Abstract: Fiber optic ribbon matrix materials having low oligomer content and fiber optic ribbons that contain a matrix prepared from such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical fiber coating systems capable of providing a high degree of microbend protection to an optical fiber, and an optical fiber coated therewith. According to one embodiment of the invention, an optical fiber coating system includes a primary coating and a secondary coating, wherein when a ribbon having twelve large effective area optical fibers coated with the coating system is subjected to the ribbon optical performance test at a wavelength of 1550 nm, the average change in attenuation is about 0.020 dB/km or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials suitable for use as secondary coatings of optical fibers or the re-coating of spliced optical fiber junctions. With regard to the latter use, the coating materials a preferably characterized by a Young's modulus that is at least about 1200 MPa, and an interfacial strength as measured by the rod and tube method of greater than 25 MPa.

Abstract: Fiber optic articles, assemblies, and cables preserve optical performance by using optical waveguides having a core, a cladding, and a coating system according to the present invention. Moreover, the optical articles, assemblies, and cables of the present invention may achieve performance levels that were previously unattainable, for instance, the present invention contemplates acceptable optical performance for wavelengths such as 1625 nm and higher. Additionally, articles, assemblies, and/or cables of the present invention advantageously preserve optical performance, i.e., have relatively low delta attenuation, when subjected to manufacturing processes and/or environmental conditions such as temperature cycling. In other words, the articles, assemblies, and cables can withstand increased stress/strain before having significant attenuation.

Abstract: The present invention provides optical fiber coating systems and coated optical fibers having hydrophilic primary coatings. According to one embodiment of the invention, a coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber having a core and a cladding; a hydrophilic primary coating encapsulating the optical fiber, the primary coating having a Young's modulus less than about 2 MPa; and a secondary coating encapsulating the primary coating, wherein the primary coating exhibits substantially no water bubble formation and substantially no delamination when the coated optical fiber is soaked in water at 23° C. for 30 days.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials suitable for use as secondary coatings of optical fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a curable composition includes an oligomer and at least one monomer, which when cured forms a cured polymeric material having a Young's modulus of at least about 1200 MPa, and a fracture toughness of at least about 0.7 MPa·m1/2. According to another embodiment of the invention, a coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber; a primary coating encapsulating the optical fiber; and a secondary coating encapsulating the primary coating, the secondary coating having a Young's modulus of at least about 1200 MPa, and a fracture toughness of at least about 0.7 MPa·m1/2.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials suitable for use as secondary coatings of optical fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a curable composition includes an oligomer and at least one monomer, which when cured forms a cured polymeric material having a Young's modulus of at least about 1200 MPa, and a fracture toughness of at least about 0.7 MPa·m1/2. According to another embodiment of the invention, a coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber; a primary coating encapsulating the optical fiber; and a secondary coating encapsulating the primary coating, the secondary coating having a Young's modulus of at least about 1200 MPa, and a fracture toughness of at least about 0.7 MPa·m1/2.

Abstract: A particulate sealant for forming plugs in selected cells of honeycomb structures and consisting essentially, by weight, of about 70 to 90% ceramic blend, the ceramic blend being raw ceramic materials selected to form a composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 12 to 16% MgO, about 33 to 38% Al2O3, and about 49 to 54% SiO2, which will form cordierite (2MgO.2Al2O3.5SiO2) on firing, and about 10 to 30% binder system comprising a thermoplastic polymer capable of forming a gel or a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber and a curable coating composition for coating an optical fiber, includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating may further include at least one reactive monomer. A method for making a coated optical fiber, includes providing an optical fiber; coating the optical fiber with a polymerizable composition including a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating may further include at least one reactive monomer. The method further includes polymerizing the composition under conditions effective to form a coating over the optical fiber.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion compensator corrects polarization mode dispersion in an optical signal having a fast polarization mode component, a slow polarization mode component and a time differential between the components. The compensator includes a phase shifter and a variable delay section. An input of the phase shifter is coupled to an optical device that provides an optical signal that exhibits polarization mode dispersion. The phase shifter functions to rotate the optical signal principal states of polarization to a desired orientation. The phase shifter engages a segment of an optical fiber that is coated with a radiation cured coatings. The coating composition is selected so that in response to a preload comprising the application of a stress of about 80 MPa to said coating at about 80° C. and after a stress-relaxation period of at least about 1 hour, at about 80° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coating optical fibers that includes a UV curable coating composition. The composition includes at least one component having at least one heterocyclic moiety capable of undergoing ring opening polymerization. The composition may also include at least one acrylate functional end group. The acrylate functional group may be on the same component as the heterocyclic moiety or on a second component. The cured composition has a Young's Modulus of at least about 100 MPa.

