Multi-core optical fibers with single mode and multimode core elements
First Claim
1. A multi-core optical fiber comprising:
- a common outer cladding formed from silica-based glass and having a cladding index of refraction ncl;
a plurality of single mode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, the plurality of single mode core elements having a maximum index of refraction n1 sm; and
a plurality of multimode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, the plurality of multimode core elements having a maximum index of refraction n1 mm, wherein;
n1 sm is greater than ncl;
n1 mm is greater than ncl;
individual ones of the plurality of single mode core elements comprise a low-index annulus formed from silica-based glass surrounding the core element, the low-index annulus having a radial width greater than or equal to 1 μ
m and less than or equal to 6 μ
m; and
a center-to-center spacing between adjacent core elements is greater than or equal to 25 μ
m.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Multi-core optical fibers are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a multi-core optical fiber includes a common outer cladding formed from silica-based glass and having a cladding index of refraction ncl. At least one single mode core element may be disposed in the common outer cladding. The at least one single mode core element may have a maximum index of refraction n1 sm. In addition, at least one multimode core element may be disposed in the common outer cladding, the at least one multimode core element having a maximum index of refraction n1 mm. The maximum refractive index n1 sm of the at least one single mode core element may be greater than the cladding index of refraction ncl, the maximum refractive index n1 mm of the at least one multi-mode core element may be greater than ncl, and a center-to-center spacing between adjacent core elements is greater than or equal to 25 μm.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-core optical fiber comprising:
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a common outer cladding formed from silica-based glass and having a cladding index of refraction ncl; a plurality of single mode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, the plurality of single mode core elements having a maximum index of refraction n1 sm; and a plurality of multimode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, the plurality of multimode core elements having a maximum index of refraction n1 mm, wherein; n1 sm is greater than ncl; n1 mm is greater than ncl; individual ones of the plurality of single mode core elements comprise a low-index annulus formed from silica-based glass surrounding the core element, the low-index annulus having a radial width greater than or equal to 1 μ
m and less than or equal to 6 μ
m; anda center-to-center spacing between adjacent core elements is greater than or equal to 25 μ
m. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A multi-core optical fiber comprising:
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a common outer cladding formed from silica-based glass; a plurality of single mode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, individual ones of the plurality of single mode core elements having a relative refractive index Δ
1 sm greater than or equal to 0.2% relative to the common outer cladding; anda plurality of multimode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, individual ones of the plurality of multimode core elements having a relative refractive index Δ
1 mm greater than or equal to 0.2% relative to the common outer cladding, wherein a center-to-center spacing between adjacent core elements is greater than or equal to 25 μ
m, wherein individual ones of the plurality of single mode core elements, individual ones of the plurality of multimode core elements, or individual ones of both the plurality of single mode core elements and the plurality of multimode core elements comprise a low-index annulus formed from silica-based glass surrounding the core element, the low index annulus being spaced apart from the core element by an offset spacing which is less than or equal to 2 μ
m or greater than or equal to 3 μ
m and less than or equal to 5 μ
m. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A multi-core optical fiber comprising:
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a common outer cladding formed from silica-based glass and having a cladding index of refraction nc1; a plurality of single mode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, the plurality of single mode core elements having a maximum index of refraction n1 sm; and a plurality of multimode core elements formed from silica-based glass and disposed in the common outer cladding, the plurality of multimode core elements having a maximum index of refraction n1 mm, wherein; n1 sm is greater than ncl; n1 mm is greater than ncl; individual ones of the plurality of multi-mode core elements comprise a low-index annulus formed from silica-based glass surrounding the core element, the low-index annulus having a radial width greater than or equal to 1 μ
m and less than or equal to 6 μ
m; anda center-to-center spacing between adjacent core elements is greater than or equal to 25 μ
m. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification