Mode mixing buffered optical fiber apparatus and method for making
US6304704A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/03688
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include an optical energy transmission system, method and apparatus having improved mode coupling. According to embodiments of the invention, an optical energy transmission medium such as an optical fiber includes bubbles formed therein for inducing microbending of the optical energy transmission medium, thus promoting advantageous mode coupling, which improves bandwidth potential by reducing dispersion. The bubbles are formed, e.g., in one or more buffer region layers and/or at the interface between the coating and buffer regions. The method for manufacturing the inventive optical energy transmission medium includes controllably forming one or more buffer region layers around the coated optical fiber or other transmission medium in such a way that that a desired amount of bubbles is created and maintained within one or more of the buffer region layers and/or at the interface between the coating and buffer regions. The bubbles form controlled perturbations that enhance mode coupling to the extent that bandwidth of the optical fiber is improved. The quantity and size of the bubbles formed in the optical energy transmission medium are controlled by, e.g.,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.