Abstract: A particulate sealant for forming plugs in selected cells of honeycomb structures and consisting essentially, by weight, of about 70 to 90% ceramic blend, the ceramic blend being raw ceramic materials selected to form a composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 12 to 16% MgO, about 33 to 38% Al2O3, and about 49 to 54% SiO2, which will form cordierite (2MgO.2Al2O3.5SiO2) on firing, and about 10 to 30% binder system comprising a thermoplastic polymer capable of forming a gel or a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for coating optical fibers that includes a UV curable coating composition. The composition includes at least one component having at least one heterocyclic moiety capable of undergoing ring opening polymerization. The composition may also include at least one acrylate functional end group. The acrylate functional group may be on the same component as the heterocyclic moiety or on a second component. The cured composition has a Young's Modulus of at least about 100 MPa.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The composition has, when cured, a Young's modulus of greater than about 50 MPa. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a coated optical fiber including a glass fiber; and a coating located not less than about 5 microns away from an outer surface of the glass fiber, the coating being the polymerization product of a curable composition, the curable composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The coating compositions of the present invention may be used as secondary coatings and as marking inks for optical fibers. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in secondary coating compositions can provide increased wet aging properties to the cured secondary coating. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in ink compositions can provide increased pigment dispersion in the ink.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a composition for optical fiber coatings which includes an inventive coupling and a method of making an optical fiber using the inventive coupling agent. The inventive coupling agent is devoid of any Si containing compound. The inventive coupling agent is capable of bonding to an organic compound. Preferably the cured composition of the inventive coupling is an optical fiber coating having a Young's modulus of at least about 50 MPa. It is also preferred that the inventive coupling agent is included in an optical fiber layer that is not less than about 5 microns away from an outer surface of the glass fiber. In the disclosed method, the inventive coupling agent containing composition is applied non-directly to a surface of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A curable coating composition for coating an optical fiber, includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating further includes at least one reactive monomer. A coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber having at least one coating layer thereon having a first component which includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating further includes at least one reactive monomer. A method for making a coated optical fiber, includes providing an optical fiber; coating the optical fiber with a polymerizable composition including a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a Tg greater than the Tg of the soft block. The coating further includes at least one reactive monomer.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a coated optical waveguide. The invention includes an optical waveguide and a first coating encompassing the optical waveguide. The first coating has at least one functional group that is a selected from the group consisting of an acidic group or a basic group. The invention also includes a second coating having at least one functional group. The second coating is bonded to the first coating. The functional group of the second coating is a basic group when the first coating functional group is an acidic group. The second coating functional group is an acidic group when the first coating functional group is a basic group. The disclosed invention also includes the method of making the coated optical fiber. The disclosed invention further includes a method of controlling optical waveguide inter coating adhesion. The acid/base character between a plurality of adjacent coating layers is alternated.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion compensator corrects polarization mode dispersion in an optical signal having a fast polarization mode component, a slow polarization mode component and a time differential between the components. The compensator includes a phase shifter and a variable delay section. An input of the phase shifter is coupled to an optical device that provides an optical signal that exhibits polarization mode dispersion. The phase shifter functions to rotate the optical signal principal states of polarization to a desired orientation. The phase shifter engages a segment of an optical fiber that is coated with a radiation cured coatings. The coating composition is selected so that in response to a preload comprising the application of a stress of about 80 MPa to said coating at about 80° C. and after a stress-relaxation period of at least about 1 hour, at about 80° C.

Abstract: A coating and a method for protecting a flexible region of an optical device that generates different output optical signals based upon whether the region is flexed. The coating is applied to at least a portion of the region. The coating has a relaxation time that does not substantially affect the different output optical signals transmitted through the region while the region is being flexed and then unflexed.

Abstract: Truss systems and components thereof for use in connection with supporting rock formations in underground mines, caverns, storage vaults, and so forth. Multiple types of truss brackets of unique design are incorporated in the various systems which also include tensioning tie rods and anchor bolts. The truss bracket components are designed so that a minimum or no force couples are exhibited when the tie rods employed are tightened down in their interconnection between associated truss brackets. Various truss systems accommodate mine entries, two-way, three-way, and four-way passageway configurements, and so forth. Additionally, provision is made for intercoupling trusses together.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials suitable for use as secondary coatings of optical fibers. According to one embodiment of the invention, a curable composition includes an oligomer and at least one monomer, which when cured forms a cured polymeric material having a Young's modulus of at least about 1200 MPa, and a fracture toughness of at least about 0.7 MPa·m1/2. According to another embodiment of the invention, a coated optical fiber includes an optical fiber; a primary coating encapsulating the optical fiber; and a secondary coating encapsulating the primary coating, the secondary coating having a Young's modulus of at least about 1200 MPa, and a fracture toughness of at least about 0.7 MPa·m1/2.