Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silica-containing article used in the manufacture of an optical fiber includes the steps of applying to the silica-containing article a protective layer, and then transporting the coated article to a second factory for further processing. The layer facilitates ease of removal of particulates that deposit on the protective layer. The layer preferably ablates during, or can be readily removed subsequent to, further processing of the silica-containing article. Any intermediate product used in the manufacture of an optical fiber, for example, a core blank, core cane segment, consolidated preform, etc. may be readily shipped between various factories because the articles are protected against break-inducing particulates by the protective layer.

Abstract: An process of forming multilayer thin film heterostructures is disclosed and includes applying a solution including a first water-soluble polymer from the group of polyanionic species, polycationic species and uncharged polymer species onto a substrate to form a first coating layer on the substrate, drying the first coating layer on the substrate, applying a solution including a second water-soluble polymer from the group of polyanionic species, polycationic species and uncharged polymer species onto the substrate having the first coating layer to form a second coating layer on the first coating layer wherein the second water-soluble polymer is of a different material than the first water-soluble polymer, and drying the second coating layer on the first coating layer so as to form a bilayer structure on the substrate.

Abstract: An improved coating for optical fibers is described. The present invention is a dimensionally precise and uniform coating with low-porosity. The improved coating is applied via sputtering within a vacuum chamber. Environmental conditions are monitored within a cylindrical magnetron during sputtering. Sputtering is adjusted or temporarily ceased when environmental conditions approach a damage threshold. Sputtered particles within a plasma cloud are dimensionally similar and adhere to an optical fiber in a volume efficient arrangement forming a more precise, denser, and more adherent coating. Embodiments of the present invention provide improved pull strength by compressively constraining the optical fiber within the coating and by closing microcracks.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement in connection with a production line for optic cable, wherein optical fibers (1) are guided to a coating point (3), where filling gel is applied around the fibres, and a loose tubular casing is formed around the fibres and the filling gel. The fibres (1) are guided to the coating point through a device (4) that is formed from three parts (4a, 4b, 4c), said device being supported on a first base (5) and on a second base (6) moving in the travel direction of the fibres. Sensors (7, 8) are arranged in the first and second bases (5, 6) for measuring the force acting on the bases (5, 6). The arrangement further comprises means (9) for calculating the difference between said measured values for determining the friction force between the fibres and the tubular device (4).

Abstract: A system and method for curing compositions on optical fibers. A UV curing cassette is provided with an elongate tube through which the optical fiber is drawn. A pair of medium pressure arc lamps are positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the tube and a pair of reflectors are positioned around the respective arc lamps. A stepless power supply is connected to the arc lamps to drive the lamps, thereby generating ultraviolet light. The arc lamps are selected and adjusted, if necessary, to produce a wavelength output that substantially correlates with at least one wavelength range of the absorbency spectrum of the photoinitiator in the composition to be cured. By this system and method, UV curable compositions may be cured to a high curing percentage at quick draw speeds to produce optical fibers of strong but flexible fiber quality.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for performing Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition (PCVD), whereby one or more layers of silica can be deposited on an elongated vitreous substrate. The apparatus includes an elongated microwave guide which emerges into a resonant cavity which is substantially cylindrically symmetric about a cylindrical axis, along which axis the substrate can be positioned. Aspects of the apparatus include the cavity being substantially annular in form, with an inner cylindrical wall and an outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall having a slit which extends in a full circle around the cylindrical axis: Additional aspects include the guide having a longitudinal axis which is substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis and which does not intercept the slit. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an optical fiber, a preform rod and a jacket tube as well as to the thus obtained optical fiber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for depositing an optical quality silica film on a wafer by PECVD. The flows rates for a raw material gas, an oxidation gas, a carrier gas, and a dopant gas are first set at predetermined levels. The total deposition pressure is set at a predetermined level. The deposited film is then subjected to a post deposition heat treatment at a temperature selected to optimize the mechanical properties without affecting the optical properties. Finally, the observed FTIR characteristics of the deposited film are monitored to produce a film having the desired optical and mechanical properties. This technique permits the production of high quality optical films with reduced stress.

