Optical connector and method for modifying an optical connector

Abstract

The present invention discloses an optical fiber ribbon, and the optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers extending along a first axis and arranged at a pitch P along an orthogonal second axis. Each optical fiber includes a core surrounded by a covering layer, the covering layer surrounded by a buffer, the buffer having a nominal diameter D0 substantially equal to P. The buffer is stripped between a buffer end position on the fiber and a free end of the fiber to form a stripped section. The buffer is deformed at the buffer end position so that at the buffer end position, the width W of the buffer on the second axis is less than D0.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The provided disclosure relates to optical connectors for connecting sets of optical waveguides, such as optical fiber ribbons. Background Art

[0002] Fiber optic connectors can be used to connect optical fibers in a variety of applications, including telecommunications networks, local area networks, data center links, and internal links in high-performance computers. It is advantageous for the optical fibers to be securely positioned in the grooves of the optical ferrule while also not electrically or mechanically interfering with adjacent optical fibers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon can include a plurality of optical fibers extending along a first axis and arranged at a pitch P along an orthogonal second axis. Each optical fiber can include a core surrounded by a covering, the covering surrounded by a buffer, and the buffer can have a nominal diameter D0 substantially equal to P. The buffer can be stripped between a buffer end location on the fiber and a stripped end of the fiber to form a stripping section. The buffer can be deformed at the buffer end location such that, at the buffer end location, a width W of the buffer on the second axis is less than D0.

[0004] In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for modifying an optical fiber ribbon. The method can include providing an optical fiber ribbon comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising a core surrounded by a covering, the covering being surrounded by a buffer, each optical fiber comprising a fiber free portion in which the optical fiber is separated from adjacent optical fibers, the fiber free portion extending along a first axis and arranged along an orthogonal second axis, each optical fiber further comprising a fiber splice portion in which the optical fiber is spliced ​​to at least one adjacent optical fiber, the fiber splice portions extending along the first axis and arranged along the second axis. The method can also include arranging the fiber free portion along a third axis while the fiber splice portion remains arranged along the second axis, the third axis being orthogonal to each of the first axis and the second axis.

[0005] In some aspects, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for modifying an optical fiber ribbon. The apparatus may include a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber including: a fiber splice portion, wherein the optical fiber is spliced ​​to an adjacent optical fiber; and a fiber free portion, wherein the fiber is separated from the adjacent optical fiber. The apparatus may also include a first member adapted to receive the fiber splice portion of the optical fiber; and a second member adapted to rotate relative to the first member and adapted to receive the fiber free portion of the optical fiber. In addition, when the splice portion and the fiber free portion of the optical fiber are received by the respective first and second members, the fiber free portion and the fiber splice portion may extend along a first axis and may be arranged along an orthogonal second axis, and when the second member is rotated relative to the first member, the fiber free portion may extend along the first axis and may be arranged along a third axis orthogonal to each of the first and second axes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Throughout the specification, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a belt and sleeve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a portion of a belt and a sleeve.

[0009] 3a is a schematic perspective view of an optical fiber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] 3b is a schematic perspective view of a belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] 3c is a schematic perspective view of a belt including a collet according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] 4a to 4d are schematic perspective views illustrating modifications of a belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 5 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of a modified belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 6 is an exemplary schematic perspective view of a modified optical fiber according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a belt and sleeve according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figures 8 to 12 An apparatus for modifying a belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 13 A method for modifying a belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 14 A method for modifying a belt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0019] The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like numbers used in the figures refer to like components. However, it should be understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component labeled with the same number in another figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and are shown by way of illustration. It should be understood that other embodiments can be envisioned and made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be construed as limiting.

[0021] Fiber optic ribbons are used in many applications. These ribbons consist of a group of coated fibers bonded together in a straight line. The diameter of the individual fibers with their protective coatings can be 250 microns, and the fiber-to-fiber pitch P of the ribbon can be 250 microns, 160 microns, or any other suitable spacing. The 250-micron pitch has also been used in optical transceivers of various designs, with active optical devices spaced apart at the same 250-micron pitch.

