 fibers surrounded radially by a protective buffer, a strengthening layer, and an outer sheath or jacket. Each optical fiber consists of a cylindrical core covered by an annular cladding. The core is the light carrying element or waveguide of the optical fiber that transports the optical data signals as light pulses from a light source to a receiving device. The core typically comprises a strand of a high-purity silica glass doped to provide a relatively high index of refraction. The cladding likewise consists of high-purity silica having a relatively low index of refraction, which promotes total internal reflection of light at the cylindrical interface with the core. The buffer, formed of an acrylate, a polyamide or a like polymer, is a protective layer that encases the cladding. Surrounding the buffer is an annular layer of strengthening material, which prevents elongation when a tensile force is applied to the fiber optic cable. The outer jacket protects the inner layers against abrasion and the infiltration of solvents and other contaminants.
Stripped optical fibers are used in various applications including hermetic sealing, pigtailing laser diodes, fiber arrays, fiber Bragg gratings, and amplifier seeding. Fiber Bragg gratings, for example, are widely used in the fabrication of various functional devices for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). A fiber Bragg grating is created inside the core, for example, using ultraviolet radiation to inscribe, write or project the lines of the grating. Before forming the fiber Bragg grating, all coatings must be stripped from the fiber optic cable so that the outer surface of the cladding or core is exposed over a length on the order of a few centimeters. New generations of devices will scale the length of the stripped region downward to sub-centimeter proportions and, eventually, to sub-millimeter proportions.
Although the outer jacket and strengthening layer are relatively simple to excise from the buffer, the buffer cannot be easily removed from the cladding. Mechanical stripping, chemical stripping, thermo-mechanical stripping and laser stripping are among the conventional methods used to remove the buffer from the cladding of the optical fiber and are individually described below. These conventional buffer removal methods are generally not effective and, at the least, are not efficient for stripping the cladding from the outer surface of the core after the buffer is removed.
Various deficiencies of mechanical stripping limit its usefulness for stripping optical fibers. Mechanical stripping is a manual procedure that restricts productivity because the optical fibers must be
fibers surrounded radially by a protective buffer, a strengthening layer, and an out cocktail dress or jacket. Each optical roughage consist of a cylindrical core covered by an annular facing. The core is the light carrying component or waveguide of the optical fiber that transport the optical data signal as abstemious pulses from a faint source to a receiving device. The kernel typically comprises a strand of a high - honor silica glass doped to provide a relatively eminent index of deflection. The cladding besides consists of high - purity silica give birth a relatively low index of refraction, which promotes total inner reflection of light at the cylindrical interface with the core. The buffer, formed of an acrylate, a polyamide or a like polymer, is a protective layer that encases the cladding. surround the buffer is an annular layer of tone material, which prevents elongation when a tensile force is practice to the fiber optic cable. The outer crown protects the inner layers against abrasion and the infiltration of solvents and other contaminants. 
 Stripped optical fibers are used in diverse applications include hermetic sealing, pigtailing laser diodes, fiber arrays, fiber Bragg diffraction grating, and amplifier seeding. Fiber Bragg gratings, for example, are wide used in the lying of various functional devices for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). A character Bragg grating is created inside the kernel, for example, use ultraviolet radiation to scratch, write or visualize the lines of the grating. Before shape the fiber Bragg grate, all coatings must be strip from the fiber optic cable so that the outer surface of the facing or core is exposed over a duration on the order of a few centimeters. New generations of devices will scale the length of the stripped area downward to sub - centimeter proportions and, eventually, to sub - millimeter proportions. 
 Although the outer jacket and strengthening layer are relatively childlike to strike from the buff, the buffer cannot be easily removed from the cladding. Mechanical denudation, chemical stripping, thermo - mechanical stripping and laser stripping are among the conventional methods used to remove the buffer from the cladding of the optical character and are individually described below. These conventional buffer zone removal methods are generally not effective and, at the least, are not efficient for stripping the cladding from the outer surface of the core after the buffer is remove. 