Abstract: A metal oxide coated fiber and methods for coating an optical fiber with a metal oxide coating are provided. One embodiment of the metal oxide coated fiber comprises a core; a cladding surrounding the core; and a metal oxide coating surrounding the cladding. One embodiment of the methods comprises dipping the fiber in a solution to deposit a layer of a metal oxide; and annealing the fiber to form a metal oxide coating on the fiber.

Abstract: A process of producing a polymer optical waveguide, including (a) a step of forming an undercladding layer on a substrate; (b) a step of forming a photosensitive resin composition layer containing a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative and a resin on the undercladding layer; (c) a step of irradiating a region of the photosensitive resin composition layer corresponding to a core pattern with UV light through a mask to form UV light-exposed areas and UV light-unexposed areas on the photosensitive resin composition layer; (d) a step of heating the UV light-exposed areas and UV light-unexposed areas of the photosensitive resin composition layer; and (e) a step of forming an overcladding layer on the photosensitive resin composition layer after heating.

Abstract: Buffered optical fibers and methods of fabricating them are presented. A representative buffered optical fiber includes an optical fiber through which optical signals can be transmitted and an inner layer comprising an ultra-violet (UV) curable acrylate material that surrounds the optical fiber and protects the core of the optical fiber from microbending forces.

Abstract: A coated optical fiber includes a fiber coating having an unblended primary portion on the optical fiber, an unblended secondary portion, and a blended portion intermediate the unblended primary and secondary portions. The thickness of the blended portion is greater than or equal to about 10% but less than 100% of the thickness of the fiber coating. An optical fiber ribbon includes a ribbon matrix similarly having an unblended primary portion, an unblended secondary portion, and a blended portion between the unblended primary portion and unblended secondary portion. A method for fabricating a coated optical fiber or optical fiber ribbon includes applying a primary portion material to the optical fiber or plurality of coated optical fibers, and applying a secondary portion material in a manner selected to provide a blend of the primary portion material and the secondary portion material. An applicator apparatus includes means for performing the described steps.

Abstract: A coated fiber strand including at least one heterogeneous region present in one or more coating layers. The heterogeneous region(s) preferably comprises a material useful for coding of the fiber. The optical fiber can include a primary coating layer and a secondary coating layer where the heterogeneous region(s) defines one or more colored stripes in or on the secondary coating layer. A method for forming a coated fiber, such as an optical fiber, includes introducing at least one coating layer onto a fiber strand such that one or more coating layers cover a portion of the surface of the strand. At least one heterogeneous region is introduced into or onto one or more coating layers, and the strand is cured to provide a desired product. A desired functionality, e.g., coding, can thus be introduced onto a fiber without adversely effecting subsequent processing steps, e.g., curing of the coating layer(s).

Abstract: A method is provided to manufacture a coated substrate, such as an optical fiber, without undesirable point lumps. The method filters a coating composition while controlling the filtering temperature, pressure drop across a filtering assembly, and filter pore size to achieve a resulting filtration factor not greater than 250,000 s−1. The filtration factor is a function of filtering temperature and pressure drop across the filtering assembly. Typically, the coating composition is filtered by passing the coating composition through one or more filters of the filtering assembly, having an absolute pore size rating in the range from approximately 0.05 to approximately 5 microns, at a temperature less than approximately 105° F. (40° C.

Abstract: In a method of coating a CMC fiber, the fiber is passed through a reaction zone along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the zone, a flow of fiber coating reactant is passed though the reaction zone, at least a portion of the flow of reactant is disrupted from a path substantially parallel to the fiber path to create a mixing flow adjacent the fiber. A coating reactor includes a reactor chamber to accommodate a fiber passing along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chamber and a flow of fiber coating reactant. The reactor chamber further includes a flow disrupter located within the reactor chamber to disrupt at least a portion of the flow of reactant from a path substantially parallel to the fiber path to create a mixing flow adjacent the fiber.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a coated optical fiber including the step of determining a desired temperature operating range of a coated optical fiber having at least one critical limit. The intercoating delamination stresses at the critical limit of said temperature range are determined. A zero-stress temperature region using the critical limit and the delamination stresses is then selected. An optical fiber is provided and the optical fiber is coated with a first polymer coating. The first polymer coating is exposed to a source of actinic radiation, wherein the source of actinic radiation generates heat. A second polymer coating including a photopolymerizable composition is applied to the optical fiber directly on the first polymer coating. The second polymer coating is cured, where at the time the second polymer coating is cured the first polymer coating is at the zero-stress temperature region.

