Patent · US Expired

Clad optic fiber, and process for production thereof

US5966490A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
21References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 1997
Grant dateOct 12, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/245
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a double-clad optical fiber comprising a core having an index of refraction n.sub.1, an inner cladding surrounding the core and having an index of refraction n.sub.2, and a first outer cladding surrounding the inner cladding and having an index of refraction n.sub.3 (wherein n.sub.1 >n.sub.2 >n.sub.3), the softness of the first outer cladding often renders it difficult to perform polishing or other mechanical operations on the end of the fiber. To reduce such difficulties it is advantageous to remove the first outer cladding from a limited end portion of the fiber, replacing it with a second outer cladding having an index of refraction n.sub.4 (wherein n.sub.2 >n.sub.4) and a hardness which is greater than that of the first outer cladding.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.