Abstract: The system and methods for marking an optical fiber with color-coded marks disclosed herein include forming closely spaced multiple ink streams, with at least two of the ink streams having different colors. The optical fiber moves over a fiber path that resides adjacent the ink streams. The fiber path and the ink streams are made to briefly intersect so that the ink streams form on the outer surface of the optical fiber a group of spaced apart individual marks, wherein the group of individual marks constitute a color-coded mark. Repeating this marking process at different times as the fiber moves over the fiber path forms spaced apart color-coded marks along the length of the fiber. Subsequent drying and overcoating of the marks fixes and protects the color-coded marks.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating die assembly is provided. The optical fiber coating die assembly includes a housing defining a guide chamber having an inlet for receiving optical fiber and an outlet, a guide die located at the outlet of the guide chamber, and a sizing die. The optical fiber coating die assembly also includes a coating applicator disposed between the guide die and the sizing die, and a tube operatively coupled to the inlet of the guide chamber and axially aligned with the chamber to receive the optical fiber fed into the guide chamber and provide a barrier to air flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides optical fibers with an impact-resistant coating system. The fibers feature low microbending and high mechanical reliability. The coating system includes a primary coating and a secondary coating. The primary coating and secondary coating have reduced thickness to provide reduced radius fibers without sacrificing protection. The primary coating has a low spring constant and sufficient thickness to resist transmission of force to the glass fiber. The secondary coating has high puncture resistance. The outer diameter of the optical fiber is less than or equal to 200 ?m.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides optical fibers with an impact-resistant coating system. The fibers feature low microbending and high mechanical reliability. The coating system includes a primary coating and a secondary coating. The primary coating and secondary coating have reduced thickness to provide reduced radius fibers without sacrificing protection. The primary coating has a low spring constant and sufficient thickness to resist transmission of force to the glass fiber. The secondary coating has high puncture resistance. The outer diameter of the optical fiber is less than or equal to 200 ?m.

Abstract: The system and methods for marking an optical fiber with color-coded marks disclosed herein include forming closely spaced multiple ink streams, with at least two of the ink streams having different colors. The optical fiber moves over a fiber path that resides adjacent the ink streams. The fiber path and the ink streams are made to briefly intersect so that the ink streams form on the outer surface of the optical fiber a group of spaced apart individual marks, wherein the group of individual marks constitute a color-coded mark. Repeating this marking process at different times as the fiber moves over the fiber path forms spaced apart color-coded marks along the length of the fiber. Subsequent drying and overcoating of the marks fixes and protects the color-coded marks.

Abstract: An optical fiber curing component includes a first tube comprising a first body defining a first interior surface and a first exterior surface, the first tube defining a first aperture and a second aperture on opposite ends of a first cavity, wherein the first tube defines a central axis extending through the first cavity; light sources coupled to the first body of the first tube and configured to emit light toward the central axis of the first tube, wherein each of the light sources intersect a common plane defined perpendicular to the central axis of the first tube; a silica glass article, having an anti-reflective coating, disposed between each of the plurality of light sources and the central axis of the first tube; and a reflective coating positioned on the interior surface of the first body and configured to reflect the light toward the central axis of the first tube.

Abstract: The systems and methods of forming optical fiber coatings with reduced defects include moving a bare optical fiber through first and second coating sub-systems. The first coating sub-system forms a first coating on the bare optical fiber by depositing a first coating material and then curing the deposited first coating material with actinic light. This process also results in the formation of stray actinic light. The process also includes moving the coated optical fiber through a second coating sub-system to form a second coating on the first coating. A light-blocking device resides between the first and second coating sub-systems to block the stray actinic light. Without the light-blocking device, the stray actinic light can enter the second coating sub-system and reach the second coating material therein and form a gel therefrom, which in turn leads to defects in the coated optical fiber exiting the second coating sub-system.

Abstract: An optical fiber curing component includes a tube having a body defining an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube defines a first aperture and a second aperture on opposite ends of a cavity. The tube defines a central axis extending through the cavity. A plurality of light sources is coupled to the body of the tube and configured to emit light toward the central axis of the tube. Each of the light sources intersect a common plane defined perpendicular to the central axis of the tube. A reflective coating is positioned on the interior surface of the body and configured to reflect the light toward the central axis of the tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber and its manufacture are provided. The optical fiber includes an optical waveguide and a cured primary coating layer surrounding the optical waveguide. The optical fiber further includes a cured secondary coating layer surrounding the cured primary coating layer. The optical fiber further includes a cured tertiary ink coating layer surrounding the cured secondary coating layer. The cured tertiary ink coating layer has a glass transition temperature (Tg-ink) of greater than or equal to 75° C.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating die assembly is provided. The optical fiber coating die assembly includes a housing defining a guide chamber having an inlet for receiving optical fiber and an outlet, a guide die located at the outlet of the guide chamber, and a sizing die. The optical fiber coating die assembly also includes a coating applicator disposed between the guide die and the sizing die, and a tube operatively coupled to the inlet of the guide chamber and axially aligned with the chamber to receive the optical fiber fed into the guide chamber and provide a barrier to air flow.

Abstract: An optical fiber and its manufacture are provided. The optical fiber includes an optical waveguide and a cured primary coating layer surrounding the optical waveguide. The optical fiber further includes a cured secondary coating layer surrounding the cured primary coating layer. The optical fiber further includes a cured tertiary ink coating layer surrounding the cured secondary coating layer. The cured tertiary ink coating layer has a glass transition temperature (Tg-ink) of greater than or equal to 75° C.

Abstract: Curable coating compositions having a high degree of cure and high modulus upon excitation with an LED or laser source are described. The curable coating compositions include one or more radiation-curable monomers and one or more photoinitiators. The curable coating compositions are preferably devoid of oligomers. The LED or laser source preferably provides UV radiation having a peak wavelength in the range from 360 nm-410 nm.