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: A method and system for coupling hollow-core optical fibers. The fiber optic coupling system includes one or more fiber optic connectors, and each of the fiber optic connectors includes a ferrule, a hollow-core optical fiber, and one or more seals. Each ferrule includes an end face, an outer surface that defines a center axis of the ferrule, and a bore with an opening on the end face. Each hollow-core optical fiber is positioned in the bore of a respective ferrule, and each of the one or more seals are operatively coupled to the ferrule and configured to form a sealing interface that isolates the opening of the bore from an external environment when the fiber optic connector is operatively coupled to another component of the system.

Abstract: A cable assembly in which a distribution cable contains a plurality of optical elements and has an opening formed in the distribution cable. A branch cable has a bore extending along a length thereof, and an insert is positioned in the opening of the distribution cable. At least one optical element of the plurality of optical elements extends from the distribution cable through the opening and into the bore of the branch cable. A thermoplastic overmold is formed around the opening of the distribution cable, an end of the branch cable, at least a portion of the at least one optical element, and the insert. The insert creates a gap between the distribution cable and the branch cable, filled by the thermoplastic overmold, and the insert includes a ramp surface to support the optical element in a transition from the opening into the bore of the branch cable.

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. The inner surface defines a central bore, and the outer surface defines an outermost surface of the optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable also includes a cable core disposed in the central bore, and the cable core includes a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fiber cable has a cross-sectional area as defined by the outer surface of the cable jacket. The plurality of optical fibers divided by the cross-sectional area defines a fiber density of at least 7.5 fibers/mm2. The cable jacket has a first layer, and the first layer is made of an engineering thermoplastic having an elastic modulus of at least 800 MPa.

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 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 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 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: Antimicrobial thermoset coating formulations including an additive compound and a thermo- or UV-curable resin are provided, especially where the additive is chosen from 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, 1-cetylpyridinium chloride, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxy methylcellulose, triethyl citrate, N-octadecyldimethyl-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl)ammonium chloride, 4-(trimethoxysilylethyl)benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, dimethylbenzalkonium. Antimicrobial thermoset coating formulations further including a copper-containing material or cuprous oxide are provided. Methods of making the antimicrobial thermoset coating formulations are also provided. Methods for using the antimicrobial thermoset coating formulations are also provided. Antimicrobial systems are also provided.

Abstract: An antimicrobial polymer composition comprises from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % of a copper-containing material, from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % of an ionic liquid, and from 60 wt % to 90 wt % of a thermoplastic polymer. An antimicrobial polymer article comprises from 0.1 wt % to about 30 wt % of a copper-containing material, from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % of an ionic liquid, and from about 50 wt % to about 99.8 wt % of a thermoplastic polymer. Methods of making an antimicrobial polymer can comprise feeding an antimicrobial polymer composition and an another thermoplastic polymer into a forming apparatus. Methods of making an antimicrobial polymer article comprises feeding a mixture comprising copper-containing material from about 0.1 wt % to about 30 wt %, an ionic liquid from about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %, and a thermoplastic polymer into a forming apparatus.

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 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: 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 a low-smoke, zero halogen (LSZH) composition for forming a foamed cable jacket are provided. The LSZH composition includes a polymer component, and an LSZH flame retardant package dispersed in the polymer component. The LSZH composition further includes a chemical foaming agent that is present in an amount up to 5% by weight of the LSZH composition and a melt strength enhancer that is present in an amount up to 1% by weight of the LSZH composition. Also provided are embodiments of an optical fiber cable having a cable jacket surrounding a cable core. The cable jacket is made from the LSZH composition, which has a first density. The cable jacket has a foamed region with a second density that is 50% to 95% of the first density.

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: 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 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.