Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a polymer coating. Some of the coating is removed by a laser beam so that the optical fiber comprises a first lengthwise portion covered by the coating and a second lengthwise portion where the coating is not present on at least ninety-five (95) percent of an exterior surface of the second lengthwise portion. A microstructure of the polymer coating, adjacent to the second lengthwise portion on the first lengthwise portion, tapers at an angle such that a thickness of the polymer coating decreases toward the second lengthwise portion as a function of proximity to the second lengthwise portion. The optical fiber may also be optionally cleaved with the laser beam.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a polymer coating. Some of the coating is removed by a laser beam so that the optical fiber comprises a first lengthwise portion covered by the coating and a second lengthwise portion where the coating is not present on at least ninety-five (95) percent of an exterior surface of the second lengthwise portion. A microstructure of the polymer coating, adjacent to the second lengthwise portion on the first lengthwise portion, tapers at an angle such that a thickness of the polymer coating decreases toward the second lengthwise portion as a function of proximity to the second lengthwise portion. The optical fiber may also be optionally cleaved with the laser beam.

Abstract: Coating removal systems for optical fibers are disclosed. Related methods and optical fibers processed with these methods and coating removal systems are also disclosed. An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a protective coating which does not contribute to the optical performance of the optical fiber. By removing the coating at an end portion of the optical fiber, the end portion may be precisely positioned and secured to enable reliable optical communications. A laser beam may be directed at the protective coating to remove the protective coating by one or more ablating, melting, vaporizing, and/or thermal decomposing processes. The optical fiber may also be optionally cleaved. In this manner, the coating may be efficiently removed while retaining at least fifty percent of the tensile strength of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Coating removal systems for optical fibers are disclosed. Related methods and optical fibers processed with these methods and coating removal systems are also disclosed. An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a protective coating which does not contribute to the optical performance of the optical fiber. By removing the coating at an end portion of the optical fiber, the end portion may be precisely positioned and secured to enable reliable optical communications. A laser beam may be directed at the protective coating to remove the protective coating by one or more ablating, melting, vaporizing, and/or thermal decomposing processes. The optical fiber may also be optionally cleaved. In this manner, the coating may be efficiently removed while retaining at least fifty percent of the tensile strength of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Coating removal systems for optical fibers are disclosed. An optical fiber includes a glass fiber, having a cladding and core, surrounded by a protective coating. By removing the coating at an end portion of the optical fiber, the end portion may be precisely positioned and secured in a connector to enable reliable optical communications. A laser beam may remove the protective coating while the optical fiber is under tension. In this manner, the coating may be efficiently removed while retaining tensile strength of the optical fiber.