Abstract: Vinyl ether compounds having the formula: R—O—X—O—CH═CH2 wherein R is a radical having the formula: R1—CFH—CF2— or R1—CF═CF—, wherein R1 is an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic radical, unsubstituted or substituted cyclic aliphatic radical, an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic radical, an unsubstituted or substituted araliphatic radical, or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic radical, and X is an unsubstituted or substituted aliphatic radical, an unsubstituted or substituted cyclic aliphatic radical, unsubstituted or substituted aromatic radical, unsubstituted or substituted araliphatic radical or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic radical. Curable compositions containing the vinyl ether compounds and methods in which the substrate coating layers of the vinyl ether compositions are cured, particularly on optical devices, are also disclosed, as well as polymers polymerized from the vinyl ether compounds.

Abstract: An optical waveguide provided on a substrate, which comprises a core for transmitting light and a clad formed around the core, wherein the clad is made of a fluorinated alicyclic structure-containing polymer having functional groups.

Abstract: Optical fiber coatings are disclosed having excellent ribbon stripping and adhesion behavior. The coatings are radiation-curable. The excellent stripping and adhesion behavior can be achieved by several means which include by use of additives, by use of radiation-curable oligomers having higher molecular weight, or by use of coatings having certain thermal properties. Combination of means can be employed. Stripping behavior can be measured by crack propagation and fiber friction measurements.

Abstract: Radiation-curable compositions are disclosed which, after cure, are substantially non-yellowing. The compositions are particularly tailored for coating and bundling of optical fibers. A first preferred composition is based on a polyether-type of oligomer diluted with reactive diluents. Isocyanurate structures are included in the composition to raise Tg. A second preferred composition is based on fatty oil comprising (meth)acrylate groups and bisphenol A derivatives comprising (meth)acrylate groups. Photoinitiators can be included to increase cure speed. The formulations do not include material amounts of ingredients which tend to cause yellowing or, in theory, extended conjugation in the cured compositions.

Abstract: An optical waveguide provided on a substrate, which comprises a core for transmitting light and a clad formed around the core, wherein the clad is made of a fluorinated alicyclic structure-containing polymer having functional groups.

Abstract: A clad optical fiber comprising a core of glass, optionally a glass cladding with a lower refractive index than the glass core and a polymeric cladding made of a material having a refractive index smaller than that of the core (and smaller than that of the glass cladding, if any). The polymeric cladding is made of a cured material of a viscosity increased di- or multi-functional (meth)acrylate and a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A Mach-Zender interferometer employing a section of polymer cladding in one branch. The polymer cladding has an index of refraction that varies with temperature. The temperature of the section of polymer cladding is adjusted to cause a corresponding change in the phase of the laser light flowing through the waveguide core bounded by the polymer cladding to effect a desired switching or modulation of the laser light.

Abstract: Radiation-curable compositions are disclosed which, after cure, are substantially non-yellowing. The compositions are particularly tailored for coating and bundling of optical fibers. A first preferred composition is based on a polyether-type of oligomer diluted with reactive diluents. Isocyanurate structures are included in the composition to raise Tg. A second preferred composition is based on fatty oil comprising (meth)acrylate groups and bisphenol A derivatives comprising (meth)acrylate groups. Photoinitiators can be included to increase cure speed. The formulations do not include material amounts of ingredients which tend to cause yellowing or, in theory, extended conjugation in the cured compositions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a polymer optical waveguide and a method of fabricating the same. The polymer optical waveguide comprises a core formed of polymer containing fluoride (F) of a 12-37 wt % on the basis of total weight of the polymer, and having repeating units with at least two —C(═O)—N—C(═O) functional groups or at least four —N—C(═O)— functional groups; and a cladding in contact with the core and formed of polymer having a refractive index lower than the polymer for forming the core. If a core layer is etched according to the ICP etching method, the etch rate becomes at least three times faster than that of the conventional RIE etching method. Also, etching characteristics including uniformity of an etched plane and vertical profile are improved, thereby reducing damage to an optical waveguide. Thus, the light scattering loss of the optical waveguide can be minimized.

Abstract: The following are disclosed: An optical wave-guide constituted out of polymers, an optical integrated circuit, an optical module, and an optical communication system (optical communication apparatus) using these. In the polymer optical waveguide which is fabricated on a substrate having an inorganic material on at least a part of the surface thereof and in which a core layer and a clad layer positioned closer to the base than the core layer are composed of polymers, a buffer layer, which is composed of a polymer different from that of the clad layer, is provided between the clad layer and the base.

