Hollow-core optical fibers, fiber optic cable assemblies with same, and methods of making same

A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:

• a hollow-core optical fiber for a fiber optic network, comprising:
• a first end portion opposing a second end portion;
• a main portion between the first end portion and the second end portion;
• and
• a tapered region between at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion and the main portion,
• wherein one or both of the first end portion and the second end portion has a reduced outer dimension relative to a corresponding outer dimension of the main portion;
• a fiber optic connector connected to one or more optical fibers,
• wherein at least one of the one or more optical fibers is the one or more of the hollow-core optical fibers.

A method of manufacturing a hollow-core optical fiber comprising:

• heating an end portion of a hollow-core optical fiber having a main portion;
• drawing the heated end;
• and
• forming a tapered region in the heated end,
• wherein the tapered region has a reduced outer dimension relative to a corresponding outer dimension of the main portion.