Bend induced light scattering fiber and cable assemblies and method of making

A method of manufacturing an optical communication cable assembly having a bend-induced light scattering (BIS) optical fiber, comprising:

• forming a cable comprising a jacket, at least one data transmission fiber, and a bend-induced light scattering (BIS) optical fiber, wherein the BIS optical fiber comprises a core comprising pure silica and being devoid of nanovoids and a cladding around the core, the core having a first index of refraction and the cladding having a second index of refraction that is lower than the first index of refraction of the core, the first index of refraction of the core and the second index of refraction of the cladding configured to maintain light within the core when the BIS optical fiber is unbent in a light retaining position and to emit light from the core to the cladding at a bend in the BIS optical fiber when a radius of curvature of the bend is less than a critical radius of curvature and the BIS optical fiber is in a light emitting position;
• securing a first connector at a first end of the cable;
• securing a second connector at a second end of the cable;
• and
• creating an entry bend in the BIS optical fiber and positioning the entry bend in the first connector;
• and
• creating an emission bend and positing the emission bend in the second connector, wherein the emission bend is less than the critical radius of curvature.

A bend-induced light scattering (BIS) optical fiber, comprising:

• a core comprising pure silica and being devoid of nanovoids, the core having a first index of refraction;
• and
• a cladding surrounding the core, the cladding having a second index of refraction that is lower than the first index of refraction;
• wherein the first index of refraction of the core and the second index of refraction of the cladding are configured to maintain light within the core when the BIS optical fiber is unbent in a light retaining position and to emit light from the core to the cladding at a bend in the BIS optical fiber when a radius of curvature of the bend is less than a critical radius of curvature and the BIS optical fiber is in a light emitting position;
• and
• wherein the BIS optical fiber is selectively movable from the light emitting position in which the radius of curvature is less than the critical radius of curvature and the light retaining position in which the radius of curvature is greater than the critical radius of curvature without damaging the core or the cladding of the BIS optical fiber;
• wherein the core comprises a diameter between about 80 μm and about 250 μm and the cladding comprises a diameter between about 100 μm and about 350 μm.