Abstract: The invention reflects discovery of a liquid phase doping technique that, unlike previous techniques, exhibits very little fluorine depletion upon subsequent heating. The invention involves the steps of providing a silica sol comprising a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide and a di-, tri-, or tetraalkylammonium fluoride, the sol having pH of about 10 to about 14, adding a gelling agent to the sol to induce gelation, casting or extruding the sol to form a gel body, and then drying, heat treating, and sintering the body. Advantageously, the fluorine-containing compound is tetramethylammonium fluoride.

Abstract: An improved optical light pipe for side-lit uses is formed from a core/cladding combination, optionally with a transparent jacket, where the core is preferably a cured acrylic polymer and the cladding is preferably a fluorocarbon polymer containing a very low level of fine particles which scatter the light uniformly along the length of the piping. Further light enhancement can be obtained with low levels of glass fibers or glass microspheres also present in the cladding. Chopped glass fibers alone at low levels in the cladding are useful for back-lit applications. The light pipe so formed is useful in signs, underwater outlines, corridor lighting in theaters, and similar uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved optical fiber tight buffermaterial. The improved material is a ultraviolet (UV) light curable polymer matrix, which is applied to optical fibers and is substantially instantaneously cured, in-place at ambient temperatures. The use of the disclosed UV-light curable tight buffermaterial allows for greatly increased optical fiber buffering operations and provides an improved end product, which does not exhibit any significant optical signal loss after an optical fiber is coated according to the invention.

Abstract: The specification describes optical fiber coating materials and methods for making optical fiber gratings wherein the material of the optical fiber coatings comprises vinyl ether functionalized monomers, together with oligomeric or polymeric thickeners and a cationic photoinitiator. These coating materials are highly transparent to UV radiation used to write optical gratings in the optical fibers but still absorb sufficiently at other wavelengths to be cured effectively using UV radiation.

Abstract: Provided is a ribbon assembly having the functional capability of providing break-out of ink coated or colored outer primary coated optical glass fibers from the ribbon assembly. The ink coating or colored outer primary coating is formulated from a benzophenone compound and at least about 1 wt. % of a homolytic photoinitiator to provide a level of adhesion between the ink coating or colored outer primary coating and matrix material which is less than the level of adhesion between the ink coating or colored outer primary coating and an adjacent underlying coating. Also provided are ink coating and colored outer primary coating compositions adapted to form ink coatings and colored outer primary coatings suitable for use on optical glass fibers contained in a ribbon assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multicore plastic optical fiber for optical signal transmission, which comprises a plurality of cores made of a transparent resin; first cladding layers made of a transparent first cladding resin having a lower refractive index than said core resin, each of said first cladding layers coating said each core; and a second cladding resin surrounding said cores with said first cladding layers, and having a lower refractive index than said first cladding resin. The multicore plastic optical fiber of the present invention is suitably applicable to optical signal transmission since it receives a large quantity of light and exhibits a small light loss upon bending.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber comprising a drawn glass fiber, and a primary coating and a secondary coating which are formed by photo-curing primary and secondary coating resins simultaneously applied to an outer periphery of the glass fiber, wherein an adhesion force S (g/cm) at an interface between the primary coating resin after curing and the glass fiber is at least {fraction (1/13)} ((g/cm)/° C.) with respect to a glass transition temperature Tg (° C.) of the secondary coating resin after curing.

Abstract: We have determined that unlike the most multimode silica fiber, multimode polymer fiber often exhibits a delay characteristic that has a broad low dispersion region where propagation delay of spatially restricted optical pulses remains relatively constant. This low dispersion region is centered around the center axis of the fiber core as a function of launch position. By directing a transmitted optical pulse to this region, we have determined that optical pulse dispersion can be significantly reduced without the need for using the prior art technique of using a single mode fiber spliced in series with the multimode fiber to reduce dispersion. A polymer fiber based optical transmission system using this arrangement exhibits relaxed alignment tolerances between the optical source and polymer fiber, while reducing dispersion and increasing bandwidth-length product.