[0022] Figure 1 An optical system 100 is illustrated. The optical system 100 may include elements for transmitting optical signals for data transmission and communication. The optical system 100 may include an optical sleeve or ferrule 104. The ferrule 104 may define an attachment area 108 where portions of a ribbon or optical fiber ribbon 112 are attached to the ferrule 104 using adhesives, chemical attachment, or mechanical attachment techniques known to those skilled in the art. The ribbon 112 includes one or more optical fibers 116. The optical fibers or fibers 116 may be arranged in parallel or substantially parallel, and further may be arranged linearly or substantially linearly, as shown. Figure 1 As shown in the example.

[0023] Figure 2 The attachment area 108 and a single optical fiber 116 are illustrated. The ribbon 112 may include a plurality of spaced apart fibers 116, such as Figure 2 , or may include fibers 116 adjacent to other fibers 116, such as Figure 11. The attachment area 108 may include one or more attachment features 110, which may include one or more grooves 120 for receiving a fiber 116. In some embodiments, a groove 120 is spaced apart and sized to receive a portion of a fiber 116, as will be further described below.

[0024] Figure 3a illustrates an exemplary fiber 116. The fiber 116 can include a plurality of concentric layers, namely a core 130 at least partially surrounded by or adjacent to a cover 134. The cover 134 can, in turn, be at least partially surrounded by or adjacent to a buffer 138. In some embodiments, the buffer 138 comprises a polymeric material. A fiber free end 150 is illustrated and can represent an endpoint of the fiber 116 along the first axis X. Similarly, a fiber buffer end 154 is also illustrated and can represent an endpoint of the buffer 138 along the first axis X. The buffer 138 can be stripped from the fiber buffer end 154 of the fiber 116 to form a fiber stripping section 158. Thus, the fiber stripping portion 158 can extend from the fiber buffer end 154 to the fiber free end 150. Return to Figure 2 As can be seen, for each of the illustrated fibers 116 , some or all of the fiber stripping section 158 may be received by the groove 120 .

[0025] FIG3 b illustrates an exemplary ribbon 112 including a plurality of fibers 116. Each of the fibers 116 includes a fiber stripping section 158 extending from a fiber buffer end 154 to a fiber free end 150. The ribbon 112 can define a ribbon free end 160 that corresponds to the fiber free ends 150 of the constituent fibers 116 of the ribbon 112. The ribbon 112 can also define a ribbon buffer end 164 that corresponds to the fiber buffer ends 154 of the constituent fibers 116 of the ribbon 112. Similarly, the ribbon 112 can define a ribbon stripping section 168 that corresponds to the fiber stripping section 158 of the constituent fibers 116 of the ribbon 112.

[0026] 3c is a schematic perspective view of a ribbon 112 including a clamp 177 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In such an embodiment, the portion of the fibers 116 within the clamp 177 that may be completely free and / or separated from adjacent fibers 116 may correspond to the fiber-engaging portion 184 and / or ribbon-engaging portion 192, while the portion of the fibers 116 that is distal to and / or external to the clamp 177 may correspond to the fiber-free portion 180 and / or ribbon-free portion 188. These portions will also be described in greater detail below.

[0027] Figures 4a through 4d illustrate exemplary methods, configurations, and articles for fibers 116 and ribbons 112. Figure 4a illustrates an exemplary ribbon 112 comprising a plurality of fibers 116. The ribbon 112 and fibers 116 extend substantially along a first axis X and are arranged substantially along a second axis Y. Axes X and Y may be orthogonal to each other. Also visible in Figure 4a are fiber-free portions 180 and fiber-bonded portions 184. Fiber-free portions 180 may be portions of a given fiber 116 where the fiber is separated from adjacent fibers 116. Fiber-bonded portions 184 may be portions of a given fiber 116 where the fiber is bonded to adjacent fibers 116 via an adhesive, polymer, mechanical bonding, or any other bonding technique known to those skilled in the art. The ribbon 112 may further define a ribbon-free portion 188 that corresponds to the fiber-free portion 180 of the constituent fibers 116 of the ribbon 112. Similarly, the ribbon 112 may further define a ribbon-bonded portion 192 that corresponds to the fiber-bonded portion 184 of the constituent fibers 116 of the ribbon 112.

[0028] Reference points A, B, C, and D are indicated on the four illustrated fibers 116 in FIG4 a. It should be noted that each of these reference points indicates a specific initial angular orientation of each fiber 116 about the first axis X, such that rotation of the fibers 116 about the X-axis causes a corresponding rotation of the reference points A, B, C, D indicated on a particular fiber 116, and therefore causes a change in the angular orientation of the particular fiber 116 about the first axis X.