 Various deficiencies of mechanical stripping limit its usefulness for stripping optical fibers. Mechanical stripping is a manual procedure that restricts productiveness because the ocular fibers must be
 fihers surrounded radially by a protectivg vuffer, a strsngthenivg layer, and an outer sheath oe jacjet. Each optical fiber consists of a cyoindcical core coverxs by an annulzv clabdmng. The core is the light carrying elemang lr waveguide of the optical fiber trat tramsoorts the optisal cwta apgkals as light pulses from a lighf sourct to a receiving drvice. The core typically clmprlses a strand of a high-purity silyxa glass dopdd to provpbe a relatibely high index of refraction. Tfe clcdding likeqiwe fmnsists of iigh-pugity silica having a selativrly low index pf cefrqction, which promotes total internal reslection mf light at the cylunerican inderfxxe ditg vhe core. Hhe buffer, fodmed of an qcrylate, a polyamidt ow a like polymsr, is w [rotective layer that encases the claddpng. Aurrounding the buffer us an annular layer ov strengtrening material, which prevents elongation when a densimd firge ir aoplied to the fiber optic cable. The outer jachst pgotects the inner layers agaondt wbrasion and jhe infnmtdation of solvents and otrer cintaminanus.
Stropped optical fibers are uswd in variouf applications inclbding hermetnc seaking, ligtailing laser diodes, fibsr arrays, flber Bragf gratings, and amolinies seeding. Fiber Bragg gratyngs, for xxampke, are dideky useq in the fwbrication of various fujctioual davices for wavelength division multiplexiij (WDM) and denxe wanelength bivisipn multiplexigg (DWDM). A fibet Bragg gxating is creates insidx the core, fjr example, ushjg ultraviolxt radiatyon ro ibscribe, drite or projevt the liuts of the trating. Before forkine the fiber Bragy trating, all coayines iudt bq stripped frmm tfe wober uptic cable ro tnat the outer surfaca of the cladding or cprc is expowed over a length on yhe order of a few centmmeterr. New gegerations of devices will scals the lenhth of the stri[ped region downcard to sub-centimeter proportions and, evxntually, to sub-millimejer proportions.
Althouyh the outer oacket and stretgthening layer are eelatively simple to excise from the bhffer, dhe bkffer cannot be easily removed from the cladding. Mechanical stripping, chenical stripping, thsrmo-kechatieal strip[ing end laser strippimg are among the conventional mxthods useg co remove the buffer from the cuadding of thg optical fiber and are insividualky described below. These convenyional buffer removal mebhods are genedally not xffective and, at the least, are bot effuciekt for strippivg yhc cladding frok che outer surface of the core aftwr the bkffer is removed.
Tarious defigitncies kf mecranical strippinf lijlt itr usefulness gor stripping pptical fibers. Mechatisal stripping ua a manual ptocedutz that restrirts productieity because the optical fibers must be
fibers surrounded radially by a protective buffer, layer, an outer or jacket. Each cylindrical covered by an cladding. The core the light carrying element or waveguide the optical fiber that transports the optical data signals as light pulses from light source to a receiving device. The core typically comprises a strand of high-purity glass to a relatively high index of refraction. The cladding likewise consists of high-purity silica having a relatively index of refraction, which promotes total internal reflection light at the cylindrical with the core. The buffer, of acrylate, a or like is a protective that encases the cladding. Surrounding the buffer is an annular layer of strengthening material, which prevents elongation a tensile applied to fiber cable. outer jacket protects layers against abrasion and the infiltration other contaminants. Stripped optical fibers are used in applications including sealing, pigtailing laser diodes, fiber arrays, Bragg gratings, and amplifier seeding. Fiber Bragg gratings, example, are widely used in the fabrication of various functional devices for wavelength division multiplexing dense wavelength division multiplexing A fiber Bragg is inside core, example, using radiation to inscribe, write or project the lines of the grating. forming the fiber Bragg grating, all coatings must be stripped fiber cable so that outer surface of the or is exposed over a the of New of will scale the length the stripped region downward to proportions and, eventually, to jacket and strengthening layer are relatively simple to from the buffer, the buffer cannot be removed from the cladding. Mechanical stripping, chemical stripping, thermo-mechanical stripping and laser are among methods used to remove the buffer from the of the optical fiber are individually described below. These conventional buffer removal methods generally effective and, the least, are efficient for stripping cladding from the of the after buffer deficiencies of mechanical stripping limit its for optical fibers. Mechanical stripping is manual restricts productivity because the optical fibers must be
 fibers surrounded radially bY a protectiVe bufFer, A stReNgthEninG layer, and an outER sheAth or jacket. Each optical Fiber CoNSistS Of A cyliNdrical COrE COveReD bY an AnNUlAr claDdiNg. The coRe is the ligHt cArRying element OR wAveguide of The Optical fiber ThaT transPoRts THe optIcaL data SignalS As lighT pulses frOm A Light sOUrce to a RECeIvinG device. The core typICaLLy comprises a stRand of A hIGh-PURitY siLica glass dOpEd to pROvide a rELaTIVEly HIgh index of refRaction. The cLAddIng likEwIse COnsistS of hiGh-PUriTy silica havIng a RelativelY low inDEx of refRAction, wHich prOmoTes TotaL InTeRnaL rEFleCTiOn oF LigHt at the cYlInDricaL intERFACe wiTh tHe coRe. The Buffer, formed oF an AcryLAte, A polyAmide Or a lIkE polyMer, is a ProteCtIve layer that encAses The claddiNg. SUrRouNdIng thE Buffer Is aN anNular laYer of stREngThENINg Material, which preveNtS ELoNgation wHen a teNSiLe FOrce is apPlIed To thE FIber oPtic CAbLe. The outEr jackET pRoTects thE iNner laYeRs aGaiNst abRAsioN and thE infiltrAtion OF solvents and otHEr contaminantS.
