—such as mechanical strength, electrical or thermal conductivity, or functional functionality—while the cladding modifies surface behavior, protects the core, and adds additional performance, such as optical confinement, chemical resistance, or diffusion barriers. The idea is widely applied across photonics, nuclear engineering, and energy storage, as well as in advanced composites.

In photonics, corecladding is central to fiber design: a high-index core guides light, whereas a lower-index cladding keeps it confined. In nuclear applications, fuel pellets are encased by cladding to contain fission products and transfer heat. In energy storage or sensors, cladding layers can improve safety, stability, or compatibility with electrolytes or environments.

Manufacturing approaches include coating and deposition methods—chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, sputtering—as well as extrusion or drawing for fibers, and diffusion-based processes for solid-state architectures. Material choices require attention to thermal expansion, chemical stability, and interfacial adhesion; the cladding must be chemically compatible with the core to prevent degradation and to maintain adhesion under operating conditions. Layer thickness and uniformity are critical design parameters.

Examples include optical fibers with doped cores and silica or polymer claddings, and coated particles or fibers used in electronics and energy devices. See also: core-shell structures, fiber cladding, diffusion barrier, coated materials.