Corning Incorporated
Cable with overcoated non-coplanar groups of fusion spliced optical fibers, and fabrication method

Abstract:

A fiber optic cable includes a plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers, with a polymeric overcoating extending over a fusion splice region as well as over a stripped section of each optical fiber proximate to the fusion splice region, wherein the plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers has a non-coplanar arrangement at the fusion splice region. A method for fabricating a fiber optic cable includes fusion splicing first and second pluralities of optical fibers arranged in a respective one-dimensional array to form a plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers, and contacting the fusion splices as well as stripped sections of the fusion spliced optical fibers with polymeric material in a flowable state. Either before or after the contacting step, the method further includes altering a position of at least some of the spliced optical fibers to yield a configuration in which the plurality of fusion spliced optical fibers have a non-coplanar arrangement at the fusion splice region. The method further includes solidifying the polymeric material.