Low loss single mode fiber with chlorine doped core
10094975 ยท 2018-10-09
Assignee
Inventors
- Dana Craig Bookbinder (Corning, NY)
- Ming-Jun Li (Horseheads, NY)
- Snigdharaj Kumar Mishra (Wilmington, NC)
- Pushkar Tandon (Painted Post, NY)
Cpc classification
G02B6/02009
PHYSICS
G02B6/03616
PHYSICS
G02B6/0286
PHYSICS
International classification
G02B6/44
PHYSICS
Abstract
An optical fiber comprising: (i) a chlorine doped silica based core comprising a core alpha ()>10, and maximum refractive index delta .sub.1max % and Cl concentration >1 wt %; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, the cladding comprising: (a) an inner cladding region adjacent to and in contact with the core and having a refractive index delta .sub.2 and a minimum refractive index delta .sub.2min such that .sub.2min<.sub.1max, the inner cladding region comprising fluorine doped silica and the refractive index delta .sub.2 with region that decreases with radial position, and (b) an outer cladding region surrounding the inner cladding region and having refractive index delta .sub.3, such that .sub.2min<.sub.3. The fiber has mode field diameter MFD at 1310 nm of 9 microns, a cable cutoff of 1260 nm, zero dispersion wavelength of 1300 nmzero dispersion wavelength 1324 nm and bend loss at 1550 nm for a 20 mm mandrel of less than 0.5 dB/turn.
Claims
1. An optical fiber comprising: (i) a chlorine doped silica based core comprising a core alpha (.sub.core)>10, a maximum refractive index delta .sub.1max %, and Cl concentration >1 wt %; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, the cladding comprising: a. an inner cladding region comprising fluorine doped silica, adjacent to and in contact with the core and having a refractive index delta .sub.2 and a minimum refractive index delta .sub.2min such that .sub.2min<.sub.1max, the refractive index delta .sub.2 of the inner cladding region comprising a region that decreases with radial position, and b. an outer cladding region surrounding the inner cladding region and having refractive index delta .sub.3, such that .sub.2min<.sub.3; wherein the optical fiber has mode field diameter MFD at 1310 nm of 9 microns, a cable cutoff of 1260 nm, zero dispersion wavelength such that 1300 nmzero dispersion wavelength 1324 nm, and bend loss at 1550 nm for a 20 mm mandrel of less than 0.5 dB/turn.
2. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the core alpha is at least 20.
3. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the core alpha is at least 50.
4. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the core alpha is at least 100.
5. The optical fiber according to claim 1 wherein the refractive index delta .sub.2 of the inner cladding region monotonically decreases radially, towards the outer cladding region.
6. The optical fiber according to claim 1 wherein the core has an outer radius r.sub.1 and 3.0 micronr.sub.16.0 micron.
7. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein 3.3 micronr.sub.14.5 micron.
8. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein inner cladding region has a maximum refractive index delta .sub.2max, and wherein .sub.3 is <.sub.2max.
9. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the the inner cladding has a Trench Slope TS=(.sub.2max.sub.2min)/(r.sub.2r.sub.1), of 0.005% /micron<TS<0.2% /micron.
10. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the inner cladding has an alpha value .sub.T, and 0.2<.sub.T<5.
11. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the core has chlorine concentration of greater than 1.2 wt %.
12. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the core has chlorine concentration of greater than 3 wt %.
13. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the outer cladding region is surrounded by a silica outer layer.
14. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein .sub.1max is between 0.1% and 0.5%.
15. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein .sub.2min is between 0.35% and 0.05%.
16. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein .sub.3 is between 0.3% and 0.1%.
17. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the attenuation at 1550 nm is less than 0.17 dB/km.
18. The optical fiber of claim 1, wherein the core has a radius r.sub.1 such that 3 micronr.sub.14.5 micron; and 0.1%.sub.1max0.35%; the inner cladding region has an outer radius r.sub.2 and 6 micronr.sub.218 micron; 0.35%.sub.2min<0.0%.
19. The optical fiber of claim 18, wherein the inner cladding region has a volume between 3% micron.sup.2 and 12% micron.sup.2.
20. The optical fiber of claim 18, wherein the bend loss at 1550 nm for a 20 mm mandrel is less than 0.3 dB/turn.
21. The optical fiber of claim 18, wherein MFD at 1310 nm is between 9 microns and 9.6 microns.
22. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the refractive index delta .sub.2 of the portion of the inner cladding region that decreases with radial position is offset from the core.
23. The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the offset is 1 micronoffset15 microns.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(8) Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing as described in the following description together with the claims and appended drawings.
(9) Low attenuation is one of the most critical properties in optical fibers. Optical fibers disclosed herein are valuable for use as low attenuation optical fibers in optical fiber cables for submarine and terrestrial long haul systems.
