Corning Incorporated
REDUCED DIAMETER OPTICAL FIBER WITH IMPROVED MICROBENDING

Abstract:

A multicore optical fiber is provided that includes a first core with silica glass doped with chlorine and/or an alkali metal, a first inner cladding surrounding the first core, and a first outer cladding surrounding the first inner cladding and having a first trench region having a volume of about 30%.DELTA.-micron.sup.2 or greater. The multicore optical fiber also includes a second core with silica glass doped with chlorine and/or an alkali metal, a second inner cladding surrounding the second core, and a second outer cladding surrounding the second inner cladding and having a second trench region having a volume of about 30%.DELTA.-micron.sup.2 or greater. Additionally, a common cladding surrounds the first core and the second core, and the first core and the second core each have an effective area at 1550 nm of about 100 micron.sup.2 or less.