Corning Incorporated
REDUCED DIAMETER SINGLE MODE OPTICAL FIBERS WITH HIGH MECHANICAL RELIABILITY

Abstract:

The optical fibers disclosed is a single mode optical fiber comprising a core region and a cladding region surrounding and directly adjacent to the core region. The core region can have a radius r.sub.1 in a range from 3 .mu.m to 7 .mu.m and a relative refractive index profile .DELTA..sub.1 having a maximum relative refractive index .DELTA..sub.1max in the range from 0.25% to 0.50%. The cladding region can include a first outer cladding region and a second outer cladding region surrounding and directly adjacent to the first outer cladding region. The first outer cladding region can have a radius r.sub.4a. The second outer cladding region can have a radius rob less than or equal to 45 .mu.m and comprising silica based glass doped with titania.