(10) The refractive index profile is the relationship between refractive index or relative refractive index (also referred to as refractive index delta herein) and waveguide fiber radius. The radius for each segment of the refractive index profile is given by the abbreviations r.sub.1, r.sub.2, r.sub.3, r.sub.4, etc. and lower an upper case are used interchangeability herein (e.g., r.sub.1 is equivalent to R.sub.1).
(11) Unless stated otherwise, the relative refractive index percent is defined as %=100(n.sub.i.sup.2n.sub.c.sup.2)/2n.sub.i.sup.2, and as used herein n.sub.c is the average refractive index of undoped silica glass. As used herein, the relative refractive index is represented by and its values are given in units of %, unless otherwise specified. The terms: relative refractive index percent, relative refractive index, refractive index delta, relative refractive index delta, delta, , %, % , delta %, % delta and percent delta may be used interchangeably herein. In cases where the refractive index of a region is less than the average refractive index of undoped silica, the relative index percent is negative and is referred to as having a depressed region or depressed index. In cases where the refractive index of a region is greater than the average refractive index of the cladding region, the relative index percent is positive. An updopant is herein considered to be a dopant which has a propensity to raise the refractive index relative to pure undoped SiO.sub.2. A downdopant is herein considered to be a dopant which has a propensity to lower the refractive index relative to pure undoped SiO.sub.2. Examples of updopants include GeO.sub.2 (germania), Al.sub.2O.sub.3, P.sub.2O.sub.5, TiO.sub.2, Cl, Br. Examples of down dopants include fluorine and B.sub.2O.sub.3. As described herein, while the relative refractive index of the optical profiles are calculated where index of n.sub.c is undoped silica, the entire index profile of the optical fiber can be shifted linearly up (or down) in order to obtain equivalent optical fiber properties.
(12) Chromatic dispersion, herein referred to as dispersion unless otherwise noted, of a waveguide fiber is the sum of the material dispersion, the waveguide dispersion, and the inter-modal dispersion. In the case of single mode waveguide fibers the inter-modal dispersion is zero. Zero dispersion wavelength is a wavelength at which the dispersion has a value of zero. Dispersion slope is the rate of change of dispersion with respect to wavelength.
(13) Effective area is defined in equation 1 as:
A.sub.eff=2(f.sup.2rdr).sup.2/(f.sup.4rdr)Eq. 1
where the integration limits are 0 to , and f is the transverse component of the electric field associated with light propagated in the waveguide. As used herein, effective area or A.sub.eff refers to optical effective area at a wavelength of 1550 nm unless otherwise noted.
(14) The term -core profile, refers to a relative refractive index profile of the core, expressed in terms of (r) which is in units of %, where r is radius, which follows the equation (Eq. 2),
(r)=(r.sub.o)(1[|rr.sub.o|/(r.sub.1r.sub.o)].sup..sup.
where r.sub.o is the point at which (r) is maximum and is is the initial point of the -core profile, r.sub.1 is the outer radius of the core and corresponds to the final point of the core's -profile, it is defined as where a tangent line drawn through maximum slope of the refractive index of core crosses the zero delta line (i.e., the point at which (r) % is zero), and r is
in the range r.sub.irr.sub.f, where is defined above, r.sub.o corresponds to the initial point of the core's -profile, r.sub.1 corresponds to the final point of the -profile, and .sub.core (also referred to herein as core alpha) is an exponent which is a real number (also referred to as a core alpha herein). In the discussion below, example values of .sub.core are provided for at least some of the embodiments described herein).
(15) The term -profile of the inner cladding, also referred herein as the alpha.sub.trench or .sub.T, refers to a relative refractive index profile of the inner cladding region, expressed in terms of (r) which is in units of %, where r is radius, which follows the equation (Eq. 3),
(r)=(r.sub.2)+((r.sub.1)(r.sub.2))(1[|rr.sub.1|/(r.sub.2r.sub.1)].sup..sup.
where r.sub.1 is defined as above, and is typically the point at which (r) of the inner cladding refion is maximum, r.sub.2 is the outer radius of the inner cladding and corresponds to a point at which a (vertical) line drawn through refractive index profile of inner cladding associated with its minimum refractive index crosses the zero delta line (i.e., the point at which (r) % is zero), and r is in the range r.sub.irr.sub.f, where is defined above, r.sub.i is the initial point of the -profile of the inner clading region, r.sub.f is the final point of the a-profile of the inner clading region, and .sub.T is an exponent which is a real number (also referred to as a inner cladding alpha herein).