Abstract: A planar optical device is formed on a substrate (12) and comprising an array of waveguide cores (14) and a cladding layer (16) formed contiguously with the cores. At least one of the array of waveguide cores (14) and the cladding layer (16) is an inorganic-organic hybrid material that comprises an extended matrix containing silicon and oxygen atoms with at least a fraction of the silicon being directly bonded to substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon atoms. In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, a method of forming an array of cores comprises the steps of preparing a core composition precursor material; partially hydrolyzing and polymerizing the material; forming an array of waveguide cores under conditions effective to form an inorganic-organic hybrid material that comprises an extended matrix containing silicon and oxygen atoms with at least a fraction of the silicon being directly bonded to substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon atoms.

Abstract: An optical transmission member comprising a core and a clad provided on the core is provided, wherein the core consists of silicon rubber and the clad consists of tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene/fluorovinylidene copolymer cross-linked by electron-beam, whereby an optical transmission member having improved transmission characteristics, heat resistance, flexibility and strength against buckling is provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser and an optical waveguide of an optical coupler, formed on a substrate are optically coupled with each other by aligning their positions horizontally by using a plurality of laser elements and cores for the laser and the waveguide respectively and arranging them in an array respectively so that a difference between their pitches is less than double of tolerance tolerated for optically coupling with each other, the waveguide having partially a composite core composed of: a main core; a sub core surrounding the main core and having a refractive index lower than that of the main core; and a cladding layer surrounding the sub core and having a refractive index lower than that of the sub core.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of a polymeric mixture for cable insulators and coatings and sheaths for optic fiber cables; polymeric mixture thus produced and the cables containing it.The method is characterized in that one completely mixes, up to the obtainment of a homogeneous composition, (i) from 50 to 80 parts (w/w) of a first thermoplastic polymer which is amorphous, highly resistant to flames and combustion, and consists of an aromatic polyester of isophthalic and terephthalic acid with bisphenol A, and (ii) from 20 to 50 parts (w/w) of at least a second thermoplastic polymer consisting of an elastomeric polyether-ester block copolymer, having a Shore D hardness greater than 50 and a Vicat softening point greater than 170.degree. C., for a mixing time less than 10 minutes.

Abstract: An improved optical light pipe for side-lit uses is formed from a core/cladding combination, optionally with a transparent jacket, where the core is preferably a cured acrylic polymer and the cladding is preferably a fluorocarbon polymer containing a very low level of fine particles which scatter the light uniformly along the length of the piping. Further light enhancement can be obtained with low levels of glass fibers or glass microspheres also present in the cladding. Chopped glass fibers alone at low levels in the cladding are useful for back-lit applications. The light pipe so formed is useful in signs, underwater outlines, corridor lighting in theaters, and similar uses.

Abstract: Optical waveguides prepared by irradiating selected regions of positive photochromic polymeric materials with actinic radiation are disclosed. The photochromic materials undergo an irreversible photochemical change which results in an increase in the refractive index of light-exposed regions. In addition, the materials exhibit negligible second-order polarizability prior to exposure and excellent nonlinear optical properties after exposure and polarization. Thus, the exposed regions are particularly useful as the core in active waveguides for use in second-order nonlinear optical applications, as well as the core in passive waveguides. In addition, a simple two step process is disclosed for forming optical waveguides from the positive photochromic polymers. Optical structures, such as optical integrated circuits, and optical devices which incorporate the waveguides are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a digital thermo-optic switch and an optical ADM filter of the present invention, functional components such as a splitter and a grating structure part formed in the course of an optical circuit as a component are composed of silicone materials which are superior in heat resistance, reduced loss, and low birefringence, thereby achieving sufficiently practical thermal stability, low loss at 1.55 to 1.58 .mu.m band, wavelength selectivity, and cost reduction.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable, glass optical fiber coating composition which when suitably cured exhibits resistance to attack from hydrocarbon gel cable filing material. The composition containsabout 10 to about 90% by weight of a first radiation-curable oligomer;from 0 to about 40% by weight of a reactive diluent;from 0 to about 40% by weight of a photoinitiator;from 0 to about 10% by weight of a pigment; andabout 10 to about 90% by weight of a second radiation-curable oligomer according to the following formula:R.sup.1 -L.sup.1 -C.sup.1 -L.sup.2 -R.sup.2 (1)where:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently, each represent a radiation-curable functional group;L.sup.1 and L.sup.2, independently, each represent an alkyleneoxy chain having from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, wherein L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are linked to C.sup.1 through an oxygen atomC.sup.1 comprises a hydrocarbon having from about 5 to about 40 carbon atoms and containing at least one cyclic group.

