Rollable optical fiber ribbon with low attenuation, large mode field diameter optical fiber and cable
A rollable optical fiber ribbon utilizing low attenuation, bend insensitive fibers and cables incorporating such rollable ribbons are provided. The optical fibers are supported by a ribbon body, and the ribbon body is formed from a flexible material such that the optical fibers are reversibly movable from an unrolled position to a rolled position. The optical fibers have a large mode filed diameter, such as ≥9 microns at 1310 nm facilitating low attenuation splicing/connectorization. The optical fibers are also highly bend insensitive, such as having a macrobend loss of ≤0.5 dB/turn at 1550 nm for a mandrel diameter of 15 mm.
1. A rollable optical fiber ribbon, comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the optical fibers comprises:
a core;
a cladding surrounding and directly adjacent to the core; and
a coating surrounding the cladding, wherein each of the optical fibers is characterized by:
an outer diameter ≤210 microns as measured at an outer surface of the coating;
a mode field diameter of ≥9 microns at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers (nm); and
a macrobend loss of ≤0.5 dB/turn at a wavelength of 1550 nm when wound about a mandrel having a diameter of 15 millimeters (mm); and
a plurality of bonds spaced intermittently along lengths of a first optical fiber in the optical fibers and a second optical fiber in the optical fibers such that the bonds intermittently join the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber.
2. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 1 , wherein each of the bonds has a thickness of between 5 microns and 75 microns.
3. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 1 , wherein each of the bonds comprises a polymeric material.
4. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 1 , wherein each of the bonds is positioned at an angle A relative to central planes of the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber, wherein the angle A is between 5 degrees and 45 degrees.
5. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 1 , further comprising a strength element, the strength element joined to the first optical fiber by a first bond not included in the plurality of bonds.
6. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 5 , wherein the first bond comprises a ribbon matrix material that flexibly joins the plurality of optical fibers.
7. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 6 , wherein the ribbon matrix material is a polymeric material.
8. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 5 , wherein the strength member comprises at least one of an aramid yarn, a metal wire, or a glass-reinforced plastic.
9. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 1 , wherein each of the optical fibers includes a lower-refractive-index trench region in the cladding.
10. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 9 , wherein a volume of the lower-refractive-index trench region is greater than 30%Δ micron 2 .
11. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 9 , wherein a core alpha of each of the optical fibers is less than or equal to 5, and wherein the lower-refractive-index trench region in the cladding is adjacent to the core.
12. The rollable optical fiber ribbon of claim 9 , wherein a core alpha of each of the optical fibers is between 10 and 100, and wherein the lower-refractive-index trench region is offset from the core such that an inner portion of the cladding layer is disposed between the core and the lower-refractive-index trench region.
13. An optical fiber cable comprising:
a rollable optical fiber ribbon, the rollable optical fiber ribbon comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the optical fibers comprises:
a core;
a cladding surrounding and directly adjacent to the core; and
a coating surrounding the cladding, wherein each of the optical fibers is characterized by:
an outer diameter ≤210 microns as measured at an outer surface of the coating;
a mode field diameter of ≥9 microns at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers (nm); and
a macrobend loss of ≤0.5 dB/turn at a wavelength of 1550 nm when wound about a mandrel having a diameter of 15 millimeters (mm); and
a plurality of bonds spaced intermittently along lengths of a first optical fiber in the optical fibers and a second optical fiber in the optical fibers such that the bonds intermittently join the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber; and
a cable jacket having an interior surface that defines an interior cavity of the cable jacket, the rollable optical fiber ribbon disposed within the interior cavity.
14. The optical fiber cable of claim 13 , further comprising a buffer tube positioned in the interior cavity of the cable jacket, the rollable optical fiber ribbon disposed within the buffer tube.
15. The optical fiber cable of claim 13 , wherein each of the optical fibers includes a lower-refractive-index trench region in the cladding.
16. The optical fiber cable of claim 15 , wherein a volume of the lower-refractive-index trench region is greater than 30% A micron 2 .
17. The optical fiber cable of claim 15 , wherein a core alpha of each of the optical fibers is less than or equal to 5, and wherein the lower-refractive-index trench region in the cladding is adjacent to the core.
18. The optical fiber cable of claim 15 , wherein a core alpha of each of the optical fibers is between 10 and 100, and wherein the lower-refractive-index trench region is offset from the core such that an inner portion of the cladding layer is disposed between the core and the lower-refractive-index trench region.
19. The optical fiber cable of claim 13 , further comprising a strength member, the strength member being embedded in the cable jacket.
20. An optical fiber cable, comprising:
a plurality of rollable optical fiber ribbons, each of the rollable optical fiber ribbons comprising:
a respective plurality of optical fibers, wherein each of the optical fibers comprises:
a core;
a cladding surrounding and directly adjacent to the core; and
a coating surrounding the cladding, wherein each of the optical fibers is characterized by:
an outer diameter ≤210 microns as measured at an outer surface of the coating;
a mode field diameter of ≥9 microns at a wavelength of 1310 nanometers (nm); and
a macrobend loss of ≤0.5 dB/turn at a wavelength of 1550 nm when wound about a mandrel having a diameter of 15 millimeters (mm); and
a respective plurality of bonds spaced intermittently along lengths of a pair of optical fibers in the respective plurality of optical fibers such that the bonds intermittently join the pair of optical fibers; and
a cable jacket having an interior surface that defines an interior cavity of the cable jacket, the rollable optical fiber ribbons disposed within the interior cavity, wherein the plurality of rollable optical fiber ribbons are stranded about an axis.