Splicing of crystal fiber to silica fiber with reaction bonding

US10649142B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy · US

Inventors

• Rajesh Thapa · Fayetteville, US
• Rafael R. Gattass · Washington, US
• Daniel J. Gibson · Greenbelt, US
• Woohong Kim · Lorton, US
• L. Brandon Shaw · Salem, US
• Jasbinder S. Sanghera · Greenbelt, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 2019
• Grant date: May 12, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/2553
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for splicing crystal fibers to silica glass fibers. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanically stable bonds with negligible optical transmission loss by splicing fibers through a thermally enhanced reaction bonding process at lower temperatures than the melting point of the crystal. In an embodiment, mixing of the materials at elevated temperatures forms a stable intermediary material which enhances strength and reduces the transmission losses.