[0029] FIG4 b illustrates the ribbon 112 and fiber 116 of FIG4 a , but wherein the fiber free portion 180 has been arranged along a third axis Z. FIG4 b illustrates the ribbon 112 and fiber 116 of FIG4 a , but wherein the ribbon free portion 188 has been arranged along the third axis Z. The third axis Z may be orthogonal to each of the first axis X and the second axis Y. However, in some embodiments, the fiber free portion 180 and / or the ribbon free portion 188 may be arranged along an axis different from the third axis Z but still perpendicular to the first axis X.

[0030] Reference points A, B, C, and D are also indicated on the four illustrated fibers 116 in FIG4b. It should be noted that these reference points indicate the same initial angular orientation of each fiber 116 about the first axis X as those shown in FIG4a. Thus, rearranging the fiber free portion 180 and / or the ribbon free portion 188 from the configuration shown in FIG4a (arranged along the second axis Y) to the configuration shown in FIG4b (arranged along the third axis Z) does not change the angular orientation of the fibers 116 about the first axis X. It should be understood that similarly, arranging the fiber free portion 180 and / or the ribbon free portion 188 along an axis different from the third axis Z but still perpendicular to the first axis X will not change the angular orientation of the fibers 116 about the first axis X. In some embodiments, the nominal diameter of the buffer 138 is D0, which can be substantially constant throughout the fiber free portion 180 and / or the fiber joining portion 184. In some embodiments, D0 is substantially equal to the pitch P of the fibers 116 of the ribbon 112.

[0031] FIG4 c illustrates an embodiment of a ribbon 112 and fiber 116 that may be the ribbon 112 and fiber 116 of FIG4 a and FIG4 b , but wherein at least a portion of the fiber free portion 180 and ribbon free portion 188 have been stripped of the buffer 138. In some embodiments, portions of the fiber free portion 180 may be heated and / or cut so that the buffer 138 can be removed from the fiber 116. The removed buffer portion exits the fiber buffer end 154, from which the remaining core 130 and cover 134 of the fiber 116 extend until terminating at the fiber free end 150. The portion of the fiber 116 between the fiber buffer end 154 and the fiber free end 150 may define a fiber stripping section 158 and / or a ribbon stripping section 168.

[0032] When the buffer 138 is removed to form the fiber buffer end 154, the buffer 138 proximate the fiber buffer end 154 may become deformed due to the buffer 138 removal process. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4c, the buffer 138 proximate the fiber buffer end 154 may become deformed and / or exhibit a non-circular cross-section, i.e., a cross-section that is different from that of the portion of the buffer 138 located away from the fiber buffer end 154, a cross-section that is different from that of the portion of the buffer 138 located at the fiber engagement portion 184, a cross-section that is different from that of the portion of the buffer 138 located at the ribbon engagement portion 192, and / or a cross-section that is different from that of the portion of the buffer 138 before the buffer 138 is peeled off (e.g., those shown in FIG4b). FIG4d exemplarily illustrates the deformed fiber buffer end 154 and fibers 116 rearranged along the second Y-axis after deformation as described with respect to FIG4c.

[0033] In some embodiments, the buffer 138 at and / or near the fiber buffer end 154 has a height H greater than the nominal diameter D0, as measured along the third axis Z. In some embodiments, the buffer 138 at and / or near the fiber buffer end 154 has a width W less than the nominal diameter D0, as measured along the second axis Y.

[0034] Figure 5 An embodiment of fibers 116 is illustrated after a portion of buffer 138 is stripped along a first axis X toward a fiber buffer end 154, wherein fibers 116 are arranged along a third axis Z. In some embodiments, buffer 138 at and / or near fiber buffer end 154 has a maximum lateral dimension L. L can be measured from one side of buffer 138 to another side of buffer 138 perpendicular to first axis X. In some embodiments, a cross-section of buffer 138 at and / or near fiber buffer end 154 is non-circular and / or non-radially symmetric, and the maximum lateral dimension L of buffer 138 at and / or near fiber buffer end 154 is not along second axis Y and / or third axis Z.

