Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a hydrogen-resistant optical fiber with a core having a central axis. The core may include only silica, or only silica and fluorine, while a cladding region surrounding the core may be made of silica and fluorine, along with at least one of germanium, phosphorus, and titanium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a hydrogen-resistant optical fiber with a core having a central axis. The core may include only silica, or only silica and fluorine, while a cladding region surrounding the core may be made of silica and fluorine, along with at least one of germanium, phosphorus, and titanium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a single-polarization fiber that may include a W-type refractive-index profile having a depressed region along an unguided principal axis of the fiber, and a quasi step-index profile along a guided principal axis of the fiber. The quasi step-index profile may have a depressed region with a radial extent at least twice that of the depressed region along the unguided axis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a single-polarization fiber that may include a W-type refractive-index profile having a depressed region along an unguided principal axis of the fiber, and a quasi step-index profile along a guided principal axis of the fiber. The quasi step-index profile may have a depressed region with a radial extent at least twice that of the depressed region along the unguided axis.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a substantially transparent core that carries a light signal, a substantially transparent cladding surrounding the core, and within the cladding and distinct from the core, at least one visualization member facilitating visualization of one or more elements of the fiber structure.

Abstract: A hybrid method of and apparatus for producing a structure capable of being drawn into an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of conducting vapor-phase reactants into an interior region of a glass tube, conducting aerosol form reactants into the interior of the glass tube. The tube is exposed to a heat, thereby causing a reaction among the vapor-phase and aerosol reactants. The reaction yields a product, in a solid form, within the tube. The apparatus includes a reaction tube, a vapor-phase reactant conduit, an aerosol-form conduit, and a heat source. The vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactant conduits facilitate introduction of vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactants into the reaction tube. The aerosol-form reactants are introduced proximate to a reaction zone created by the heat source. The aerosol-form reactants conduit and heat source travel the axial length of the reaction tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber has a core with a diameter dc and a reflective index nc; a primary cladding concentrically surrounding the core and having an outer diameter dpc and a refractive index npc less than the core refractive index nc; and a secondary cladding concentrically surrounding the primary cladding and having an outer diameter dsc and a refractive index nsc less than the primary cladding refractive index npc.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an optical fiber that reduces the cladding mode coupling loss (CMCL) therein. The fiber includes a core, a cladding concentrically surrounding the core, and at least one lossy region concentrically surrounding the core. The lossy region is disposed within the cladding and is slightly displaced radially from the core.

Abstract: A polarization-preserving optical fiber with a high pump-radiation absorption efficiency including a core, a primary cladding surrounding the core, stress members disposed within the primary cladding, and a secondary cladding surrounding the core, primary cladding and stress members. The stress members and the primary cladding have different thermal responses, thereby inducing birefringence within the fiber. The cladding and stress members cooperate to direct light, propagating through the fiber, into the core.

Abstract: An optical fiber has a core with a diameter dc and a reflective index nc; a primary cladding concentrically surrounding the core and having an outer diameter dpc and a refractive index npc less than the core refractive index nc; and a secondary cladding concentrically surrounding the primary cladding and having an outer diameter dsc and a refractive index nsc less than the primary cladding refractive index npc.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a substantially transparent core that carries a light signal, a substantially transparent cladding surrounding the core, and within the cladding and distinct from the core, at least one visualization member facilitating visualization of one or more elements of the fiber structure.

Abstract: A hybrid method of and apparatus for producing a structure capable of being drawn into an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of conducting vapor-phase reactants into an interior region of a glass tube, conducting aerosol form reactants into the interior of the glass tube. The tube is exposed to a heat, thereby causing a reaction among the vapor-phase and aerosol reactants. The reaction yields a product, in a solid form, within the tube. The apparatus includes a reaction tube, a vapor-phase reactant conduit, an aerosol-form conduit, and a heat source. The vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactant conduits facilitate introduction of vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactants into the reaction tube. The aerosol-form reactants are introduced proximate to a reaction zone created by the heat source. The aerosol-form reactants conduit and heat source travel the axial length of the reaction tube.

Abstract: A polarization-preserving optical fiber with a high pump-radiation absorption efficiency including a core, a primary cladding surrounding the core, stress members disposed within the primary cladding, and a secondary cladding surrounding the core, primary cladding and stress members. The stress members and the primary cladding have different thermal responses, thereby inducing birefringence within the fiber. The cladding and stress members cooperate to direct light, propagating through the fiber, into the core.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward an optical fiber that reduces the cladding mode coupling loss (CMCL) therein. The fiber includes a core, a cladding concentrically surrounding the core, and at least one lossy region concentrically surrounding the core. The lossy region is disposed within the cladding and is slightly displaced radially from the core.

Abstract: Methods of delivering laser energy for medical procedures or industrial processes using an optical fiber having a core formed of a highly transmissive silica-based glass core and an outermost cladding layer of silica-titania glass.

Abstract: Glass tubing that utilizes silica-titania glass as material for the tubing. The tubing of the invention can be formed of a single layer of silica-titania glass or the tubing can be formed in layers, with an outer layer of silica-titania glass and an inner layer of silica glass. The tubing can also be formed with an inner layer of silica-titania glass covered by a layer of silica glass, or the tubing can be formed with three layers, an inner layer and an outer layer of silica-titania glass sandwiching a layer of silica glass. In all embodiments, the resulting tubing has improved mechanical strength or improved chemical durability or both making the tubing useful in a variety of medical and industrial applications.