(16) The term trench as used herein, refers to a cladding region that has a minimum refractive index that is lower than that of the adjacent regions that are in contact therewith. The trench volume V.sub.T is defined herein in equation 4 as
(17)
wherein .sub.3-2(r) is .sub.3.sub.2(r) for a given radial position r situated between the radial positions of r.sub.2a and r.sub.2, and wherein r.sub.2a is the radial position where the refractive index in inner cladding region, moving radially outward from centerline, is first equal to the refractive index of the outer cladding regioni.e., where r.sub.2a=.sub.3 (see, for example,
(18) The mode field diameter (MFD) is measured using the Peterman II method wherein, 2w=MFD, and w.sup.2=(2f.sup.2 r dr/[df/dr].sup.2 r dr), the integral limits being 0 to .
(19) The terms m and microns can be used interchangeably herein.
(20) The bend resistance of a waveguide fiber can be gauged by induced attenuation under prescribed test conditions, for example by deploying or wrapping the fiber around a mandrel of a prescribed diameter, e.g., by wrapping 1 turn around a either a 6 mm, 10 mm, or 20 mm or similar diameter mandrel (e.g. 110 mm diameter macrobend loss or the 120 mm diameter macrobend loss) and measuring the increase in attenuation per turn.
(21) One type of bend test is the lateral load microbend test. In this so-called lateral load test (LLWM), a prescribed length of waveguide fiber is placed between two flat plates. A #70 wire mesh is attached to one of the plates. A known length of waveguide fiber is sandwiched between the plates and a reference attenuation is measured while the plates are pressed together with a force of 30 Newtons. A 70 Newton force is then applied to the plates and the increase in attenuation in dB/m is measured. The increase in attenuation is the lateral load attenuation of the waveguide in dB/m at a specified wavelength (typically within the range of 1200 nm-1700 nm, e.g., 1310 nm or 1550 nm or 1625 nm).
(22) Another type of bend test is the wire mesh covered drum microbend test (WMCD). In this test, a 400 mm diameter aluminum drum is wrapped with wire mesh. The mesh is wrapped tightly without stretching, and should have no holes, dips, or damage. Wire mesh material specification: McMaster-Carr Supply Company (Cleveland, Ohio), part number 85385T106, corrosion-resistant type 304 stainless steel woven wire cloth, mesh per linear inch: 165165, wire diameter: 0.0019, width opening: 0.0041, open area %: 44.0. A prescribed length (750 meters) of waveguide fiber is wound at 1 m/s on the wire mesh drum at 0.050 centimeter take-up pitch while applying 80 (+/1) grams tension. The ends of the prescribed length of fiber are taped to maintain tension and there are no fiber crossovers. The attenuation of the optical fiber is measured at a specified wavelength (typically within the range of 1200-1700 nm, e.g., 1310 nm or 1550 nm or 1625 nm); a reference attenuation is measured on the optical fiber wound on a smooth drum. The increase in attenuation is the wire mesh covered drum attenuation of the waveguide in dB/km at a specified wavelength (typically within the range of 1200-1700 nm, e.g., 1310 nm or 1550 nm or 1625 nm).
(23) The pin array bend test is used to compare relative resistance of waveguide fiber to bending. To perform this test, attenuation loss is measured for a waveguide fiber with essentially no induced bending loss. The waveguide fiber is then woven about the pin array and attenuation again measured. The loss induced by bending is the difference between the two measured attenuations. The pin array is a set of ten cylindrical pins arranged in a single row and held in a fixed vertical position on a flat surface. The pin spacing is 5 mm, center to center. The pin diameter is 0.67 mm. During testing, sufficient tension is applied to make the waveguide fiber conform to a portion of the pin surface. The increase in attenuation is the pin array attenuation in dB of the waveguide at a specified wavelength (typically within the range of 1200-1700 nm, e.g., 1310 nm or 1550 nm or 1625 nm).
(24) The theoretical fiber cutoff wavelength, or theoretical fiber cutoff, or theoretical cutoff, for a given mode, is the wavelength above which guided light cannot propagate in that mode. A mathematical definition can be found in Single Mode Fiber Optics, Jeunhomme, pp. 39-44, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1990 wherein the theoretical fiber cutoff is described as the wavelength at which the mode propagation constant becomes equal to the plane wave propagation constant in the outer cladding. This theoretical wavelength is appropriate for an infinitely long, perfectly straight fiber that has no diameter variations.
(25) Fiber cutoff is measured by the standard 2m fiber cutoff test, FOTP-80 (EIA-TIA-455-80), to yield the fiber cutoff wavelength, also known as the 2m fiber cutoff or measured cutoff. The FOTP-80 standard test is performed to either strip out the higher order modes using a controlled amount of bending, or to normalize the spectral response of the fiber to that of a multimode fiber.
(26) By cabled cutoff wavelength, or cabled cutoff as used herein, we mean the 22 m cabled cutoff test described in the EIA-445 Fiber Optic Test Procedures, which are part of the EIA-TIA Fiber Optics Standards, that is, the Electronics Industry Alliance-Telecommunications Industry Association Fiber Optics Standards.
(27) Unless otherwise noted herein, optical properties (such as dispersion, dispersion slope, etc.) are reported for the LP01 mode.
(28) According to some embodiments, an optical fiber includes: (i) a chlorine doped silica based core having a core alpha ()>10 and maximum refractive index delta .sub.1max %; (ii) a cladding surrounding the core, the cladding comprising: a. an inner cladding region adjacent to and in contact with the core and having a refractive index delta .sub.2 and a minimum refractive index delta .sub.2min such that .sub.2min<.sub.1max, the inner cladding region being doped with fluorine (F), and the refractive index delta .sub.2 of the inner cladding region decreases with radial position; and b. an outer cladding region surrounding the inner cladding region and having refractive index delta .sub.3, such that .sub.2min<.sub.3; wherein the optical fiber has mode field diameter MFD at 1310 nm of larger than 9 microns, a cable cutoff of less than 1260 nm, zero dispersion wavelength between about 1300 nm and about 1324 nm and bend loss at 1550 nm for a 20 mm mandrel of less than 0.5 dB/turn.
(29) According to some embodiments, the core comprises silica glass, preferably with greater than 1 wt % chlorine, and more preferably with greater than 1.2 wt % chlorine. In some embodiments the core comprises geater than 1.5 wt % chlorine and less than 0.5 wt % fluorine.
(30) According to some embodiments, the core alpha is at least 20 (for example, 50; or 70; or 80; or 100. According to at least some embodiments, refractive index delta .sub.2 of the inner cladding region monotonically decreases towards the outer cladding region (i.e., it decreases as the radial distance from the fiber center line increases). That is, in some embodiments .sub.2 of the inner cladding region becomes monotonically more negative as the radius r within this region becomes larger.
(31) According to some embodiments, the optical fiber comprises an inner cladding region having a refractive index delta .sub.2, wherein the refractive index delta .sub.2 of the portion of the inner cladding region that decreases with radial position is offset from the core (i.e., the inner cladding region is not in direct contact with the core, but is separated from the core by an offset region). One embodiment of this optical fiber is shown in
(32) According to at least some embodiments the fiber core has an outer radius r.sub.1 and 3.0 mr.sub.15.0 m. For example, in some embodiments, 3 mr.sub.14 m, 3 mr.sub.14.5 m, or 3.3 mr.sub.14.5 m.
(33) According to at least some embodiments inner cladding region has a maximum refractive index delta .sub.2max such that the refractive index delta of the outer cladding is smaller than .sub.2max (i.e., .sub.3 is <.sub.2max).
(34) According to at least some embodiments, 0.1%.sub.1max0.35%, and 0.35%.sub.2min<0%. According to at least some embodiments the core has an outer radius r.sub.1 wherein 3 mr.sub.14 m; the inner cladding region has an outer radius r.sub.2 and 6.5 mr.sub.220 m and 0.35%.sub.2min<0%. In at least some embodiments .sub.3.sub.2min is 0.03% to 0.9%, for example between 0.03% and 0.85% (e.g. 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.85%, or therebetween).
(35) The inner cladding region 2 is sandwiched between two regionsi.e., it is sandwiched between the core 1 and the outer cladding region 3. The inner cladding region 2 has a minimum refractive index delta .sub.2min that is lower than that of the core and that of the outer cladding region 3. That is, .sub.2min is smaller than the minimum refractive index deltas of the core 1 and of the outer cladding region 3. Thus, in the exemplary embodiments of
(36) According to some embodiments, the inner cladding 2 has a trench volume V.sub.T, and 3% micron.sup.2V.sub.T12% micron.sup.2. (Please note that the trench volume V.sub.T is defined by equation 4.)
(37) In some embodiments the inner cladding region 2 has a maximum refractive index delta .sub.2max, and 0.03(.sub.2max.sub.2min)0.6. In some embodiments 0.03(.sub.2max.sub.2min)0.4. In some embodiments 0.03(.sub.2max.sub.2min)0.3. The inner cladding has an outer radius r.sub.2. In at least some embodiments 2(r.sub.2r.sub.1)15, in some embodiments 3(r.sub.2r.sub.1)13.5, in some embodiments 3(r.sub.2r.sub.1)10, and in some embodiments 3(r.sub.2r.sub.1)8.5. In some embodiments, optical fibers disclosed herein are single moded at 1550 nm exhibiting an effective area, A.sub.eff, at 1550 nm which is greater than about 60 microns.sup.2, in some embodiments 60 microns.sup.2A.sub.eff100 microns.sup.2, in some embodiments 75 microns.sup.2A.sub.eff90.
