Small-Diameter Optical Fiber With Segmented Coating for SMF Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fibers with reduced glass diameters face challenges in processing workability, handleability, connection characteristics, and microbending losses, making them difficult to process and connect effectively with standard SMFs.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber design with a core portion, cladding portion, and covering layer having specific refractive index profiles and dimensions, including a core diameter of 95-124 μm, cladding diameter of 95-124 μm, primary layer diameter of 126-150 μm, secondary layer diameter of 160-175 μm, and mode field diameter of 8.3-10.0 μm at 1310 nm, enhancing processing, handling, and reducing microbending losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the glass diameter is reduced to achieve a small diameter optical fiber, then the outer diameter is decreased, but processing workability and handleability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The covering layer is divided into two distinct layers: a primary layer with outer diameter of 126 μm or larger that maintains compatibility with standard processing devices, and a secondary layer with outer diameter of 179 μm or smaller that provides the desired small overall diameter. This segmentation allows the fiber to be processed using standard 125 μm equipment while achieving a reduced effective diameter for improved handling and low microbending loss.
2Length of stationary object
If the glass diameter is reduced to achieve a small diameter optical fiber, then the outer diameter is decreased, but connection characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The relative refractive-index difference Δ1 of the center core is precisely controlled to be 0.30% or more and 0.45% or less. This specific parameter range optimizes the mode field diameter to 8.3 μm or larger at 1310 nm, which improves connection characteristics to standard SMFs while maintaining the small glass diameter of 95-124 μm.
3Length of stationary object
If the glass diameter is reduced to achieve a small diameter optical fiber, then the outer diameter is decreased, but microbending losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The covering layer is segmented into a primary layer (outer diameter 126 μm or larger) and a secondary layer (outer diameter 179 μm or smaller). The primary layer provides mechanical protection and maintains the fiber's resistance to microbending, while the secondary layer reduces the overall diameter. This segmentation allows the fiber to achieve small diameter benefits for reduced microbending loss while maintaining the structural integrity needed to prevent bending losses.
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
Facilitates easy processing and connection with standard SMFs while maintaining low microbending losses, ensuring good connection characteristics and improved handling, with a mode field diameter of 8.3-10.0 μm and normalized microbending loss of 10 or less.
Implementation Method 1
a cladding portion surrounding an outer periphery of the core portion and having a refractive index lower than a maximum refractive index of the core portion
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber includes: a core portion; a cladding portion surrounding an outer periphery of the core portion and having a refractive index lower than a maximum refractive index of the core portion; and a covering layer surrounding an outer periphery of the cladding portion. The core portion includes a center core having a maximum mean refractive index in the optical fiber. A relative refractive-index difference Δ1 of a maximum refractive index of the center core in relation to a mean refractive index of the cladding portion is 0.30% or more and 0.45% or less. The cladding portion has an outer diameter of 95 μm or larger and 124 μm or smaller. The covering layer includes a primary layer surrounding the outer periphery of the core portion, and a secondary layer surrounding an outer periphery of the primary layer.