Corning Incorporated

Glenda R Washburn

Ming-Jun Li

Daniel Aloysius Nolan

Danny L Henderson

Paul E Blaszyk

Gary L Fish

The invention provides improved methods for reducing polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in single mode fiber by spinning the fiber during the drawing process in accordance with a spin function having sufficient harmonic content to achieve low levels of PMD for commercial fibers for which the beat lengths of the fibers, including the beat lengths of different portions of the fibers, are variable and thus not readily known in advance. The spin functions of the invention take advantage of certain resonances in energy transfer between polarization modes to achieve substantial reductions in PMD for a wide range of beat lengths. Examples of suitable spin functions include frequency-modulated and amplitude-modulated sine waves.

Frequency and amplitude modulated fiber spins for PMD reduction

A bobbin for holding a filament pack having a base layer wound of optical waveguide fiber. A method for winding the base layer on the bobbin base is disclosed. The optical waveguide base layer closely matches the properties of the glass and coating of the optical waveguide which makes up the filament pack. Thus, the long term stability of the filament pack is enhanced. Examples are given in which bobbins incorporating the inventive base layer were successfully unwound at high speed.

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Rocky Point, NC, United States of America

Glenda R Washburn