(38) An exemplary fiber 10, as shown in
(39) In some embodiments core 1 may comprise greater than 1.5 wt % chlorine and less than 0.6 wt % fluorine, in other embodiments greater than 2.0 wt % chlorine in other embodiments greater than 2.5 wt % chlorine, and in other embodiments greater than 3.0 wt % chlorine. Core 1 may comprise less than 0.5 wt % fluorine, in some embodiments less than 0.25 wt % fluorine. In some embodiments, core 1 is essentially free of fluorine.
(40) Core 1 has a maximum refractive index delta percent, .sub.1max, between about 0.1% to about 0.5% , and in some embodiments between about 0.12% to 0.4% , and in other embodiments between about 0.15% to 0.35% . In at least some embodiments the core radius r.sub.1 is between 3 and 5 microns, and in some embodiments between about 3 to 4 microns. Core 1 may comprise a single segment, step index profile. As discussed above, in some embodiments, core 1 exhibits an alpha greater than 10 (for example 10200, or 10100, or 20100, or 50100, or 50500). For example, in some embodiments the core alpha (i.e., ) is greater than 20 and less than or equal to 200.
(41) In the embodiment illustrated in
(42)
(43) The inner cladding region 2 has a maximum relative refractive index .sub.2max. The inner cladding region 2 has a refractive index delta slope (also referred to as a Trench Slope or TS herein) wherein TS=(.sub.2max.sub.2min)/(r.sub.2r.sub.1), and in at least some embodiments 0.005% /micron<TS<0.2% /micron. The inner cladding region 2 has an alpha value, .sub.T, wherein 0.2<.sub.T<5.
(44) As shown in
(45) In
(46) In each of these embodiments, the inner cladding region 2 may exhibit a width w (w=r.sub.2r.sub.1) between of less than 15 microns, in some embodiments between 2 and 10 microns, and in some embodiments between about 3 to 10 microns (e.g., 3-8.5 microns). In the embodiments described herein each of these embodiments, the outer cladding region 3 exhibits a width r.sub.3-r.sub.2 of at least 20 microns. In some embodiments, r.sub.3 may be greater than 30, greater than 40 microns, greater than 45 microns, or greater than 50 microns and less or equal to than 65 microns. In some embodiments, r.sub.3 may be greater than 30 microns and less than 50 microns (e.g., 35 micronsr.sub.345microns, and r.sub.4 greater than 45 microns, or greater than 50 microns, for example between 50 microns and less or equal to than 65 microns (e.g., 62.5 microns). Preferably, the higher index portion (compared to inner cladding region 2) of outer cladding region 3 extends at least to the point where the optical power which would be transmitted through the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 90% of the optical power transmitted, more preferably to the point where the optical power which would be transmitted through the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 95% of the optical power transmitted, and most preferably to the point where the optical power which would be transmitted through the optical fiber is greater than or equal to 98% of the optical power transmitted. In many embodiments, this is achieved by having the outer cladding region 3 extend at least to a radial point of about 30 microns. In some embodiments, outer cladding region 3 comprises chlorine (Cl) in an amount greater than 200 ppm when compared to that of the inner cladding region 2, for example greater than 400 or 700 or 1000 ppm or more, and in some embodiments preferably greater than 1500 ppm, and, in some embodiments, greater than 2000 ppm (0.2%) by weight (e.g., 2200 ppm, 2500 ppm, 3000 ppm, 4000 ppm, 5000 ppm, 6000 ppm, 10000 ppm, or there between).
(47) Various embodiments will be further clarified by the following examples.