[0035] Figure 6 One fiber of an embodiment of fiber 116 is illustrated after a portion of buffer 138 has been stripped away. When buffer 138 is removed to form fiber buffer end 154, buffer 138 proximate fiber buffer end 154 may become deformed due to the buffer 138 removal process, as described. In some embodiments, as Figure 6 As shown, a projection PB of the buffer 138 along the second axis Y proximate to and / or at the fiber buffer end 154 onto a plane parallel to the first axis X and the second axis Y has a length less than D0.

[0036] return Figure 2 , shows an optical ferrule 104 and an attachment area 108. The attachment area 108 may include one or more attachment features 110 extending along a first axis X and arranged along a second axis Y. A portion of the fiber stripping section 158 may be at least partially disposed within and secured within one of the attachment features 110 using adhesive, chemical attachment, or mechanical attachment techniques known to those skilled in the art. The attachment features 110 may be disposed at a pitch PA of 250 microns, 160 microns, or any other suitable distance.

[0037] Figure 7An optical coupling element 200 is illustrated, including a plurality of grooves 204, each groove 204 defining an opposing front end 208 and a rear end 212. The grooves 204 can extend along a first axis D and be arranged at a pitch PP along a second axis E perpendicular to D. The pitch PP can be 250 microns, 160 microns, or any other suitable distance. A portion of the fiber stripping section 158 can be at least partially disposed within and secured within one of the grooves 204 using adhesive, chemical attachment, or mechanical attachment techniques known to those skilled in the art. The fiber buffer end 154 can be disposed exterior to the grooves 204 proximate the front end 208. In some embodiments, the maximum lateral dimension LD1 of the buffer 138 is greater than PP substantially at the fiber buffer end 154, the maximum lateral dimension LD2 of the buffer 138 is substantially equal to PP distal to the fiber buffer end 154, and the maximum lateral dimension is not substantially along the second axis E at the fiber buffer end 154. LD1 and LD2 can be measured from one side of the buffer 138 to the other side of the buffer 138. In addition, although Figure 2 The sleeve 104 is illustrated in a similar manner, but Figure 7 Only one exemplary embodiment of the optical coupling element 200 is illustrated.

[0038] Figures 8 to 12 An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 300 for modifying an optical ribbon 112 comprising a plurality of fibers 116 is illustrated. As noted, each optical fiber 116 may include a fiber splice portion 184 and a fiber free portion 180. The apparatus 300 may include a first member 304 ( Figure 8 ) and a second member 312 defining a second channel 316 ( Figure 9 ). The first member 304 can be adapted to receive the fiber engaging portion 184 and can also be adapted to secure and hold the fiber engaging portion 184. The first member 304, and in particular the first channel 308, can hold, secure, and / or receive the fiber engaging portion 184 by mechanical, adhesive, chemical, or any other generally known bonding technique. In some embodiments, when the fiber engaging portion 184 is received, secured, and / or held by the first member 304, and in particular the first channel 308, the fiber engaging portion 184 can move with the first member 304 when the first member 304 rotates.

[0039] The second member 312 can be adapted to receive the fiber free portion 180 and can also be adapted to secure and hold the fiber free portion 180. The second member 312, and in particular the second channel 316, can hold, secure, and / or receive the fiber free portion 180 by mechanical, adhesive, chemical, or any other generally known joining technique. In some embodiments, when the fiber free portion 180 is received, secured, and / or held by the second member 312, and in particular the second channel 316, the fiber free portion 180 can move with the second member 312 when the second member 312 is rotated and / or can remain held by the second channel 316.

[0040] The second member 312 can also define a cavity 320 into which at least a portion of the first member 304 can be disposed. In some embodiments, a portion of the first member 304 is disposed within the cavity 320 such that the first member 304 can rotate relative to the second member 312 within the cavity 320. In some embodiments, while a portion of the first member 304 is disposed within the cavity 320, the second channel 316 can receive, secure, and / or retain the fiber free portion 180 and the first channel 308 can receive, secure, and / or retain the fiber engaging portion 184, as shown. Figure 11 Best shown.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second member 312 is rotated relative to the first member 304 while the fiber free portion 180 is received, secured, and / or retained within the second channel 316 and the fiber engaging portion 184 is received, secured, and / or retained within the first channel 308, as shown. Figure 12 In some examples, prior to such rotation, the fiber free portion 180 extends along the first axis X and is arranged along an orthogonal second axis Y, and after such rotation, the fiber free portion 180 extends along the first axis X and is arranged along an orthogonal third axis Z. In some examples, such a process can be illustrated by Figures 4a and 4b.

