Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding, wherein the core is made of a glass composition having a near-zero electrostrictive coefficient M11, to reduce the effect of stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS). The invention further relates to a compensation fiber segment for connection to a silica optical fiber, the compensation fiber segment being made of a glass composition having an electrostrictive coefficient that opposes that of the silica optical fiber so that an acoustic wave transmitted to compensation fiber segment from the silica optical fiber will generate an acoustic wave within the compensation fiber segment that is about 180 degrees out of phase with the that acoustic wave transmitted from the silica optical fiber, thereby minimizing the effect of stimulated Brillouin Scattering.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding, wherein the core is made of a glass composition having a near-zero electrostrictive coefficient M11, to reduce the effect of stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS). The invention further relates to a compensation fiber segment for connection to a silica optical fiber, the compensation fiber segment being made of a glass composition having an electrostrictive coefficient that opposes that of the silica optical fiber so that an acoustic wave transmitted to compensation fiber segment from the silica optical fiber will generate an acoustic wave within the compensation fiber segment that is about 180 degrees out of phase with the that acoustic wave transmitted from the silica optical fiber, thereby minimizing the effect of stimulated Brillouin Scattering.

Abstract: A method of forming a through-glass via hole involves providing a glass substrate having first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces; masking the first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces to form a via-patterned portion thereon; and etching the via-patterned portion on the first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces to form a first channel in the first substantially planar parallel surface and a second channel in the second substantially planar parallel surface. The first channel and second channel are substantially orthogonal or non-orthogonal to one another. The first channel and the second channel intersect to form a quadrilateral through-glass via hole having via openings at the first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces. A low cost, low complexity and high reliability method for producing a glass substrate having a plurality of through-glass via holes such that the glass substrate can be used, for example, as an interposer.

Abstract: A method of forming a through-glass via hole involves providing a glass substrate having first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces; masking the first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces to form a via-patterned portion thereon; and etching the via-patterned portion on the first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces to form a first channel in the first substantially planar parallel surface and a second channel in the second substantially planar parallel surface. The first channel and second channel are substantially orthogonal or non-orthogonal to one another. The first channel and the second channel intersect to form a quadrilateral through-glass via hole having via openings at the first and second substantially planar parallel surfaces. A low cost, low complexity and high reliability method for producing a glass substrate having a plurality of through-glass via holes such that the glass substrate can be used, for example, as an interposer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a phase separable glass compositions used to produce chemically durable porous glass, e.g., porous glass powder, and the application of a sol gel coating to the glass to enhance chemical durability of the glass in alkaline solutions, and to the use of the glass, e.g., glass powder, as substrates for separation technology where harsh alkaline environments (pH?12 e.g., pH 12-14) are routinely prevalent.

Abstract: An optical waveguide fiber having a thin carbon coat over the clad glass layer is disclosed. The carbon coated waveguide shows superior dynamic fatigue resistance, improved adhesion of a polymer overcoat in environmental testing, excellent attenuation stability in environmental testing, and easy colorability.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making fused silica glass. A liquid, preferably halide-free, silicon-containing compound capable of being converted by thermal oxidative decomposition to SiO2 is provided and introduced directly into the flame of a combustion burner, thereby forming finely divided amorphous soot. The amorphous soot is deposited on a receptor surface where, either substantially simultaneously with or subsequently to its deposition, the soot is consolidated into a body of fused silica glass. The invention further relates to an apparatus for forming fused silica from liquid, preferably halide-free, silicon-containing reactants which includes: a combustion burner which, in operation, generates a flame; an injector for supplying a liquid silicon-containing compound to the flame to convert the compound by thermal oxidative decomposition to a finely divided amorphous soot; and a receptor surface on which the soot is deposited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coating optical fibers which contains an oligomer capable of being polymerized, a monomer suitable to control the viscosity of the composition, and an adhesion promoter which includes a compound containing a cyclic structure interposed between at least two reactive silanes which are independently an alkoxysilane or a halosilane. Another composition of the present invention includes an oligomer capable of being polymerized, a monomer suitable to control the viscosity of the composition, an adhesion promoter which includes a compound containing a reactive silane group, and a carrier. The present invention also relates to optical fibers and methods of making such optical fibers using the compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coating optical fibers which contains an oligomer capable of being polymerized, a monomer suitable to control the viscosity of the composition, and an adhesion promoter which includes a compound containing a cyclic structure interposed between at least two reactive silanes which are independently an alkoxysilane or a halosilane. Another composition of the present invention includes an oligomer capable of being polymerized, a monomer suitable to control the viscosity of the composition, an adhesion promoter which includes a compound containing a reactive silane group, and a carrier. The present invention also relates to optical fibers and methods of making such optical fibers using the compositions of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of coated, substantially coplanar optical fibers and a ribbon matrix material which maintains the plurality of coated optical fibers in substantially coplanar alignment. Each of the optical fibers includes a glass core, a cladding layer. surrounding and adjacent to the glass core, and a primary polymeric coating material, preferably containing a silicone, surrounding and adjacent to the cladding layer. The primary polymeric coating material adheres to the cladding layer to form a cladding layer-primary polymeric coating material interface. Upon application of a longitudinal stripping force at the cladding layer-primary polymeric coating material interface, the ribbon matrix material and the primary polymeric coating material are substantially removed from the cladding layer.

