Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a composition for an optical fiber coating. The cured composition includes at least one monomer and at least one compound from the following group of compounds that consist of an ultra-violet light absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, and an optical brightener. The invention also includes an optical fiber coated with the inventive coating.

Abstract: The disclosed coated optical fiber includes a core surrounded by a cladding. At least a segment of the fiber is coated with a photopolymerizable coating composition. The photopolymerizable coating composition is a mixture of at least about 60% of a first polyurethane acrylate coating having a Young's modulus of at least about 400 MPa and about 5-40% of a second polyurethane coating having a Young's modulus of no more than about 50 MPa. The invention further includes a method of making the coated optical fiber. The method includes the steps of blending the photopolymerizable coating composition as recited above and splicing an end section of a first optical fiber having a core and a cladding to an end section of a second optical fiber having a core and a cladding, thereby forming a resultant optical fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of making an optical fiber and an optical fiber made in accordance with the inventive method. The method includes the step of drawing an optical fiber from a multiple crucible apparatus, wherein one of the crucibles of the apparatus has a non-symmetrical orifice (not shown). The inventive fiber has at least a core and cladding. At least one section of the inventive fiber includes an orientation element.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating compositions having, when cured, a Young's modulus of greater than about 950 MPa and a film to film coefficient of friction of less than about 0.44. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an coated optical fiber having a coating having a modulus of greater than about 950 MPa and a fiber to fiber coefficient of friction of less than about 0.74 measured at a speed of about 0.423 cm/sec and with a weight of about 100 grams. The coatings may include additives such as surfactants, surface agents, slip additives, waxes, and micronized polytetrafluoroethylene. The coated optical fibers of the present invention can be freely and smoothly wound on a spool without the formation of fiber loops, crossovers, or other defects.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of applying an adhesion-promoting intermediary layer to an optical fiber using a carrier gas. The present invention is also directed to optical fibers and ribbons which have polymeric coatings with improved adhesion characteristics. The optical fibers comprise an adhesion-promoting intermediary layer between the cladding and primary polymeric coating which comprises a silane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber including a glass fiber and a primary coating encapsulating and in contact with the glass fiber, the primary coating being the cured product of a polyrnerizable composition which includes a monomer with a pendant hydroxyl functional group which can bond with a surface of the optical fiber and is present in an amount effective to promote adhesion. The present invention also relates to methods of making such optical fibers.

