Abstract: An optical communication cable and related systems and methods are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of wrapped core elements, and the outer surfaces of adjacent wrapped core elements are joined together by discrete bond sections. The discrete bonds sections may be structures such as laser welds, ultrasonic welds, or adhesive material. The discrete bonds hold the wrapped core elements together in the wrapped pattern, such as an SZ stranding pattern.

Abstract: A system and method for marking a moving surface of a fiber optic cable is provided. The system includes a supply of the fiber optic cable, a laser generating device configured to generate a laser beam that forms markings by interacting with the material of the moving surface of the fiber optic cable. The system includes a movement device moving the fiber optic cable through the system at a speed of at least 50 m per minute. The system includes a laser directing device located in the path of the laser beam and configured to change the path of the laser beam to direct the laser beam to a plurality of discrete locations on the moving surface to form a series of marks on the moving surface. The moving surface includes a plurality of tracking indicia to allow the position of the moving surface to be determined.

Abstract: A crush resistant, kink resistant optical cable including crush resistant, kink resistant optical fiber buffer tubes and systems and method for making the same are provided. The buffer tubes include a depression pattern formed along the outer surface of the buffer tube. The depression pattern provides areas of decreased thickness in the buffer tube facilitating flexibility and kink resistance. The system and method relates to laser ablation for forming the depression pattern in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A system and method for marking a moving surface of a fiber optic cable is provided. The system includes a supply of the fiber optic cable, a laser generating device configured to generate a laser beam that forms markings by interacting with the material of the moving surface of the fiber optic cable. The system includes a movement device moving the fiber optic cable through the system at a speed of at least 50 m per minute. The system includes a laser directing device located in the path of the laser beam and configured to change the path of the laser beam to direct the laser beam to a plurality of discrete locations on the moving surface to form a series of marks on the moving surface. The moving surface includes a plurality of tracking indicia to allow the position of the moving surface to be determined.

Abstract: An optical communication cable and related systems and methods are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of wrapped core elements, and the outer surfaces of adjacent wrapped core elements are joined together by discrete bond sections. The discrete bonds sections may be structures such as laser welds, ultrasonic welds, or adhesive material. The discrete bonds hold the wrapped core elements together in the wrapped pattern, such as an SZ stranding pattern.

Abstract: A rollable optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical transmission elements, wherein each optical transmission element includes an optical core surrounded by a cladding of a different refractive index than the optical core, the cladding surrounded by a fiber coating layer, the fiber coating layer having an inner surface contacting the cladding and an outer surface defining an exterior surface of the optical transmission elements; and a coupling element coupled to and supporting the plurality of optical transmission elements in an array. The coupling element forms a chevron pattern and is formed from a flexible polymeric material such that the plurality of optical transmission elements are reversibly movable from an unrolled position in which the plurality of optical transmission elements are substantially aligned with each other to a rolled position.

Abstract: An optical communication cable and related systems and methods are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of wrapped core elements, and the outer surfaces of adjacent wrapped core elements are joined together by discrete bond sections. The discrete bonds sections may be structures such as laser welds, ultrasonic welds, or adhesive material. The discrete bonds hold the wrapped core elements together in the wrapped pattern, such as an SZ stranding pattern.

Abstract: A device includes a sheet of high purity fused silica that has a thickness of less than 500 ?m, where the sheet includes features in the sheet, wherein the features have a cross-sectional dimension of less than 50 ?m and a depth of at least 100 nm, wherein the features are spaced apart from one another by a distance of less than 50 ?m, and wherein the silica is free of indicia of grinding and polishing.

