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Optical fibers with various protective coatings were submerged in liquid nitrogen to 77°K then tested for mechanical and optical reliability. It was found that while all the fibers maintained strength after low-temperature exposure, the optical response varied depending on the protective coating. The optical attenuation observed for some fiber samples is due to axial shrinkage of the coating, which then leads to an elevated microbending loss. The behavior of the fiber coating at temperatures below the glass transition temperature is discussed.

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