FIBER OPTIC CANNISTER WITH COMPLIANT BASELAYER

摘要

The invention is a compliant material that is used as a baselayer for underlying layers of an optical fiber wound onto a bobbin. In one embodiment the baselayer is selected for compatibility with an optical fiber coating. In another embodiment, the compliant material (10) comprises a coating disposed on the bobbin. In another embodiment, the base layer comprises a silicon material. The use of a compliant material as a baselayer eliminates the need to fabricate and stock expensive baselayer wire material (15). Use of the compliant material is also believed to reduce the stresses in the first wound fiber layer. In addition, it is easier to match the thermal properties of the optical fiber with the thermal properties of the compliant material (20) over a wide temperature range than it is to match the thermal properties of the optical fiber to the baselayer wire. Thus, over an anticipated operating temperature range, the difference in thermal expansion characteristics between the base layer and (25) the wound fiber are reduced, thereby minimizing the risk that the fiber pack will slip off the bobbin during long storage or payout.