(48) Table 1 below illustrates parameters for the modeled embodiments of exemplary fibers 1-4, 4a, and 5. The fiber embodiments 1-4, 4A and 5 depicted in Table 1 correspond to the fibers with the refractive index profiles of
(49) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Parameter Ex 1 Ex 2 Ex 3 Ex 4 Ex 5 Core Delta, .sub.1max, % 0.2 0.17 0.15 0.2 0.17 Core dopant, wt % Cl Cl Cl, Cl Cl Chlorine wt % in core 2 1.7 1.5 2 1.7 Core Alpha 100 100 100 100 100 Core Radius, r.sub.1, microns 3.78 3.65 3.55 3.65 3.34 r.sub.2a, microns 6.61 6.39 6.22 7.26 6.67 Minimum Inner cladding 0.20 0.24 0.27 0.19 0.23 Index, .sub.2min, % .sub.2max, % 0 0 0 0 0 Inner Cladding dopant, max F, 0.65 F, 0.77 F, 0.86 F, 0.62 F, 0.74 concentration, wt % Inner Cladding Radius, r.sub.2, 7.55 7.3 7.1 8.3 7.6 microns r.sub.2 r.sub.1, microns 3.77 3.65 3.55 4.65 4.26 TS = (.sub.2max .sub.2min)/(r.sub.2 r.sub.1), 0.053 0.066 0.076 0.041 0.054 %/micron Inner Cladding alpha, .sub.T 1 1 1 1 1 Outer Cladding Index, .sub.3, % 0.15 0.18 0.20 0.15 0.18 .sub.3 .sub.2min, in % 0.05 0.06 0.066 0.043 0.05 Outer Cladding dopant, F, 0.48 F, 0.58 F, 0.65 F, 0.48 F, 0.58 concentration, wt % Outer Cladding Radius, r.sub.max, 62.5 62.5 62.5 62.5 62.5 microns Attenuation at 1550 nm, <0.17 <0.17 <0.17 <0.17 <0.17 dB/km MFD at 1310 nm (microns) 9.22 9.22 9.2 9.3 9.2 Zero Dispersion 1317 1318 1319 1321 1324 Wavelength, nm Cable Cutoff (nm) 1217 1211 1199 1228 1159 Trench Volume, % micron.sup.2 6.6 7.0 7.6 6.6 10.5 Bend loss at 1550 nm for 1.34 1.43 1.57 1.34 2.23 15 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.27 0.29 0.32 0.22 0.48 20 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.004 0.005 0.005 0.004 0.008 30 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn
(50) Table 1 fiber embodiments are compatible with G.652/G.657 specifications, and having MFD at 1310 nm larger than 9 microns, zero dispersion wavelength, .sub.0, of 1300 nm.sub.01324 nm, cable cutoff less than 1260 nm, bend loss at 1550 nm for 20 mm diameter mandrel of less than 0.5 dB/turn and bend loss at 1550 nm for 30 mm diameter mandrel of less than 0.01 dB/turn. The fiber embodiments of example 1-5 fibers have a chlorine doped silica based core 1, a silica based inner cladding region 2 that is doped with fluorine wherein the refractive index (and thus the refractive index delta) of the inner cladding decreases (becomes more negative) with radial position and an alpha profile of the inner clad, .sub.T, of 1, the inner cladding has a Trench Slope TS=(.sub.2max.sub.2min)/(r.sub.2r.sub.1), of 0.005% /micron<TS<0.2% /micron, and a fluorine doped outer cladding region 3. These profiles have trench volumes of larger than 3% micron.sup.2 (i.e., V.sub.T>3% micron.sup.2). More specifically, in Table 1 embodiments the exemplary fibers have 3% micron.sup.2<V.sub.T12% micron.sup.2.
(51) Table 2 below illustrates parameters for the modeled embodiments of exemplary fibers 6-9. The fiber embodiments of example 6-8 have the refractive index profile shown in
(52) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Parameter Ex 6 Ex 7 Ex 8 Ex 9 Core Delta, .sub.1max, % 0.2 0.17 0.15 0.34 Core dopant, wt. % Cl Cl Cl Cl Chlorine wt % in core 2 1.7 1.5 3.4 Core Alpha 100 100 100 100 Core Radius, r.sub.1, microns 3.88 3.82 3.71 4.37 r.sub.2a, microns 6.14 6.07 5.88 4.37 Minimum Inner cladding 0.21 0.25 0.28 0.05 Index, .sub.2min, % .sub.2max, % 0 0 0 0 Inner Cladding dopant, F, 0.68 F, 0.81 F, 0.90 F, 0.16 maximum wt. % Inner Cladding Radius, r.sub.2, 7.05 6.95 6.75 13.1 microns r.sub.2 r.sub.1, microns 3.17 3.13 3.04 8.73 TS = (.sub.2max .sub.2min)/(r.sub.2 r.sub.1), 0.066 0.08 0.092 0.006 %/micron Inner Cladding alpha, .sub.T 1 1 1 1 Outer Cladding Index, .sub.3, % 0.15 0.18 0.2 0 .sub.3 .sub.2min, in % 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.05 Outer Cladding dopant F F F none Outer Cladding Radius, r.sub.3, 62.5 62.5 62.5 62.5 microns Attenuation at 1550 nm, <0.17 <0.17 <0.17 <0.17 dB/km MFD at 1310 nm (microns) 9.17 9.21 9.16 9.1 Zero Dispersion 1317 1315 1317 1309 Wavelength, nm Cable Cutoff (nm) 1219 1231 1211 1217 Trench Volume, % micron.sup.2 6.2 6.0 6.6 5.0 Bend loss at 1550 nm for 1.25 1.19 1.34 1.03 15 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.25 0.24 0.27 0.21 20 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.0038 0.0036 0.0042 0.0037 30 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn
(53) Table 2 fiber embodiments are compatible with G.652/G.657 specifications, and having MFD at 1310 nm larger than 9 microns, zero dispersion wavelength, .sub.0, of 1300 nm.sub.01324 nm, cable cutoff less than 1260 nm and bend loss at 1550 nm for 20 mm and 30 mm diameter mandrels of less than 0.5 dB/turn and less than 0.01 dB/turn, respectively. The fiber embodiments of example 6-9 fibers have a chlorine doped silica based core 1, a silica based inner cladding region 2 that is doped with fluorine wherein the refractive index of the inner cladding decreases (becomes more negative) with radial position and an alpha profile of the inner clad, .sub.T, of 1 the inner cladding has a Trench Slope TS=(.sub.2max.sub.2min)/(r.sub.2r.sub.1), of 0.005% /micron<TS<0.2% /micron, and a fluorine doped outer cladding region 3. These profiles have trench volumes of larger than 3% micron.sup.2. More specifically, in Table 2 embodiments the exemplary fibers have 3% micron.sup.2<V.sub.T12% micron.sup.2.
