MULTICORE OPTICAL FIBERS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

摘要

A multicore optical fiber with a reference section having a material defining a marked multicore glass optical fiber. The multicore fibers can be in groupings, for example, the groupings can be in the form of one of an optical fiber ribbon covered by a matrix, and a tight buffered cable. Fiber optic connectors can be assembled to the multicore optical fiber at either or both ends, and the colored portion can be associated with the optical fiber connector aligning the optical core elements with the optical connectors. The assembly can have at least one transceiver device with a transmit port and a receive port defining a two-way communication channel. Further aspects describe methods of manufacturing multicore fibers including application of curable coatings and reference sections.

主权项

1. A marked multicore optical fiber comprising:
(a) optical core elements, the optical core elements defining an array of at least two optical core elements contained within a common outer cladding, the common outer cladding being at least partially surrounded by a coating layer disposed externally of the cladding, and the optical core elements being aligned generally along a first reference line and being capable of transmitting data; and (b) the multicore optical fiber comprising at least one reference section adjacent to the coating layer.