Low bend loss quasi-single-mode optical fiber and optical fiber line

• US 20080124028A1
• Filed: 11/16/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: McDermott, Mark Alan, Englebert, Jeffrey J., Li, Ming-Jun, Bookbinder, Dana Craig, Tandon, Pushkar, Bickham, Scott Robertson
• Granted Patent: US 7,526,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/55
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0365 arranged - - +
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/14 Mode converters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/38875 Protection from bending or twisting

Abstract

Quasi-single mode optical waveguide fibers are disclosed that are bend resistant and capable of providing single mode transmission, for example at wavelengths greater than 1260 nm when the fundamental mode of optical energy is launched into the core of the fiber. Optical fiber line incorporating quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber is also disclosed. Jumpers, or patchcords, utilizing quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber are also disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An optical fiber comprising a first region comprising Δ

1_MAX, a second region surrounding the first region and comprising Δ

2_MAX and a width W₂, and a third region surrounding the second region and comprising Δ

3_MIN, wherein Δ

1_MAX>

Δ

2_MAX>

Δ

3_MIN, wherein a mode field diameter at 1550 nm is greater than 9.0 μ

m, wherein W₂ is at least 1 micron wide, and wherein the optical fiber comprises a length L₂ and a measured fiber cutoff wavelength corresponding to the length L₂, λ

_C2-L2, greater than 1500 nm, and the optical fiber has a core cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-TH, less than 1300 nm.

2. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the measured fiber cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-L2, is greater than 1700 nm.

3. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the third region comprises a plurality of randomly distributed voids.

4. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the third region comprises a cross-sectional total fiber void area percent greater than 0.1 percent.

5. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the third region comprises fluorine.

6. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber exhibits a 1×

10 mm macrobend loss at 1550 nm of less than 0.10 dB/turn.

7. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the optical fiber exhibits a 1×

10 mm macrobend loss at 1550 nm of less than 0.050 dB/turn.

27. The optical transmission line of claim 17, further comprising a third optical fiber having a length L₃ and a measured cutoff wavelength, λ

_C3-L3, corresponding to the length L₃, wherein λ

_C3-L3 is measured with respect to a multimode reference under FOTP-80, wherein λ

_C3-L3 is less than 1260 nm, and wherein a second end of the second optical fiber of claim 1 is optically coupled to the third optical fiber.

8. An optical fiber comprising a first region comprising Δ

1_MAX and a second region surrounding the first region and comprising Δ

2_MAX, and a third region surrounding the second region and comprising Δ

3_MIN, wherein the third region comprises a plurality of randomly distributed voids, and wherein Δ

1_MAX>

Δ

2_MAX>

Δ

3_MIN, wherein the second region is at least 1 micron wide, wherein the optical fiber comprises a length L₂ and a measured fiber cutoff wavelength corresponding to the length L₂, λ

_C2-L2, greater than 1300 nm, and the optical fiber has a core cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-TH, less than 1300 nm.

9. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the measured fiber cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-L2, is greater than 1550 nm.

10. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the measured fiber cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-L2, is greater than 1700 nm.

11. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the second region is at least 2 microns wide

12. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the third region comprises a cross-sectional total fiber void area percent greater than 0.1 percent.

13. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the third region comprises fluorine.

14. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the optical fiber exhibits a 1×

10 mm macrobend loss at 1550 nm of less than 0.10 dB/turn.

15. The optical fiber of claim 8, wherein the optical fiber exhibits a 1×

10 mm macrobend loss at 1550 nm of less than 0.050 dB/turn.

16. An optical transmission line comprised of:

a first optical fiber having a length L₁ and a measured cutoff wavelength, λ

_C1-L1, corresponding to the length L₁, wherein λ

_C1-L1 is measured with respect to a multimode reference under FOTP-80, and wherein λ

_C1-L1 is less than 1260 nm;

a second fiber having a length L₂ comprising a first region comprising Δ

1_MAX, a second region surrounding the first region and comprising Δ

2_MAX, and a third region surrounding the second region and comprising Δ

3_MIN, wherein Δ

1_MAX>

Δ

2_MAX>

Δ

3_MIN, and wherein the second fiber exhibits a measured fiber cutoff wavelength corresponding to the length L₂, λ

_C2-L2, greater than 1300 nm.

17. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein λ

_C2-L2 is greater than 1500 nm.

18. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein λ

_C2-L2 is greater than 1700 nm.

19. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein the third region of the second fiber comprises a profile volume with an absolute magnitude greater than 60%-μ

m².

20. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein the second fiber comprises a plurality of voids contained in the third region.

21. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein the second region is at least 1 micron wide.

22. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein the second fiber comprises a core cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-TH, less than 1600 nm.

23. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein the second fiber comprises a core cutoff wavelength, λ

_C2-L2, less than 1300 nm.

24. A jumper cable comprising the optical transmission line of claim 16 and an optical fiber connector, wherein at least part of the first optical fiber is disposed within the optical fiber connector.

25. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein L₁ is less than 10 cm.

26. The optical transmission line of claim 16, wherein L₂ is greater than 0.5 meter.

28. An optical fiber comprising a first region comprising Δ

1_MAX, a second region surrounding the first region and comprising Δ

2_MAX and a width W₂, and a third region surrounding the second region and comprising Δ

3_MIN, wherein Δ

1_MAX>

Δ

2_MAX>

Δ

3_MIN, wherein said fiber exhibits a 22 meter cut-off wave length which is less than 1300, and a 2 meter cut-off which is more than 100 nm greater than the 22 meter cut-off wave length.

29. The fiber of claim 28, wherein said fiber exhibits a 22 meter cut-off wave length of less than 1260 nm.