Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers encapsulated within a matrix material, where the optical fiber coating(s) and the matrix material(s), and optionally any ink layers thereon, are characterized by compatible chemical and/or physical properties, whereby the fiber coating and matrix and any ink layers therebetween can be reliably stripped from the optical fibers to afford a suitable strip cleanliness. Novel ink formulations that can be used in the making of such fiber optic ribbons, methods of making such ribbons, and their use are also described.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polymer surfaces whose level of protein binding is less than about 50-80 ng/cm2 are achieved by: (1) applying a coating solution composed of a solvent and a non-ionic surfactant having a HLB number of less than 5 to the surface; and (2) drying the surface to remove the solvent and thereby bring the surfactant into direct contact with the hydrophobic polymer. The combination of a low HLB number and the drying step have been found to produce low binding surfaces which can withstand multiple washes with water and/or protein-containing solutions Alternatively, the low binding surfaces can be produced by applying the non-ionic surfactant to the mold surfaces which contact molten polymer and form the polymer into a desired shape, e.g., into a multi-well plate, a pipette tip, or the like. Further, the low binding surfaces may be produced by incorporating non-soluble, non-ionic surfactants having an HLB number of less than or equal to 10 into a polymer blend prior to molding the article.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers encapsulated within a matrix material, where the optical fiber coating(s) and the matrix material(s), and optionally any ink layers thereon, are characterized by compatible chemical and/or physical properties, whereby the fiber coating and matrix and any ink layers therebetween can be reliably stripped from the optical fibers to afford a suitable strip cleanliness. Novel ink formulations that can be used in the making of such fiber optic ribbons, methods of making such ribbons, and their use are also described.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers encapsulated within a matrix material, where the optical fiber coating(s) and the matrix material(s), and optionally any ink layers thereon, are characterized by compatible chemical and/or physical properties, whereby the fiber coating and matrix and any ink layers therebetween can be reliably stripped from the optical fibers to afford a suitable strip cleanliness. Novel ink formulations that can be used in the making of such fiber optic ribbons, methods of making such ribbons, and their use are also described.

Abstract: The invention includes a composition for an optical fiber coating. An inventive composition includes a non-thiol functional adhesion promoter and less than about 0.5 pph of a strength additive containing a thiol functional group. The invention further includes an optical fiber coated with the inventive composition. A second inventive composition includes a photo-polymerizable composition which contains an adhesion promoter and a non-silicon containing strength additive containing at least about one thiol functional group. A third inventive composition includes a photo-polymerizable composition which has a silane containing adhesion promoter and a strength additive containing at least about one halide functional group. The invention also includes an optical fiber coated with the inventive coating and methods of making an optical fiber including the inventive coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials suitable for use as secondary coatings of optical fibers or the re-coating of spliced optical fiber junctions. With regard to the latter use, the coating materials a preferably characterized by a Young's modulus that is at least about 1200 MPa, and an interfacial strength as measured by the rod and tube method of greater than 25 MPa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical fiber coating systems capable of providing a high degree of microbend protection to an optical fiber, and an optical fiber coated therewith. According to one embodiment of the invention, an optical fiber coating system includes a primary coating and a secondary coating, wherein when a ribbon having twelve large effective area optical fibers coated with the coating system is subjected to the ribbon optical performance test at a wavelength of 1550 nm, the average change in attenuation is about 0.020 dB/km or less.

Abstract: Fiber optic articles, assemblies, and cables preserve optical performance by using optical waveguides having a core, a cladding, and a coating system according to the present invention. Moreover, the optical articles, assemblies, and cables of the present invention may achieve performance levels that were previously unattainable, for instance, the present invention contemplates acceptable optical performance for wavelengths such as 1625 nm and higher. Additionally, articles, assemblies, and/or cables of the present invention advantageously preserve optical performance, i.e., have relatively low delta attenuation, when subjected to manufacturing processes and/or environmental conditions such as temperature cycling. In other words, the articles, assemblies, and cables can withstand increased stress/strain before having significant attenuation.