Index-matching gel for nanostructure optical fibers and mechanical splice assembly and connector using same

US7742670B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Corning Cable Systems LLC · US

Inventors

• Seldon David Benjamin · Corning, US
• Dana Craig Bookbinder · Corning, US
• Timothy Edward Myers · Corning, US
• Michael Heath Rasmussen · Copenhagen, DK

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 30, 2008
• Grant date: Jun 22, 2010
• Expiry date: Sep 15, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/3885
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A polymer based index-matching gel for use with nanostructure optical fibers is disclosed. The index-matching gel has at least one polymer component having a viscosity η at 25° C. of 3 Pa-s≦η≦100 Pa-s, which prevents the index-matching gel from wicking into the voids and down the nanostructure optical fiber to a depth where the fiber performance and/or device performance is compromised. The gel is suitable for use when mechanically splicing optical fibers when at least one of the optical fibers is a nanostructure optical fiber. The gel is also suitable for use in fiber optic connectors wherein at least one of the optical fibers constituting the connection is a nanostructure optical fiber.