Patent ID: 8443631

Claim:
A method of making an optical fiber, comprising: heating an end portion of an optical fiber preform so as to obtain a softened preform end portion; drawing the softened preform end portion to form the optical fiber; varying a beat length of the optical fiber by applying to the optical fiber a substantially sinusoidal spin having a nominal spin amplitude and a spin period, the substantially sinusoidal spin being transmitted proximate to the softened preform end portion; determining an actual spin amplitude applied to the optical fiber, wherein said actual spin amplitude is a measured spin amplitude imparted to the optical fiber; and, determining a ratio of said actual spin amplitude to said spin period to ccicct adjust the nominal spin amplitude and the spin period of the substantially sinusoidal spin such that said ratio is in a range of approximately 0.8 to approximately 1.4 turns/m 2 .