Abstract: A multi-core optical fiber comprises at least two (2) helical cores. When the multi-core optical fiber is bent, such that it has a bend length (L) and a bend radius (R), each core experiences a different strain, thereby resulting in an effective optical length difference (?l) between the cores. In the present disclosure, the helical cores have a pitch (P) that reduces ?l/L to a value that is less than 5·10?6 (i.e., ?l/L<5·10?6).

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for a coated fiber modified by actinic radiation to increase back-scattering, which experiences very little back-scattering decay at a temperature and time of exposure that is sufficient to noticeably degrade the coating and/or noticeably degrade the optical fiber due to outgassing of hydrogen from the coating. In one embodiment, an optical fiber comprises a fiber length, a coating having a treated coating weight, wherein the treated coating weight is at least 25% less of an original coating weight prior to an annealing treatment, and an optical back-scatter along the fiber length greater than a Rayleigh back-scattering over the fiber length, wherein the optical back-scatter does not decrease along the fiber length by more than 3 dB after exposure to annealing treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for coating an optical fiber comprising a free radically curable acrylate and/or a methacrylate functionalized oligomer having a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3; where the acrylate and/or the methacrylate functionalized oligomer has a functionality of 1 or more; a photoinitiator; and optionally a free radically curable acrylate and/or methacrylate diluent monomer that has a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical fiber; where the density of the cured coating is less than 1.0 g/cm3; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for coating an optical fiber comprising a free radically curable acrylate and/or a methacrylate functionalized oligomer having a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3; where the acrylate and/or the methacrylate functionalized oligomer has a functionality of 1 or more; a photoinitiator, and optionally a free radically curable acrylate and/or methacrylate diluent monomer that has a density of less than 1.0 g/cm3; where the coating composition is disposed and cured on an optical fiber, where the density of the cured coating is less than 1.0 g/cm3; and where the average functionality of the composition is greater than one.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising 65 to 95 weight percent of a fluorinated monofunctional monomer; 5 to 35 weight percent of a fluorinated multifunctional monomer; and 0.5 to 3 weight percent of a silane coupling agent; where all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; where the fluorinated monofunctional monomer and the fluorinated multifunctional monomer are devoid of any trifunctional fluorocarbon moieties when they have 6 or more fluorocarbon repeat units; where the fluorocarbon repeat units are CF2 or CF moieties; and where a crosslinked composition has a shore D hardness of 56 to 85 and has a refractive index (RI) that meets the limitation of the equation RI?1.368+10.8/X, where X denotes wavelength in nanometers.

Abstract: A technique is described for fabricating one or more optical devices in a carbon-coated optical fiber. A photosensitive optical fiber is provided having a hermetic carbon coating. Further provided is a laser having a beam output that is configured to inscribe one or more refractive index modulations into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer while leaving the hermetic carbon layer intact. The laser is used to inscribe one or more optical devices into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer.

Abstract: A technique is described for fabricating one or more optical devices in a carbon-coated optical fiber. A photosensitive optical fiber is provided having a hermetic carbon coating. Further provided is a laser having a beam output that is configured to inscribe one or more refractive index modulations into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer while leaving the hermetic carbon layer intact. The laser is used to inscribe one or more optical devices into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising 65 to 95 weight percent of a fluorinated monofunctional monomer; 5 to 35 weight percent of a fluorinated multifunctional monomer; and 0.5 to 3 weight percent of a silane coupling agent; where all weight percents are based on the total weight of the composition; where the fluorinated monofunctional monomer and the fluorinated multifunctional monomer are devoid of any trifunctional fluorocarbon moieties when they have 6 or more fluorocarbon repeat units; where the fluorocarbon repeat units are CF2 or CF moieties; and where a crosslinked composition has a shore D hardness of 56 to 85 and has a refractive index (RI) that meets the limitation of the equation RI?1.368+10.8/X, where X denotes wavelength in nanometers.

Abstract: A technique is described for fabricating one or more optical devices in a carbon-coated optical fiber. A photosensitive optical fiber is provided having a hermetic carbon coating. Further provided is a laser having a beam output that is configured to inscribe one or more refractive index modulations into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer while leaving the hermetic carbon layer intact. The laser is used to inscribe one or more optical devices into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer.

Abstract: A technique is described for fabricating one or more optical devices in a carbon-coated optical fiber. A photosensitive optical fiber is provided having a hermetic carbon coating. Further provided is a laser having a beam output that is configured to inscribe one or more refractive index modulations into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer while leaving the hermetic carbon layer intact. The laser is used to inscribe one or more optical devices into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer.

Abstract: In an optical fiber turnaround, first and second optical fiber cores are configured to transmit light bidirectionally along a transmission axis between proximal and distal ends of the first and second optical fiber cores. A reflector component is positioned at the distal ends of the first and second optical fiber cores. The first core, second core, and reflector component are configured to provide a bidirectional routing path, wherein light energy travels from the proximal end of one of the first and second cores towards the reflector component, and travels back from the reflector component along the other of the first and second cores.

Abstract: A technique is described for fabricating one or more optical devices in a carbon-coated optical fiber. A photosensitive optical fiber is provided having a hermetic carbon coating. Further provided is a laser having a beam output that is configured to inscribe one or more refractive index modulations into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer while leaving the hermetic carbon layer intact. The laser is used to inscribe one or more optical devices into the optical fiber through the hermetic carbon layer.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a large graded index core of Ge doped silica for an increased bandwidth-length-product of over 100 MHz-km. A cladding layer of non-doped silica is formed on the core during the preform process and subsequently during drawing the preform an ultraviolet light curable polymer first coating is overlaid on the cladding layer. The first coating is sufficiently hardened to match the fracture characteristics of the silica core and cladding layer to facilitate crimp and cleave termination. The first coating is additionally provided with an index of refraction greater than the cladding layer to enable mode or energy stripping from the cladding layer. A second polymer layer may optionally be applied during draw for protection and to provide a tough outer layer of the optical fiber for the deformable features of a connector to hold onto after crimping.