Abstract: The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of coated, substantially coplanar optical fibers and a ribbon matrix material which maintains the plurality of coated optical fibers in substantially coplanar alignment. Each of the optical fibers includes a core, a cladding layer surrounding and adjacent to the core, and a primary polymeric coating material surrounding and adjacent to the cladding layer. The primary polymeric coating material adheres to the cladding layer to form a cladding layer-primary polymeric coating material interface. Upon application of a longitudinal stripping force at the cladding layer primary polymeric coating material interface, the ribbon matrix material and the primary polymeric coating material are substantially removed from the cladding layer leaving a continuous, smooth residual layer of the primary polymeric coating material with a thickness of less than about 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method and reactor for applying a carbon coating to an optical fiber wherein the build up of reaction by-products within the reactor having metal walls is reduced by providing cooler reactors walls, dual fiber exit ports with different inside diameters, and gas shielding at one fiber exit port.

Abstract: A method for applying a carbon coating to an optical fiber wherein the build up of reaction by-products within the reactor is reduced by providing cooler reactors walls, dual fiber exit ports with different inside diameters, and gas shielding at one fiber exit port.

Abstract: A system for controlling the drawing of a hermetically-coated optical waveguide fiber from a preform is provided in which two measurements of fiber diameter are made and combined into an overall control signal. The first measurement is made on bare fiber in the region of the preform's root using an interference technique. The second measurement is made after the hermetic coating has been applied using a shadow technique. The first measurement provides high speed, high accuracy data needed for process control and defect detection. It is, however, subject to error due to fluctuations in the root with tractor speed. The second measurement reduces the effects of such error on the overall control signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling the drawing of a hermetically-coated optical waveguide fiber from a preform is provided in which two measurements of fiber diameter are made and combined into an overall control signal. The first measurement is made on bare fiber in the region of the preform's root using an interference technique. The second measurement is made after the hermetic coating has been applied using a shadow technique. The first measurement provides high speed, high accuracy data needed for process control and defect detection. It is, however, subject to error due to fluctuations in the root with tractor speed. The second measurement reduces the effects of such error on the overall control signal.

Abstract: A reactor for applying a carbon coating to an optical waveguide fiber wherein the buildup of reaction by-products within the reactor is reduced by providing internal and external fiber exit ports with the diameter of the internal fiber exit port being greater than the diameter of the external fiber exit port, and gas shielding at the external fiber exit port.

Abstract: Moisture-resistant UV-curable acrylate resin coated optical fibers are described, the coating compositions comprising a phosphite stabilizing agent in combination with an acrylate-terminated polyurethane oligomer wherein the urethane groups are the reaction product of an aliphatic isocyanate and a predominantly saturated, predominantly nonpolar aliphatic diol. The coating compositions offer improved curing speed while maintaining excellent thermal stability.

Abstract: Optical communication media particularly adapted for blow-in installation, including single optical fibers and lightweight flexible optical cables comprising one or more glass optical fibers in a multilayer polymer coating, are disclosed. The multilayer coating includes a textured polymer outer layer and at least one soft buffer layer positioned between the textured polymer outer layer and the glass optical fiber or fibers, the buffer layer comprising a low T.sub.g polymer and preferably having a layer thickness at least sufficient to maintain thermally induced microbending loss in the optical communication medium below about 0.5 db/km at medium operating temperatures in the range of 0.degree. C. to -60.degree. C.

Abstract: UV-curable urethane-acrylate resin systems of improved thermal stability in the cured state are provided, the resins being of polyurethane acrylate, polyurea acrylate, and/or polyurethane/polyurea acrylate composition and being thermally stabilized by the addition of a combination of stabilizers which includes a hindered piperidine derivative and a hindered phenol derivative. The stabilized resin systems, useful for example for the protective coating of glass optical fibers, retain their rapid UV curing characteristics.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupler is formed as follows. Glass optical fibers, each having a core, cladding and coating are disposed within the longitudinal aperture of a capillary tube, the fibers extending beyond each end thereof. The fibers are preferably held taut to effect a tension therein. The coating is removed from that portion of the fibers in the midregion of the tube by oxidation, depolymerization or the like. The coating remains on those portions of the fibers extending into the ends of the apertures to precisely orient the fibers within the tube. The midregion of the tube is heated, collapsed about the fibers, and drawn to reduce the diameter thereof.