Abstract: A process for forming a mode size converter with an out-of-plane taper formed during deposition with a shadow mask is disclosed. Mode-size converters according to the present invention can have any number of configurations. Measured coupling efficiencies for waveguides with mode size converters according to the present invention show marked improvement.

Abstract: A composition for coating an optical waveguide, more specifically, an optical fiber, and optical fibers coated therewith are disclosed. The coating composition is a radiation curable composition containing: a radiation curable oligomer, a reactive diluent or diluents, a free radical photoinitiator, and fullerenes.

Abstract: A method for producing an optical device having a polyimide film through which a light beam is transmitted, which comprises applying a solution containing a polyamic film-forming starting material on a substrate and then baking the resultant under vacuum to form the polyimide film.

Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming at least one layer over an optical element includes providing the optical fiber which has a central axis; rotating the optical element about the central axis; and forming the layer with a substantially uniform thickness during the rotation.

Abstract: Proposed is a waveguide which is formed on a substrate (2) of a polymer. For that purpose, provided between the substrate (2) and the waveguide layer (1) is an intermediate layer (8) of an inorganic material which prevents a substantial amount of energy from penetrating into the relatively highly absorbent polymer material. That minimizes the waveguide losses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a silica layer for an optical waveguide. The present invention includes the steps of preparing a chamber having a magnetic coil, a gas supply unit, and a support and injecting a reactant gas in the chamber to deposit the silica layer on a substrate mounted on the support by high density plasma chemical vapor deposition. The present invention provides the high deposition ratio of the silica layer since the ionization of the reactant gas proceeds fast due to the high density plasma induced by the magnetic coil. Moreover, the sputtering process by the inert gas and the silica layer depositing process are simultaneously carried out to provide the silica layer with a high deposition ratio and high density, whereby additional annealing is unnecessary as well as the process can be carried out at a low temperature to fabricate various silica-polymer mixed waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of optical fiber that improves the adherence between a coating and a bare optical fiber composed of silica glass during the formation of the coating on the bare optical fiber in high-speed drawing of optical fiber. In this method, the temperature of the bare optical fiber prior to being introduced into a coating material in the coating apparatus is made to be between 60 and 110° C. The bare optical fiber is cooled by blowing cooling gas onto that prior to being introduced into the coating material in the coating apparatus. Furthermore, during cooling of bare optical fiber, at least two types of cooling gases having different coefficients of thermal conductivity are mixed and blown onto the bare optical fiber. In addition, the temperature of the bare optical fiber is made to be within a prescribed range by changing the mixing ratio of the cooling gas.

Abstract: In a method for molding an optical fiber fusion spliced portion, a mold coating is formed on a bare fiber portion of a fusion spliced portion of the optical fibers, using a resin compound having the characteristics where in a cured state, the tensile elongation is 70% or more and the tensile strength is 20MPa or more.

Abstract: An alloy-coated optical fiber and a fabricating method. In the alloy-coated optical fiber, a core is formed of a light transmitting material, a clad surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the core, and an indium-tin-silver coating layer is formed around the outer circumferential surface of the clad while maintaining the alloy temperature at substantially 5° C. above the melting point of this indium-silver alloy coat.

Abstract: An assembly for curing a linear work product which is passed through a curing oven at high speed along a first path the assembly having a first path altering member, such as a sheave, re-directing the work product through the oven along at least a second path spaced from the first path. A plurality of such sheaves in a first embodiment redirect the work product through the entrance end of the oven for travel along a second path in the same direction as in the first path. In a second embodiment, the path altering members re-direct the work product into the exit end of the oven for travel in a second path in the opposite direction to the first path. Additional curing may be realized by passing the work product through the curing oven in the same or in opposite directions, as desired or as necessary.