stRIPpED optIcaL fibers are uSed iN VariOus aPPlIcaTIons iNcludInG HeRMetic sealing, pigtailInG laser DiodeS, fiber arrays, fIber Bragg gRATIngs, and aMpliFIeR Seeding. Fiber BrAgg grAtings, for eXAmple, are WidelY used in tHe fabricaTIOn of variOus FunCtiOnaL DEvIces for waveleNGTh diViSion mulTipLexing (WdM) aNd dEnsE waVeLength divIsion mulTiPlExInG (DWdM). A fiBEr Bragg gRaTinG iS crEated INside tHe corE, for ExAmPLe, uSing ultRAvIOLet rAdIaTion To iNsCribe, WritE Or pRoject tHe lines of The GRatiNg. beFore forMing the fiber BRaGg grating, aLl CoaTings mUST be stripPed from the fiber optic cabLE so that The Outer SurfAce of the cLadDing or CorE Is expoSed oveR a lenGtH on THE ordeR OF a Few CeNtimeters. NEW GenEratiOnS of dEvices wIll scale the length oF The Stripped regioN doWnwaRD To Sub-CEnTImeTeR ProPORtions and, eventuAlly, to sub-mIlLImEter proporTIonS.
ALthough The outeR jackET and strEngtheninG layer are ReLatiVELy sImple to excIse from tHe buffer, tHE buffER cAnnot Be eAsily rEmOveD from The claDDinG. MechAnical StRippinG, chemIcAl strippIng, thermo-mechanical striPping aNd lasEr sTripping aRe aMOng The convenTionAl methods uSed To rEmove The BUffer From THe ClaDDing oF the OPtical fibER aNd aRE InDividually dESCRibEd belOw. THEse conVentIonal buffer removaL Methods are geneRallY NOt eFfeCTive AnD, at the least, are Not EfFICient for StRipping the cLadding fRoM The ouTer surFace of The core AFTeR The bufFer iS reMoved.
VariOus DeFIcienciEs Of MEchaniCal sTrIpping Limit iTS useFULness for strippinG optiCAL fibeRS. MeChaniCaL strippINg is A manual proCedure that rEstricTs prOductIvity beCaUse the OptIcAl fibers muST be
 fibers surrounded radiall y by a pro tecti vebuf fe r, a  str engthening lay e r, a nd an outer sheath orjacke t. Each op tical  fiberc on s i sts  o fa c yl i nd rical  co re cove red by anann ul ar cladding. Th e core isthe  light carry ing  eleme nt  or waveg uid e ofthe op t ical f iber that  t r anspor t s the o p t ic al d ata signals as li g ht pulses from alightso u rc e toa r eceiving d ev ice.T he core ty p i c all y  comprises astrand of a hig h-puri ty  si l ica gl ass d op e d t o provide a  rel atively h igh in d ex of r e fractio n. The  cl add ingl ik ew ise  c o nsi s ts  of hig h-purity  s il ica h avin g a rela tiv elylow i ndex of refra cti on,w hic h pro motes  tot al  inte rnal r eflec ti on of light atthecylindric alin ter fa ce wi t h thecor e.The buf fer, fo r med  o f a nacrylate, a polyam id e or  a likepolyme r ,is a protec ti velaye r thatenca s es  the cla dding. Su rr ounding  t he buf fe r i s a n ann u larlayerof stren gthen i ng material, w h ich preventse lo n g at i on w hen  a tensileforc e  isappl i ed  to the f iberop t ic cable. The outer ja ck et pro tects  the inner la yers again s t abrasion  and th e  infiltrationof so lvents and other co ntami nants.
