Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymeric overcoating used as a splice protector, and a corresponding method of application where the resulting coated fusion spliced optical fibers or coated fusion spliced optical fiber ribbons can be bundled or stacked to reduce the size of splice protection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber array or a single optical fiber is cleaved with a laser-cleaving apparatus. The coating material is stripped or removed from a section of an optical fiber array or single optical fiber; a coated or ribbonized section of the optical fiber array or the single optical fiber is secured in a holder; the holder is aligned inside the laser-cleaving apparatus; the laser cleaves the stripped ends of the fibers in the optical fiber array or the single optical fiber; the laser-cleaved ends of the optical fiber(s) are then mechanically separated to remove the free ends from the optical fibers in the optical fiber array or the single optical fiber, leaving a cleaved array of optical fibers or a single cleaved optical fiber. The cleaving process enables the optical fiber array or single optical fiber to be cleaved at flexible locations along an optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber, or optical fiber apparatus (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber array is cleaved with a laser-cleaving apparatus. The coating material is stripped or removed from a section of an optical fiber array; a coated or ribbonized section of the optical fiber array is secured in a holder; the holder is aligned inside the laser-cleaving apparatus; the laser cleaves the stripped ends of the fibers in the optical fiber array; the laser-cleaved ends of the optical fibers are then mechanically separated to remove the free ends from the optical fibers in the optical fiber array, leaving a cleaved array of optical fibers. The cleaving process enables the optical fiber array to be cleaved at flexible locations along an optical fiber ribbon or optical fiber cable with no swelling, minimal cleave angle variation across the cores of the optical fibers, a controlled surface roughness of the optical fiber end-faces, and high process yield.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thin coated optical fiber that enables connector assembly without stripping the optical fiber. In particular, the thin coating comprises a hard coating, a dye concentrate, and an adhesion promoter. The formulation of the coating promotes adhesion to a glass cladding of the optical fiber and to a ferrule bore (into which the optical fiber is inserted) by not causing silane decomposition of the coating. Moreover, the coating is colored to enable, among other things, fiber identification within a connector. The thin coated optical fibers exhibit good mechanical and optical performance properties as discussed herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber array is cleaved with a laser-cleaving apparatus. The coating material is stripped or removed from a section of an optical fiber array; a coated or ribbonized section of the optical fiber array is secured in a holder; the holder is aligned inside the laser-cleaving apparatus; the laser cleaves the stripped ends of the fibers in the optical fiber array; the laser-cleaved ends of the optical fibers are then mechanically separated to remove the free ends from the optical fibers in the optical fiber array, leaving a cleaved array of optical fibers. The cleaving process enables the optical fiber array to be cleaved at flexible locations along an optical fiber ribbon or optical fiber cable with no swelling, minimal cleave angle variation across the cores of the optical fibers, a controlled surface roughness of the optical fiber end-faces, and high process yield.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing coatings from optical fibers. A system includes a gas source for providing gas, and a heater configured to heat the gas. The system further includes a holder comprising first and second attachment features, wherein the attachment features secure a coated optical fiber along a removal path. The system further includes at least one nozzle connected to the gas source, wherein the at least on nozzle is aimed in a nozzle direction that is towards the removal path at a pitch, such that the nozzle is non-perpendicular towards the removal path. The nozzle further directs a continuous stream of the heated gas towards the coated optical fiber causing the coating of the coated optical fiber to be removed. The methods and systems may employ a second nozzle that may be offset from the first nozzle angularly and/or laterally with respect to the removal path.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polymeric overcoating used as a splice protector, and a corresponding method of application where the resulting coated fusion spliced optical fibers or coated fusion spliced optical fiber ribbons can be bundled or stacked to reduce the size of splice protection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thin coated optical fiber that enables connector assembly without stripping the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber array is cleaved with a laser-cleaving apparatus. The coating material is stripped or removed from a section of an optical fiber array; a coated or ribbonized section of the optical fiber array is secured in a holder; the holder is aligned inside the laser-cleaving apparatus; the laser cleaves the stripped ends of the fibers in the optical fiber array; the laser-cleaved ends of the optical fibers are then mechanically separated to remove the free ends from the optical fibers in the optical fiber array, leaving a cleaved array of optical fibers. The cleaving process enables the optical fiber array to be cleaved at flexible locations along an optical fiber ribbon or optical fiber cable with no swelling, minimal cleave angle variation across the cores of the optical fibers, a controlled surface roughness of the optical fiber end-faces, and high process yield.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process by which an optical fiber array or a single optical fiber is cleaved with a laser-cleaving apparatus. The coating material is stripped or removed from a section of an optical fiber array or single optical fiber; a coated or ribbonized section of the optical fiber array or the single optical fiber is secured in a holder; the holder is aligned inside the laser-cleaving apparatus; the laser cleaves the stripped ends of the fibers in the optical fiber array or the single optical fiber; the laser-cleaved ends of the optical fiber(s) are then mechanically separated to remove the free ends from the optical fibers in the optical fiber array or the single optical fiber, leaving a cleaved array of optical fibers or a single cleaved optical fiber. The cleaving process enables the optical fiber array or single optical fiber to be cleaved at flexible locations along an optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber, or optical fiber apparatus (e.g.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and other structures that can be easily and quickly prepared by the craft for termination and/or connectorization in the field are disclosed. More specifically, the fiber optic connectors and other structures disclosed are intended for use with glass optical fibers having a large core. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a bore sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer at a front end face of the ferrule. Methods of making the fiber optic connectors and other structures are also disclosed. The methods disclosed allow “rough cutting” of the optical fibers with a buffer layer thereon by the craft.

Abstract: According to at least one exemplary embodiment a ferrule, comprises: (i) a bore extending from a rear of the ferrule to a front of the ferrule, wherein the bore is sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer at one end face of the ferrule; and (ii) an end stop sized to engage the buffer layer and to contain the optical fiber within said ferrule. In some embodiments the ferrule includes an optical fiber situated within the bore.

Abstract: According to at least one exemplary embodiment a ferrule, comprises: (i) a bore extending from a rear of the ferrule to a front of the ferrule, wherein the bore is sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer at one end face of the ferrule; and (ii) an end stop sized to engage the buffer layer and to contain the optical fiber within said ferrule. In some embodiments the ferrule includes an optical fiber situated within the bore.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and other structures that can be easily and quickly prepared by the craft for termination and/or connectorization in the field are disclosed. More specifically, the fiber optic connectors and other structures disclosed are intended for use with glass optical fibers having a large core. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector includes a a body having a portion with a retaining structure for securing an optical fiber and a front portion having a passageway sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer through a front end. Methods of making the fiber optic connectors and other structures are also disclosed. The methods disclosed allow “rough cutting” of the optical fibers with a buffer layer thereon by the craft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the detection and quantification of defects in transparent substrates and, more particularly, in glass sheets. The method comprises providing a transparent planar substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. The surface topography of at least a portion of the top surface of the provide transparent planar substrate is measured to obtain a three dimensional top surface profile having a sub-nanometer level of precision. From the three dimensional surface profile measurement, the existence of one or more surface variations in the three dimensional surface profile having an amplitude greater than a predetermined tolerance can be identified and/or quantified.