(54) Table 3 below illustrates parameters for the modeled embodiments of exemplary fibers 10-12.
(55) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Parameter Ex 10 Ex 11 Ex 12 Core Delta, .sub.1max, % 0.2 0.17 0.15 Core dopant, wt. % Cl Cl Cl Chlorine wt % in core 2 1.7 1.5 Core Alpha 100 100 100 Core Radius, r.sub.1, microns 3.88 3.82 3.71 r.sub.2a, microns 6.14 6.07 5.88 Minimum Inner cladding 0.21 0.25 0.28 Index, .sub.2min, % .sub.2max, % 0 0 0 Inner Cladding dopant, wt. % F, 0.68 F, 0.81 F, 0.90 Inner Cladding Radius, r.sub.2, 7.05 6.95 6.75 microns r.sub.2 r.sub.1, microns 3.17 3.13 3.04 TS = (.sub.2max .sub.2min)/(r.sub.2 r.sub.1), 0.066 0.08 0.092 %/micron Inner Cladding alpha, .sub.T 1 1 1 First Outer Cladding 0.15 0.18 0.2 Index, .sub.3, % .sub.3 .sub.2min, in % 0.06 0.07 0.08 First Outer Cladding dopant F F F First Outer Cladding 40 40 40 Radius, r.sub.3, microns Second Outer Cladding 62.5 62.5 62.5 radius, r.sub.4, microns Second Outer Cladding none none none dopant Attenuation at 1550 nm, <0.17 <0.17 <0.17 dB/km MFD at 1310 nm (microns) 9.17 9.21 9.16 Zero Dispersion 1317 1315 1317 Wavelength, nm Cable Cutoff (nm) 1219 1231 1211 Trench Volume, % 6.2 6.0 6.6 micron.sup.2 Bend loss at 1550 nm for 1.25 1.19 1.34 15 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.253 0.24 0.27 20 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.0038 0.0036 0.0042 30 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn
(56) Table 3 fiber embodiments are compatible with G.652/G.657 specifications, and having MFD at 1310 nm larger than 9 microns, zero dispersion wavelength, .sub.0, of 1300 nm.sub.01324 nm, cable cutoff less than 1260 nm and bend loss at 1550 nm for 20 mm and 30 mm diameter mandrels of less than 0.5 dB/turn and less than 0.01 dB/turn, respectively. The fiber embodiments of example 10-12 fibers have a chlorine doped silica based core 1, a silica based inner cladding region 2 that is doped with fluorine wherein the refractive index of the inner cladding decreases (becomes more negative) with radial position and an alpha profile of the inner clad, .sub.T, of 1, the inner cladding has a Trench Slope TS=(.sub.2max.sub.2min)/(r.sub.2r.sub.1), of 0.005% /micron<TS<0.2% /micron, a fluorine doped outer cladding region 3, and a second outer cladding of undoped silica surrounding the first outer cladding. These profiles have trench volumes of larger than 3% micron.sup.2. More specifically, in Table 3 embodiments the exemplary fibers have 3% micron.sup.2<V.sub.T12% micron.sup.2. The second outer cladding of these exemplary embodiments is made essentially of pure silica.
