Corning introduces lensed fibers for optical networking devices

Sept. 25, 2001

Sept. 25, 2001--Corning Incorporated introduced a family of lensed fiber products used to couple light passing between optical fiber and optical devices in advanced communication networks.

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW) introduced a family of lensed fiber products used to couple light passing between optical fiber and optical devices in advanced communication networks. The lensed fibers are monolithic devices, requiring no lens-to-fiber alignment; thus enabling fewer alignment steps and lower insertion loss.

The new OptiFocus product line includes lensed fibers for collimating, focusing, imaging and condensing light. Corning will introduce three lensed fibers during the European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2001 in Amsterdam. These include:

* Corning OptiFocus Collimating Lensed Fiber: a product that is smaller than the typical collimator used in networks, and requires no alignment of the lens to the fiber.

* Corning OptiFocus Focusing Lensed Fiber: a high performance product for focusing light to beam sizes down to 6 microns, with long working distances.

* Corning OptiFocus Tapered Lensed Fiber: a high precision, tapered fiber for high numerical aperture applications with short working distances.

OptiFocus lensed fibers are monolithic devices that are thermally formed using a proprietary Corning process. The lens forming process is suitable for making a wide range of lens sizes allowing the beam diameter, working distance and divergence angle to be tailored to customer specifications. The physical characteristics and performance attributes enable design flexibility, device miniaturization, component integration and high coupling efficiency.

About Corning Incorporated:

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television, information technology and other communications-related industries. For more information, visit www.corning.com.