Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a cable jacket having an inner surface and an outer surface in which the inner surface defines a central bore along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable and the outer surface defines the outermost extent of the cable. The optical fiber cable also includes at least one access feature disposed in the cable jacket between the inner surface and the outer surface. Further included are a first plurality of optical fiber bundles. Each optical fiber bundle includes a second plurality of optical fiber ribbons that has a third plurality of optical fibers arranged in a planar configuration. The optical fiber cable bends uniformly in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable having at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket, and a foam layer. The cable jacket has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable, and the inner surface is disposed around the at least one optical fiber. The foam layer is disposed between the at least one optical fiber and the cable jacket. The foam layer includes a polymer component having from 30% to 100% by weight of a polyolefin elastomer (POE) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and from 0% to 70% by weight of low density polyethylene (LDPE). The foam layer has a closed-cell morphology having pores with an average effective circle diameter of 10 ?m to 500 ?m. Further, the expansion ratio of the foam layer is at least 50%.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a cable jacket having an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface. The outer jacket surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable, and the inner jacket surface defines an internal jacket bore. The optical fiber cable also includes at least one subunit disposed within the internal jacket bore. Each of the at least one subunit includes a foamed tube having an inner subunit surface and an outer subunit surface. The inner subunit surface defines a central subunit bore. Each of the at least one subunit also includes a stack of at least two optical fiber ribbons disposed in the central subunit bore of the foamed tube. Each of the at least two optical fiber ribbons comprising at least two optical fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a cable jacket having an inner surface and an outer surface in which the inner surface defines a central bore along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable and the outer surface defines the outermost extent of the cable. The optical fiber cable also includes at least one access feature disposed in the cable jacket between the inner surface and the outer surface. Further included are a first plurality of optical fiber bundles. Each optical fiber bundle includes a second plurality of optical fiber ribbons that has a third plurality of optical fibers arranged in a planar configuration. The optical fiber cable bends uniformly in all directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable having at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket and a foam layer. The cable jacket includes an inner surface and an outer surface in which the outer surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable. The inner surface is disposed around the at least one optical fiber. The foam layer is disposed between the at least one optical fiber and the cable jacket. The foam layer is made of an extruded product of at least one thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a chemical foaming agent, and a crosslinking agent. The foam layer has a closed-cell morphology having pores with an average effective circle diameter of less than 100 µm. Further, the foam layer has a compression modulus of less than 1 MPa when measured at 50% strain.

Abstract: Embodiments of a flame retardant composition are provided. The composition includes from 55% to 85% by weight of a blended matrix and from 15% to 45% by weight of a flame retardant package distributed within the blended matrix. The blended matrix includes a polyolefin component and a nitrogen-containing polymer component. In particular, the nitrogen-containing polymer component has a melting temperature of less than 240° C. The flame retardant package includes an acid source, a carbon source, a polyoxometalate ionic liquid, and a synergist. The flame retardant composition can be utilized in cables, such as fiber optic cables.

Abstract: An optical fiber drop cable. The optical fiber drop cable includes at least one optical fiber and at least one inner tensile element wound around the at least one optical fiber having a laylength of at least 200 mm. The optical fiber drop cable also includes an interior jacket disposed around the at least one inner tensile element and an exterior jacket having an inner surface and an outer surface. The optical fiber drop cable further includes at least one outer tensile element disposed between the interior jacket and the outer surface of the exterior jacket. Each of the at least one outer tensile element has a laylength of at least 1 m. The exterior jacket includes at least one polyolefin, at least one thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one high aspect ratio inorganic filler. The exterior jacket has an averaged coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than 120 (10?6) m/mK.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical fiber cable are provided. The optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube surrounding the at least one optical fiber, and at least one tensile element wound around the buffer tube. The at least one tensile element has a laylength of at least 200 mm. The optical fiber cable also includes an exterior jacket surrounding the tensile element. The exterior jacket is made up of at least one polyolefin, at least one thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one high aspect ratio inorganic filler. Further, the exterior jacket has an averaged coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than 120 (10?6) m/mK.

Abstract: Methods of forming an optical fiber assembly involve placing an adhesive in a ferrule assembly, heating the ferrule assembly through thermal induction, inserting an optical fiber into the ferrule bore during or after the heating step, and securing the optical fiber to the ferrule assembly using the adhesive. The thermal induction causes the adhesive to efficiently take or maintain a melted form to allow the optical fiber insertion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable having at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket and a foam layer. The cable jacket includes an inner surface and an outer surface in which the outer surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable. The inner surface is disposed around the at least one optical fiber. The foam layer is disposed between the at least one optical fiber and the cable jacket. The foam layer is made of an extruded product of at least one thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a chemical foaming agent, and a crosslinking agent. The foam layer has a closed-cell morphology having pores with an average effective circle diameter of less than 100 ?m. Further, the foam layer has a compression modulus of less than 1 MPa when measured at 50% strain.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a cable jacket having an inner jacket surface and an outer jacket surface. The outer jacket surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable, and the inner jacket surface defines an internal jacket bore. The optical fiber cable also includes at least one subunit disposed within the internal jacket bore. Each of the at least one subunit includes a foamed tube having an inner subunit surface and an outer subunit surface. The inner subunit surface defines a central subunit bore. Each of the at least one subunit also includes a stack of at least two optical fiber ribbons disposed in the central subunit bore of the foamed tube. Each of the at least two optical fiber ribbons comprising at least two optical fibers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly and a corresponding method to cure bonding agent or adhesive in the connector assembly with light source(s) and without the addition of heat. Disclosed herein are various embodiments of bonding agents for use in adhering optical fibers to ferrules within optical connectors, and the methods for use thereof. Various embodiments of the bonding agents disclosed herein may have other desirable properties for the process of securing an optical fiber within a ferrule, such as, but not limited to, shortened process cycle time. Embodiments herein address these needs by monitoring the change in refractive index of a photocurable bonding agent at the interface between the photocurable bonding agent and a substrate or optical fiber, which is referred to as “back reflectance.” In particular, the methods described herein utilize back reflectance techniques to cure the photocurable material or bonding agent.