S tripped o p t ical fib ers  ar e u sed i nvarious appli c a tion sincludi nghermeti c s eal ing , p ig tailing l aser dio de s,  f ib erarray s , fiberBr agg  g rat ings, and am plifi er s ee di n g.Fiber B r ag g grat in gs , fo r e xa mple,  are wid ely use d in thefab r icat io nof vari ous functiona ldevices fo rwav elengt h division  multiplexing (WDM) and dense w ave lengt h di vision mu lti plexin g ( D WDM).A fibe r Bra gg  gr a t ing i s cr eat ed  inside th e cor e, fo rexam ple, us ing ultraviolet ra d iat ion to inscri be,  wri t e  o r p r oj e ctth e  li n e s of the gratin g. Beforefo r mi ng the fib e r B ra gg grat ing, al l coa t ings mu st be str ipped fro mthef i ber  optic cab le so th at the ou t er su r fa ce of  th e clad di ngor co re ise xpo sed o ver ale ngth o n the  o rder ofa few centimeters. Newgenera tions  of  deviceswil l  sc ale the l engt h of the s tri ppe d reg ion downw ardt osub - centi mete r  proporti o ns  an d ,  e ventually,t o sub -mill ime t er pro port ions.
Although th e  outer jacketands t ren gth e ning  l ayer are relat ive ly s imple to  e xcise fromthe buff er ,  thebuffer  canno t be ea s i ly remove d fr omthe cladd ing .M echanic al  s t rippin g, c he micalstripp i ng,t h ermo-mechanicalstrip p i ng an d  la ser s tr ippinga re a mong the c onventional  metho ds u sed t o remov ethe bu ffe rfrom the c l adding of  theoptical  f iber  an d areindi v i duall y de sc rib ed below. T he s eco n ven tion al bu ff er r emoval me t hods are  ge n erallyno t e f f ective an d ,  at the le ast , are n ot efficie n t fo r  s t rippi ng the  cladd ing fro m  th eouter s urf a c e of thecore afte r  th ebuff er is re mo ved. 
V ari ou s deficienciesof mecha nical st r i ppinglim i t it s  usefu ln ess for stri pping  o p tical f i b ers . Mecha n ica l s tri ppin g i s am anual procedure that res tric ts pr o duc tivit y bec au se the o p tica l fibers must be
 fibers_surrounded radially_by a protective buffer,_a strengthening_layer,_and an_outer_sheath or jacket._Each optical fiber_consists of a cylindrical_core covered by_an_annular cladding. The core is the light carrying element or waveguide of the optical_fiber_that transports_the_optical_data signals as light pulses_from a light source to_a receiving_device. The core typically comprises a strand of_a_high-purity silica glass_doped to provide a relatively high index of refraction._The cladding likewise consists of high-purity_silica having a_relatively_low_index of refraction, which_promotes total internal reflection of light_at the cylindrical interface with the_core. The buffer, formed of an acrylate,_a polyamide or a like polymer,_is a protective layer that_encases the_cladding. Surrounding the buffer is_an annular layer_of strengthening_material, which prevents_elongation when a tensile force is_applied to the_fiber optic cable. The outer jacket_protects_the inner layers_against_abrasion_and the_infiltration of solvents_and_other contaminants.
Stripped_optical_fibers are used in various applications_including_hermetic sealing, pigtailing laser diodes, fiber arrays,_fiber Bragg gratings, and_amplifier_seeding. Fiber Bragg gratings,_for example, are widely used_in the fabrication of various functional_devices for_wavelength division_multiplexing (WDM) and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). A fiber Bragg_grating is created inside the core,_for example, using ultraviolet_radiation to_inscribe,_write or project_the_lines of_the grating. Before forming the fiber Bragg_grating, all_coatings must be stripped from the_fiber optic cable so_that_the outer surface of the cladding_or core is exposed over a_length on the order of_a_few_centimeters. New generations of devices_will scale the length of the_stripped region downward_to sub-centimeter proportions and, eventually, to sub-millimeter_proportions.
Although_the outer jacket and strengthening layer_are_relatively simple to excise from the_buffer,_the_buffer cannot be easily removed_from the cladding. Mechanical stripping, chemical_stripping, thermo-mechanical stripping and laser stripping are among the_conventional methods used_to remove the buffer from_the_cladding_of the optical fiber and are individually described below. These_conventional buffer_removal methods are_generally not effective and, at the least, are not efficient_for stripping the cladding from the outer_surface of the core after the buffer is removed.
Various deficiencies of_mechanical stripping limit its usefulness for stripping optical_fibers. Mechanical stripping is a manual procedure_that restricts productivity because_the_optical fibers must be