Abstract: A few-mode optical fiber is provided. The few-mode optical fiber includes an elliptical core capable of supporting the propagation and transmission of an optical signal with X number of LP modes at a wavelength of 1550 nm, wherein X is an integer greater than 1 and less than 20, and a cladding surrounding the core. The core has an ovality of greater than about 5.0%.

Abstract: A multimode optical fiber may include a core portion formed from SiO2 intentionally doped with a single dopant, wherein the single dopant is phosphorous or a compound of phosphorous. A glass cladding portion may surround and be in direct contact with the core portion. The glass cladding portion may comprise an outer cladding portion and a low-index moat disposed between the core portion and the outer cladding portion. The optical fiber may also have a bandwidth greater than or equal to 2000 MHz-km for each wavelength within a wavelength operating window centered on a wavelength within an operating wavelength range from about 850 nm to about 1310 nm, the wavelength operating window having a width greater than 100 nm. The optical fiber may also have a restricted launch bend loss less than or equal to 0.5 dB/(2 turns around a 15 mm diameter mandrel) at 850 nm.

Abstract: An optical fiber with a low-index core and a core grating has a solid and generally cylindrical annular cladding having a refractive index ncl, a central axis, an inner surface with a radius r wherein r?2 ?m, an outer surface with a radius R, and an annular thickness ?R?10 ?m. The fiber core has the radius r and a refractive index nc, wherein ncl>nc. The grating is defined by grating elements that extend from the cladding inner surface into the core and that run generally parallel to the central axis. The grating elements define a period ?, a width t, a spacing a and a height h, wherein 0.5<?/?<1 and wherein 0.2?t/a?3.

Abstract: Methods of cutting laminate strengthened glass substrates are disclosed. A method is disclosed which includes providing a laminate strengthened glass substrate having a glass core layer with first and second surface portions, and at least one glass cladding layer fused to the first surface portion or the second surface portion of the glass core layer. The glass core layer has a core coefficient of thermal expansion that is larger than a cladding coefficient of thermal expansion. The method further includes forming an edge defect on the laminate strengthened glass substrate, heating first and second regions of the laminate strengthened glass substrate on the at least one glass cladding layer. The first and second regions are offset from first and second sides of a desired line of separation, respectively. The method further includes propagating a crack imitated at the edge defect between the first and second regions.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for making a glass ribbon includes a forming wedge with a pair of inclined forming surface portions converging along a downstream direction to form a root. The apparatus further includes an edge director intersecting with at least one of the pair of downwardly inclined forming surface portions, and a replaceable heating cartridge configured to direct heat to the edge director and thermally shield the edge director from heat loss. A replaceable heating cartridge is also provided for directing heat to the edge director and thermally shielding the edge director from heat loss.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a glass laminate is provided. According to one embodiment, a glass laminate comprised of a microwave absorbing layer and a microwave transparent layer is formed. The microwave absorbing layer is characterized by a microwave loss tangent ?H that is at least a half order of magnitude larger than a loss tangent ?Lof the microwave transparent layer. An area of the glass laminate is exposed to microwave radiation. The exposed area comprises a cross-laminate hot zone having a cross-laminate hot zone temperature profile. Substantially all microwave absorbing layer portions of the hot zone temperature profile and substantially all microwave transparent layer portions of the hot zone temperature profile reside above the glass transition temperature TG of the various layers of the glass laminate prior to impingement by the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber includes the steps of forming a soot blank of a silica-based cladding material, wherein the soot blank has a top surface and a bulk density of between 0.8 g/cm2 and 1.6 g/cm3. At least one hole is drilled in the top surface of the soot blank. At least one core cane member is positioned in the at least one hole. The soot blank and at least one soot core cane member are consolidated to form a consolidated preform. The consolidated preform is drawn into an optical fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber with a low-index core and a core grating has a solid and generally cylindrical annular cladding having a refractive index ncl, a central axis, an inner surface with a radius r wherein r?2 ?m, an outer surface with a radius R, and an annular thickness ?R?10 ?m. The fiber core has the radius r and a refractive index nc, wherein ncl>nc. The grating is defined by grating elements that extend from the cladding inner surface into the core and that run generally parallel to the central axis. The grating elements define a period , a width t, a spacing a and a height h, wherein 0.5</?<1 and wherein 0.2?t/a?3.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a glass laminate is provided. According to one embodiment, a glass laminate comprised of a microwave absorbing layer and a microwave transparent layer is formed. The microwave absorbing layer is characterized by a microwave loss tangent ?H that is at least a half order of magnitude larger than a loss tangent ?L of the microwave transparent layer. An area of the glass laminate is exposed to microwave radiation. The exposed area comprises a cross-laminate hot zone having a cross-laminate hot zone temperature profile. Substantially all microwave absorbing layer portions of the hot zone temperature profile and substantially all microwave transparent layer portions of the hot zone temperature profile reside above the glass transition temperature TG of the various layers of the glass laminate prior to impingement by the microwave radiation.