Abstract: A GGP fiber is provided which resists strength degradation upon exposure to high temperature/high humidity environments. The fiber comprises a polymeric coating, or P-coat, which is cured with a photoinitiator such as an iodonium methide salt which does not hydrolyze to release HF or fluoride ion.

Abstract: An optical corrosion sensor employs an optical fiber Bragg grating 20 embedded within an optical fiber 18. The grating 20 has a coating 40 made of a material, such as aluminum, which corrodes or can otherwise be removed. The coating 40 exerts forces 46 radially inward around and along the grating 20 so as to cause the wavelength bandwidth of the grating reflectivity profile to become broader and to be shifted relative to its uncoated condition. Also, the forces on the grating 20 are reduced when the coating corrodes, thereby causing the wavelength bandwidth and shift of the reflectivity profile of the grating to narrow and to return to its uncoated condition.

Abstract: In an apparatus (4) for coating an optical fiber (3) with an UV curable polymer coating comprising a coating chamber (8) with an intake nozzle (6) and an outlet nozzle (7) for applying the coating to the optical fiber (3) as well as an UV source arranged behind the outlet nozzle, the end face of outlet nozzle (7) facing the UV source is coated with a material (11) that is antiadhesive with respect to the coating material.

Abstract: An optical fiber is colored to provide a striped pattern while maintaining a substantially uniform diameter of the fiber. In one embodiment, a coating of a first curable material having a base color is applied to an optical fiber core section using a coloring die. One or more stripes of a second curable material are applied using the die to the coating before the coating is fully cured. The stripe has a stripe color different from the base color and is formed in the coating such that the diameter of the fiber remains substantially uniform. In another embodiment, a tandem coloring system is used in which the coating is partially cured and one or more striping nozzles apply stripe(s) to the partially cured coating. In a further embodiment, the base color coating is applied and cured leaving one or more gaps. One or more stripes are applied in the gap(s) and cured to fully cover the fiber with a substantially uniform diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying glass layers, which may or may not be doped, to the interior of a substrate tube by means of a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique, using a reactive gas mixture, in order to obtain a preform that exhibits a precisely defined refractive index profile, which method comprises a number of steps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of applying an adhesion-promoting intermediary layer to an optical fiber using a carrier gas. The present invention is also directed to optical fibers and ribbons which have polymeric coatings with improved adhesion characteristics. The optical fibers comprise an adhesion-promoting intermediary layer between the cladding and primary polymeric coating which comprises a silane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for curing coatings on optical fibers, without creating additional heat and compromising the manufacturing speed of optical fibers. The present invention uses at least one ultrasonic transducer coupled to a component of the optical fiber draw tower, such as the coating die, curing stage device or sheath, to emit ultrasound to the coating of the fiber. The use of ultrasound with current coating cure techniques, such as UV radiation curing, aids in accelerating the coating cure process through the effects of sonolysis, allowing an increase in current manufacturing speeds of optical fibers.

Abstract: An optical fiber is tapered, preferably adiabatically, and has a material coated on it for chemical bonding with fluorophores. When the fluorophores couple with the material, evanescent radiation generated fibers causes the fluorophores to fluoresce, and the fluorescence is coupled back into the fiber.

Abstract: The invention disclosed includes a coating composition for siliceous surfaces. The coating includes at least one component from the group consisting of poly(alkoxy)silane, poly(halo)silane, alkoxysilane, halosilane, and mixtures thereof and a catalyst compound which generates a proton to hydrolyze the component when exposed to radiation. Preferably, the catalyst is a photo-acid. The invention also includes a method of coating the optical fiber. The aforementioned coating is applied to an exterior surface of the fiber. A proton is generated to promote the hydrolysis of the component. The invention further includes a method of accelerating adhesion between the exterior surface of the article and the coating. The inventive coating is applied to the surface of the fiber and the coating is exposed to a radiation source.

