Glass optical fibers have reached a scale and commercial maturity that few, if any, other material and form can claim. Furthermore, optical fibers not only enable a remarkably broad range of applications but are, themselves, unique tools for fundamental studies into light‐matter interactions. That said, despite such ubiquity and global impact, increasing demands from existing systems, coupled with new expectations from novel emerging technologies, are necessitating a remarkably creative renaissance in optical fiber materials, structures, and processing methodologies. This paper, a follow‐on to a previous historical retrospective [Ballato and Dragic, Int. J. Appl. Glass Sci. 7, 413 (2016)], discusses current and future trends, recent advances in optical fiber materials, processing and properties, and muses about their forthcoming prospects and areas for further study and development. Specifically, optical fibers employed in present and future communications, sensors, and laser systems are discussed along with material innovations that could yield revolutionary advances in performance or manufacturability.

中文翻译：

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玻璃：光的载体-第二部分-展望光纤的未来

玻璃光纤已经达到了规模和商业成熟度，几乎没有其他材料和形式可以声称。此外，光纤不仅可以实现广泛的应用，而且本身就是对光与物质相互作用进行基础研究的独特工具。也就是说，尽管存在这样的普遍性和全球影响力，但是现有系统的需求不断增长，再加上新兴技术的新期望，仍需要在光纤材料，结构和加工方法上进行创新性的复兴。本文是先前历史回顾的后续[Ballato and Dragic，Int。J.应用 玻璃科学。7，413（2016）]，讨论了当前和未来的趋势，光纤材料，加工和特性的最新进展，并对未来的前景和需要进一步研究和发展的领域保持沉思。特别是，讨论了当前和将来的通信，传感器和激光系统中使用的光纤，以及可能带来性能或可制造性革命性进步的材料创新。