Abstract: The invention disclosed includes a coating composition for siliceous surfaces. The coating includes at least one component from the group consisting of poly(alkoxy)silane, poly(halo)silane, alkoxysilane, halosilane, and mixtures thereof and a catalyst compound which generates a proton to hydrolyze the component when exposed to radiation. Preferably, the catalyst is a photo-acid. The invention also includes a method of coating the optical fiber. The aforementioned coating is applied to an exterior surface of the fiber. A proton is generated to promote the hydrolysis of the component. The invention further includes a method of accelerating adhesion between the exterior surface of the article and the coating. The inventive coating is applied to the surface of the fiber and the coating is exposed to a radiation source.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a method of making an optical fiber drawn from a multiple crucible. The method includes moving a first crucible of the multiple crucible relative to a second crucible of the multiple crucible. The invention also includes minimizing core and cladding diffusion. A tip of the first crucible is disposed axially above a tip of the second crucible by a preselected distance. The invention further includes the ability to alter a diameter of the core of the fiber. A differential pressure is applied to the first crucible. A positive differential pressure is applied to increase the core diameter. A negative differential pressure is applied to decrease the core diameter. Furthermore, the invention includes drawing the fiber under non-isothermal conditions; there is a thermal gradient of at least 10° C./m between the two tips.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The composition has, when cured, a Young's modulus of greater than about 50 MPa. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a coated optical fiber including a glass fiber; and a coating located not less than about 5 microns away from an outer surface of the glass fiber, the coating being the polymerization product of a curable composition, the curable composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The coating compositions of the present invention may be used as secondary coatings and as marking inks for optical fibers. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in secondary coating compositions can provide increased wet aging properties to the cured secondary coating. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in ink compositions can provide increased pigment dispersion in the ink.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for preparing optical fiber coatings, the composition including a polymerizable base composition, containing at least one monomer and optionally at least one oligomer, wherein the polymerizable base composition is substantially free of unsaturated epoxidized diene polymers, and a tackifier present in an amount effective to modify a time-sensitive rheological property of a polymerization product of the composition. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of modifying a time-sensitive rheological property of an optical fiber coating by introducing into a polymerizable composition a tackifier in an amount effective to modify a time-sensitive rheological property of the polymerization product of the polymerizable composition. Also disclosed are an optical fiber, a fiber optic ribbon, and a fiber bundle that contain coating(s) prepared from a composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of winding optical fiber onto a spool. The method includes varying a target, tension applied to a fiber as the fiber accumulates onto the spool such that the percentage change in lateral load is greater than about −3.4% for each change of about 0.25″ in pack radius. The method also includes varying the target tension such that the change in lateral load per change in pack radius includes an amount greater than about −18.0 N/m2. Additionally the invention includes varying the target tension applied to the optical fiber as the fiber accumulates onto the spool, such that the target tension applied to the fiber at the end of winding fiber onto the spool is at least about 0.1% or greater than the target tension at the start of winding fiber onto the spool.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a method of drying an optical fiber coating. The method includes blending a plurality of raw materials capable of forming an optical fiber coating and dehydrating the plurality. One embodiment of the method includes drying the optical fiber coating by passing a dehydrating medium over a top surface of a body of the plurality of materials. A second embodiment of the invention includes bubbling a dehydrating medium through the body of the plurality of raw materials. In a third embodiment of the invention, the plurality is dehydrated by reacting the water in the plurality with a dehydrating medium that includes a compound having a functional group that is capable of reacting with the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating for an optical fiber. The coating includes a monomer. The monomer includes an oxyglycidyl (meth)acrylate component. A coating with the monomeric component has exhibited an excellent polymerization rate. The present invention also relates to methods of making such optical fibers coated in accordance with the invention and the coated glass article.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a coated optical waveguide. The invention includes an optical waveguide and a first coating encompassing the optical waveguide. The first coating has at least one functional group that is a selected from the group consisting of an acidic group or a basic group. The invention also includes a second coating having at least one functional group. The second coating is bonded to the first coating. The functional group of the second coating is a basic group when the first coating functional group is an acidic group. The second coating functional group is an acidic group when the first coating functional group is a basic group. The disclosed invention also includes the method of making the coated optical fiber. The disclosed invention further includes a method of controlling optical waveguide inter coating adhesion. The acid/base character between a plurality of adjacent coating layers is alternated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel methods for fabricating glass articles, particularly optical fiber glass preforms, which may contain alumina, yttrium, lanthanum, erbium, or other rare earth metals as dopants. The glass articles made in accordance with the present invention exhibit radially uniform dopant profiles relative to conventional dopant methods. In addition, the overall concentration of the dopant is increased relative to analogous dopant methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for a glass manufacturing facility. The apparatus includes a glass production system providing an exhaust stream entrained with particulate material including germanium—containing particulate. The apparatus further includes an exhaust filtration system including a PTFE fabric material. The exhaust filtration system is connected to the production system to receive the exhaust stream an capture the particulate material. A collection system is connected to the exhaust system to collect the captured particulate material from the exhaust system. The particulate material collected contains at least about 2% by weight germanium. The invention further includes incorporating the aforementioned apparatus into the operation of a glass manufacturing facility.

Abstract: An optical fiber having optical characteristics that systematically vary along its length is made by inserting a plurality of cylindrical tablets into a cladding glass tube and overcladding the tube with particles of cladding glass. Each tablet contains a core region, and it optionally contains a layer of cladding glass Adjacent tablets are capable of forming optical fiber sections having different optical properties. Prior to consolidating the glass particles, chlorine flows through the tube and over the tablets. When the tube begins to sinter, the chlorine flow is stopped and the sintering particles generate an inwardly directed force that causes the tube to collapse inwardly onto the tablets which concurrently become fused to each other. The resultant draw blank can be drawn into a low loss optical fiber. This method is particularly useful for making dispersion managed single-mode optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber flaw detection apparatus for detecting white light emitted through a sidewall of an optical fiber and methods of detecting the flaw are disclosed. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a detector located adjacent the fiber and processing circuitry to amplify and convert a signal produced to recognize flaws. A second embodiment includes a plurality of view systems oriented about the fiber and a mechanism to rapid draw fiber through the systems in addition to the detector. Each system is an optical assembly for collecting and directing the light. One method includes the steps of introducing the light into the fiber, detecting the light, and determining on-line the nature of the flaw. A second method includes the steps of heating a preform to a temperature sufficient to draw fiber, drawing fiber, and detecting the emitted light. The draw temperature is sufficient to transmit the light along the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making an optical fiber preform having at least one annular region of depressed refractive index. A tube of silica doped with fluorine and/or boron is overclad with silica soot. A core rod is inserted into the overclad tube and the resultant assembly is heated while chlorine flows between the tube and the core rod to clean the adjacent surfaces. When the soot sinters, the tube collapses onto and fuses to the rod. The resultant tubular structure is formed into an optical fiber which exhibits low attenuation as a result of the low seed count at the interface between the inner core and the region that is doped with florine and/or boron.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a composition for an optical fiber reel cover. The cured composition includes a polymer and a light inhibitor. The invention also includes a method of making an optical fiber reel cover with the inventive composition. The invention further includes a method to prevent photo-yellowing of coated optical fiber stored on a spool. The inventive reel cover is attached to a spool containing the fiber stored on a barrel of the spool. The cover conceals the fiber.