[0042] In some embodiments, the second member 312 is rotated relative to the first member 304 while the fiber free portions 180 are received, secured, and / or retained within the second channel 316 and the fiber engaging portions 184 are received, secured, and / or retained within the first channel 308. In some examples, prior to such rotation, the fiber free portions 180 extend along a first axis X and are arranged along an orthogonal second axis Y, and each fiber free portion 180 has an initial angular orientation about the first axis X, and after such rotation, the fiber free portions 180 extend along the first axis X and are arranged along an orthogonal third axis Z, and each fiber free portion 180 maintains the initial angular orientation about the first axis X. In some examples, such a process can be illustrated by Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c.

[0043] In some embodiments, a method 400 of modifying a fiber optic ribbon 112 is disclosed. Such a method comprises: Figure 13 The method 400 may include a step 404 of providing a fiber optic ribbon 112, the fiber optic ribbon including a plurality of optical fibers 116, each optical fiber 116 including a core 130 surrounded by a covering 134, the covering 134 surrounded by a buffer 138, each optical fiber 116 including a free portion 180, wherein the optical fiber 116 is separated from adjacent optical fibers 116, and the free portion 180 may extend along a first axis X and may be arranged along an orthogonal second axis Y, each optical fiber 116 may also include a splice portion 184, wherein the optical fiber 116 is spliced ​​to at least one adjacent optical fiber 116, the splice portions 184 may extend along the first axis X and may be arranged along a second axis Y 404. The method 400 may also include (step 408) arranging the free portion 180 along a third axis Z while the splice portions 184 remain arranged along the second axis Y, and the third axis Z may be orthogonal to each of the first axis X and the second axis Y. Additionally, the method 400 may further include (step 412 ) stripping at least some of the buffer 138 from the at least one fiber free portion 180 while the free portion 180 is arranged along the third axis Z and the engagement portion 184 is arranged along the second axis Y.

[0044] In some embodiments, a method 500 of modifying a fiber optic ribbon 112 is disclosed. Such a method comprises: Figure 14By way of example, the method 500 may include providing a fiber optic ribbon 112 comprising a plurality of optical fibers 116, each optical fiber 116 comprising a core 130 surrounded by a covering 134, the covering 134 surrounded by a buffer 138, each optical fiber 116 comprising a free portion 180, wherein the optical fiber 116 is separated from adjacent optical fibers 116, and the free portions 180 may extend along a first axis X and may be arranged along an orthogonal second axis Y, each of the free portions 180 may further comprise an initial angular orientation about the first axis X. The method 500 may further include (at step 508) arranging the free portions 180 along a third axis Z while maintaining the initial angular orientation about the first axis X 508. Finally, the method 500 may include (at step 512) stripping at least some of the buffer 138 from at least one fiber free portion 180 while the free portion 180 is arranged along the third axis Z and has the initial angular orientation about the first axis X 512.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and the appended claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.

[0046] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and / or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[0047] For ease of description, spatially relative terms (including but not limited to "lower," "upper," "beneath," "under," "above," and "on top"), if used herein, are used to describe the spatial relationship of an element(s) relative to another element. Such spatially relative terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the specific orientations depicted in the drawings and described herein. For example, if an object depicted in a drawing is turned over or inverted, portions previously described as below or beneath other elements would now be above those other elements.

[0048] As used herein, when an element, component, or layer is described as forming a "congruent interface" with another element, component, or layer, or as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to," "in contact with," or "adjacent" another element, component, or layer, it means being directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled to, or directly in contact with, or intervening elements, components, or layers may be on, connected to, coupled to, or in contact with a particular element, component, or layer, for example. For example, when an element, component, or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," "directly coupled to," or "directly in contact with" another element, there are no intervening elements, components, or layers.

[0049] All references, patents, and patent applications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety in a consistent manner. In the event of inconsistencies or conflicts between an incorporated reference portion and this application, the information in the foregoing description shall prevail.

