Abstract: A fiber (106) having low polarization mode dispersion is made by heating the end of a preform (100) with a furnace (101). The fiber is drawn from the heated end. The fiber passes between two rollers (102, 104). As the fiber passes therebetween, the angular tilt of each of the rollers is changed so that a spin is imparted to the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of coated, substantially coplanar optical fibers and a ribbon matrix material which maintains the plurality of coated optical fibers in substantially coplanar alignment. Each of the optical fibers includes a glass core, a cladding layer. surrounding and adjacent to the glass core, and a primary polymeric coating material, preferably containing a silicone, surrounding and adjacent to the cladding layer. The primary polymeric coating material adheres to the cladding layer to form a cladding layer-primary polymeric coating material interface. Upon application of a longitudinal stripping force at the cladding layer-primary polymeric coating material interface, the ribbon matrix material and the primary polymeric coating material are substantially removed from the cladding layer.

Abstract: The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of coated, substantially coplanar optical fibers and a ribbon matrix material which maintains the plurality of coated optical fibers in substantially coplanar alignment. Each of the optical fibers includes a core, a cladding layer surrounding and adjacent to the core, and a primary polymeric coating material surrounding and adjacent to the cladding layer. The primary polymeric coating material adheres to the cladding layer to form a cladding layer-primary polymeric coating material interface. Upon application of a longitudinal stripping force at the cladding layer primary polymeric coating material interface, the ribbon matrix material and the primary polymeric coating material are substantially removed from the cladding layer leaving a continuous, smooth residual layer of the primary polymeric coating material with a thickness of less than about 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: To make an overclad fiber optic coupler, the bare regions of a plurality of optical fibers are positioned within a glass capillary tube. The midregion of the tube is then collapsed and stretched to cause coupling between the fibers. To obtain desirable coupling characteristics, the fibers must be situated in the glass tube bore in side-by-side fashion such that the cross-sectional configuration of the fibers constitutes a given geometrical array. To ensure that the fibers are properly positioned within the glass tube, they are fed to that tube from a plurality of guide tubes, the ends of which are retained adjacent to the end of the glass tube in side-by-side fashion in the given geometrical array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tight buffered optical waveguide fiber which includes an optical waveguide fiber, a first protective coating which surrounds and is in contact with an external surface of the optical waveguide fiber and an interfacial layer which surrounds and is in contact with an external surface of the first protective coating. The interfacial layer includes a surfactant and an antifoaming agent. The tight buffered optical waveguide fiber further includes a second protective coating which surrounds and is in contact with an external surface of the interfacial layer. The present invention further relates to a method of producing the tight buffered optical waveguide fiber.