Abstract: A diffraction grating portion (12) is formed in an optical fiber (10), having a diameter of 125 .mu.m and serving to transmit light, along its optical axis. The optical fiber is concentrically surrounded by a lower coating portion (14) having an outer diameter of 300 .mu.m and consisting of a silicone resin. The lower coating portion is concentrically surrounded by a coating portion (16) having an outer diameter of 900 .mu.m and consisting of a liquid crystal polymer, e.g., polyester amide. The coating portion is further surrounded by an outermost coating portion (18) having an outer diameter of 1 mm and consisting of a UV curing resin colored for identification. Both the optical fiber (10) and the lower coating portion (14) have positive thermal expansion coefficients. In contrast to this, the coating portion (16) consisting of the liquid crystal polymer has a negative thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: An improved optical glass fiber ribbon unit, having the capability of providing mid-span access to individual color-coated optical glass fibers contained therein, by application of finger pressure from a human hand, is provided. The ribbon unit is made of a plurality of coated optical glass fibers each further coated with a cured color-composition, and a matrix material which binds the plurality of color-coated optical glass fibers together. A bonding force between the cured color-composition and the coated optical glass fibers is greater than a bonding force between the cured color-composition and the matrix material. The matrix material has been selected or formulated to provide a modulus and Tg sufficiently high such that when opposing pressure is applied to the ribbon unit using the fingers of a human hand, the matrix material buckles and separates from the color-coated optical glass fibers instead of compressing and absorbing the opposing pressure.

Abstract: A plastic optical waveguide with a low loss property, a low birefringence and a high temperature endurance constructed with a polyimide obtained from an acid dianhydride based component and a diamine based component, wherein at least one of a core layer and a cladding layer of the optical waveguide is made of an acid dianhydride based component including an alicyclic acid dianhydride or an aliphatic acid dianhydride, the plastic optical waveguide having an optical loss in a 1.3 .mu.m band of 0.5 dB/cm or less, and a refractive index of the core layer being larger than that of the cladding layer.

Abstract: A radiation curable composition comprising a urethane oligomer with a polyester backbone which composition, when cured, has improved hydrolytic stability. The composition comprises a urethane oligomer, having a polyester backbone with a number average molecular weight of less than about 1000, wherein the polyester backbone is at least in part based on a diol component wherein at least one carbon at the .beta.-position with respect to a hydroxyl group bears two carbon-containing substituents having a total of at least three carbon atoms. Alternatively, when the composition comprises a urethane oligomer with a number average molecular weight of less than about 2000, having a polyester polyol backbone with a number average molecular weight of less than about 1000, the polyester backbone is at least in part based on a diol component wherein at least one carbon at the .beta.-position with respect to a hydroxyl group bears at least one carbon-containing substituent.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated optical fibers which are coated with a particular radiation-cured primary coating layer composition. The fibers which are coated comprises a glass core and a glass cladding layer. The core, for example may comprises silica doped with oxides of germanium or phosphorous and the cladding, a pure or doped silicate such as fluorosilicate. Alternatively, the fibers may comprises a polymerclad silica glass core. Examples of such claddings include organosiloxanes such as polydimethylsiloxane or a fluorinated acrylic polymer.

Abstract: Dehydroxylated, silica-containing, glass surfaces are known to be at least partially terminated by strained siloxane rings. According to the invention, a surface of this kind is exposed to a selected silane compound or mixture of silane compounds under reaction-promoting conditons. The ensuing reaction results in opening of the strained siloxane rings, and termination of surface atoms by chemical species, such as organic or organosilicon species, having desirable properties. These species can be chosen to provide qualities such as hydrophobicity, or improved coupling to a polymeric coating.

Abstract: An optical waveguide of an optical deflector comprising a planar optical waveguide or an optical fiber type optical waveguide is cut while perpendicularly pressing a blade having a blade tip with an angle of inclination against the optical waveguide at a desired location thereof to form an oblique end face serviceable as an oblique end face mirror.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method of producing an optical waveguide comprising a siloxane-containing polymer film, capable of controlling a refractive index easily and finely, and an optoelectronic hybrid substrate using the optical waveguide, capable of controlling a refractive index easily and finely, and reducing the effect of the surface roughness of the substrate. In particular, it relates to a method of producing an optical waveguide comprising a siloxane-containing polymer film containing a metal obtained by the thermal polymerization of a siloxane-containing polymer film formation solution added with a metal alkoxide on a substrate, and an optoelectronic hybrid substrate comprising a combination of an optical waveguide produced as mentioned above, a photoelectric element and an electric circuit on a ceramic substrate.

Abstract: In the fiber optic refrigerator of this invention the absorption of a photon of a preselected energy causes the emission of a luminescence photon of energy higher than that of the absorbed photon. This process requires the extraction of thermal energy from the fiber optic refrigerator, thus causing the cooling of any object or environment in thermal communication with the refrigerator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a plastic optical fiber having a three-layer structure comprising a core, a cladding and a protective layer wherein the core material is polymethyl methacrylate and the cladding material is a copolymer composed of 20 to 45% by weight of long-chain fluoroalkyl methacrylate units represented by the following formula (1), 54 to 79% by weight of methyl methacrylate units, and 0.05 to 2% by weight of methacrylic acid units. This invention also relates to a plastic optical fiber cable having a four-layer structure wherein the optical fiber cable is produced by covering the aforesaid optical fiber with a jacket layer.CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)--COO--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.7 CF.sub.

Abstract: Provided is an optical glass fiber coating composition which when coated on an optical glass fiber and suitably cured provides a coating having the combination of properties (i) through (iv):(i) a stable tensile modulus that is low at room temperature and over a broad range of temperatures below room temperature,(ii) an adhesion to the optical glass fiber sufficient to prevent structural defects and microbending in the optical glass fiber,(iii) the capability of being removed by stripping from the optical glass fiber substantially no residue left on the optical glass fiber, and(iv) which satisfies each of the following inequalities (I) and (II),X.ltoreq.0.2 kg/mm.sup.2 (I)X/Y.gtoreq.1/10 (II)wherein X is the tensile modulus (kg/mm.sup.2) measured at 23.degree. C. and Y is the tensile modulus (kg/mm.sup.2) measured at -40.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention describes two types of multimode optical waveguides having special dip in the refractive index profile of their core providing conditions for propagation of a higher order mode with sharp central peak which field carries considerable part of the mode energy, while the fields of all other modes in the waveguide are mostly concentrated outside of this central peak region. The waveguide of the first type guides the mode only with one central peak while the mode in the waveguide of the second type has also an additional peak at the interface between the waveguide core and cladding providing a possibility to detect any influence on the mode field in its outer region by measuring the signal in the central peak of the mode.

Abstract: A substance sensor comprises a single-mode optical fibre having a core and a cladding having a lower refractive index than that of the core. A sensor material extends within the cladding towards the core. A layer of cladding is left between the sensor material and the core. The thickness (t) of the layer is sufficiently small that the sensor material lies within the evanescent wave which occurs within the cladding when optical radiation is conducted through the core. The refractive index of the sensor material varies in the presence of a substance to be sensed over a range which extends above and below the refractive index of the cladding. When its refractive index is lower than that of the cladding the sensor material operates, as far as the radiation is concerned, similarly to the cladding. However, when the refractive index of the sensor material is higher than that of the cladding the sensor material couples out some of the radiation, thereby reducing the transmissivity of the fibre.

Abstract: An illumination waveguide that includes: a core having a cross-section in which the shortest dimension of the cross-section is at least one millimeter; and a cladding surrounding the core that includes a polymer having an optically smooth inner surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-linear optically active (NLO) polycarbonates and to NLO active waveguides containing these polycarbonates. Waveguides containing these NLO polycarbonates have a low loss of signal, a high glass transition temperature and good polability and a high stability of the Pockel's coefficient.