[0050] Unless otherwise indicated, descriptions of elements in the accompanying drawings should be understood to apply equally to corresponding elements in the other accompanying drawings. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of alternative and / or equivalent embodiments may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An optical fiber ribbon, comprising: A plurality of optical fibers extending along a first axis and arranged at a pitch P along an orthogonal second axis, each optical fiber comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, the cladding surrounded by a buffer, the buffer having a nominal diameter D0 substantially equal to P, the buffer being stripped between a buffer end position on the optical fiber and a free end of the optical fiber, while a front ribbon portion of the optical fiber ribbon including the free end of the optical fiber is twisted relative to a remaining rear ribbon portion of the optical fiber ribbon to form a stripped section, the buffer being deformed at the buffer end position such that the buffer of each optical fiber is elongated in a thickness direction of the optical fiber ribbon, such that at the buffer end position, a width W of the buffer on the second axis is less than D0. 2 . The optical fiber ribbon according to claim 1 , wherein a height H of the buffer on a third axis orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis is greater than D0 .

3. The optical fiber ribbon of claim 1, wherein at an end location of the buffer, a maximum lateral dimension of the buffer is not along the second axis.

4. The optical fiber ribbon of claim 1, wherein the buffer comprises a polymer.

5. The fiber optic ribbon of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each stripped segment is disposed within one of a plurality of attachment features of the optical ferrule. 6 . The fiber optic ribbon of claim 5 , wherein each stripped section is attached to one of the attachment features by an adhesive.

7. The fiber optic ribbon of claim 5, wherein the attachment features are arranged at a pitch of 250 microns.

8. A method of modifying an optical fiber ribbon, comprising: Providing the optical fiber ribbon, the optical fiber ribbon comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising a core surrounded by a covering, the covering being surrounded by a buffer, each optical fiber comprising a fiber free portion in which the optical fiber is separated from adjacent optical fibers, the fiber free portion extending along a first axis and arranged along an orthogonal second axis, each optical fiber further comprising a fiber splice portion in which the optical fiber is spliced ​​to at least one adjacent optical fiber, the fiber splice portion extending along the first axis and arranged along the second axis; twisting a front ribbon portion of the optical fiber ribbon relative to a remaining rear ribbon portion of the optical fiber ribbon, the front ribbon portion including the fiber free portion of the optical fiber ribbon but not the fiber splice portion, thereby arranging the fiber free portion along a third axis orthogonal to each of the first and second axes while the fiber splice portion remains arranged along the second axis; as well as At least some of the cushioning is stripped from at least one fiber free portion while the fiber free portion is arranged along the third axis and the fiber engaging portion is arranged along the second axis.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein each fiber free portion has an initial angular orientation about the optical axis of the optical fiber, and each fiber free portion maintains the initial angular orientation during and after the step of arranging the fiber free portion along a third axis while the fiber splice portion remains arranged along the second axis, the third axis being orthogonal to each of the first axis and the second axis.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the buffer comprises a polymer.

11. An apparatus for modifying an optical fiber ribbon, the optical fiber ribbon comprising a plurality of optical fibers, each optical fiber comprising: a fiber splicing portion wherein the optical fiber is spliced ​​to an adjacent optical fiber; and a fiber free portion, wherein the optical fiber is separated from adjacent optical fibers, the apparatus comprising: a first member adapted to receive the fiber splice portion of the optical fiber; and a second member rotatable relative to the first member and adapted to receive the free fiber portion of the optical fiber; wherein when the spliced ​​portion and the fiber free portion of the optical fiber are received by the respective first and second members, the fiber free portion and the fiber spliced ​​portion extend along a first axis (x-axis) and are arranged along an orthogonal second axis (y-axis), and when the second member is rotated relative to the first member, the fiber free portion extends along the first axis (x-axis) and is arranged along a third axis (z-axis) orthogonal to each of the first and second axes.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the fiber free portion and the fiber splice portion of the optical fiber have an initial angular orientation about the first axis when the splice portion and the fiber free portion are received by the respective first and second members, and the fiber free portion maintains the initial angular orientation when the second member is rotated relative to the first member.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein a portion of the first member is disposed within the cavity of the second member when the second member rotates relative to the first member.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fiber engaging portion is received in a first channel of the first member and the fiber free portion is received in a second channel of the second member when the first and second members are relatively rotated.

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