US5278931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Low bend loss singlemode optical waveguide fiber
Assignee: Corning Inc
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Filing: 1992-12-31
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Granted: 1994-01-11
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Expires: 2012-12-31
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide fiber with improved bend loss performance while maintaining cutoff wavelength, λ c , and zero dispersion wavelength, λ 0 , in practical operating ranges. The fiber includes an inner core region with a refractive index delta higher than the rest of the core and a reduced diffusion tail at the core/cladding interface. Optionally, a ring at the outer portion of the core is provided to compensate for increased λ 0 which results from the higher inner core refractive index delta. This ring also contributes to the reduced diffusion tail at the core/cladding interface.
Inventors
- 👤 A. Joseph Antos
- 👤 David K. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/036; G02B6/03616; G02B6/03638; G02B6/03644; C; C03; C03C; C03C13/00; C03C13/04; G02B6/02214; G02B6/03605; G02B6/03611
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An optical waveguide fiber with a core region and a cladding region, wherein said core region further comprises an inner core region with a refractive index delta higher than an outer core region, wherein the size of a diffusion tail between said core and cladding regions is less than or equal to 0.006 μm 2 , as determined by ##EQU2## where r c is the core radius as defined by the point at which the refractive index delta at the outermost edge of said core region is equal to one-half of the refractive index delta of said outer core region, and where Δ(r) is the refractive index delta as a function of the radius.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An optical waveguide fiber with a core region and a cladding region, wherein said core region further comprises an inner core region with a refractive index delta higher than an outer core region, wherein the size of a diffusion tail between said core and cladding regions is less than or equal to 0.006 μm 2 , as determined by ##EQU2## where r c is the core radius as defined by the point at which the refractive index delta at the outermost edge of said core region is equal to one-half of the refractive index delta of said outer core region, and where Δ(r) is the refractive index delta as a function of the radius.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 1, wherein S dt is less than or equal to 0.003 μm 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 1, wherein the diameter of said inner core region is less than or equal to about 60% of the diameter of the core region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 3, wherein the diameter of said inner core region is about one-third the diameter of said core region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 1, wherein the maximum refractive index delta of said inner core region is less than about 0.7%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 5, wherein the maximum refractive index delta of said inner core region is between about 0.5% and 0.65%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 1, wherein said outer core region further comprises a ring at the interface between said outer core region and said cladding region, said ring having a higher refractive index delta than the remainder of said outer core region, and said ring being separated from said inner core.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 7, wherein the refractive index delta of said inner core region is higher than the refractive index delta of said ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 8, wherein the refractive index delta of said ring is less than about 0.1% higher than the refractive index delta of said outer core region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 9, wherein the refractive index delta of said ring is about 0.04% higher than the refractive index delta of said outer core region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical waveguide fiber with a core region and a cladding region, wherein said core region further comprises an inner core region with a refractive index delta higher than an outer core region, the diameter of said inner core region being less than 40% of the diameter of said core region, and wherein the cutoff wavelength of said optical waveguide fiber, λ c , is below 1320 nm, the zero dispersion wavelength of said optical waveguide fiber, λ 0 , is below 1320 nm, and the bend loss of said optical waveguide fiber is below 3 dB.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
97 words
An optical waveguide fiber with a core region and a cladding region, wherein said core region further comprises an inner core region with a refractive index delta higher than an outer core region, the diameter of said inner core region being less than 40% of the diameter of said core region, and wherein the cutoff wavelength of said optical waveguide fiber, λ c , is below 1320 nm, the zero dispersion wavelength of said optical waveguide fiber, λ 0 , is below 1320 nm, and the bend loss of said optical waveguide fiber is below 3 dB.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 11, wherein said outer core region further comprises a ring at the interface between said outer core region and said cladding region, said ring having a higher refractive index delta than the remainder of said outer core region, and said ring being separated from said inner core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical waveguide fiber of claim 11, wherein the diameter of said inner core region is about one-third the diameter of said core region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |