Methods and systems for processing optical fiber

A method for processing optical fiber, the method comprising:

• conveying an optical fiber through a first cooling device, the first cooling device having a first inlet and a first outlet positioned opposite the first inlet, the optical fiber entering the first cooling device at the first inlet and exiting the first cooling device at the first outlet, the optical fiber having a first temperature and a first diameter at the first inlet, and a second temperature and a second diameter at the first outlet;
• cooling the optical fiber at a rate greater than 10000° C./s in the first cooling device;
• conveying the optical fiber from the first cooling device to and through a second cooling device at a velocity greater than 40 m/s, the second cooling device having a second inlet and a second outlet, the optical fiber entering the second cooling device at the second inlet and exiting the second cooling device at the second outlet, the optical fiber having a third temperature and a third diameter at the second inlet and a fourth temperature and a fourth diameter at the second outlet, the third temperature being greater than 1100° C. the fourth diameter exceeding 95% of the third diameter, and the first diameter being between 102% and 150% of the fourth diameter;
• and
• cooling the optical fiber at a rate less than 5000° C./s in the second cooling device wherein at the first inlet:
• the optical fiber has a forming point temperature Tfp;
• the first temperature is T1;
• and
• Tfp+150° C.<T1Tfp+500° C.