Corning Cable Systems

Siecor Operations, LLC

Shail K Moorjani

William Carl Hurley

Gregory A Mills

Julie Ann Chalk

Martyn N Easton

David W Chiasson

Carl M Whisnant, Jr

Samuel D Nav&eacute;

Rodney D Cline

Yutaka Kozawa

Kiyofumi Nishizawa

Mashahide Sugimoto

An upcoated optical fiber includes an optical fiber having a ultra-violet (UV) curable upcoating and a slip layer disposed between the optical fiber and the upcoating. The upcoating is mechanically strippable from the optical fiber and may be colored for identification of the optical fiber. In one embodiment, the slip layer and upcoating both have predetermined glass transition temperatures that are within about 15&#xb0; C. of each other for improving mechanical characteristics. The slip layer may be essentially the same color as the upcoating for identification of the optical fiber after the upcoating is removed or it may be uncolored. In suitable embodiments, the slip layer may include a micronized poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene (PTFE), a silicone, and/or a dispersing agent for enhancing the strip performance of the upcoating over a range of temperatures.

Mechanically strippable upcoated optical fiber

A fiber optic ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration having a primary matrix generally contacting optical fibers along a longitudinal axis forming an elongate structure. In one embodiment, the primary matrix has a cross-section with a non-uniform thickness, for example, an end portion with a generally bulbous shape. The fiber optic ribbon is useful as a subunit having a secondary matrix in contact therewith. The secondary matrix has a non-uniform thickness, thereby providing a fiber optic ribbon with preferential tear portions to aid separation of the ribbon into subunits. Other embodiments include a fiber optic ribbon with subunits having a secondary matrix with recessed portions to aid in the separation of the subunits.

Optical fiber ribbons having a non-uniform thickness and/or preferential tear portions

Optical fibers are lightly tacked together in parallel relation to prevent relative sliding between the fibers along their lengthwise directions, by forming a longitudinally extending frangible web bonded between the fibers. The web in one embodiment is formed by applying a coating of a hardenable composition in a fluid state to the adjacent fibers and then removing the composition from the fibers except on the opposing surfaces of the adjacent fibers, and causing or allowing the composition remaining between the fibers to harden. Alternatively, a coloring compound is coated onto each fiber and the fibers are pressed and held together until the compound solidifies. In yet another embodiment a solid coating of material soluble in a volatile solvent is provided on each fiber, and the coatings are contacted by solvent to render them tacky, the fibers then being pressed and held together until the coatings resolidify.

Fiber optic assembly and method of making same

An optical fiber (20) includes a silica-based core (22) which is operative to transmit light and is surrounded by a silica-based cladding (24) having a lower index of refraction than the core (22). A primary coating (26) surrounds cladding (24), and a secondary coating (28) surrounds primary coating (26). Optical fiber ribbon (40) includes a ribbon matrix material (42) which surrounds a plurality of optical fibers (20). Primary coating (26) comprises a photinitiator which has a peak absorbance in a relatively short wavelength UV spectrum. Secondary coating (28) comprises a photinitiator which has a peak absorbance in a relatively long wavelength UV spectrum. A method of making optical fiber (20) by irradiating primary coating (26) with a first radiation source (74), the first radiation source has an emission spectrum with a potent wavelength band, the peak absorbance of the photinitiator in primary coating (26) has a wavelength band which is complementary to that of the potent wavelength band of the radiation source (74) whereby primary coating (26) is rapidly cured. The method further includes applying secondary coating (28) on the cured primary coating. Secondary coating (28) has a photoinitiator with a peak absorbance in a relatively long wavelength UV spectrum of about 300-320 nm. Secondary coating (28) is then irradiated with a second radiation source (78), for example, an excimer type UV radiation source with an emission spectrum having a potent wavelength band between about 300-350 nm, and a dosage ability of over 207.2 Watts. The peak absorbance of the photinitiator in secondary coating (28) is complementary to that of the potent wavelength band of second radiation source (78) whereby secondary coating (28) is rapidly cured.

Photoinitiator--tuned optical fiber and optical fiber ribbon and method

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Washington, DC, United States of America

Shail K Moorjani