Abstract: Buffered optical fibers are formed by extruding discontinuities in the buffer layer. The discontinuities allow the buffer layer to be torn to provide access to the buffered optical fiber. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the buffer layer, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the first section of the buffer layer in the extrusion head.

Abstract: Cables jacket are formed by extruding discontinuities in a main cable jacket portion. The discontinuities allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the cable jacket, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the main portion through ports in the extrusion head. The discontinuities allow a section of the cable jacket to be pulled away from a remainder of the jacket using a relatively low peel force.

Abstract: A method of making a subunit cable includes providing at least two subunits along a process direction, each subunit comprising a plurality of optical fibers, compressing the subunits so that at least one of the subunits has a cross-section with a minor outside dimension and a major outside dimension, and the ratio of the minor dimension to the major dimension is less than 0.9, and extruding a subunit cable jacket around the subunits, wherein the subunits are compressed within the subunit cable jacket.

Abstract: Cables jacket are formed by extruding discontinuities in a main cable jacket portion. The discontinuities allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the cable jacket, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the main portion through ports in the extrusion head. The discontinuities allow a section of the cable jacket to be pulled away from a remainder of the jacket using a relatively low peel force.

Abstract: Cables jacket are formed by extruding discontinuities in a main cable jacket portion. The discontinuities allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the cable jacket, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the main portion through ports in the extrusion head. The discontinuities allow a section of the cable jacket to be pulled away from a remainder of the jacket using a relatively low peel force.

Abstract: Buffered optical fibers are formed by extruding discontinuities in the buffer layer. The discontinuities allow the buffer layer to be torn to provide access to the buffered optical fiber. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the buffer layer, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the first section of the buffer layer in the extrusion head.

Abstract: Buffered optical fibers are formed by extruding discontinuities in the buffer layer. The discontinuities allow the buffer layer to be torn to provide access to the buffered optical fiber. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the buffer layer, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the first section of the buffer layer in the extrusion head.

Abstract: A method of making a subunit cable includes providing at least two subunits along a process direction, each subunit comprising a plurality of optical fibers, compressing the subunits so that at least one of the subunits has a cross-section with a minor outside dimension and a major outside dimension, and the ratio of the minor dimension to the major dimension is less than 0.9, and extruding a subunit cable jacket around the subunits, wherein the subunits are compressed within the subunit cable jacket.

Abstract: Micromodule subunit cables are constructed to allow for ease of identification between optical fibers in differing groups of optical fibers. In one cable, a first group of fibers is located within a first subunit while a second group of fibers is located within a second subunit, both subunits being enclosed in a cable jacket.

Abstract: Micromodule subunit cables are constructed to allow for ease of identification between optical fibers in differing groups of optical fibers. In one cable, a first group of fibers is located within a first subunit while a second group of fibers is located within a second subunit, both subunits being enclosed in a cable jacket.

Abstract: Cables jacket are formed by extruding discontinuities in a main cable jacket portion. The discontinuities allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the cable jacket, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the main portion through ports in the extrusion head. The discontinuities allow a section of the cable jacket to be pulled away from a remainder of the jacket using a relatively low peel force.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising: (i) a multi-mode silica based glass core, said core having a 80-300 ?m diameter and an index of refraction n1; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, said cladding having a thickness ?20 ?m and index of refraction index of refraction n2<n1, the cladding comprising (a) fluorine doped silica with relative index of refraction delta <0, or (b) a polymer with relative index of refraction delta <0; (iii) a protective coating, the protective coating having a Young's modulus greater than 700 MPa, a thickness ?15 ?m, and an index of refraction index of refraction n3>n2; and (iv) a permanent buffer.

Abstract: Buffered optical fibers are formed by extruding discontinuities in the buffer layer. The discontinuities allow the buffer layer to be torn to provide access to the buffered optical fiber. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of material in the buffer layer, and can be introduced into the extrudate material flow used to form the first section of the buffer layer in the extrusion head.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising: (i) a multi-mode silica based glass core, said core having a 80-300 ?m diameter and an index of refraction n1; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, said cladding having a thickness ?20 ?m and index of refraction index of refraction n2<n1, the cladding comprising (a) fluorine doped silica with relative index of refraction delta <0, or (b) a polymer with relative index of refraction delta <0; (iii) a protective coating, the protective coating having a Young's modulus greater than 700 MPa, a thickness ?15 ?m, and an index of refraction index of refraction n3>n2; and (iv) a permanent buffer.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic structures having at least one optical fiber and a protective covering such as a cable jacket or matrix material. The fiber optic structures include an attachment portion for providing the craft an installation option for securing the same. Specifically, the fiber optic cable has a first portion that has at least one optical fiber and an attachment portion. The attachment portion generally extends away from the first portion, thereby providing a portion of the fiber optic structure suitable for receiving a fastener therethrough without damaging the at least one optical fiber or causing undue levels of optical attenuation. The fiber optic structures may also have a bulbous first portion for indicating the location of the optical fiber to the craft.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic cables having a cable jacket or buffer tube with a cavity. Disposed within the cavity are at least one optical fiber and a coupling agent. The coupling agent acts to couple the at least one optical fiber to the cable jacket or buffer tube with a predetermined force, but the coupling agent does not substantially fill a cross-section area of the cavity, thereby providing a nearly “dry” fiber optic cable. Additionally, the fiber optic cable can optionally include one or more water-swellable components for blocking the migration of water within the cavity. Variations include fiber optic cables having the desired flame-retardant ratings for indoor use, outdoor cables with adequate water-blocking, and/or cables suitable for indoor/outdoor use.

Abstract: An indoor fiber optic cable assembly comprising a flame retardant fiber optic distribution cable comprising at least one network access point at which at least one optical fiber is preterminated, a flame retardant flexible closure substantially enclosing the at least one network access point, and at least one tether secured about the flexible closure and comprising at least one optical fiber within that is optically connected with the at least one preterminated optical fiber of the distribution cable. The flexible closure may be overmolded or a heat shrink and the cable and closure are riser, plenum or low smoke zero halogen rated, among others. Tethers may be splice ready, connectorized or terminate in a multi-port connection terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic ribbons having at least one optical fiber and a protective covering such as a matrix material. The fiber optic ribbons include an attachment portion for providing the craft an installation option for securing the same. Specifically, the fiber optic ribbon has a first portion that has at least one optical fiber and an attachment portion. The attachment portion generally extends away from the first portion, thereby providing a portion of the fiber optic structure suitable for receiving a fastener therethrough without damaging the at least one optical fiber or causing undue levels of optical attenuation. Moreover, the fiber optic ribbon may be used by itself if a rugged construction is provided or can further include cable components such as a cable jacket. The fiber optic structures may also have a bulbous first portion for indicating the location of the optical fiber to the craft.

Abstract: Fiber optic cables are disclosed that include at least one optical fiber and a flame-retardant cable jacket. The flame-retardant cable jacket has a cavity wherein the at least one optical fiber is disposed within the cavity. The flame-retardant cable jacket includes one or more flame-retardant additives and the flame-retardant cable jacket is essentially free of a water-soluble component that can dissolve and migrate into the cavity. By way of example, the flame-retardant cable jacket is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) essentially free of ammonium octamolybdate. Other variations include fiber optic cables having a barrier layer for inhibiting the migration of water into a cable cavity.