Abstract: One or more optical fiber elements each constituted by a coated glass fiber are fed to an over-coating device and an over-coating is applied to the optical fiber elements in a lump, the feeding speed of the optical fiber elements to the over-coating device is made larger than the take-up speed of the over-coated optical fiber onto a take-up reel so as to give longitudinal compression strain to the glass fibers of the over-coated optical fiber. The glass fiber has compression strain of not less than 0.03% to less than 0.10% in a longitudinal direction thereof at room temperature.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The composition has, when cured, a Young's modulus of greater than about 50 MPa. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a coated optical fiber including a glass fiber; and a coating located not less than about 5 microns away from an outer surface of the glass fiber, the coating being the polymerization product of a curable composition, the curable composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The coating compositions of the present invention may be used as secondary coatings and as marking inks for optical fibers. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in secondary coating compositions can provide increased wet aging properties to the cured secondary coating. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in ink compositions can provide increased pigment dispersion in the ink.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for restoring the coating of a previously stripped optical fibre, characterised in that it comprises steps which consist in: applying a drop of viscous substance on one end of the fibre (10) stripped zone, at the interface (22) with the remaining initial coating (20), and shaping said drop into a mass (30) centre on the fibre (10) axis, tapering away from the adjacent initial coating (20), before filling up the fibre stripped space with a mass of substance capable of sheathing said fibre (10) again.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a waveguide in a printed circuit board. This may include forming a trench in a printed circuit board substrate and forming at least one metalized surface along the trench. A metalized capping surface may be provided over the trench so as to form the waveguide structure.

Abstract: An improved high temperature chemical treatment of deposited silica films wherein they are subjected to a reactive ambient comprising hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This method results in better elimination of residual undesirable oscillators so as to provide improved optical quality silica waveguides with reduced optical absorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for preparing optical fiber coatings, the composition including a polymerizable base composition, containing at least one monomer and optionally at least one oligomer, wherein the polymerizable base composition is substantially free of unsaturated epoxidized diene polymers, and a tackifier present in an amount effective to modify a time-sensitive rheological property of a polymerization product of the composition. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of modifying a time-sensitive rheological property of an optical fiber coating by introducing into a polymerizable composition a tackifier in an amount effective to modify a time-sensitive rheological property of the polymerization product of the polymerizable composition. Also disclosed are an optical fiber, a fiber optic ribbon, and a fiber bundle that contain coating(s) prepared from a composition of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement in connection with coating of an optical fibre, in which a first fibre (3a) is directed from a fibre pay-off forward in the process via a press head (2a) forming the coating, and when the first fibre (3a) ends, a new fibre (3b) is directed to the press head (2a) in advance, and when the first fibre (3a) ends, a roll device (7) grips both the first fibre and the new fibre so that both fibres (3a, 3b) are caught between freely rotating rolls (7a, 7b) of the roll device (7), whereupon the tail of the first fibre (3a) makes the rolls (7a, 7b) of the roll device rotate, and the rotational movement of the rolls pushes the new fibre (3b) to the press head (2a) at a speed equal to that of the line.

Abstract: Disclosed are biochips having a high detecting sensitivity with readiness in fabrication of microarray, and a method for fabricating the same, in which a solid support wound with fibers is immersed in a solution containing biomolecules to immobilize the biomolecules onto the fiber, and the individual fibers with the biomolecules immobilized thereon are straightened and arranged. The arranged fibers are embedded with a defined material and cut in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise arrangement direction of the fibers to obtain thin chips. The chips are placed on a substrate to remove the material used for embedding and thereby remain fibers with the immobilized biomolecules on the substrate. This biochip fabrication method immobilizes a great number of biomolecules onto the fibers having a large surface area to enhance the detection sensitivity and allows production of a great number of substrates with an array of biomolecules immobilized simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical fiber refractive index grating. The method comprises the steps of, providing a substantially twist-free length of an optical fiber between a first spool and a second spool before attaching the first spool and the second spool to a support having a first surface opposite a second surface. The support and spools provide a filament organizer including the first spool as a lockable spool and the second spool as a rotary spool. The filament organizer further comprises a tensioner coupled to the rotary spool to apply tension to at least a central portion of the length of an optical fiber disposed between the lockable spool and the rotary spool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for curing a coated fiber, comprising either two fiber coating curing stages separated by a cooling stage, or two fiber coating curing stages separated by a distinct time interval, or both. One of the two fiber coating curing stages responds to the coated fiber, and provides a partially cured fiber coating. The other of the two fiber coating curing stages responds to the partially cured coated fiber for further curing the coating of the fiber. In one embodiment of the invention, a cooling stage is placed between the two curing stages, while in the other the curing stages are placed a set distance apart such that polymerization of the coating initiated by the first curing stage has time to complete prior to the coating being irradiated by the second curing stage.

