Optical Fiber with Reduced Diameter and Low Leakage Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber designs face challenges in achieving reduced diameter, increased glass strength, minimized leakage loss, and ultra-low bend losses while maintaining optimized mode field diameter (MFD) values, particularly in single-mode fibers, due to limitations in manufacturing complexity and performance in high-speed communication networks.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber features a core surrounded by a cladding with a peripheral cladding layer of predefined thickness and a fifth refractive index less than pure silica, along with an inner cladding and an un-doped intermediate cladding, optimizing the Mode Field Diameter (MFD) and reducing leakage and macro-bend losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the fiber diameter is reduced to increase packing density, then cable accommodation is improved, but leakage loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a peripheral cladding layer with a specific refractive index (lower than pure silica) at the outer region of the fiber. This localized refractive index modification reduces leakage loss specifically at the fiber periphery where it interacts with the coating and external environment, while maintaining the reduced diameter for high packing density. The inner cladding and intermediate cladding maintain standard structures to preserve core optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the peripheral cladding layer to be lower than that of pure silica. This parameter modification fundamentally alters the optical field distribution and reduces leakage loss mechanisms in reduced-diameter fibers. The specific refractive index value and layer thickness are optimized to achieve low leakage loss while maintaining the reduced fiber diameter for increased packing density.
2Reliability
If the effective area is increased to reduce fiber nonlinearity, then transmission performance is improved, but micro-bending losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cladding into multiple functional layers: inner cladding, intermediate cladding, and peripheral cladding layer. Each layer performs a specific function - the inner cladding maintains the basic waveguide structure, the intermediate cladding provides mechanical support and stress distribution, and the peripheral cladding layer with its lower refractive index reduces leakage loss. This segmentation allows the effective area to be increased for reduced nonlinearity while the peripheral layer compensates for increased micro-bending losses.
3Loss of energy
If complex cladding structures with multiple layers and trenches are used to reduce leakage loss, then optical performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire cladding structure complex, the patent applies local quality by maintaining simple, standard structures for the inner and intermediate claddings while introducing a specialized peripheral cladding layer only where needed - at the outer region interacting with the coating. This localized complexity approach reduces leakage loss effectively while minimizing manufacturing complexity compared to complex multi-layer structures throughout the entire cladding.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves leakage loss less than 0.003 dB/km, macro-bend loss optimization, and increased glass strength, enhancing signal transmission quality and packing density in optical fiber cables and ribbons.
Implementation Method 1
a peripheral cladding layer defined by a predefined peripheral thickness and a fifth refractive index, wherein the fifth refractive index is less than a refractive index of pure silica
Implementation Method 2
Optical fibers are widely used to transmit information or data in the form of light from one place to another
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber (100) having a core (102) extending along a central axis (101) and a cladding (104 surrounding the core (102). In particular, the cladding (104) includes a peripheral cladding layer (104d) defined by predefined peripheral thickness, and a fifth refractive index (n5). The fifth refractive index (n5) is less than a refractive index of pure silica. Further, the optical fiber (100) has leakage loss of less than or equal to 0.003 decibel per kilometer (dB/Km) at a wavelength 1550 nano meter (nm).