Corning Incorporated
Small diameter low attenuation optical fiber

Abstract:

An optical fiber comprising: a core having an outer radius r.sub.1; a cladding having an outer radius r.sub.4<45 microns; a primary coating surrounding the cladding and having an outer radius r.sub.5 and a thickness t.sub.p>8 microns, the primary coating having in situ modulus E.sub.P of 0.35 MPa or less and a spring constant .chi..sub.P<1.6 MPa, where .chi..sub.P=2E.sub.P r.sub.4/t.sub.P; and a secondary coating surrounding said primary coating, the secondary coating having an outer radius r.sub.6, a thickness t.sub.S=r.sub.6-r.sub.5, in situ modulus E.sub.S of 1200 MPa or greater, wherein >10 microns and r.sub.6.ltoreq.85 microns. The fiber has a mode field diameter MFD greater than 8.2 microns at 1310 nm; a cutoff wavelength of less than 1310 nm; and a bend loss at a wavelength of 1550 nm, when wrapped around a mandrel having a diameter of 10 mm, of less than 1.0 dB/turn.