Abstract: A biological sensor 10 having a beam/light shaper 30 which is adapted to inject light into the sensor at substantially the critical angle with respect to the side surface of the sensor. The sensor 10, of the preferred embodiment of the invention, further may undergo a surface treatment which reduces/eliminates non-specific binding to the sensor surface and a treatment process to reduce light energy losses occurring by mounting and/or inserting the fiber portion of the sensor into the medium of interest. Both the light injection and surface treatment methodologies have utility apart from the biological immunoassay sensor embodiment described and claimed in this Application and may be independently applied to a biological sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solvent-free radiation curable, optical glass fiber coating composition containing:a) a urethane oligomer having a functional group capable of polymerization in the presence of actinic radiation, with an average functionality of at least about 1.2, having a vinyl addition polymer as backbone.b) a urethane compound having a functional group capable of polymerization in the presence of actinic radiation, with an average functionality of at least about 1, containing an organic moiety having about 5 or more carbon atoms as backbone.c) a reactive diluent.Furthermore, the invention relates to a solvent-free method for producing a solvent-free, radiation curable urethane oligomer composition.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable, glass optical fiber coating composition which when suitably cured exhibits resistance to attack from hydrocarbon gel cable filing material. The composition containsabout 10 to about 90% by weight of a first radiation-curable oligomer;from 0 to about 40% by weight of a reactive diluent;from 0 to about 40% by weight of a photoinitiator;from 0 to about 10% by weight of a pigment; andabout 10 to about 90% by weight of a second radiation-curable oligomer according to the following formula:R.sup.1 -L.sup.1 -C.sup.1 -L.sup.2 -R.sup.2 (1)where:R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently, each represent a radiation-curable functional group;L.sup.1 and L.sup.2, independently, each represent an alkyleneoxy chain having from about 2 to about 40 carbon atoms, wherein L.sup.1 and L.sup.2 are linked to C.sup.1 through an oxygen atomC.sup.1 comprises a hydrocarbon having from about 5 to about 40 carbon atoms and containing at least one cyclic group.

Abstract: Polyimides satisfying the requirements (a), (b) and (c) among the requirements described below, polyimides satisfying the requirements (b), (c) and (d), and polyimides satisfying the requirements (a), (b), (c) and (d) are excellent in transparency, isotropy and resistance to cracking (no crack is formed in the formation of a multilayer film, so that the multilayer formation is easy, namely, the polyimides are good in processability) and can give optical parts excellent in optical characteristics:(a) the difference between the refractive index in TE mode and that in TM mode is 0.02 or less,(b) the glass transition temperature (Tg) is 250.degree. C or higher,(c) the optical transmission loss at a wavelength of 0.7 to 1.6 .mu.m is 1 dB/cm or less, and(d) the fluorine content is 22.6% by weight or less.

Abstract: A clad optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding made of a material having a refractive index smaller than that of the core, wherein the cladding is made of a cured material comprising a perfluoropolyether or perfluorohydrocarbon backbone end capped with (meth)acrylate groups via urethane groups.

Abstract: A liquid curable resin composition for optical fibers comprising a polymer (a) having a number average molecular weight of 5,000 or more and derived from at least two types of recurring ethylenic units, of which one type has a substituent group containing an ethylenically unsaturated group and the second type is substituted by a group --COOR.sup.3 (wherein R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1-30 carbon atoms), an aryl group, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1-10 carbon atoms or by one or more halogen atoms.

Abstract: A clad optical fiber comprising a core of glass, optionally a glass cladding with a lower refractive index than the glass core and a polymeric cladding made of a material having a refractive index smaller than that of the core (and smaller than that of the glass cladding, if any). The polymeric cladding is made of a cured material of a viscosity increased di- or multi-functional (meth)acrylate and a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: The invention relates to multiple fiber connectors for thermoplastic optical couplers and fibers. The multiple-fiber connectors facilitate the connection of optical fibers to a star coupler and provide low levels of light loss between input/output ports of a coupler. The invention further relates to a terminator hot plate apparatus for the semiautomatic termination of optical fiber ends, and a new cladding material for thermoplastic optical couplers and fibers.

Abstract: Coated optical fibers with radiation-curable coatings which include mercaptofunctional oligomers are disclosed. Specifically, the coatings may comprise the cured reaction products of mercapto-terminated urethane oligomers of number average molecular weight as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of at least about 3,000 daltons, particularly in combination with one or more (meth)acrylate-terminated urethane oligomers; monomer diluents; and optional silane adhesion promoter, photoinitiator and stabilizers. The coatings, when cured, exhibit a percent extractables content, as obtained by Soxhlet extraction, of no more than about 15%, and preferably of no more than about 8%, and a volatiles content, as obtained by thermogravimetric analysis, of less than about 7%, and preferably less than about 3%. Processes for preparing such coated optical fibers and the coatings per se are also disclosed.