Abstract: Step-index optical waveguides are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass which entirely surrounds the core class. A fiber-optic cable for conducting electromagnetic radiation, contains at least one bundle of individual fibers which encompass the step-index optical waveguides that are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass that entirely surrounds the core glass on the circumferential wall thereof. These step-index optical waveguides provide great transmission capacity for transmitting data while keeping the transfer characteristics sufficiently durable. Furthermore, the fiber-optic cable is resistant against physical and chemical environmental influences and be protected against radical ambient chemicals.

Abstract: Step-index optical waveguides are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass which entirely surrounds the core class. A fiber-optic cable for conducting electromagnetic radiation, contains at least one bundle of individual fibers which encompass the step-index optical waveguides that are made of multicomponent glass containing a core glass and an outer glass that entirely surrounds the core glass on the circumferential wall thereof. These step-index optical waveguides provide great transmission capacity for transmitting data while keeping the transfer characteristics sufficiently durable. Furthermore, the fiber-optic cable is resistant against physical and chemical environmental influences and be protected against radical ambient chemicals.

Abstract: The stepped optical fiber has a core glass member and a surrounding cladding glass member. It has a high numerical aperture (NA)?0.50. The core glass member preferably has a zinc-containing composition including, in % by weight, SiO2, 42 to 53; ZnO, 16 to 38; PbO, 1 to 20; Na2O, <14; K2O, <12; with a sum of ZnO and PbO?30 and a sum of Na2O and K2O is ?2. The cladding glass composition, which is compatible with this core glass, includes, in percent by weight, SiO2, 60 to 72; B2O3, <20; Al2O3, <10; Na2O, <18; and K2O, <15. The resulting optical fiber has low attenuation, very neutral color transmission and low manufacturing costs. Other cladding glass compositions resulted in considerably poorer properties with too much crystallization at the core glass boundary layer. Environmentally-friendly, lead-free embodiments of the core glass were also prepared having even lower aperture values of ?0.48.