Abstract: A crush resistant, kink resistant optical cable including crush resistant, kink resistant optical fiber buffer tubes and systems and method for making the same are provided. The buffer tubes include a depression pattern formed along the outer surface of the buffer tube. The depression pattern provides areas of decreased thickness in the buffer tube facilitating flexibility and kink resistance. The system and method relates to laser ablation for forming the depression pattern in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A flexible optical ribbon and associated systems and methods of manufacturing are provided. The ribbon includes a plurality of optical transmission elements and an inner layer comprising a cross-linked polymer material and an outer surface. The outer surface of the inner layer includes first areas having first concentrations of uncrosslinked polymer material and second areas having second concentrations of uncrosslinked polymer material. The first concentrations are greater than the second concentrations. The ribbon includes an outer polymer layer having an inner surface interfacing with the outer surface of the inner layer. The outer polymer layer has a higher level of bonding to the inner layer at the first areas than at the second areas due to the ability of the outer polymer material to bond or crosslink with the larger numbers of uncrosslinked polymer material in the first areas.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical surface on an end portion of an optical fiber comprises inserting the optical fiber through a ferrule bore of a ferrule so that the end portion extends past an end face on the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to the end face of the ferrule. The at least one laser beam is shaped into an ellipse and comprises at least 90 percent linearly-polarized light incident on the end face of the ferrule as S-polarized light. The at least one laser is operated so that the S-polarized light reflects off the end face of the ferrule and cleaves the end portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical surface on an end portion of an optical fiber inserting the optical fiber through a ferrule bore of a ferrule so that the end portion extends past an end face on the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to the end face of the ferrule at a location spaced from the ferrule bore. The at least one laser beam is also directed at an angle relative to the end face of the ferrule so as to be incident on the end portion of the optical fiber after reflecting off the end face of the ferrule. The at least one laser is operated to cleave the end portion of the optical fiber, and the end face on the ferrule does not crack due to thermal expansion when the at least one laser is operated.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for processing optical fiber include directing light from a directed light source toward an optical fiber on a fiber draw. A fiber core of the optical fiber is heated, using at least the light from the directed light source, to a fiber core temperature within a glass transformation temperature range of the fiber core. The method can be used to reduce fictive temperature of the fiber core, with Rayleigh scattering being reduced, leading to lower attenuation losses in the fiber core.

Abstract: A flexible optical ribbon and associated method is provided. The ribbon includes a plurality of optical transmission elements and a polymeric ribbon body surrounding the plurality of optical transmission elements. The ribbon body includes a plurality of recesses formed in the ribbon body, and each recess has a depth extending from the first major surface toward the plurality of optical transmission elements and a length extending along the ribbon body between a first recess end and a second recess end. The first recess end is defined by a concave curved surface of the polymeric ribbon body.

Abstract: A system and method for marking a moving surface of a fiber optic cable is provided. The system includes a supply of the fiber optic cable, a laser generating device configured to generate a laser beam that forms markings by interacting with the material of the moving surface of the fiber optic cable. The system includes a movement device moving the fiber optic cable through the system at a speed of at least 50 m per minute. The system includes a laser directing device located in the path of the laser beam and configured to change the path of the laser beam to direct the laser beam to a plurality of discrete locations on the moving surface to form a series of marks on the moving surface. The moving surface includes a plurality of tracking indicia to allow the position of the moving surface to be determined.

Abstract: An optical communication cable and related systems and methods are provided. The optical cable includes a plurality of wrapped core elements, and the outer surfaces of adjacent wrapped core elements are joined together by discrete bond sections. The discrete bonds sections may be structures such as laser welds, ultrasonic welds, or adhesive material. The discrete bonds hold the wrapped core elements together in the wrapped pattern, such as an SZ stranding pattern.

Abstract: A method cleaving an end portion of an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a first end, a second end, and a ferrule bore extending between the first and second ends. An optical fiber is inserted through the ferrule bore so that an end portion of the optical fiber extends past an end face on the second end of the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to be incident on the end portion of the optical fiber at a first location. The at least one laser beam is emitted and directed to have a maximum beam width that is less than an outer diameter of the optical fiber at the first location so that the at least one laser can be operated to form a hole in the optical fiber at the first location.

Abstract: A method of polishing an optical fiber that extends through a ferrule involves: (a) determining a polishing depth by measuring the distance between an end of the optical fiber and an end face of the ferrule with an interferometer; (b) performing a polishing step based on the the polishing depth to remove material from the end of the optical fiber; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the end of the optical fiber is within a predetermined distance of the end face of the ferrule. Related systems for polishing an optical fiber that extends through a ferrule are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method cleaving an end portion of an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a first end, a second end, and a ferrule bore extending between the first and second ends. An optical fiber is inserted through the ferrule bore so that an end portion of the optical fiber extends past an end face on the second end of the ferrule. At least one laser beam is emitted from at least one laser and directed to be incident on the end portion of the optical fiber at a first location. The at least one laser beam is emitted and directed to have a maximum beam width that is less than an outer diameter of the optical fiber at the first location so that the at least one laser can be operated to form a hole in the optical fiber at the first location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for laser cleaving optical fibers are disclosed. In certain embodiments discussed herein, a ferrule of a fiber optic connector with an optical fiber disposed therein may precisely position an optical surface of the optical fiber when establishing an optical connection with another optical fiber. The optical surface may be thermally formed by laser beam(s) directed to an end face of the ferrule and to an end portion of the optical fiber extending therefrom. By having at least ninety (90) percent of the light incident on the ferrule as S-polarized light, the optical surface may be formed closer to the ferrule. This is because the laser beam may be more readily reflected away from the ferrule instead of being absorbed within the ferrule and thereby causing ferrule damage.