Abstract: A method for generating various stress profiles for chemically strengthened glass. An alkali aluminosilicate glass is brought into contact with an ion exchange media such as, for example, a molten salt bath containing an alkali metal cation that is larger than an alkali metal cation in the glass. The ion exchange is carried out at temperatures greater than about 420° C. and at least about 30° C. below the anneal point of the glass.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use as a stub fiber in an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber is configured with a segmented core that includes a single-mode segment with a step-index profile and at least one multimode segment having at least one alpha profile. A connector that employs the stub fiber can connect to both a single mode fiber and a multimode fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber for use as a stub fiber in an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber is configured with a segmented core that includes a single-mode segment with a step-index profile and at least one multimode segment having at least one alpha profile. A connector that employs the stub fiber can connect to both a single mode fiber and a multimode fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.

Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.

Abstract: Bend resistant multimode optical fibers are disclosed herein. Multimode optical fibers disclosed herein comprise a core region and a cladding region surrounding and directly adjacent to the core region, the cladding region comprising a first region having index delta percent ?2, a depressed-index annular portion having ?3, and a third annular region surrounding the depressed annular region comprising refractive index delta percent ?4; wherein ?1MAX>?4>?2>?3, wherein the difference between ?4 and ?2 is greater than or equal to 0.03%.

Abstract: A single-mode optical fiber for use as a stub fiber in an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber is configured minimize the adverse effects of multipath interference (MPI) that can arise in a short, single-mode conventional stub fiber that has a large group index difference. The optical fiber is also configured to have a mode-field diameter that is substantially the same as that of single-mode optical fibers intended for use as field fiber in a mechanical splice connector, along with a cutoff wavelength ?C?1200 nm. An optical fiber connector that uses the optical fiber as a stub fiber is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of cutting laminate strengthened glass substrates are disclosed. A method is disclosed which includes providing a laminate strengthened glass substrate having a glass core layer with first and second surface portions, and at least one glass cladding layer fused to the first surface portion or the second surface portion of the glass core layer. The glass core layer has a core coefficient of thermal expansion that is less than a cladding coefficient of thermal expansion. The method further includes forming an edge defect on the laminate strengthened glass substrate, heating first and second regions of the laminate strengthened glass substrate on the at least one glass cladding layer. The first and second regions are offset from first and second sides of a desired line of separation, respectively. The method further includes propagating a crack imitated at the edge defect between the first and second regions.

Abstract: An apparatus for downwardly drawing glass ribbon comprises edge directors, wherein an outer portion defining a first pair of surfaces and a second pair of surfaces. In one example, the first and second pair of surfaces of each edge director includes a glass wettability with a static contact angle within a range of from about 30° to about 60°. In another example, the outer portion comprises a platinum alloy including from about 0.05 weight % tin to about 5 weight % tin. Methods for forming glass include the step of providing the edge director with a desired glass wettability and/or a desired platinum alloy.

Abstract: A single-mode optical fiber for use as a stub fiber in an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The optical fiber is configured minimize the adverse effects of multipath interference (MPI) that can arise in a short, single-mode conventional stub fiber that has a large group index difference. The optical fiber is also configured to have a mode-field diameter that is substantially the same as that of single-mode optical fibers intended for use as field fiber in a mechanical splice connector, along with a cutoff wavelength ?C?1200 nm. An optical fiber connector that uses the optical fiber as a stub fiber is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gradient-index multimode optical fiber for use as a stub fiber in an optical fiber connector is disclosed. The fiber is configured to have a minimum group index difference to minimize the adverse effects of multipath interference that can arise in a short, single-mode stub fiber that has a large group index difference. The fiber is also configured to have a mode-field diameter that is substantially the same as that of single-mode optical fibers used as stub fibers. An optical fiber connector that uses the fiber as a stub fiber is also disclosed.