Optical fibers having coatings removed therefrom and related methods

An optical fiber, comprising:

• a first lengthwise portion covered by a polymer coating,
• a second lengthwise portion, wherein the polymer coating is not present on at least ninety-five (95) percent of an exterior surface of the second lengthwise portion of the optical fiber;
• wherein a microstructure of the polymer coating, adjacent to the second lengthwise portion on the first lengthwise portion, tapers at an angle such that a thickness of the polymer coating decreases toward the second lengthwise portion as a function of proximity to the second lengthwise portion;
• and
• an end portion having bulletnose shape;
• wherein the microstructure of the polymer coating proximate to the second lengthwise portion includes an increased volume of trapped bubbles relative to the polymer coating further from the second lengthwise portion.

A process of removing a polymer coating from a glass portion of an optical fiber, comprising:

• applying tension to an optical fiber;
• directing a laser beam at a polymer coating of the optical fiber at a target portion of the optical fiber;
• removing the polymer coating with the laser beam while the tension is applied to the optical fiber to strip the polymer coating from the target portion such that the optical fiber then has a first lengthwise portion covered by a polymer coating and a second lengthwise portion where the polymer coating is not present on at least ninety-five (95) percent of an exterior surface of the second lengthwise portion, and such that a microstructure of the polymer coating, adjacent to the second lengthwise portion on the first lengthwise portion, tapers at an angle such that a thickness of the polymer coating decreases toward the second lengthwise portion as a function of proximity to the second lengthwise portion;
• wherein, following the removing step, the microstructure of the polymer coating proximate to the second lengthwise portion includes an increased volume of trapped bubbles relative to the polymer coating further from the second lengthwise portion.