Patent ID: 8737792

Claim:
A multicore fiber, comprising: a plurality of cores extending along the length of a fiber body, wherein each of the cores is surrounded by a respective cladding, and wherein the plurality of cores and claddings provide respective index variations, so as to form a respective plurality of waveguides for conducting parallel data transmissions from a first end of the fiber to a second end, wherein the plurality of cores has a cross-sectional geometry in which the plurality of cores are configured in a polygonal array, in which at least some of the cores are positioned at the vertices of the array, wherein the polygonal array is configured such that neighboring cores in the array are separated from each other by a distance that is sufficient to prevent crosstalk therebetween, and wherein the fiber body further includes an intermediate region through which the plurality of cores and respective claddings extend, a coating interface region surrounding the intermediate region, and an outer coating surrounding the coating interface region, wherein the intermediate region, coating interface region, and outer coating are configured to control the distribution of the optical modefield, thereby reducing loss.