Patent ID: 7181118

Claim:
An optical waveguide fiber comprising: a central core region extending radially outward from the centerline and having a positive relative refractive index percent, Δ 1 %(r) with a maximum relative refractive index percent, Δ 1,MAX , wherein Δ 1 %(r) has an alpha profile shape; a first annular region surrounding the central core region and having a relative refractive index percent, Δ 2 %(r), with a minimum relative refractive index percent, Δ 2,MIN ; a second annular region surrounding the first annular region and having a positive relative refractive index percent, Δ 3 %(r) with a maximum relative refractive index percent, Δ 3,MAX ; and an outer annular cladding region surrounding the second annular region and having a relative refractive index percent, Δ c %(r); wherein Δ 1,MAX >Δ 3,MAX >Δ 2,MIN ≧0; wherein the total profile volume is less than about 6%-μm 2 ; and wherein the optical fiber has an effective area of greater than about 60 μm 2 at a wavelength of about 1550 nm, a dispersion slope of less than 0.07 ps/nm 2 /km at a wavelength of about 1550 nm, and a zero-dispersion wavelength of less than about 1450 nm.