Method and apparatus for splicing optical fibers
US4049414A · kind A · utility
77Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 1975 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/2551
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are described for permanently splicing glass optical fibers. The fibers are aligned colinearly, and their endfaces are brought into contact. An electrical arc discharge is generated at the junction between the fibers and is moved along the junction to ensure complete fusing of the fiber endfaces. Best results are obtained by first applying only enough heat to the fiber junction to cause the fibers to adhere to each other without forming a good optical connection, and thereafter, increasing the arc current to a value sufficient to cause complete fusion of the fiber endfaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.