Abstract: A method of applying a metal coating to optical element, such as an optical waveguide, comprising the steps of partially depleting stabilizers in an electroless metallic solution and immersing an optical waveguide in the electroless metallic solution to deposit the metal coating to the optical waveguide. The step of partially depleting may include creating an electroless metallic solution having a sodium hypophoshite concentration of about 25 grams per liter. The electroless metallic solution may comprise a Fidelity solution 4865A, a Fidelity solution 4865B and de-ionized water in a ratio of 1:1:18; and sodium hypophosphite crystals. Alternatively, the step of partially depleting may include placing a dummy load into the electroless metallic solution. The dummy load may be a rectangular block of metal, formed of a low carbon steel, and may have a threaded cylindrical passage therein.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a concept of “smart” ribbons, which use functionally tensioned optical fibers during the manufacture of fiber optic ribbons to create fiber ribbons with controlled geometrical configuration, optimized strain distribution and reduced attenuation. The ribbons may have flat or bowed cross section and be straight along the length or curved in its plane, or twisted unidirectionally, or periodically. These shapes and residual stress-strain state are induced and controlled by using tension functions instead of traditional constant-value tension per fiber during the ribbon manufacture. Further, the present invention reduces signal loss and/or attenuation in ribbon fibers caused by an increase in the strain variation from tensile strain to compressive strain along the length of the individual fibers when ribbons are manufactured, stacked, stranded around a strength member or twisted and bent during cable installation.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a concept of “smart” ribbons, which use functionally tensioned optical fibers during the manufacture of fiber optic ribbons to create fiber ribbons with controlled geometrical configuration, optimized strain distribution and reduced attenuation. The ribbons may have flat or bowed cross section and be straight along the length or curved in its plane, or twisted unidirectionally, or periodically. These shapes and residual stress-strain state are induced and controlled by using tension functions instead of traditional constant-value tension per fiber during the ribbon manufacture. Further, the present invention reduces signal loss and/or attenuation in ribbon fibers caused by an increase in the strain variation from tensile strain to compressive strain along the length of the individual fibers when ribbons are manufactured, stacked, stranded around a strength member or twisted and bent during cable installation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an outside diameter of a preform bait tube during a glass layer deposition process. The apparatus includes a gas source in communication with an interior of the preform bait tube. A temperature monitor measures a temperature of a hot zone of the preform bait tube and generates a temperature output signal indicative of the measured temperature. A diameter monitor measures the diameter of the hot zone of the preform bait tube and generates a diameter output signal indicative of the measured diameter. A pressure measuring unit measures the pressure in the interior of the preform bait tube and generates a pressure output signal indicative of the measured pressure.

Abstract: A polymer optical waveguide includes a lower cladding layer of a polymer resin which has a recess and projection transferred from a mold provided with a recess and projection for forming a core portion of the optical waveguide by applying a polymer in molten state or in solution on the mold, and curing the polymer by ultraviolet rays or by heat, and stripping the cured polymer from the mold in a liquid. The cured polymer can be easily stripped from the mold, which allows the mass manufacturing of polymer optical waveguides having various film thicknesses.

Abstract: A fiber recoating process and a recoated optical fiber formed by the process that comprises the steps of providing an optical fiber having a coating and cutting a first cut boundary spaced from a secondary cut boundary to mark an internal section of the coating that has opposing sides. Removal of the coating from at least one of the opposing sides provides a pared intervening layer and further forms a first transition region opposite a second transition region. Each of the first transition region and the second transition region has a substantially wedge-shaped contour. Solvent treatment of the pared intervening layer weakens the bond between the coating and the optical fiber between the first cut boundary and the second cut boundary before displacing the coating from the optical fiber to provide the stripped optical fiber. The stripped optical fiber includes a section of optical fiber, the first transition region and the second transition region.