Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber having an inner core with a fiber optic connector including a ferrule having a micro-bore and an end face with a mating location is disclosed. The method includes determining a bore bearing angle of a bore offset of the micro-bore in the ferrule; determining a core bearing angle of a core offset of the inner core in the optical fiber; orienting the ferrule and the optical fiber relative to each other to minimize the distance between the inner core and the mating location; heating the ferrule to an processing temperature above room temperature; and coupling the optical fiber to the micro-bore of the ferrule. The size of the micro-bores and optical fibers may be selected to maximize the number of interference fits in a population of ferrules and optical fibers while minimizing failed fittings between the ferrules and optical fibers in the populations.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber having an inner core with a fiber optic connector including a ferrule having a micro-bore and an end face with a mating location is disclosed. The method includes determining a bore bearing angle of a bore offset of the micro-bore in the ferrule; determining a core bearing angle of a core offset of the inner core in the optical fiber; orienting the ferrule and the optical fiber relative to each other to minimize the distance between the inner core and the mating location; heating the ferrule to an processing temperature above room temperature; and coupling the optical fiber to the micro-bore of the ferrule. The size of the micro-bores and optical fibers may be selected to maximize the number of interference fits in a population of ferrules and optical fibers while minimizing failed fittings between the ferrules and optical fibers in the populations.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical fiber, the method including mounting a glass sleeve in a selective etching apparatus. The sleeve comprising one or more axial through-holes, and the etching apparatus comprising a first end cap with a central aperture disposed therethrough, the first end cap being attached to a first surface of the sleeve. The method further including exposing the sleeve to an acid solution such that a first portion of the first surface is exposed to the acid solution and a second portion of the first surface is not exposed to the acid solution. The first portion being adjacent to the central aperture when the sleeve is mounted in the selective etching apparatus, and the second portion being covered by the first end cap when the sleeve is mounted in the selective etching apparatus.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber having an inner core with a fiber optic connector including a ferrule having a micro-bore and an end face with a mating location is disclosed. The method includes determining a bore bearing angle of a bore offset of the micro-bore in the ferrule; determining a core bearing angle of a core offset of the inner core in the optical fiber; orienting the ferrule and the optical fiber relative to each other to minimize the distance between the inner core and the mating location; heating the ferrule to an processing temperature above room temperature; and coupling the optical fiber to the micro-bore of the ferrule. The size of the micro-bores and optical fibers may be selected to maximize the number of interference fits in a population of ferrules and optical fibers while minimizing failed fittings between the ferrules and optical fibers in the populations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber is terminated with a ferrule to form an optical fiber connector assembly. The ferrule is heated at a heating temperature whereby the ferrule bore (and ferrule microhole) expands. The optical fiber is then inserted into the ferrule microhole. The ferrule then contracts when heat is no longer applied resulting in an interference fit between the optical fiber and the ferrule microhole based on the dimensions of the optical fiber and the ferrule microhole. The interference fit yields certain optical fiber characteristics within the optical fiber connector assembly. The present disclosure also relates to an optical fiber having an outer cladding comprising titania-doped silica and the resulting optical fiber characteristics.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber having an inner core with a fiber optic connector including a ferrule having a micro-bore and an end face with a mating location is disclosed. The method includes determining a bore bearing angle of a bore offset of the micro-bore in the ferrule; determining a core bearing angle of a core offset of the inner core in the optical fiber; orienting the ferrule and the optical fiber relative to each other to minimize the distance between the inner core and the mating location; heating the ferrule to an processing temperature above room temperature; and coupling the optical fiber to the micro-bore of the ferrule. The size of the micro-bores and optical fibers may be selected to maximize the number of interference fits in a population of ferrules and optical fibers while minimizing failed fittings between the ferrules and optical fibers in the populations.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber having an inner core with a fiber optic connector including a ferrule having a micro-bore and an end face with a mating location is disclosed. The method includes determining a bore bearing angle of a bore offset of the micro-bore in the ferrule; determining a core bearing angle of a core offset of the inner core in the optical fiber; orienting the ferrule and the optical fiber relative to each other to minimize the distance between the inner core and the mating location; heating the ferrule to an processing temperature above room temperature; and coupling the optical fiber to the micro-bore of the ferrule. The size of the micro-bores and optical fibers may be selected to maximize the number of interference fits in a population of ferrules and optical fibers while minimizing failed fittings between the ferrules and optical fibers in the populations.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber having an inner core with a fiber optic connector including a ferrule having a micro-bore and an end face with a mating location is disclosed. The method includes determining a bore bearing angle of a bore offset of the micro-bore in the ferrule; determining a core bearing angle of a core offset of the inner core in the optical fiber; orienting the ferrule and the optical fiber relative to each other to minimize the distance between the inner core and the mating location; heating the ferrule to an processing temperature above room temperature; and coupling the optical fiber to the micro-bore of the ferrule. The size of the micro-bores and optical fibers may be selected to maximize the number of interference fits in a population of ferrules and optical fibers while minimizing failed fittings between the ferrules and optical fibers in the populations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber is terminated with a ferrule to form an optical fiber connector assembly. The ferrule is heated at a heating temperature whereby the ferrule bore (and ferrule microhole) expands. The optical fiber is then inserted into the ferrule microhole. The ferrule then contracts when heat is no longer applied resulting in an interference fit between the optical fiber and the ferrule microhole based on the dimensions of the optical fiber and the ferrule microhole. The interference fit yields certain optical fiber characteristics within the optical fiber connector assembly. The present disclosure also relates to an optical fiber having an outer cladding comprising titania-doped silica and the resulting optical fiber characteristics.

