The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

Ryotomo Sirakawa

Akira Matsuda

Akira Iino

An optical fiber cable free from a generation of a microbent during manufacturing, and in which an impregnation of hydrogen and/or water to a cladding is prevented, and having high electrical conduction, tolerance to heat and mechanical strength, and a process for making same. The optical fiber cable includes a silica based glass optical fiber including a core and a cladding, a thin carbon coating formed on an outer surface of the optical fiber, and an electrically conductive coating formed on an outer surface of the carbon coating. The carbon coating functions as a layer for preventing the impregnation of hydrogen and/or water to the optical fiber, and the conductive coating functions as a heat tolerance member, a conductive member, and a mechanical support member. The carbon coating is preferably formed as an amorphous carbon layer. Preferably, the conductive coating can be made of materials having a good contact with the carbon coating, a high conductivity, a high heat tolerance, and a high strength, and can be formed as thin as possible. The conductive coating can be formed by a plurality of different metal layers having different thickness.

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Imaichi, Japan

Ryotomo Sirakawa