초록 ▼

High strength optical fiber splices are obtained using an inert flowing gas to remove frit and discoloration produced during a fusing process. The fibers being spliced are protected from chemical and particulate contamination by preventing such contaminants from coming into contact with the exposed

High strength optical fiber splices are obtained using an inert flowing gas to remove frit and discoloration produced during a fusing process. The fibers being spliced are protected from chemical and particulate contamination by preventing such contaminants from coming into contact with the exposed fiber ends as can occur when the fiber end is place into a solvent to soften the jacket prior to stripping. Finally, a post fusion heat treating step is added after the fibers have been spliced to remove any surface damage that may have been produced.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for splicing a pair of silicon based optical fibers comprising the steps of: holding an end of each of two optical fibers to be spliced in a corresponding one of a pair of longitudinally-spaced coaxially-aligned grooves formed in a heat treating holder; coaxially aligning the ends of said f

A method for splicing a pair of silicon based optical fibers comprising the steps of: holding an end of each of two optical fibers to be spliced in a corresponding one of a pair of longitudinally-spaced coaxially-aligned grooves formed in a heat treating holder; coaxially aligning the ends of said fibers held in the heat treating holder; heating said fiber ends situated in a region between said grooves in said heat treating holder to a temperature sufficiently high to fuse said fibers together; and directing, simultaneously with said heating, a flowing non-reactive or inert gas through said region over the ends of the fibers in order to remove evaporated silicon therefrom.