(57) Table 4 below illustrates parameters for the modeled embodiments of exemplary fibers 13-15. The fiber embodiment 13 corresponds to
(58) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Parameters Ex 13 Ex.14 Ex.15 Core Delta, .sub.1max, % 0.2 0.29 0.285 Core dopant Cl Cl Cl Core wt % in core 2 2.9 2.85 Core Alpha 100 100 100 Core Radius, r.sub.1, microns 3.9 3.9 3.8 r.sub.2a, microns 9.18 7.75 7.83 Minimum Inner cladding 0.21 0.2 0.3 Index, .sub.2min, % .sub.2max, % 0 0 0 Inner Cladding dopant, max 0.680 0.650 0.980 concentration, wt % Inner Cladding Radius, r.sub.2, 17 11 10 microns r.sub.2 r.sub.1, microns 13.1 7.1 6.2 TS = (.sub.2max .sub.2min)/(r.sub.2 r.sub.1), 0.016 0.028 0.048 %/micron Inner Cladding alpha, .sub.T 0.3 1.5 3 Outer Cladding Index, .sub.3, % 0.16 0.08 0.08 .sub.3 .sub.2min, in % 0.05 0.12 0.22 Outer Cladding dopant, 0.52 0.26 0.26 concentration, wt % Outer Cladding Radius, r.sub.max, 62.5 62.5 62.5 microns Attenuation at 1550 nm, 0.17 0.17 0.17 dB/km MFD at 1310 nm (microns) 9.17 9.02 9.13 Zero Dispersion 1311.5 1311.7 1312.7 Wavelength, nm Cable Cutoff (nm) 1203 1194 1197 Trench Volume, % 6.12 3.65 3.77 micron.sup.2 Bend loss at 1550 nm for 1.41 1.317 2.34 15 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.195 0.268 0.243 20 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.0016 0.00195 0.0025 30 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn
(59) The fiber embodiments of example 10-12 fibers have a chlorine doped silica based core 1, a silica based inner cladding region 2 that is doped with fluorine wherein the refractive index of the inner cladding decreases (becomes more negative) with radial position, a fluorine doped outer cladding region 3 and an additional silica outer cladding region 4 (i.e., the second outer cladding) surrounding the outer cladding region 3. The refractive index profiles of these fiber embodiments are illustrated in
(60) Table 5 below illustrates parameters for the modeled embodiments of exemplary fiber 16. The fiber embodiment 16 (Example 16 fiber) corresponds to
(61) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Parameters EX.16 Core Delta, .sub.1max, % 0.34 Core dopant Cl Core wt % in core 3.4 Core Alpha 100 Core Radius, r.sub.1, microns 4.5 r.sub.2a, microns 12 Minimum Inner cladding 0.1 Index, .sub.2min, % .sub.2max, % 0 Inner Cladding dopant, max 0.325 concentration, wt % Inner Cladding Radius, r.sub.2, 16 microns r.sub.2a r.sub.1, microns 7.5 TS = (.sub.2max .sub.2min)/(r.sub.2 r.sub.2a), 0.013 %/micron Inner Cladding alpha, .sub.T 1 Outer Cladding Index, .sub.3, % 0 .sub.3 .sub.2min, in % 0.1 Outer Cladding dopant, 0 concentration, wt % Outer Cladding Radius, r.sub.max, 62.5 microns Attenuation at 1550 nm, 0.17 dB/km MFD at 1310 nm (microns) 9.2 Zero Dispersion 1310 Wavelength, nm Cable Cutoff (nm) 1200 Trench Volume, % 5.83 micron.sup.2 Bend loss at 1550 nm for 1.42 15 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.216 20 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn Bend loss at 1550 nm for 0.005 30 mm mandrel diameter, dB/turn
(62) The fiber embodiment of Example 16 fiber has a chlorine doped silica based core 1, a silica based inner cladding region 2 having a first portion that comprises undoped silica and a second region that is doped with fluorine wherein the refractive index of the inner cladding decreases (becomes more negative) with radial position (that is, the inner cladding region that decreases (becomes more negative) with radial position is offset from the core), and an silica outer cladding region 3 surrounding the inner cladding region 2. The refractive index profiles of this fiber embodiment is illustrated in
(63) The fiber embodiments 1-16 have reduced attenuation because of the high amount of Cl presence, because Cl has a lower Rayleigh scattering loss vs. other dopants such as GeO.sub.2 or TiO.sub.2, The exemplary fiber embodiments disclosed herein also have a high alpha core (core alpha, 10). The exemplary optical fiber embodiments disclosed herein do not have an additional inner cladding region situated between the core 1 and the inner cladding region 2 (the cladding region that has a refractive index that becomes more negative with the increasing radial distance). That is, in this embodiments, the inner cladding region 2 is directly adjacent to and is in contact with the core 1. This helps the fiber to achieve good bending performance, achieving other performance requirements, and while making the fiber easily less costly to manufacture. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed herein have low Rayleigh scattering due to lower Ge concentration and viscosity matching between core 1 and inner-cladding region 2. The outer cladding region 3 has higher refractive index with respect to inner cladding region 2, which helps to minimize Macrobending losses. The absolute difference between the average refractive index delta of the outer-cladding region 3 and the minimum refractive index delta inner cladding region 2 (i.e., |2 min3|) is greater than 0.005% , more preferably greater than 0.015% , and even more preferably greater than 0.025% .
(64) Advantageously, the fiber designs disclosed herein provide a core with equal or lower viscosity than the cladding. This results in reduced stresses within the fiber and correspondingly reduced fiber attenuation, not only because of reduction in the viscosity mismatch but also reduction in the CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) mismatch.
(65) Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.
(66) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Since modifications combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.