Abstract: A non-cylindrical hypotube is disclosed, such as for use in OCT and endoscopy. The hypotube is defined by a non-cylindrical, rotationally symmetric tube and has an interior, a proximal-end section with an outer diameter D1, a distal-end section with an outer diameter D3, and a middle section between the proximal-end and distal-end sections and having an outer diameter D2, wherein D2<D1, and D2<D3. The distal-end section is sized to accommodate the optical probe and includes an outer surface with an aperture that allows for optical communication therethrough.

Abstract: A non-cylindrical hypotube is disclosed, such as for use in OCT and endoscopy. The hypotube is defined by a non-cylindrical, rotationally symmetric tube and has an interior, a proximal-end section with an outer diameter D1, a distal-end section with an outer diameter D3, and a middle section between the proximal-end and distal-end sections and having an outer diameter D2, wherein D2<D1, and D2<D3. The distal-end section is sized to accommodate the optical probe and includes an outer surface with an aperture that allows for optical communication therethrough.

Abstract: Integrated torque jacket systems and methods for optical coherence tomography are disclosed. The system includes an optical fiber cable having an optical fiber surrounded by an outer jacket. An optical probe is operably attached to the distal end of the optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes either a plurality of low-friction bearings or a spiral member operably attached thereto along its length, thereby defining the integrated torque jacket system. The integrated torque jacket system resides within the flexible guide tube with a close fit that allows for rotation and axial translation of the integrated torque jacket system within the guide tube interior. The integrated torque jacket system serves to transfer torque and axial translation applied at its proximal end to the distal end to rotate and axially translate the optical probe within the guide tube.

Abstract: According to some embodiments a housing for the OCT comprises: (a) a tubular body with an inner diameter of less than 5 mm (for example less than 2 mm, and in some embodiments not greater than 1.5 mm), a first end, a second end; and a window formed in the tubular body closer to the second end than to the first end, displaced from the second end, and framed by a portion of the tubular body, wherein the window has a width w. According to some embodiments, 0.05 mm<w<8 mm.

Abstract: Method of making a microstructured optical fiber. Silica glass based soot is deposited on a substrate to form at least a portion of an optical fiber preform by traversing a soot deposition burner with respect to said substrate at a burner traverse rate greater than 3 cm/sec, thereby depositing a layer of soot having a thickness less than 20 microns for each of a plurality of burner passes. At least a portion of the soot preform is then consolidated inside a furnace to remove greater than 50 percent of the air trapped in said soot preform, said consolidating taking place in a gaseous atmosphere containing krypton, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof under conditions which are effective to trap a portion of said gaseous atmosphere in said preform during said consolidation step, thereby forming a consolidated preform which when viewed in cross section will exhibit at least 50 voids therein.

Abstract: Quasi-single mode optical waveguide fibers are disclosed that are bend resistant and capable of providing single mode transmission, for example at wavelengths greater than 1260 nm when the fundamental mode of optical energy is launched into the core of the fiber. Optical fiber line incorporating quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber is also disclosed. Jumpers, or patchcords, utilizing quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for joining a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, wherein at least one of the first and second optical fibers has an annular glass region, such as a cladding, which is provided with a plurality of holes. The methods are well suited for joining a first microstructured optical fiber, such as a first optical fiber having a plurality of holes having a maximum cross-sectional diameter on the order of 7 microns or less, to another second optical fiber. The second optical fiber could be another microstructured optical fiber or a non-microstructured optical fiber.

Abstract: Method of making a microstructured optical fiber. Silica glass based soot is deposited on a substrate to form at least a portion of an optical fiber preform by traversing a soot deposition burner with respect to said substrate at a burner traverse rate greater than 3 cm/sec, thereby depositing a layer of soot having a thickness less than 20 microns for each of a plurality of burner passes. At least a portion of the soot preform is then consolidated inside a furnace to remove greater than 50 percent of the air trapped in said soot preform, said consolidating taking place in a gaseous atmosphere containing krypton, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof under conditions which are effective to trap a portion of said gaseous atmosphere in said preform during said consolidation step, thereby forming a consolidated preform which when viewed in cross section will exhibit at least 50 voids therein.

Abstract: Optical fiber having a coating surrounding and in direct contact with the silica based cladding region of the fiber, the coating having a Young's modulus of elasticity greater than 30 MPa. The optical fiber has low bend losses, especially low microbend induced losses. The optical fiber has a core surrounded by a cladding, and the cladding has a ring portion that includes holes or doped silica or both.

Abstract: Quasi-single mode optical waveguide fibers are disclosed that are bend resistant and capable of providing single mode transmission, for example at wavelengths greater than 1260 nm when the fundamental mode of optical energy is launched into the core of the fiber. Optical fiber line incorporating quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber is also disclosed. Jumpers, or patchcords, utilizing quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for joining a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, wherein at least one of the first and second optical fibers has an annular glass region, such as a cladding, which is provided with a plurality of holes. The methods are well suited for joining a first microstructured optical fiber, such as a first optical fiber having a plurality of holes having a maximum cross-sectional diameter on the order of 7 microns or less, to another second optical fiber. The second optical fiber could be another microstructured optical fiber or a non-microstructured optical fiber.