Abstract: Generally, disclosed herein are various embodiments of bonding agents for use in adhering optical fibers to ferrules within optical connectors, and the methods for use thereof. The various embodiments of bonding agents described herein may provide desirable properties, such as, but not limited to, high adhesion strength and/or improved performance following environmental aging. Various embodiments of the bonding agents disclosed herein may also have other desirable properties for the process of securing an optical fiber within a ferrule, such as, but not limited to, shortened process cycle time. Embodiments herein address these needs by monitoring the change in refractive index of a photocurable bonding agent at the interface between the photocurable bonding agent and a substrate or optical fiber, which is referred to as “back reflectance.” In particular, the methods described herein utilize back reflectance techniques to cure the photocurable material or bonding agent.

Abstract: Generally, disclosed herein are various embodiments of bonding agents for use in adhering optical fibers to ferrules within optical connectors, and the methods for use thereof. The various embodiments of bonding agents described herein may provide desirable properties, such as, but not limited to, high adhesion strength and/or improved performance following environmental aging. Various embodiments of the bonding agents disclosed herein may also have other desirable properties for the process of securing an optical fiber within a ferrule, such as, but not limited to, shortened process cycle time.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical fiber cable are provided. The optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube surrounding the at least one optical fiber, and at least one tensile element wound around the buffer tube. The at least one tensile element has a laylength of at least 200 mm. The optical fiber cable also includes an exterior jacket surrounding the tensile element. The exterior jacket is made up of at least one polyolefin, at least one thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one high aspect ratio inorganic filler. Further, the exterior jacket has an averaged coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than 120 (10?6) m/mK.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a flame retardant composition. The flame retardant composition includes 70 wt % to 90 wt % of at least one polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin, 15 wt % to 25 wt % of a flame retardant additive, an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), an organoclay synergist, and at least one of a PBT chain extender having epoxide functional groups or a reactive compound including at least two functional groups selected from the group consisting of an epoxide, a maleic anhydride, an isocyanate, an acrylate, and an acetate. The flame retardant composition is particularly suitable for buffer tubes of optical fiber cables.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable having at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket and a foam layer. The cable jacket includes an inner surface and an outer surface in which the outer surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable. The inner surface is disposed around the at least one optical fiber. The foam layer is disposed between the at least one optical fiber and the cable jacket. The foam layer is made of an extruded product of at least one thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a chemical foaming agent, and a crosslinking agent. The foam layer has a closed-cell morphology having pores with an average effective circle diameter of less than 100 ?m. Further, the foam layer has a compression modulus of less than 1 MPa when measured at 50% strain.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical fiber cable are provided. The optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber, a buffer tube surrounding the at least one optical fiber, and at least one tensile element wound around the buffer tube. The at least one tensile element has a laylength of at least 200 mm. The optical fiber cable also includes an exterior jacket surrounding the tensile element. The exterior jacket is made up of at least one polyolefin, at least one thermoplastic elastomer, and at least one high aspect ratio inorganic filler. Further, the exterior jacket has an averaged coefficient of thermal expansion of no more than 120(10?6) m/mK.

Abstract: Embodiments of an optical fiber cable configured for installation in a roadbed are provided. The optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber, a cable jacket surrounding the optical fiber, and an upjacket surrounding the cable jacket. The upjacket does not leach a chemical or chemicals into the roadbed that soften the roadbed. Also provided are embodiments of a method of producing an optical fiber cable configured for installation in a roadbed. Further, embodiments of a method of deploying an optical fiber cable into a roadbed are provided. The method involves the steps of forming a channel in the roadbed, inserting an optical fiber cable into the channel, and closing the channel so as to bury the optical fiber cable in the roadbed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber cable having at least one optical fiber, a cable jacket and a foam layer. The cable jacket includes an inner surface and an outer surface in which the outer surface is an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable. The inner surface is disposed around the at least one optical fiber. The foam layer is disposed between the at least one optical fiber and the cable jacket. The foam layer is made of an extruded product of at least one thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a chemical foaming agent, and a crosslinking agent. The foam layer has a closed-cell morphology having pores with an average effective circle diameter of less than 100 ?m. Further, the foam layer has a compression modulus of less than 1 MPa when measured at 50% strain.