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Corning Optical Fiber Profile


Overview

Corning invented the first low-loss optical fiber in 1970, which helped launch the age of optical communications.  Corning is the worldwide market leader and is the most widely deployed brand of optical fiber. 

Corning offers a full line of single-mode and multimode optical fibers for all network applications. Corning’s entire family of optical fiber boasts industry-leading geometrical properties for low splice loss and high splice yields, supported by an unparalleled, proprietary manufacturing process designed to produce high-quality products. Corning optical fibers are recognized in the industry for their excellence and innovation, and enable advanced system performance and lower operating costs.


Product Summary

Single-Mode Optical Fibers

Multimode Optical Fibers


Important Milestones 

1970:  Corning scientists create the first low-loss optical fiber

1982:  Corning sets world record for low attenuation in laboratory tests: 0.16dB/km

1983:  

  • Corning introduces SMF-21™ optical fiber
  • MCI selects Corning optical fiber/Siecor cable for first major U.S. installation

1985:  Introduction of SMF/DS™ optical fiber

1986:  Corning introduces SMF-28® optical fiber

1988:  Corning introduces Titan® optical fiber

1993:

  • Drs. Maurer, Keck, and Schultz inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for developing low-loss optical fiber
  • Corning receives ISO 9001 registration

1994: 

  • Corning receives National Medal of Technology Award
  • Corning introduces SMF-LS™ optical fiber

1995:  Corning Optical Fiber (previously called the Telecommunications Products Division) wins Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

1997:  Corning sets a new industry standard for single-mode core/clad concentricity by tightening its specifications 25 percent, from <0.8 to <0.6 micron

1998: 

  • Corning introduces LEAF® optical fiber
  • Corning introduces InfiniCor® & InfiniCor® 600 laser-optimized multimode fibers
  • Corning introduces Submarine LEAF® optical fiber
  • Corning introduces SMF-28® optical fiber with DuraClad™
  • Corning sets new industry standards for optical fiber geometry with tighter specifications for core/clad concentricity, curl, coating diameter, mode-field diameter & 100-turn bending

1999: 

  • LEAF® optical fiber wins Laser Focus World Commercial Technology Achievement Award
  • LEAF® optical fiber wins Fiberoptic Product News Annual Technology Award
  • Corning introduces InfiniCor® CL optical fiber
  • LEAF® optical fiber awarded Photonics Spectra Circle of Excellence Award
  • LEAF® optical fiber awarded R&D Magazine's R&D 100 Award

2000: 

  • Corning introduces new generation of LEAF® optical fiber technology
  • Corning inventors of low-loss optical fiber receive National Medal of Technology

2001: 

  • Corning introduces SMF-28e® optical fiber
  • Corning introduces Vascade® optical fibers

2002: 

  • Corning introduces InfiniCor® SX+ optical fiber
  • SMF-28e® optical fiber wins Fiberoptic Product News Annual Technology Award
  • Corning introduces InfiniCor® SXi optical fiber
  • Corning introduces industry-leading enhancements for its line of single-mode optical fibers, including LEAF®, SMF-28e® and SMF-28® optical fibers

2003: 

  • Corning introduces further enhancements to LEAF® and SMF-28e® optical fibers
  • Corning announces global conversion of standard single-mode optical fiber manufacturing to ITU-T G.652.D-compliant full-spectrum optical fiber
  • Additional specification enhancements for optical fiber geometry announced on SMF-28e® optical fiber

2004:  Corning introduces NexCor® optical fiber, an SMF-28e® innovation

2005:   Corning introduces InfiniCor® eSX+ optical fiber

2006:   Corning introduces Vascade® EX1000 optical fiber, an ultra low-loss optical fiber for submarine networks

2007: 

  • Corning introduces SMF-28® ULL, a new ultra-low-loss, single-mode optical fiber for long-haul and regional networks
  • Corning introduces ClearCurve™ optical fiber, a revolutionary new bend-insensitive optical fiber for fiber-to-the-home deployment in apartment complexes and high-rise apartments
  • Corning® ClearCurve® optical fiber selected by TIME magazine as one of the best inventions of the year

2008:  ClearCurve® single-mode optical fiber awarded R&D Magazine’s R&D 100 Award

2009:  Corning introduces ClearCurve® OM3/OM4 multimode optical fiber


Leadership

Martin Curran  
Senior Vice President & General Manager – Optical Fiber


Media Contacts

Monica Sofio
Manager, Marketing Communications
(607) 974-8769
sofioml@corning.com

Ashley McNally
Marketing Communications Specialist
(607) 974-4146
mcnallyae@corning.com


Facilities

  • Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
  • Concord, North Carolina, USA
  •  Shanghai, China


For Additional Information

www.corning.com/opticalfiber/